After five weeks of games, we’ve reached the midpoint of the 2024 Texas high school football season. With district play in full swing across the state, it’s time to press pause and acknowledge some of the top teams and performers of the year so far.
Read our other midseason reports here:
Midseason report: Who could win Dallas-area MVP?
Midseason report: What are the most intriguing storylines?
Midseason report: Which teams can win state, who are the dark horses?
Here are the Class 6A and 5A teams that have outperformed preseason expectations:
Which 6A team has surprised you the most?
Colin Capece: Denton Guyer. Despite being ranked No. 5 in The Dallas Morning News’ preseason rankings, a big question mark heading into this season was how new starting quarterback Kevin Sperry, on his third school in as many seasons, would fit into an offense filled with first-time starters. So far, Sperry has been able to lead the Wildcats to wins over 2023 5A-I state champion Aledo, who beat Guyer last season, and an upstart Flower Mound team that looks like a contender in 5-6A. Guyer has also shown it has the defensive line to neutralize the running game for most teams and find key sacks in the fourth quarter.
Ronald Harrod Jr.: Euless Trinity. They are the highest riser from The Dallas Morning News’ preseason rankings. Trinity went 7-5 last season and lost in the second round of the playoffs. But this season, Trinity is the third-highest-scoring offense among area 6A teams, averaging 49.2 points per game. They are led by head coach Aaron Lineweaver, who has emphasized the running game. Trinity has the second-most rushing yards among 6A teams in the area with 1,470. The District 4-6A team’s biggest win so far is against The News’ No. 10-ranked Byron Nelson.
Greg Riddle: Arlington. With a 4-1 record, Arlington has already matched its win total from last season, when it finished 4-6. Arlington’s most recent win was 60-24 over South Grand Prairie — a team that beat Arlington by seven last year. With SMU pledge Isaiah Robertson having scored 10 touchdowns and accounted for 674 combined yards rushing and receiving, Arlington is tied for first in District 8-6A and has a shot at perhaps its best season since 2018 (11-1), 2017 (10-3) or 2019 (9-4).
Myah Taylor: Flower Mound. Over the last two seasons, Flower Mound posted a combined record of 8–12 to miss the playoffs in 2022 (3–7) and 2023 (5–5). This year, Flower Mound is off to a 3–1 start. In Week 5 of the 2024 Texas high school football season, Flower Mound challenged state-ranked Denton Guyer in a 44-36 loss. Flower Mound’s skill players have shined this fall. Wide receiver Carter Massey has made 36 catches for 435 yards and eight touchdowns, while running back Marcus Simpson has 67 carries for 391 yards and five touchdowns through four games. Picked by The Dallas Morning News to finish sixth in the new-look District 5-6A, Flower Mound is looking like one of the teams that will contend for a playoff spot.
Which 5A team has surprised you the most?
Capece: West Mesquite. It was unranked to begin the season but has climbed to No. 19 in The Dallas Morning News’ most recent 5A rankings after a 5-0 start. West Mesquite is 10th in class 5A in total offense thanks to leading rushers Damarius Robinson and Kamari Carter and has beaten its opponents by an average of more than 33 points. West Mesquite has already exceeded its win total from 2023, when it went 3-7. Can the Wranglers ride their hot start to a District 6-5A Division I title?
Harrod: Prosper Walnut Grove. In just its second season, Prosper Walnut Grove has defied expectations by starting undefeated. Walnut Grove wasn’t included in The News’ preseason rankings after going 3-7 last year, but its explosive offense has scored over 60 points twice this season. Walnut Grove is the highest-scoring offense among area 5A teams, averaging 530.3 yards per game.The team is also 2-0 in district play. However, tougher tests lie ahead with upcoming district games against Anna, Melissa, and Lovejoy.
Riddle: Carrollton Creekview. The team was 0-10 in both 2022 and 2023 and entered this season with a 21-game losing streak. But Creekview is 5-0 under new head coach Dusty Ortiz, it has outscored the opposition 203-82, and it is tied with 5-0 West Mesquite — another surprise after a 3-7 season in 2023 — for first place in District 6-5A Division I. J’Noah Drumgole and DeAndre Richardson have combined to run for 812 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Cason Garcia has 10 touchdown passes and only one interception.
Taylor: Arlington Seguin. Seguin made a statement in Week 2 with a 50-14 upset of Red Oak, a team it lost to 28-0 last year. The victory marked Seguin’s first 2–0 start since 2015, and the program has only continued to win. At 5–0 entering Week 6, Seguin boasts the area’s seventh-ranked 5A offense with an average of 441.6 yards per game. Through five games, Seguin has averaged 43.8 points per contest. Junior quarterback Chevy Andrews has played incredibly, throwing for 1,172 yards and 13 touchdowns, while rushing for four.
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