Dallas barber Matthew “Matt” Steigerwald knows how to deliver a winning performance, even if his beloved Dallas Cowboys do not. The military veteran and entrepreneur behind Mattie’s Parlour has earned a 5.0-star rating on Booksy.
But there is something else customers get in Matt’s barber chair: unfiltered football opinions, spirited debates and plenty of laughs. For roughly four years, 13-year-old Louis Darrouzet has been one of those customers. Their longtime football conversations have become Barber Ball Banter, part of the Future Voices incubator at The Dallas Express.
And while Matt has mastered consistency in his own business, he cannot say the same for America’s Team. Could the Cowboys learn something from Matt’s five-star operation, or from the teenagers dominating North Texas high school football? This week’s scores make that question even more interesting.
North Crowley scores 147 points in two games
North Crowley is not just winning. The Panthers are demolishing opponents.
After crushing Dallas Skyline 75-3, North Crowley followed with a 72-10 victory over Mansfield on Thursday, improving to 9-0. Quarterback Jacob Torres completed 14 of 15 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns, High School On SI reported.
Receiver Damarion Mays caught nine passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns, including a 92-yard scoring play. G’yrell Smith added two rushing touchdowns and a kickoff return for another score. Backup quarterback Jahzeel McCradic completed all six of his passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns, according to the same report.
Can anyone stop North Crowley when the playoffs arrive?
Allen dominates as Jesuit falls one point short
Allen continued its impressive season with a 56-14 victory over McKinney Boyd on Friday. Meanwhile, Jesuit Dallas fell to McKinney 35-34, one week after a 77-14 loss to Allen.
The result was especially interesting for Barber Ball Banter. Before the game, Matt confidently declared to lifelong Jesuit fan Louis: “I said what I said. I’m picking Jesuit!”
His pick fell one point short. Jesuit has shown offensive promise, including a 33-yard touchdown connection between quarterback JR Kamara and freshman receiver Reece Barnicle against Allen. Now the Rangers face another challenge: Can they bounce back against Prosper Rock Hill?
Duncanville rebounds as Waxahachie delivers a shutout
Duncanville answered its previous loss to Waxahachie with a 35-16 victory over Mansfield Lake Ridge on Friday. Waxahachie continued its momentum, shutting out Crowley 34-0. Both programs gave North Texas fans more to debate as the postseason approaches.
Matt calls the Cowboys’ defense “Swiss cheese”
The Cowboys entered the weekend with a 3-4 record, but Matt still questions whether Dallas can deliver consistent results against stronger competition.
His assessment of the defense in Barber Ball Banter? “It’s Swiss cheese out there. Just holes everywhere.”
Even if Dallas reaches the playoffs, Matt fears another familiar first-round disappointment. That frustration has become a recurring topic on the show. This week’s high school results give him and Louis another reason to ask why America’s Team cannot find the consistency they want.
Can Arch Manning save Texas’ playoff hopes?
Matt and Louis also debate Arch Manning, Texas’ uneven play and the Longhorns’ playoff hopes. Matt believes a three-loss Texas team could still make the College Football Playoff if its remaining wins are impressive enough.
Can Texas put together four consistent quarters when it matters most?
The next generation has something to say
What makes Barber Ball Banter entertaining is watching a passionate adult fan and a 13-year-old sports enthusiast challenge each other’s opinions. Louis is not afraid to disagree, defend his predictions or call out a questionable performance.
North Texas, what do you think? Can North Crowley finish undefeated? Can Jesuit rebound? And can the Cowboys turn Matt’s skepticism into optimism?
Watch the latest Barber Ball Banter and tell us who is getting it right: Matt or Louis.
