The 2023 high school football season begins this week.
While Texas is known across the country for its high school football, here are some of the teams that stand out entering the season.
Class 6A
Duncanville Panthers
2022 season: 15-0, 6A Division I State champion
The defending state champs enter the season ranked as the top 6A team in the state after a 15-0 season that culminated with its first state title since 1998. The Panthers return 10 starters and 33 lettermen from last season’s team, including five-star defensive end Colin Simmons, running back Caden Durham, and quarterback Keelon Russell. They will begin the season with a showdown against 5A Division II state champion South Oak Cliff at SMU on Friday night.
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DeSoto Eagles
2022 season: 14-2, 6A Division II State champion
DeSoto’s only two losses last season came against Duncanville and St. Frances (Maryland). Otherwise, the Eagles thoroughly dominated their competition, even scoring 86 points in one game. They won each of their playoff games by at least 17 points and have 42 players returning from last year’s team, including quarterback DJ Bailey and three-star defensive back Mario Buford. DeSoto starts the season as the No.3 team in Texas 6A against Allen.
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Southlake Carroll Dragons
2022 season: 13-1, lost to Denton Guyer in 6A Division II Region I Final
Carroll is always a contender and should be once again. The Dragons went undefeated in district play last season before falling to Denton Guyer in the playoffs and bring back six starters on offense, led by quarterback Graham Knowles and wide receiver Jacob Jordan. They open the season as 6A’s No.8-ranked team and host El Paso Eastwood.
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Denton Guyer Wildcats
2022 season: 14-1, lost to DeSoto in 6A Division II State semifinal
Guyer came close to a state championship appearance last season but ran into the eventual state champ. The team loses some highly regarded recruits such as defensive back Peyton Bowen and Gatorade National Player of the Year Jackson Arnold at quarterback, yet expects to remain in contention as the No.9 team in 6A. While only seven starters return, 20 players remain from last year’s team as Guyer attempts to replace five FBS players.
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Prosper Eagles
2022 season: 13-2, lost in 6A Division I State semifinal
Prosper also came just shy of the state final and enters the year ranked No.14 in the state. The Eagles have a new head coach as former offensive coordinator Tyler Moore takes over for Brandon Schmidt, but 11 starters return from a year ago. Wide receiver Nathan TenBarge makes the transition to quarterback this season, where he should be well protected by an offensive line that includes Texas Tech commit Ellis Davis at left tackle, while linebackers Luke Johnson and Jonah McClendon lead the defense.
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Lewisville Farmers
2022 season: 12-2, lost to Prosper in 6A Division I Region I Final
Ten starters and 26 players return for Lewisville this season, including seven starters on an offense that drove the team to the regional final. Quarterback Ethan Terrell leads the way as a dual-threat who accumulated more than 1,000 yards on the ground to go with 1,383 yards in the air and 25 total touchdowns a year ago. He is helped by running back Viron Ellison and a defense led by an opportunistic secondary. They begin the season ranked No. 15 in the state among 6A schools.
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North Crowley Panthers
2022 season: 12-1, lost to Prosper in 6A Division I Region I Semifinal
North Crowley breezed through its first 12 games before meeting Prosper in the playoffs, winning eight by double-digits. The Panthers enter the 2023 season ranked 17th in 6A with 12 starters and 25 players returning from last year’s squad as they begin year two under head coach Ray Gates.
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Rockwall YellowJackets
2022 season: 10-2, lost to Waxahachie in 6A Division I Region II Area Round
Rockwall has a successful track record but lost many contributors from last season’s team. The Yellowjackets still enter the season ranked among the top 25 teams in 6A but will have to find more playmakers as the season progresses. In the meantime., they will lean on quarterback Mason Marshall, wide receiver Kai Helton, and defensive back Jake Overstreet, among others, as senior leaders.
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McKinney Lions
2022 season: 8-5, lost to Southlake Carroll in 6A Division II Region I Semifinal
McKinney stumbled down the stretch last season after a 5-1 start but recovered to win two playoff games and make their longest playoff run since 1993 before falling to Southlake Carroll by a touchdown. The Lions have a chance to build on that momentum with 27 players returning, including 14 starters, and begin the season as the No.22 team in 6A.
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Byron Nelson Bobcats
2022 season: 11-2, lost to Denton Guyer in 6A Division II Region I Semifinal
Byron Nelson won 11 games last year and returns 15 starters, including its entire defense, for this season. While the continuity on defense will help, the Bobcats have to replace several players offensively, including quarterback Jake Wilson (4,181 yards, 50 touchdowns, and four interceptions), running back Aaron Darden (1,766 yards and 25 touchdowns), and 1,000-yard receivers Landon Ransom-Goelz and Gavin McCurley. Still, they enter the year expected to contend as the 24th-ranked team in 6A.
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5A Division I
Aledo Bearcats
2022 season: 14-2, 5A Division I State Champion
Defending state champ Aledo brings back 12 starters, including seven on offense. The Bearcats began the 2022 season with back-to-back losses before rattling off 14 straight wins to take the state title, winning 12 by double figures. Now in their second season in 5A Division I, the Bearcats begin the year with the number one ranking in the state and should have a lethal offense once again behind quarterback Hauss Hejny, athlete Hawk Patrick-Daniels, and wide receiver Kaydon Finley.
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Longview Lobos
2022 season: 14-1, lost to Aledo in 5A Division I State Semifinal
Longview rolled to a 14-0 start but fell short of the state championship game. This year’s team enters the season ranked second in the state and has a chance to continue to contend but will have to replace wide receiver Jalen Hale, now at Alabama, among others, and rely on running back Tayler Tatum (32 yards, 13 touchdowns) to lead the offense.
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Lancaster Tigers
2022 season: 9-3, lost to Frisco Reedy in 5A Division I Region II Area Round
Lancaster will be the primary competition for Longview in District 7-5A Division I. The Tigers enter the season ranked fourth in the state and return 12 starters, nine on offense. Ja’Quavius Pipkin and Carter Joens will continue to share the quarterback duties as Lancaster attempts to reach the 10-win mark.
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Mansfield Timberview Wolves
2022 season: 13-1, lost to Longview in 5A Division I Region II Final
Timberview has rattled off three consecutive winning seasons and brings back the bulk of its team from last season as it enters 2023 ranked fifth in the state. Cameron Bates and Jaylon Woods lead the offense, while eight returning starters from last season’s young defense may help put the Wolves over the hump.
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Frisco Lone Star Rangers
2022 season: 9-3, lost to Longview in 5A Division I Region I Area Round
Lone Star finished last season with its 11th consecutive winning record despite getting knocked out of the playoffs early. After a 2-2 start, the Rangers won seven games in a row before falling to Longview in the postseason. This year’s team enters the season ranked seventh in 5A as 11 starters, led by sophomore Davian Groce and linebacker Mo Russolillo, return.
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Frisco Reedy Lions
2022 season: 12-1, lost to Mansfield Timberview in 5A Division I Region I Semifinal
Reedy won District 6-5A Division I with an unbeaten 8-0 record in district play. The Lions won their first 12 games of the season, reaching the regional semifinals, where their second-half comeback fell short. Eight players return on defense for the No.10 team in 5A as the offense tries to account for significant losses.
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Burleson Centennial Spartans
2022 season: 12-2, lost to Aledo in 5A Division I Region I Final
Aidan Hicks and Iverson Moore lead a team that lost most of its key contributors from a year ago, but the Spartans start the season ranked 13th in 5A. Aledo was the only team to beat Burleson Centennial last season, and the Spartans will try to build on that despite the lack of continuity in their roster.
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Denton Ryan Raiders
2022 season: 6-4, lost to Red Oak in 5A Division I Region I Bi-District Round
Last season was a down year for Ryan, and not many players return from that team. Still, the Raiders begin the season ranked among the state’s Top 25 teams in 5A. The offense will have many new faces, while the defense will lean on Trey Bates, Dillon Arkansas, Trae Williams, and Erroil West.
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5A Division II
Melissa Cardinals
2022 season: 11-3, lost to South Oak Cliff in 5A Division II Region II Final
Like many on this list, Melissa ran into a South Oak Cliff team that could not be stopped in the postseason. However, the Cardinals’ offense led it to 11 straight wins once it found its footing. Most of that offense returns for this season, including quarterback Trever Ham and wide receiver Karson Maynard, helping Melissa earn the No.1 ranking in the preseason poll.
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South Oak Cliff Golden Bears
2022 season: 13-3, 5A Division II State Champion
South Oak Cliff pulled off the repeat as it knocked off Port Neches-Groves for its second straight state title. The Golden Bears had a tough schedule, losing their first three games to Duncanville, Lancaster, and DeSoto, but recovered for 13 consecutive wins. They enter 2023 ranked second in 5A Division II and begin the season against Duncanville.
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Argyle Eagles
2022 season: 14-1, lost to South Oak Cliff in 5A Division II State Semifinal
Argyle rolled to 14 wins to start the season but was no match for a hot South Oak Cliff team. Most of its offensive playmakers return for 2023 as the No.3 Eagles try to continue their success in their second season at the 5A level. They will start the season against No.1 Melissa for the second season in a row.
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Frisco Emerson Mavericks
2022 season: 9-2, lost to Colleyville Heritage in 5A Division II Region I Bi-District Round
Emerson’s first varsity season was largely successful as it withstood a long field goal to win its season-opener against Dallas Hillcrest in overtime and cruised to a 7-0 start. Argyle was the only team to defeat the Mavericks in the regular season as they made their first playoff appearance. Emerson returns all its starters from a year ago, earning the No.7 spot in the state rankings.
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Lucas Lovejoy Leopards
2022 season: 8-4, lost to South Oak Cliff in 5A Division I Region II Area Round
Lovejoy won 25 games between 2020 and 2021 and followed it with an eight-win season last year. All four of the team’s losses came against teams ranked in the Top 25 to start the 2023 season, including a playoff loss to South Oak Cliff. Fourteen starters return from that team, highlighted by wide receivers Daylon McCutcheon and Parker Livingstone.
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Midlothian Heritage Jaguars
2022 season: 11-2, lost to South Oak Cliff in 5A Division II Region II Semifinal
Heritage won a district title in its first year at the 5A level and returns nine starters from that team. While some younger players may have to contribute at the skill positions, the Jaguars are a common pick to win the district again and enter the season Ranked 10th in 5A Division II.
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Colleyville Heritage Panthers
2022 season: 8-4, lost to Abilene Wylie in 5A Division II Region I Area Round
Jerry Edwards takes over a team that reached the playoffs last season and returns 14 starters. Nine of those starters are on offense as Luke Ullrich, Kai Pruitt, and Braden Blueitt lead the No.11 team in the state into a new chapter in program history.
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Mansfield Summit Jaguars
2022 season: 5-6, lost to South Oak Cliff in 5A Division II Region II Bi-District Round
Fourteen returning starters and 26 returning players overall should help the Jaguars improve as they begin the year ranked in the Top 25 in 5A Division II. Last season was an uncharacteristic season on the field, but Summit expects to build on some close losses to great teams.
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4A Division I
Celina Bobcats
2022 season: 11-2, lost to Anna in 4A Division I Region II Semifinal
The Bobcats enter the season ranked No.6 in 4A Division I after winning 11 games last season. They return 11 starters and have a highly touted defense that helps make them the favorite to win District 7-4A Division I.
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Anna Coyotes
2022 season: 13-1, lost to China Spring in 4A Division I Region II Final
Anna’s only loss came to eventual state champion China Spring in the playoffs. The Coyotes have been building up a young core for several seasons and finally saw the results pay off. Now, 14 starters return from a team that had the best season in program history, as Anna enters the season ranked No.8 in the state.
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Dallas Carter Cowboys
2022 season: 9-3, lost to Lake Worth in 5A Division I Region II Area Round
Running back Kaeden Landry led Carter to nine wins with more than 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground last season. It was the second-straight winning season for Carter after only winning three games in 2020. With 24 players returning from last year’s team, there are high expectations, and Carter starts the year ranked 23rd.
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Others To Watch
These teams are expected to be among the top programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex but do not appear in the Top 25 of the preseason rankings in their respective classes.
6A: Highland Park Scots, Arlington Martin Warriors, Allen Eagles, Waxahachie Indians, Arlington Colts, Mesquite Horn Jaguars, Rockwall-Heath Hawks, Coppell Cowboys
5A: Frisco Wakeland Wolverines, Forney Jackrabbits,
4A: Aubrey Chaparrals, Kennedale Wildcats