MaxPreps Texas Top 25 high school football rankings

Some 64 years have passed since the Dallas Independent School District produced a football state champion when Sunset (Dallas) won the old city classification title in 1950.

Ending that long drought is extra motivation for Skyline (Dallas), No. 3 in this week's MaxPreps Texas Top 25.

Coach Reginald Samples' Raiders are 5-0 at midseason, the most noteworthy a 40-30 victory on Sept. 12 over Cedar Hill, last year's Class 5A Division II state champion.

Junior running back Da'leon Ward is averaging over 10 yards per carry and two rushing touchdowns per game for Skyline. Quarterback K.C. Johnson is completing 70 percent of his passes, 11 of them for scores.

Skyline improved to 2-0 in District 9-6A by outscoring Jesuit (Dallas) 56-30 and takes on 3-2 Nimitz (Irving) on Thursday.

The Raiders have a streak of 20 straight playoff appearances, making it as deep as the state semifinals in 2011.

The most intriguing matchups this weekend, however, will take place in the Houston area. No. 6 Katy will face No. 19 Seven Lakes (Katy) in a key District 19-6A contest. No. 15 Klein Collins (Spring) will take on No. 22 Spring Westfield (Houston) in a District 15-6A clash.

See the MaxPreps Texas Computer Rankings and the MaxPreps Texas pro photo galleries.


1. Allen 6-0 (1)
Playing only a half, Texas A&M pledge Kyler Murray threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in a 49-13 District 6-6A victory over 2-3 Lewisville. The Eagles, with a winning streak now at 33, owned a 42-6 halftime lead before turning it over to the reserves. Up next is a Friday road trip to 0-5 Hebron.

2. DeSoto 5-0 (2)
Despite injuries to key offensive performers, the talented Eagles have scored over 50 points in all but one game. Coming off an open date, DeSoto hosts 4-2 Mansfield on Friday.

3. Skyline (Dallas) 5-0 (3)
Da'leon Ward rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-30 triumph over 3-2 Jesuit (Dallas) in a District 9-6A contest. K.C. Johnson threw three touchdown passes, a 38-yarder to Ward and two to Carlos Strickland. Up next is a Thursday road trip to 3-2 Nimitz (Irving).

4. Manvel 5-0 (4)
D'Eriq King threw for 215 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-7 rout of 2-4 South Houston (South Houston). Gary Haynes caught three of King's touchdowns and also returned a punt 70 yards for a score. Up next is a Friday road trip to 4-2 Dawson (Pearland).

5. Cedar Hill 4-1 (5)
The Longhorns began District 8-6A play with a 56-27 romp over 2-4 Midlothian. Aca'cedric Ware (140 rushing yards) and Denvre Daniels evenly divided six rushing touchdowns. On Friday the Longhorns host 3-3 neighbor Duncanville.

6. Katy 4-1 (6)
Coming off an open date, the Tigers face 5-0 Seven Lakes (Katy) in a District 19-6A showdown on Saturday.

7. Pearland 6-0 (7)
Jake Blumrick's 1-yard touchdown run in the game's final minute finally sealed a tense 15-6 victory over 4-2 rival Dawson (Pearland). Ryan Diaz scored the first Oilers touchdown on a 10-yard run in the second quarter. Jacolbie Butler rushed for 111 yards on 19 carries. Up next is a Friday trip to 3-2 Alvin.

8. Trinity (Euless) 5-0 (8)
The Trojans used 14 ball carriers and five of them found the end zone in a 41-0 blanking of 0-6 Haltom. The defense limited the Buffalos to three first downs and 45 total yards, forcing eight punts. On Thursday Steve Lineweaver's team meets 0-6 Bell (Hurst) in its annual rivalry game.

9. Steele (Cibolo) (5-1) (9)
L.G. Williams threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns, including a 62-yarder to Jaylen Harris on the final play of the first half, in a 31-0 blanking of 2-4 Clemens (Schertz). The Knights defense allowed only five first downs and 84 total yards in holding its fourth opponent without a touchdown. Up next is a Friday trip to 3-3 Wagner (San Antonio).

10. Cy-Fair (Cypress) 5-0 (10)
The Bobcats defense set the tone with a 79-yard interception return by Spencer Wright for the game's first touchdown in a 42-7 victory over 0-5 Cypress Ridge (Houston). Clayton Kopecky completed 7 of 9 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns. Jacorey Aleem scored twice, rushing for 81 yards and catching a 49-yard touchdown pass. Up next is a Saturday home game against 4-1 Langham Creek (Houston).

11. Carroll (Southlake) 5-0 (11)
Lil'Jordan Humphrey plowed over from the 1 with 24 seconds remaining for a tense 28-24 victory over 3-3 Coppell. Humphrey finished with 116 yards and two scores. Ryan Agnew completed 25 of 33 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown. On Friday the Dragons go on the road to face 3-3 Richland.

12. Brennan (San Antonio) 6-0 (12)
Freshman Jahmyl Jeter, pressed into duty by injuries, rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns in a 44-3 triumph over 2-4 Taft (San Antonio). Quarterback Da'Shawn Key rushed for 136 yards and two scores as the Bears extended their regular-season winning streak to 29. Up next is a Saturday contest against 2-3 Warren (San Antonio).

13. The Woodlands 5-1 (13)
Chris Andritsos came off the bench to throw a 41-yard touchdown pass to senior Chris Bell with 4:24 to play to help the Highlanders to a 24-14 victory over 5-1 Atascocita (Humble). Bell had four catches for 75 yards and two scores. Starting quarterback Matt Bonaguidi threw two touchdowns in the first half. Up next is a Friday meeting with 1-4 College Park (The Woodlands).

14. Midway (Waco) 5-0 (15)
Korey Chatman, a 5-5, 190-pound junior, rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns on only nine carries to help the Panthers to a 51-0 rout of 4-2 Harker Heights. The defense allowed only 53 yards in the first half of the District 12-6A opener for the Panthers. Up next is a Friday road trip to 5-1 Shoemaker (Killeen).

15. Klein Collins (Spring) 5-0 (16)
Nate Edmonds ran for two touchdowns and passed 37 yards to Quinton Newton for another in a 35-3 triumph over 2-3 Spring Dekaney (Houston). For the second straight game, the defense did not allow a touchdown. Up next is a Friday showdown with 4-1 Spring Westfield (Houston).

16. Highland Park (Dallas) 5-0 (17)
Mitchell Kaufman's 61-yard interception return three minutes in set the tone for a Scots defense that recorded its third shutout of the season, 56-0 over 1-4 Pearce (Richardson). Stephen Dieb rushed for 108 yards and four touchdowns. Kevin Ken had seven catches for 91 yards. Up next is a Friday road showdown against 4-1 Horn (Mesquite).

17. Fort Bend Elkins (Missouri City) 5-0 (18)
Jonathan Giles threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns in a 32-7 victory over 2-3 Ball (Galveston). Giles rushed for 74 yards and a score. Kahlif Smith added 118 rushing yards and a score. Up next is a Saturday clash with 1-4 Fort Bend Willowridge (Houston).

18. Brandeis (San Antonio) 5-0 (19)
Coming off an open date, the Broncos on Saturday host 0-6 Holmes (San Antonio).

19. Seven Lakes (Katy) 5-0 (NR)
Bryan Moore accounted for four touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving) in a 48-0 romp over 3-2 Katy Taylor (Katy). Tristan Hibbler threw for three scores and the Spartans defense recorded its second straight shutout. Up next is a Saturday showdown with 4-1 Katy.

20. Atascocita (Humble) 5-1 (14)
Quarterback Niyl Campbell rushed for 132 yards and one touchdown, but was held to one completion in the second half of a 24-14 loss to 5-1 The Woodlands. After closing the deficit to 17-14, the Eagles came up empty on their final five possessions — three punts and twice stopped on downs. Up next is a Saturday contest with 5-1 Oak Ridge (Conroe).

21. Guyer (Denton) 4-1 (21)
Shawn Robinson threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-33 victory over 2-3 Northwest (Justin). Alex Honey caught a pair of touchdowns and David Rolon rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown. Up next the Wildcats on Friday host 5-0 Fossil Ridge (Keller).

22. Westfield (Houston)4-1 (22)
The Mustangs overcame five lost fumbles and rallied past 4-1 Spring 38-37 in a District 15-6A showdown. Latevius Downs (154 rushing yards) scored three touchdowns including the game-winner on a 6-yard run with 11 minutes left. Dillon Sterling-Cole threw for 180 yards and two scores. Up next is a Friday road test against 5-0 Klein Collins (Spring).

23. Rockwall 6-0 (23)
Chris Warren rushed for 125 yards and three touchdowns in a 71-14 clubbing of 1-5 Naaman Forest (Garland). Will Reed completed all 10 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Xavier Castille had two scoring catches and ran for another. Zack Dennis returned an interception for a score and Sam Crawford returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Up next is a Thursday road encounter with 4-2 Sachse.

24. Fossil Ridge (Keller) 5-0 (NR)
Keshawn Mitchell caught four passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-7 victory over 3-2 Timber Creek (Keller). Cody Seidel booted two field goals, giving him seven for the season, and Noah Powell returned an interception 25 yards for a score. Up next is a Friday showdown with 4-1 Guyer (Denton).

25. Aledo 4-1 (25)
Jess Anders IV scored six touchdowns to help the Bearcats pull away in the second half for a 55-27 victory over 3-2 Centennial (Burleson). Anders rushed for 175 yards and five touchdowns and added a receiving score. After a 20-20 first half, Aledo outscored Centennial 35-7 in the second half. Up next is a home game against 3-2 Everman.

Dropped out: No. 20 Westlake (Austin); No. 24 Plano West

On the bubble
Dickinson 5-0, Ennis 3-2, Horn (Mesquite) 4-1, Lake Travis (Austin) 4-1, Lamar (Houston) 4-1, Mansfield Timberview (Arlington) 4-1, Martin (Arlington) 3-2, O'Connor (Helotes) 5-1, Reagan (San Antonio) 5-1, Temple 4-1