MaxPreps Texas Top 25 high school football rankings

Two-time defending state champion Allen, No. 1 in the MaxPreps Texas Top 25, has navigated its way through the minefield known as the UIL's Class 6A Division I Region I playoff bracket to reach a state semifinal.

One more formidable obstacle remains between the Eagles and a third consecutive state title appearance.

No. 2 Skyline (Dallas), champion of Region II, like Allen is 14-0. The Raiders are an athletic team that makes few mistakes and feasts on those made by its opponent.

Kickoff is 6 p.m. Saturday at SMU's Ford Stadium.

Allen owns a 41-game winning streak, but Tom Westerberg's team has needed last-minute field goals for three-point playoff wins over DeSoto in the second round and Trinity (Euless) in the fourth round.

The postseason road in Region II has been less stressful for Skyline coach Reginald Samples with Saturday's 38-20 win over Klein Oak (Spring) the closest of four victories.

Dual-threat Allen quarterback Kyler Murray is unbeaten in 41 games as a starter, including 16 in the playoffs. The Texas A&M pledge has thrown for 3,991 yards and 44 touchdowns. As a runner, Murray has 25 touchdowns and 1,317 yards.

Skyline has a talented quarterback of its own in K.C. Johnson. The senior, converted from the defensive backfield in the spring, has thrown for 2,421 yards and 36 touchdowns. Johnson in 236 attempts is yet to throw an interception.

Jalen Guyton, verbally committed to Notre Dame, is the leading Allen receiver with 75 catches for 1,698 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Carlos Strickland, a Texas Tech pledge, and Savon Rollison have proven to be a productive tandem for Skyline. Each has over 850 receiving yards. Strickland, with 15 touchdown catches, has one more than Rollison.

The teams met in the fourth playoff round two years ago, Murray's sophomore season, with Allen winning, 37-17.

No. 4 Katy will face No. 8 Steele (Cibolo) in a Class 6A Division II state semifinal set for 4 p.m. Saturday at Houston's NRG (formerly Reliant) Stadium. Both teams are 13-1.

Katy, like Allen, is attempting to reach a third straight state title game. The Tigers with a strong second half put away 13-1 Manvel 45-17 for the Region III title.

Steele scored in the final five minutes in a 31-28 victory over Brandeis (San Antonio) in the Region IV title game.

Here's the MaxPreps Texas Top 25 following the fourth of six playoff rounds.

See the MaxPreps Texas Playoff Brackets and the MaxPreps Texas pro photo galleries


1. Allen 14-0 (1 last week)
Kyler Murray completed 25 of 32 passes for 428 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-27 victory over 12-2 Trinity (Euless) in the 6A-DI Region I title game. Sawyer Williams' 26-yard field goal with 44 seconds remaining snapped a 27-deadlock and helped the Eagles to their 41st consecutive victory. Jalen Guyton had five catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns and intercepted a desperation Trinity pass in the end zone in the final seconds. Kerry Hall had 12 catches for 119 yards and one score. Lee Morris had six catches for 141 yards. Next is 14-0 Skyline (Dallas) in a state semifinal set for 6 p.m. Saturday at SMU's Ford Stadium.

2. Skyline (Dallas) 14-0 (2)
Daleon Ward rushed for 179 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-20 elimination of 10-4 Klein Oak (Spring) in the 6A-DI Region II title game. K.C. Johnson threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns, both going to Carlos Strickland. A defense led by Rice pledge Zach Abercrumbia, Anthony Smith and Anthony Wheeler recorded six sacks. The Raiders advance to a state semifinal against 14-0 Allen set for 6 p.m. Saturday at SMU's Ford Stadium.

3. Cedar Hill 12-2 (9)
USC commit Aca'cedric Ware rushed for 283 yards and a touchdown in a 62-42 elimination of 13-1 Carroll (Southlake) in the 6A-DII Region I title game. Ware's touchdown came after a successful fake punt for a first down in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter when the lead for the defending state champion Longhorns had been whittled to five points. Denvre Daniels rushed for 155 yards and four touchdowns. Next is 13-1 Spring Westfield (Houston) in a state semifinal set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex.

4. Katy 13-1 (6)
Oklahoma pledge Rodney Anderson rushed for 302 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-17 victory over 13-1 Manvel for the Region III title in 6A-DII. The Tigers scored the game's final 28 points to break open a contest that was 17-17 early in the third quarter. Katy's defense recorded eight sacks and limited a Mavericks offense averaging over 500 yards to 265. The regional title is the sixth for Katy since 2007. Next is a state semifinal against 13-1 Steele (Cibolo) set for 4 p.m. Saturday at Houston's NRG Stadium.

5. DeSoto 10-2* (7)
The Eagles suffered elimination to Allen for the third straight season, this time in a 6A-DI area playoff, 25-22, on a field goal as time expired. Head coach Claude Mathis is rumored to be considering an offer to join the staff of new SMU head coach Chad Morris.

6. Carroll (Southlake)* 13-1 (4)
The Dragons failed to establish a running game and on defense could not slow Cedar Hill‘s ground game in a 62-42 defeat in the 6A-DII Region I title game. Cedar Hill rushed for 578 yards and a 9.68 average per rush compared to the Dragons' output of 92 yards on 31 attempts. Ryan Agnew's 418 passing yards for four touchdowns kept the Dragons in the game until the final six minutes. Carroll‘s hopes for a record ninth state title will have to wait till next year.

7. Trinity (Euless)* 12-2 (5)
The Trojans took No. 1 Allen to the wire, but a field goal in the final minute sent Trinity to a 30-27 loss in the 6A-DI Region I title game. Justus Wilson rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns and quarterback Tyler Natee had 110 yards on the ground and one score. The consistently excellent Trojans played in their sixth regional final since 2007.

8. Steele (Cibolo) (13-1) (8)
L.G. Williams' 49-yard touchdown run with 4:48 remaining gave the Knights a 31-28 victory over 12-2 Brandeis (San Antonio) in the 6A-DII Region IV title game. Williams finished with 220 passing yards and two touchdowns to go with 146 rushing yards on 19 carries. Steele, making its fifth straight regional title game appearance, trailed 28-14 going into the fourth quarter. Antoine Cox-Wesley and Jaylen Harris made touchdown catches. Next is 13-1 Katy in a state semifinal set for 4 p.m. Saturday at Houston's NRG Stadium.

9. Manvel* 13-1 (3)
The Mavericks' season ended again in a Region III title-game loss to Katy. Quarterback D'Eriq King was sacked four times in each half and the Mavericks were held 250 yards under their game average in a 45-17 defeat in 6A-DII. D'Vaughn Pennamon's 44-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter tied the score at 17, but Katy scored the game's final four touchdowns.

10. Westfield (Houston) 13-1 (10)
The Mustangs raced to a 24-0 halftime lead, then had to withstand a comeback by 10-4 Spring to nail down a 24-19 victory in the 6A-DII Region II title game. Latevius Downs rushed for a pair of touchdowns, but Dillon Sterling-Cole was limited to 66 passing yards. Next is a state semifinal match-up against 2013 state champion Cedar Hill (12-2) set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex.

11. Cypress Ranch (Houston) 12-2 (19)
Down 21-0 in the second quarter, the Mustangs reeled off 31 consecutive points and held off a second-half comeback bid by 13-1 Dickinson for a 31-28 victory in the 6A-DI Region III title game. Chandler Thomas' 39-yard touchdown run tied the score at 14 and a 21-yard scoring run by Thomas late in the third period capped the scoring spree. Charlie Booker III led the rushing attack with 187 yards on 37 carries. Quarterback Collin Rock rushed for a pair of scores. Next is a state semifinal against 10-4 Judson (Converse) set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at San Antonio's Alamodome.

12. Dickinson* 13-1 (11)
The Gators opened a 21-0 lead in game's first 15 minutes but eventually succumbed to scores on five straight possessions by Cypress Ranch (Houston) in a 31-28 defeat. Cameron Martin threw for two scores and Brad Woodard rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown in the 6A-DI Region III title game. Jordan Myers ran for a score and caught another.

13. Brandeis (San Antonio)* 12-2 (12)
Jaylon Dukes rushed for 159 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to hold off 13-1 Steele (Cibolo) in a 31-28 defeat. Peyton Hall had six catches for 119 yards in the 6A-DII Region IV title game. Tommy Woods rushed for 73 yards and a score.

14. Aledo 13-1 (13)
The Bearcats stormed back from an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat 12-2 Randall (Canyon) 47-29 for the Region I title in 5A-DI. Isaiah Mallory rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns and the defense stopped two second-half Randall drives inside the Bearcat 20, once on a fumble and once on downs. Aledo, the 2013 4A-DII state champion, extended its playoff winning streak to 10. Next is 12-2 John Tyler (Tyler) in a state semifinal set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Mesquite's Hanby Stadium.

15. Martin (Arlington)* 10-3 (14)
The Warriors were eliminated 69-54 by Allen in a very competitive 6A-DI Region I semifinal. The other losses on the Martin ledger were to Skyline (Dallas) and DeSoto.

16. Brennan (San Antonio)* 11-1 (15)
The Bears' goal of a second straight trip to a state title game ended in a 24-12 loss to Steele (Cibolo) in a 6A-DII area playoff.

17. Rockwall* 12-1 (16)
The offensive-minded Yellowjackets lost 43-38 to Spring Westfield (Houston) in a 6A-DI Region II semifinal. Running back Chris Warren (36 touchdowns, 2,329 rushing yards) and wide receiver Xavier Castille (26 touchdowns, 1,606 receiving yards) fueled a 12-0 start. 

18. Spring* 10-4 (20)
Trailing 24-0 at halftime, the Lions roared back in the second half only to fall short in a 24-19 loss to 13-1 Spring Westfield (Houston) in the 6A-DI Region II title game. Xavier Jones rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Alex Woods ran for a score. The Lions limited Westfield to 171 yards and out-gained the Mustangs by 145 yards.

19. Ennis 12-2 (22)
Devin Smith threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-14 elimination of 10-4 South Oak Cliff (Dallas) in the 5A-DII Region II title game. Thompson Taylor rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns and Dee Wilson made five catches for 87 yards and a score. Ennis' defense blanked the high-scoring Golden Bears in the first half. Next is a state semifinal against 13-1 Canutillo set for 7 p.m. Friday at Lubbock's Plains Capital Park.

20. Temple 12-1 (23)
Marques Hatcher rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Wildcats to a 28-14 victory over 12-2 George Ranch (Richmond) in the 5A-DI Region III title game. Jeff Carr rushed for 129 yards and a score. Chad President threw for 116 yards and a touchdown to Chris Minter. Next is a state semifinal against 12-2 Vandegrift (Austin) set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at San Antonio's Alamodome.

21. Judson (Converse) 10-4 (25)
Freshman quarterback Jaloni Williams threw for 146 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 144 yards and another score in a 34-24 victory over 12-2 Reagan in the 6A-DI Region IV title game. Sophomore Mi'kel Jackson rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Akai contributed three catches for 94 yards and a score. The defense intercepted three passes and recovered a fumble. Up next is a state semifinal against 12-2 Cypress Ranch (Houston) set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at San Antonio's Alamodome.

22. Tyler 12-2 (NR)
Geovari McCollister threw for 361 yards and five touchdowns in a 64-40 elimination of 11-3 McKinney North (McKinney) in the 5A-DI Region II title game. Jeremy Wilson rushed for 227 yards and three touchdowns. McCollister added 113 rushing yards and a touchdown. Damion Miller had three catches for 131 yards and two scores. The Lions were balanced with 354 rushing yards and 361 through the air. Next is 13-1 Aledo in a state semifinal set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Mesquite's Hanby Stadium.

23. Crosby 13-1 (NR)
Craig Williams rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns including a 79-yarder in the final minute of the third quarter that stood up as the game-winner in a 31-25 triumph over 11-3 Hutto in the Class 5A Division II Region III title game. Williams and Manny Netherly caught touchdown passes from Tristen Cotton, who threw for 157 yards. Next is 11-3 Cedar Park in a state semifinal set for 8 p.m. Friday at Austin's Royal Memorial Stadium.

24. Vandegrift (Austin) 12-2 (NR)
Jamie Hudson threw for 428 yards and five touchdowns in a 40-35 elimination of 11-3 Johnson (Austin) in the 5A-DI Region IV title game. Paxton Segina made nine catches for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Travis Brannan rushed for 96 yards and a score. Next is a state semifinal against 12-1 Temple set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at San Antonio's Alamodome.

25. Cedar Park 11-3 (NR)
Another fast start paved the way to a 45-21 victory over 10-4 Tivy (Kerrville) in the Class 5A Division II Region IV title game. The Timberwolves opened a 21-0 lead after one quarter. In four playoff wins, Cedar Park has outscored opponents 70-3 in the first period. Thomas Hutchings had scoring runs of 45 and 29 yards in the opening quarter and Jack Grimm (105 rushing yards) added an 11-yard touchdown. Next is 13-1 Crosby in a state semifinal set for 8 p.m. Friday at Austin's Royal Memorial Stadium.

*Indicates season ended

Dropped out: No. 17 George Ranch (Richmond); No. 18 Reagan (San Antonio); No. 21 Klein Oak (Spring); No. 24 South Oak Cliff (Dallas).

On the bubble
Argyle 14-0, Bishop Dunne (Dallas) 12-1, Canutillo 13-1, Celina 12-2, Gilmer 14-0, Graham 12-2, Liberty Hill 12-2, Navasota 14-0, Shallowater 13-1, West Orange-Stark (Orange) 12-2