MaxPreps Texas Top 25 high school football rankings

Allen, the top-ranked team in MaxPreps Texas Top 25, is known for a high-flying offense under the direction of quarterback Kyler Murray.

But in a 42-3 win over Plano in a District 6-6A contest last week, an Allen defense that returned only one starter this fall produced its best game of the season. Plano (2-2) managed only eight first downs and 149 total yards.

No. 2 DeSoto, eliminated by Allen in the state semifinal round the last two seasons, went to 4-0 by handing San Antonio-area power Steele (Cibolo) its first loss, 29-24, at Baylor's McLane Stadium.

No. 4 Cedar Hill and No. 6 Katy rebounded from Week 3 defeats by going over the 60-point threshold in victories.

Here's the MaxPreps Texas Top 25 following Week 4 games.

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


1. Allen (Texas) 4-0 (1)
Texas A&M pledge Kyler Murray threw for 329 yards and accounted for four touchdowns in a 42-3 win over 2-2 Plano. Jalen Guyton had nine catches for 178 yards and a score. The Eagles' road show continues with a trip to 3-1 Marcus (Flower Mound) for a District 6-6A contest on Friday.

2. DeSoto (Texas) 4-0 (2)
Sophomore quarterback Jaylin Nelson passed for 240 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-24 triumph over 3-1 Steele (Cibolo) at Baylor‘s new stadium in Waco. Nelson added 111 rushing yards and a score. Kevin Thomas (Kansas commit) caught two touchdowns. Up next is a Friday trip to 3-1 Grand Prairie in a District 8-6A opener.

3. Manvel (Texas) 3-0 (4)
Collin Scott, a 213-pound senior linebacker, led the defensive effort with 14 tackles, including four sacks, in a 35-10 triumph over 0-4 Dobie (Pasadena). The Mavericks continue District 22-6A play on Friday on the road against 2-2 Pasadena.

4. Cedar Hill (Texas) 3-1 (5)
The Longhorns rebounded from their first loss in a big way with a 29-point fourth quarter to defeat 2-2 Coppell 61-34. USC commit Aca'cedric Ware rushed for 162 yards and three touchdowns while LSU commit Justin McMillan threw for three scores and ran for one. After an open date, the Longhorns will host 2-2 Midlothian in their District 8-6A opener on Oct. 3.

5. Skyline (Dallas) 3-0 (3)
The Raiders enjoyed a well-deserved off-week following a 40-30 victory over former No. 1 Cedar Hill. On Friday Skyline begins District 9-6A play against 0-3 Irving.

6. Katy (Texas) 3-1 (6)
A week after seeing a 50-game regular season winning streak snapped, the Tigers started a new streak with a 63-6 drowning of 1-3 Mayde Creek (Houston) in a District 19-6A opener. Kyle Porter rushed for 95 yards and three touchdowns and Oklahoma commit Rodney Anderson had 193 yards and two scores. Up next is 3-0 Katy Taylor (Katy).

7. Pearland (Texas) 4-0 (7)
Jake Blumrick had a hand in seven touchdowns to lead the Oilers to a 69-0 bashing of 2-2 Pasadena. Blumrick threw for 317 yards and six touchdowns and added another score on a run. The defense permitted just two first downs and 60 yards. Up next is 2-2 Pasadena South Houston (South Houston) on Saturday.

8. Trinity (Euless, Texas) 4-0 (8)
Junior quarterback Tyler Natee rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown in a 29-21 road victory over 1-3 Galena Park North Shore (Houston). Natee, fullback last season, threw for 165 yards and a score. Ja'ron Wilson scored twice and rushed for 92 yards. Up next is a District 7-6A opener at home against 2-2 Heritage (Colleyville).

9. Steele (Cibolo, Texas) (3-1) (9)
Quarterback L.G. Williams threw for 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 29-24 loss to 4-0 DeSoto. The Steele defense held DeSoto scoreless in the second half and Bryson Denley scored on a pair of runs to get the Knights close. Up next is a Friday road trip to 2-2 Smithson Valley (Spring Branch) for a District 25-6A opener.

10. Cy-Fair (Cypress, Texas) 3-0 (10)
Jacorey Aleem, out last season due to injury, continued his comeback season with 214 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a 56-20 rout of 1-2 Cypress Springs (Cypress). Brandon Richmond capped the Bobcats scoring with an 83-yard kickoff return. Up next is 0-3 Cypress Lakes (Katy) in a District 17-6A tussle on Friday.

11. Carroll (Southlake, Texas) 3-0 (11)
Known over the last decade for a prolific passing attack, the Dragons so far this season have 127 more yards on the ground than in the air. Coming off an open date, Hal Wasson's team entertains 3-0 Abilene on Friday.

12. Brennan (San Antonio) 4-0 (12)
Quarterback Da'Shawn Key threw for two scores and ran for another in a 39-14 victory over 1-3 Judson (Converse). Dayne Thomas had two touchdown catches and the Bears' defense caused three turnovers. Up next is 2-2 Marshall (San Antonio) on Friday.

13. The Woodlands (Texas) 3-1 (13)
Patrick Carr rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half of a 49-3 thumping of 2-2 La Porte. Carr broke a 73-yard run for the Highlanders' first score. Antoine Winfield Jr. had a touchdown on a 72-yard punt return. Up next is the District 16-6A opener against 3-1 Conroe on Friday.

14. Atascocita (Humble, Texas) 4-0 (14)
Niyl Campbell scored on a 14-yard run and connected with Dawud Shorts on a 33-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter of a 33-0 sinking of 1-3 Nimitz (Houston). Dominique Harrison added a 77-yard punt return and the defense allowed only 157 yards. Up next is 1-3 College Park (The Woodlands) in a District 16-6A contest on Friday.

15. Midway (Waco, Texas) 4-0 (15)
Eric Clayburn rushed 30 times for 182 yards in a 42-36 triumph over 2-2 Duncanville. Ben Hicks balanced the attack with 189 passing yards good for two touchdowns and the defense came up with three interceptions. Up next after an open date is a District 12-6A opener against 3-1 Harker Heights on Oct. 3.

16. Klein Collins (Spring, Texas) 3-0 (16)
The Tigers, coming off a 4-6 season a year ago, are averaging 42 points per game. Open last week, Klein Collins begins District 15-6A play against 3-0 Klein Oak (Spring) on Thursday.

17. Highland Park (Dallas) 3-0 (17)
Scots senior quarterback Brooks Burgin has thrown for 844 yards and eight touchdowns. Coming off an open date, Randy Allen's team begins District 10-6A play on Friday with a road trip to 2-1 North Mesquite (Mesquite).

18. Fort Bend Elkins (Missouri City, Texas) 3-0 (18)
The Knights, perfect in non-district, come off an open date to begin District 23-5A play with a Friday road trip to 1-2 Texas City.

19. Brandeis (San Antonio) 4-0 (19)
Jaylon Dukes rushed for 213 yards and three touchdowns to spark a 35-7 victory over 1-3 New Braunfels. Mason Corbett threw for 195 yards and a score. The Broncos' defense allowed only five first downs and 195 yards. Up next is a Saturday clash against 2-2 Taft (San Antonio).

20. Westlake (Austin, Texas) 3-1 (20)
Sam Ehlinger threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns in a 63-12 throttling of 1-2 Austin (Austin) in a District14-6A contest. Andrew Laycock and Chase Cokley accounted for two touchdown receptions each. After an open date, the Chaparrals host 3-1 Bowie (Austin) on Oct. 3.

21. Guyer (Denton, Texas) 2-1 (21)
The Wildcats are third in the Dallas area among 6A teams with a 529-yard average output. Coming off an open date, Guyer begins District 5-6A action by hosting 1-2 Keller on Friday.

22. Westfield (Houston) 2-1 (22)
Stunned in its opener by Manvel, the Mustangs have regained their footing with two wins. Coming off an open date, Westfield will face 3-0 Montgomery in a District 15-6A opener on Friday.

23. Rockwall (Texas) 4-0 (23)
Chris Warren rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns in a 58-7 roasting of 0-4 North Garland in a District 11-6A opener. Rockwall reeled off four touchdowns in an eight-minute stretch of the second period. Up next is a home game Friday against 2-2 Lakeview Centennial (Garland) on Friday.

24. Abilene (Texas) 4-0 (NR)
The Eagles have scored exactly 38 points in all four wins, the latest a 38-12 triumph over 0-4 L.D. Bell (Hurst). Derek Smith threw for 337 yards and four touchdowns. Abram Smith rushed for 143 yards. Up next is a road date on Friday with 3-0 Carroll (Southlake).

25. Aledo (Texas) 2-1 (25)
The Bearcats, bidding for a third straight state title this season, come off an open date to face 1-2 Joshua in a District 8-5A opener on Friday.

Dropped out: No. 24 Coppell

On the bubble

Fossil Ridge (Keller, Texas) 3-0, Jersey Village (Houston) 3-0, Klein Oak (Spring, Texas) 3-0, Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) 2-1, Lamar (Houston) 2-1, Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas) 3-1, Montgomery (Texas) 3-0, Plano West (Texas) 3-0, O'Connor (Helotes, Texas) 3-1,  Temple (Texas) 2-1