Fort Worth-area high school football debut rankings

Aledo senior running back Jeremiah Johnson (left), Southlake Carroll senior running back Brooks Biggers (middle) and North Crowley senior cornerback Jerry Outhouse Jr. (right) are photographed during the 2025 Texas high school football season.

Bob Booth and Miles Meador

Special to the Star-Telegram

The Texas high school football season is here.

Check out Fort Worth-area rankings for Class 6A, Class 5A, Class 4A and private schools. See analysis explaining why certain teams seized the top spots.

Fort Worth-area rankings The debut Fort Worth-area high school football rankings: See where local teams stand. Charles Baggarly Star-Telegram Class 6A analysis

With talented returners and continuity, North Crowley takes the top spot. The Panthers should have an improved offense to go with a defense that returns several of Texas’ top defensive backs.

Although the offense should be stellar, Southlake Carroll comes in at No. 2, largely because of defensive inexperience. As the season goes on, watch out for Carroll to make a massive jump.

The gap between the Aledo Bearcats (No. 3) and Dragons isn’t extremely wide. With talented transfers, Aledo’s potential offensive firepower is very promising. The Bearcats will have an opportunity to climb, as they play North Crowley in Week 1.

Mansfield Lake Ridge (No. 4) and Byron Nelson (No. 5) are extremely talented but have tough roads to district titles against state powers.

Euless Trinity (No. 6) is in a manageable district but hasn’t quite returned to old standards, without a district title since the 2021 season. Still, the Trojans remain one of the area’s best squads.

Arlington Bowie (No. 7) is looking for the next step after consecutive district titles. The Vols are Arlington ISD’s undisputed top team until they’re knocked off their pedestal.

Keller Central (No. 8) is surging with the Taylor twins, some of the top athletes in the nation. Both Arlington Lamar (No. 9) and Hurst L.D. Bell (No. 10) have promising rosters.

Class 5A analysis

Richland (No. 1) earns the top spot, as the Royals have shown an ability to go toe-to-toe with contenders. One of the area’s most underrated powerhouses, Richland has a flurry of offensive talent returning.

Mansfield Timberview (No. 2) is in the same boat and has been rapidly improving under head coach Jacody Coleman. Colleyville Heritage (No. 3) competes with the area’s best and has a ton of talent returning.

Fort Worth Arlington Heights (No. 4) should compete for another district title after a historic 2025 season. The Yellow Jackets reached the third round for the first time since 1973.

Mansfield Summit (No. 5) has one of the most promising programs in the Fort Worth-area but also has one of the toughest schedules in Texas.

The rest of the bunch have solid talent and room to grow.

Class 4A analysis

Fair arguments can be made for any of the Fort Worth-area’s top four teams to be shuffled in any order. Alvarado (No. 2), Springtown (No. 3) and Decatur (No. 4) are all in the same district, which should be an entertaining bunch.

As a perennial power, Brock takes the top spot with a proven, consistent ability to make deep playoff runs under coach Billy Mathis.

Fort Worth Eastern Hills cracks the rankings at No. 5 with an expectation to compete for a district title. Fort Worth Benbrook, Fort Worth Southwest and Kennedale just miss the cut but have big opportunities ahead.

Private school analysis

Fort Worth All Saints is the clear top Texas private school team by a fairly wide margin. With the Saints soundly defeating Division I power Dallas Parish Episcopal, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them complete another perfect season.

Fort Worth Christian (No. 2) has a huge opportunity ahead, as the Division II enrollment split could put the Cardinals in the small school bracket. A state championship is in the cards with a great season.

Charles Baggarly

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Charles Baggarly is a high school sports editor and reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram. He graduated from TCU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and served as TCU 360’s sports editor. Connect with Charles on Twitter or via email.