Southlake Carroll offensive lineman Luke Wilson (74) sits with teammates on the bench during the second half of a UIL Class 6A Division II semifinal against DeSoto on Saturday Dec. 13, 2025 at Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield, Texas.
Bob Booth
Special to the Star-Telegram
The 2026 Texas high school football season kicks off this week with new coaches, program shakeups and realignment reshuffling contenders across the Fort Worth area. From Aledo’s debut in Class 6A to a quarterback’s return after 651 days off the field, here’s a rundown of the Star-Telegram’s preseason coverage.
Here are key takeaways:
Headlining the 2026 Preseason All-Area Super Team are Richland senior running back Jayshon Gibson, Fort Worth Arlington Heights senior running back Carson James and North Crowley senior defensive back Elijajuan Houston as award recipients.Gibson tops the area’s Top 100 players to watch list after rushing for 2,263 yards and 41 touchdowns as a junior. The UCLA pledge is a four-star recruit and the area’s most productive returner.North Crowley claims the No. 1 spot in the Class 6A debut rankings, with Richland ranked No. 1 in Class 5A and Fort Worth All Saints leading the private schools after soundly defeating Dallas Parish Episcopal.Aledo looked strong in a scrimmage at Tim Buchanan Stadium, with Lewisville transfer quarterback Tre Williams completing 14 of 21 passes for 180 yards and two touchdown throws.New North Crowley head coach DeMarcus Harris said the Panthers’ expectations haven’t budged: “It’s DPS for us every year here.” That means district, playoffs, state. The program has posted a 54-4 record since 2022.Fort Worth Football Officials President Brian Simpson warned that more Friday night games could shift to Thursdays if the chapter’s membership — currently around 500 officials — doesn’t grow.Entering Class 6A for the first time with a No. 16 state ranking, Aledo returns just one offensive starter but leans on defensive veteran Tymon Meeks.Lee Munn takes over as Southlake Carroll’s first new head coach since 2018, replacing Riley Dodge and inheriting a program still chasing its first state title since 2011.Keller Central climbed from 1-9 to 5-5 under second-year head coach Eric Vance and beat Allen for the Division I 7-on-7 state title in June — powered by junior twin phenoms Isaiah and Jeremiah Taylor.Junior wide receiver Dez Bryant Jr., son of the former Cowboys star, transferred to Southlake Carroll during his sophomore year and holds offers from Baylor, TCU, Texas A&M, SMU and Oklahoma State despite not yet playing varsity.Quarterback Jacob Torres returns to varsity after a 651-day absence tied to a UIL eligibility ruling that followed a lightning strike displacing his family.DeSoto’s drop to Class 5A clears a major roadblock for Southlake Carroll, and Euless Trinity gets a rare shot at ending a four-season district title drought by avoiding Carroll and North Crowley in district play.Star-Telegram editors Charles Baggarly and Darren Lauber released their Week 1 game predictions, covering matchups spread across Thursday, Aug. 27 and Friday, Aug. 28.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.