FORT WORTH
Fort Worth Arlington Heights head coach Curtis James has been coaching his kids for over a decade.
But now, since his twin sons Carson and Carter James are seniors, the 2026 season will be their last sharing the field together. He said he tries not to think about a special chapter in his life coming to a close.
“I just try to take advantage of every single day, every practice, every moment, every film session and community service,” coach James said. “I understand that I’ve been blessed to coach all five of my kids. … And so, I try to embrace it, love it and enjoy it.”
Arlington Heights defensive tackle Carter James (2) and Arlington Heights running back Carson James (1) break on the sidelines in between plays during the game against Cleburne on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
To Carson James, a UTEP pledge, contributing to Arlington Heights football with his family is something he’s looked forward to his “entire life.” It’s been a lifelong dream and goal. He and Carter said they’re trying not to take it for granted.
“And I’m enjoying every second I can,” Carson James said. “Doing as much as I can and having as much fun as I can.”
Arlington Heights football faces Cleburne during the coin toss on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram Fresh off a historic season
The moments are fleeting, but the James family still has a lot of football in front of them. And it’s a big year for Arlington Heights, as the school took a huge step for Fort Worth ISD football in 2025, posting what was arguably the district’s best season in decades.
Fort Worth Arlington Heights head coach Curtis James holds up the trophy after the UIL Class 5A DI area-round football playoff game against Lubbock Monterey Thursday Nov. 20, 2025 at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene, Texas. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Heights won an area round game for the first time since 1973; it was Fort Worth ISD’s first second-round win in the UIL’s second-largest classification since the 2000 season. For the effort, coach James was named the 2025 Star-Telegram Coach of the Year.
Is there pressure to live up to the high standard set? The team won’t focus on the future and will have a “clip-for-clip” mentality — that’s taking it one play at a time.
“We really try to preach that,” coach James said. “And the good things will come if you do that.”
What’s in store for Heights?
Heights lost a strong bunch of seniors to graduation but reloaded with young players coach James expects to contribute in a big way.
“And that’s the great thing about high school football is every year you watch new kids grow up,” coach James said. “New kids have a great summer, have a great offseason, and they go in, and they make plays.”
Arlington Heights Head Coach Curtis James watches the game against Cleburne from the sidelines on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
And Heights has some phenomenal returners, too.
That includes running back Carson James, who rushed for 2,352 yards and had 30 total TDs en route to Star-Telegram All-Area first team and district MVP honors. He’s been starting since his freshman year, garnering a reputation as a physical force who plows through defenders; that’s why his twin brother sometimes calls him freight train around the house.
Arlington Heights running back Carson James (1) runs the ball during the first half of the game against Cleburne on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
How can Carson James, the Star-Telegram Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, top one of the most statistically dominant seasons in Dallas-Fort Worth? His dad said he wants him to “keep building on what he’s already learned.”
“Use your vision to make sure you get better and better and better every game,” James said. “And don’t just go in and try to be a bruiser. But be that guy that can be skillful, a bruiser, fast and tough. Be Carson James.”
Arlington Heights running back Carson James (1) during the game against Cleburne on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Against Cleburne on Thursday at Farrington Field, Carson tallied 178 total yards and scored five times to lead the Yellow Jackets to a dominant 63-0 victory. Four first-half TDs from Carson James gave the Jackets a 53-0 lead at the break.
Carter, a standout defensive lineman with an offer from Carnegie Mellon, made a big impact as well, forcing a fumble with a big hit.
Arlington Heights defensive tackle Carter James (2) knocks the ball out of the hands of Cleburne quarterback Dax Stewart (6) during the game on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Arlington Heights recovered the fumble. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
As a junior, Carter posted 86 tackles and 32 tackles for a loss. Now, he is leading the defensive line following the graduation of his brother Caynan James, who tallied 101 total tackles.
Arlington Heights defensive tackle Carter James (2) celebrates after the play against Cleburne on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Next up, the Yellow Jackets (2-0) will face Class 4A power Alvarado. The Indians are the Star-Telegram’s No. 4 squad in the Class 4A area rankings. Heights is the No. 4 Class 5A squad. Coach James said he wants his defense to learn from going against Alvarado’s pass-heavy offense.
It’ll be a tough challenge, but Heights has looked more than capable early in the season.
In Week 1, Carson James posting 246 yards and three TDs on 23 carries against a solid Mansfield Legacy squad that dropped to Class 5A in the 2026 UIL realignment. The Jackets seized a dominant 40-9 victory.
Arlington Heights running back Carson James (1) before the game against Cleburne on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
That realignment shake-up also makes Heights and White Settlement Brewer foes in District 4-5A Division I. The two rising programs put on a competitive, entertaining bi-district round game in 2025 with Heights taking a 36-23 victory.
Coach James said he wants to win a district championship, but the main goal is finishing in the top two. That’ll give Heights a first-round playoff advantage, which could be a difference maker in advancing to the area round in a bracket packed with talent.
“You’ve got so many new kids, and so many new moving pieces,” James said. “You want to make sure that you have something that the kids can really focus on, just in case something does go wrong.”
James recognizes one of high school sports’ most important lessons: winning is great, but it’s not the sole reason to play. It’s fighting for a shared goal — that develops work ethic, character and resiliency in young athletes.
Arlington Heights football runs onto the field before the game against Cleburne on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“Championships — everybody wants to win them,” James said. “I want to win it just as bad as the next man. But my goal is to be a difference in these kids’ lives, and I know I am. I see it. I have kids coming back, saying, ‘Coach, thank you so much for everything,’ and that’s the real win.”
The separation between Texas’ great squads and championship level programs can be daunting. Before moving to Class 6A, the Aledo Bearcats eliminated Heights in 2025 with a 55-0 shutout in the regional round.
Fort Worth Arlington Heights head coach Curtis James congratulates Aledo head coach Robby Jones after the UIL Class 5A Division I Regional on Friday Nov. 28, 2025 at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Moving forward, Carter James said they’ll continue believing in one another and stacking wins. And with that mentality, anything is possible.
“We take every game like we’re playing the toughest opponent in Texas,” Carter James said. “So every week we come in like we can do it all. We’re trying to play fast, violent, and physical every day.”
They weren’t the ultimate victors, and winning a state championship is a tall task. But the Yellow Jackets have something that is just as valuable as any trophy: representing your community somewhere it hasn’t been in generations.
“Just in case something doesn’t go the way we want, you got to teach them how to live with that,” James said. “It’s a very strong 5A division. Only one team wins state. You’re probably going to lose one day. So, let’s have fun in the moment. Let’s play every clip. Let’s win as many games as possible, and let’s try to rewrite history.”
Arlington Heights wide receiver Derrick Petite (31) intercepts the ball during the game against Cleburne on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
Arlington Heights running back Jaquan Evans (14) runs the ball during the game against Cleburne on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
Arlington Heights running back Carson James (1) runs the ball during the first half of the game against Cleburne on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
Arlington Heights wide receiver Derrick Petite (31) runs the ball during the game against Cleburne on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Farrington Field in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
This story was originally published September 4, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
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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.