Fort Worth Paschal faces off against O.D. Wyatt during a high school football game at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, September 18, 2026. Wyatt won 33-23.

Fort Worth Paschal faces off against O.D. Wyatt during a high school football game at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, September 18, 2026. Wyatt won 33-23.

Kelvin Baylor

Southwest HS Media

FORT WORTH

Fort Worth Paschal entered Friday night’s district opener at Farrington Field searching for its first win of the season, while Fort Worth O.D. Wyatt looked to maintain its unbeaten start.

Recent meetings between the two programs have produced some of the district’s most competitive contests. Wyatt claimed a 37-31 victory in 2025, while Paschal escaped with a 30-28 win in 2024.

This time, Wyatt (4-0) claimed a 33-23 victory over Paschal (0-4) Friday at Farrington Field in a game that featured multiple lead changes and momentum swings.

“This game, for the last two years, has come down to less than three points each and every game,” Wyatt head coach Antwaun Criss said. “Last year it came down to the last play; the year before it came down to a blocked field goal, so I just want to see our guys start fast and finish strong.”

Wyatt struck first when running back Taylor Jace broke free for a 54-yard touchdown run early in the opening quarter. The extra point was good, giving the Chaparrals a 7-0 lead.

As expected, neither team was able to pull away early.

The matchup remained deadlocked at 14-14 heading into halftime, continuing the trend of closely contested games between the district rivals.

Both coaching staffs believed their teams were prepared for a four-quarter battle.

“In our off-season, 97% of them showed up every day this summer, so through our character lessons and our summer workouts, I believe our team is mentally tough going into this season,” Criss said.

Paschal head coach John Killough credited his program’s weeklong preparation process for helping the Panthers stay focused in pressure situations.

“You take it one day at a time, focus on that practice and everything we do is building towards today,” Killough said. “Monday we are learning a lot and taking it slow, Tuesday higher tempo, Wednesday higher tempo, Thursday clean and crisp.”

The Panthers seized momentum in the third quarter when they recorded a safety to take a 16-14 advantage.

Wyatt quickly answered. With 5:09 remaining in the quarter, the Chaparrals scored a touchdown to regain the 20-16 lead.

Paschal responded once again. Wyatt Bryant found the end zone on a 25-yard touchdown run, providing a spark for the Panthers’ offense.

“It felt pretty good on third down scoring the 5-yard touchdown,” Bryant said. “I knew that I was singled up, and they had no safeties to my side, so all I had to do was play on one player.”

Bryant’s 25-yard touchdown with 1:32 left in the third quarter put the Panthers back in front, 23-20.

The back-and-forth affair underscored Killough’s message to his players throughout the week.

“Play four quarters, play every snap, limit the mistakes, limit the penalties, and if we do everything we should, we can come out on top,” Killough said.

Wyatt had an answer in the fourth quarter.

The Chaparrals surged back in front with 7:50 remaining, taking a 27-23 lead and setting up another dramatic finish between the district rivals. This time, however, Wyatt made sure there would be no late comeback, Javarie Henderson adding another touchdown to seal the win.

“It was the biggest moment of my life,” Henderson said.

Still unbeaten, the Chaparrals will put their perfect record on the line against Trimble Tech on Friday, Sept. 25, at FWISD’s Clark Stadium. The Panthers will look to break into the win column when they face the Poly Parrots on Thursday, Sept. 24, at Handley Field.