FORT WORTH

After Fort Worth Eastern Hills seized a dominant 40-8 win over Fort Worth Western Hills at Farrington Field Thursday, head coach Devvin Anderson repeatedly told his team to stay focused.

Eastern Hills (5-1, 3-0) is undefeated in district play with four regular season games remaining. But the Highlanders, fresh off their first playoff win since 1999, still have room to grow, according to Anderson, who wants them to capitalize on their potential.

Fort Worth Eastern Hills head coach Devvin Anderson puts his finger up for the alma mater after a game against Fort Worth Western Hills at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Fort Worth Eastern Hills head coach Devvin Anderson puts his finger up for the alma mater after a game against Fort Worth Western Hills at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Charles Baggarly Star-Telegram

If players listen to Anderson’s advice, they might just make program history. Eastern Hills hasn’t won a district title since 1993, over 30 years ago. The Highlanders haven’t had an undefeated regular season since 1975.

Now, Eastern Hills is a contender, and arguably a favorite, to run the table and win the District 5-4A Division I championship.

“We wanted to improve on last season,” Anderson said. “We wanted to get even better. We hit the weight room. We worked on getting stronger. We stayed focused. And we’ve got so many of the same kids, the nucleus, back. We want to take the next steps in our program so we can make a good run.”

Fort Worth Eastern Hills running back Chris Johnson races toward the end zone against Fort Worth Western Hills at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Fort Worth Eastern Hills running back Chris Johnson races toward the end zone against Fort Worth Western Hills at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Charles Baggarly Star-Telegram

The team addressed their long-term goal of winning a district title ahead of the season, according to Anderson. That title has evaded the Highlanders, but breaking that barrier has been a longtime annual goal since Anderson took over in 2021.

For now, Anderson said he wants his players to trust their preparation and focus on improving week-to-week.

“We want to get a good seed for the playoffs,” said Anderson, an Eastern Hills alum and former Duncanville running backs coach. “And right now we’re just focused on taking it one game at a time. And taking care of business.”

Leading the charge is junior running back Chris Johnson, who has been one of the most productive athletes in the Fort Worth-area. As a sophomore, he was named a Star-Telegram All-Area honorable mention.

Fort Worth Eastern Hills running back Chris Johnson celebrates one of his four TDs against Fort Worth Western Hills at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Fort Worth Eastern Hills running back Chris Johnson celebrates one of his four TDs against Fort Worth Western Hills at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Charles Baggarly Star-Telegram

Six games into the season, Johnson has over 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns.

“He works so hard,” Anderson said. “He didn’t miss a day this summer. He is our unsung leader. He doesn’t say much. But he does everything that he is supposed to do.”

Another impact player has been Dorian Gilland, who is averaging over 70 receiving yards per game in an offense that averages 49 points.

Defensively, Eastern Hills is physical, hard-hitting and quick. The unit has tightened up in recent weeks, allowing 12, 20 and 8 points to Fort Worth Carter-Riverside, Benbrook and Western Hills, respectively.

Fort Worth Eastern Hills’ defense closes in on Fort Worth Western Hills QB Tyler Johnston at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Fort Worth Eastern Hills’ defense closes in on Fort Worth Western Hills QB Tyler Johnston at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Charles Baggarly Star-Telegram

With a similar group compared to last season, the talent levels have stayed consistent. To Anderson, the main year-to-year difference actually comes off the field.

“They are a lot closer,” Anderson said. “A lot of them have played together for a long time. Through middle school, and some of them, even pee wee. They love each other. Our team is a family.”

Eastern Hills had a 3-3 district record when it beat Kennedale 22-17 in the 2025 bi-district round. The Highlanders then fell to Celina 70-22 in a tough area-round matchup against a state power.

This time around in 2026, claiming a high seed could help give them an easier playoff path.

Fort Worth Eastern Hills running back Chris Johnson finds the end zone against Fort Worth Western Hills at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Fort Worth Eastern Hills running back Chris Johnson finds the end zone against Fort Worth Western Hills at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Charles Baggarly Star-Telegram

It’ll be a challenge, as Eastern Hills has to get past a few familiar, capable rivals.

Kennedale was placed into Eastern Hills’ district in the 2026 UIL realignment. The Wildcats and Highlanders will clash Thursday, Nov. 5 in a regular season finale. It’ll be a bi-district rematch that could decide the district title.

Ahead of that matchup, Eastern Hills will also need to get past Fort Worth Southwest (2-3, 1-1), a squad with a stout defense.

Fort Worth Eastern Hills head coach Devvin Anderson talks to players after a game against Fort Worth Western Hills at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Fort Worth Eastern Hills head coach Devvin Anderson talks to players after a game against Fort Worth Western Hills at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Charles Baggarly Star-Telegram

“I’m expecting [Southwest and Kennedale] to be really hard games,” Anderson said. “Both physical teams. They should be physical ball games. And we’ll see when we get down the road, and we get there.”

Since Anderson took over in 2021, Eastern Hills has had a .500 or better record every year except his first season. The Highlanders reached a high point in 2025, representing Fort Worth ISD in the area round. Fort Worth Arlington Heights also had a strong year, advancing past the second round for the first time since 1973.

Those type of breakthroughs are becoming more frequent, with teams like Heights, Eastern Hills and Fort Worth Wyatt leading the charge. For the Highlanders, their winning culture has to do with their bond, according to Anderson, who compared bonds within Eastern Hills football to being in a family.

“We love them,” Anderson said of his players. “They know I love them, and they love each other. They play hard for each other. They have each other’s back.”

Up next, Eastern Hills will face Dunbar (1-4, 1-1) Friday, Oct. 16 at Clark Stadium.

This story was originally published October 9, 2026 at 5:00 AM.

CORRECTION: The article originally stated that Eastern Hills last won a district title in 1975. The Highlanders won a district title in 1993. 

Corrected Oct 9, 2026


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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.