Arlington Heights quarterback Matthew Guerra (11) prepares to pass the ball during the first half of the game against Wyatt on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Farrington Field in Fort Worth.
Abigail Dollins
FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
FORT WORTH
It seemed Fort Worth Arlington Heights had sealed at least a share of the district championship.
The Yellow Jackets scored with 1:57 left in the game on a 2-yard touchdown run by star running back Carson James to lead Fort Worth O.D. Wyatt 27-16. But Wyatt kept playing, and cut the lead to 27-22 with an 9-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Kentrell Steward to McTobia Pilot Jr. with 47 seconds left.
Wyatt’s Adrian Dunn secured the onside kick for the Chaparrals and Wyatt had some life at the Heights’ 45. A 37-yard pass from Steward to Everett Scott put the ball at the 12 with 14 seconds left.
To end the game, Wyatt was called for holding, and the clock ran out. Arlington Heights players rushed the field celebrating a thrilling 27-22 victory Friday at Farrington Field.
“We always know [Wyatt and Heights] are two teams that can represent Fort Worth well,” Arlington Heights head coach Curtis James said. “And every time we play, it’s a dog fight, regardless of the score on the board.”
Two players were driving forces for their respective teams: Heights’ running back Carson James and Wyatt quarterback Kentrell Steward. Carson James finished with 219 yards and three TDs on 33 carries, while Steward picked up 192 rushing yards and 156 passing yards.
“It’s like playoff football,” Wyatt head coach Antwaun Criss said. “I just like that we finished. We didn’t quit. It just came down to the last play.”
Both offenses couldn’t score in the first quarter. One minute into the second, Wyatt (8-1, 5-1 District 4-5A Division I) found a groove, and wide receiver Mar’kavion Toombs made a spectacular 18-yard catch to put the Chaparrals on the board; he leaped, turned around and caught the slightly short pass with a defender right on him.
Spectacular catch from O.D. Wyatt WR Mar’kavion Toombs for an 18-yard TD. Wyatt 7, Arlington Heights 0 (10:50 Q2). #TXHSFB https://t.co/wc37UzbpWV
— Charles Baggarly (@swaggarly) October 31, 2026
Heights’ (9-0, 6-0) offense then found a spark, and running back Carson James capped a drive with a 6-yard TD and also a 2-point conversion. It seemed Wyatt would reclaim a lead but an interception by Heights’ Diesel Payne in the end zone gave the Yellow Jackets possession.
Heights capitalized with a 36-yard field goal from kicker Isaiah Schuman right before the half, taking an 11-7 lead.
After a timely Heights stop, Wyatt got a special teams boost when kicker Joshua Acevedo drilled a 41-yard field goal for the Chaparrals. After a Heights turnover on downs, it seemed the momentum flipped, as Steward led a go-ahead drive capped by a 26-yard score up the middle. Wyatt took a 16-11 lead with 10:25 left but never scored again.
“That kid is tough,” coach James said of Steward, who carried the ball 31 times. “I’ve watched him several times this year take a lot of hits and get back up over and over and over. To come out and play the way he played against our defense was very, very good.”
But Heights’ offense stepped up with its back against the wall. Tight end Jack Evans put the Jackets in position to score with an 26-yard reception, and Carson James capped off the series by bulldozing into the end zone from a yard out.
“He comes ready to go,” coach James said. “And I’m so proud of the way he goes about work.”
A sack from Heights defensive lineman Arturo Villanueva gave the Yellow Jackets possession via turnover on downs, and running back Carson James capped a monster performance with a 4-yard touchdown. Heights had the option to kneel but elected to try to put the game away with the James score.
Coach James acknowledged his team should’ve knelt the ball. The decision nearly cost them with Wyatt’s near comeback, but Heights ultimately remained undefeated. The team has had a chance to land an undefeated district run but has fallen just short the past two seasons.
Arlington Heights can complete a perfect season against White Settlement Brewer Thursday, Nov. 5.
Coach James will be looking at the point totals, as the ultimate goal is having a home playoff game. But an outright district title will also be on the mind.
“I think [point totals] are big for us in the playoffs,” coach James said. “But man, to be a district champion and to win that last game and be outright — nobody shares it with us. With this group of seniors we got, man, it would be fantastic.”
Arlington Heights has had significant success against Wyatt over the past 13 years. The Yellow Jackets have won 11 straight in the series and last lost to Wyatt in 2012.
Wyatt barely lost out on its first undefeated regular season in program history. But this isn’t the same Wyatt program from years ago. The Chaparrals have shown gradual progress, winning a share of the district title last year and narrowly toppling Heights this year.
Now, Wyatt turns to its next goals. It’ll have a chance to finish the regular season strong against Fort Worth Polytechnic Thursday, Nov. 5.
“Our goal all year has been to advance in the playoffs,” Criss said. “ … Let’s get out the first round and represent Fort Worth well. [The goal] was never going undefeated. We had the opportunity. We would have loved the magical season, but now it’s playoff time. Now, it’s starting to prep for the playoffs. Let’s represent the city.”
This story was originally published October 30, 2026 at 10:19 PM.
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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.