.png "Richland’s Jayshon Gibson (left), North Crowley’s Kade Smith (middle) and Aledo Tre Williams (right) are photographed in their respective games.")
Richland’s Jayshon Gibson (left), North Crowley’s Kade Smith (middle) and Aledo Tre Williams (right) are photographed in their respective games.
Bob Booth and Abigail Dollins
Special to the Star-Telegram & Star-Telegram
District play for many Texas high school football teams starts Thursday or Friday. Here are previews and predictions for districts involving Fort Worth-area teams.
District 11-6A
Star-Telegram prediction: North Crowley
District 11-6A is clearly the best district in Texas, and No. 1 Waxahachie and No. 3 North Crowley are expected to be in a close fight for a district title.
No. 23 Duncanville is expected to be in the mix, too, and can gain back some momentum with a good showing against North Crowley Friday in home game.
It’s a bit difficult to evaluate without having seen Waxahachie in person and all involved teams having different non-district slates. However, I’d give the Panthers a very slight edge in this race.
North Crowley’s defense is the Fort Worth-area’s best this season, and maybe in the past few years. From what we’ve seen, it’s hard to view them as anything but a favorite.
Another thing to keep an eye on it the fourth playoff spot, as Duncanville, Waxahachie and North Crowley are heavily favored to take the first three. Mansfield Lake Ridge, Mansfield and Crowley will have a good shot to claim it. Beating the top teams isn’t always realistic, so they have to take advantage of every other opportunity.
District 4-6A
Star-Telegram prediction: Southlake Carroll
How can you pick anyone but Southlake Carroll here? The Dragons have had a rockier start than normal, but they’ve proven themselves as longtime district kingpins, except for the 2023 season.
Southlake Carroll’s Thursday game against Keller Central will be a big indicator as to how the Dragons can stack up against the rest of the district.
In general, the rest of the 4-6A games should be very competitive. Byron Nelson, Keller, Keller Central, and Haslet Eaton seem to be capable of regular-season success, yet there are only four spots. Ultimately, one of them will likely be outside the playoff picture.
Byron Nelson is off to an uncharacteristic start, while Keller, Keller Central and Eaton have shown great progress. Keep an eye on those teams narrowing the gap.
District 3-6A
Star-Telegram prediction: Aledo
Aledo will enter a completely new landscape in District 3-6A. The Bearcats have had a tough non-district slate and suffered losses to North Crowley and Waco Midway. However, it still feels like Aledo is on another level.
Still, it would be wise not to underestimate teams like Arlington, Arlington Bowie, Arlington Martin and Arlington Lamar. The AISD Class 6A squads, in general, have gotten off to a superb start in non-district play and have shown great improvement.
Martin has looked great and is off to a 3-0 start, while Arlington and Lamar have seized big wins over Byron Nelson and Crowley, respectively. Bowie is still the defending champion until someone knocks them off, and the Vols deserve respect for that.
Until Aledo loses its 135-game district win streak, the Bearcats deserve to be viewed as favorites, but you still have to play the games. With Aledo’s early-season injuries and opponents putting together complete performances, anything can happen.
Another storyline to follow will be the duel for the remaining playoff spots. One of the above AISD squads will miss the playoffs, assuming Aledo makes it; it should be a competitive race.
Although they haven’t historically seen district success, it would be wise not to count out Arlington Sam Houston, a program that is 3-0 and has matched its combined win count from the past four seasons. Win or lose, the Texans’ growth is notable and will be good to watch.
District 8-6A
Star-Telegram prediction: Euless Trinity
Euless Trinity hasn’t won a district title since 2021, and the 2026 season is a great opportunity for head coach Aaron Lineweaver and the Trojans to change that.
Trinity was placed in a less challenging district in the 2026 UIL realignment, moving away from area power Southlake Carroll.
Teams like South Grand Prairie, Hurst L.D. Bell and Haltom can certainly compete for playoff spots, but Trinity will be a favorite to win a district title.
Historically, the Trojans have been an area standout, but they’re relatively unproven in recent years. Still, they’ve got enough talent to get back to old roots.
It could also be a big season for the L.D. Bell Blue Raiders, as they haven’t made the playoffs since 2013.
District 3-5A Division I
Star-Telegram prediction: Denton Ryan
Denton Ryan could cruise to a district title.
However, the group is still one of the most competitive in the state. Denton, Azle and Chisholm Trail all have very talented squads that should make for entertaining, evenly matched football.
Chisholm Trail has gotten off to a strong start and is ranked as the Fort Worth-area’s No. 10 Class 5A squad following a win over Arlington Seguin. Azle sits at No. 9.
District 4-5A Division I
Star-Telegram prediction: Fort Worth Arlington Heights
The prediction is a tough call, as Heights and White Settlement Brewer are both phenomenal picks to win the district championship. The Yellow Jackets and Bears have the potential to go a few rounds deep with area leading running backs leading the charge.
Another team to watch is Fort Worth Wyatt. The Chaparrals are 3-0 to start the season and have outscored opponents 139 to 36. If that success transitions to the district slate, the quest for a district title could turn into a three-team race.
District 8-5A Division I
Star-Telegram prediction: Richland
It’s very hard to pick against Highland Park here, as the Scots have a history of championship level success in Class 5A. Richland, however, is an underrated program with a proven ability to go toe-to-toe with area powers such as Denton Ryan and Aledo.
Ahead of the season, Highland Park was the favorite. Given the Scots’ losses to Lewisville and Rockwall-Heath, Richland receives a slight nod.
Richland is 3-0 with strong wins over Frisco Wakeland, Haltom and Brewer.
Also, keep an eye on Birdville. The Hawks have an uphill battle but competing for a playoff spot isn’t out of the equation.
District 8-5A Division I
Star-Telegram prediction: DeSoto
Although many thought DeSoto lost a step, that was largely due to the Eagles facing two of the best programs nationwide in St. Thomas Aquinas and Allen.
DeSoto is still the clear favorite to win a district and maybe even a state title.
For Fort Worth-area fans, the more local storylines involve Mansfield Summit and Burleson Centennial. It’ll be tough with strong programs like Lancaster, Cedar Hill and Midlothian on the schedule, but the Jags and Spartans have a fighting shot to make the playoffs, as long as they gain some momentum and make the most of their winnable games.
District 3-5A Division II
Star-Telegram prediction: Argyle
The competition is fierce, but don’t count out Colleyville Heritage, a squad that is averaging 40 points and 322 passing yards per contest.
With an offense like that, and time to develop, the Panthers could become a dangerous squad come playoff time. Their development is worth keeping tabs on.
District 7-5A Division II
Star-Telegram prediction: Mansfield Timberview
Timberview has had one of the most eye-opening non-district runs in Texas, with the highlight being a win over area power Denton Ryan.
It looks like the Wolves will definitely be in district title contention and may even be on a short list of Class 5A Division II state title contenders.
Another team in the group that has impressed early is Joshua. Keep an eye out for the Owls to compete for a playoff spot. Seguin and Burleson also have the potential to be competitive, although they had some trouble in non-district play.
District 4-4A Division I
Star-Telegram prediction: Decatur
Springtown and Decatur are evenly matched – that battle could go either way. But with a 3-0 start and putting up 71 points in Week 3, the Decatur Eagles get the nod.
Alvarado has had a subpar start, compared to years past. Keep an eye on the Indians to bounce back and compete for a playoff spot.
District 4-4A Division I
Star-Telegram prediction: Fort Worth Eastern Hills
District 5-4A Division I may just be the most competitive district race in the Fort Worth-area.
The storylines could be very interesting. With Class 4A powers Springtown and Decatur out of the equation, a championship window opens for squads like Eastern Hills and Fort Worth Southwest.
Plus, the slate could showcase the growth of squads like Diamond Hill-Jarvis and Carter-Riverside – they’ve gotten off to solid starts, although district play could be more of a challenge.
Look out for Kennedale, Benbrook, Dunbar and Western Hills to compete for playoff spots, too.
District 4-4A Division II
Star-Telegram prediction: Brock
Brock, the No. 1-ranked Fort Worth-area Class 4A squad, has been one of the most consistent teams in the area. Since the program joined UIL football in 2014, it has made five title game appearances with 11 or more wins every season.
The Eagles should run away with their district this season, although the Graham Steers are a formidable foe.
This story was originally published September 17, 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.