FORT WORTH<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
![\"Fort](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/729A6082.JPG\" "\\"729A6082.JPG\\"")
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 <\/p>\n
If players listen to Anderson\u2019s advice, they might just make program history. Eastern Hills hasn\u2019t won a district title since 1993, over 30 years ago. The Highlanders haven\u2019t had an undefeated regular season since 1975.<\/p>\n
Now, Eastern Hills is a contender, and arguably a favorite, to run the table and win the District 5-4A Division I championship.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to improve on last season,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cWe wanted to get even better. We hit the weight room. We worked on getting stronger. We stayed focused. And we\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
For now, Anderson said he wants his players to trust their preparation and focus on improving week-to-week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to get a good seed for the playoffs,\u201d said Anderson, an Eastern Hills alum and former Duncanville running backs coach. \u201cAnd right now we\u2019re just focused on taking it one game at a time. And taking care of business.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/a> honorable mention.<\/p>\n Six games into the season, Johnson has over 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns.<\/p>\n \u201cHe works so hard,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cHe didn\u2019t miss a day this summer. He is our unsung leader. He doesn\u2019t say much. But he does everything that he is supposed to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Another impact player has been Dorian Gilland, who is averaging over 70 receiving yards per game in an offense that averages 49 points.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are a lot closer,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cA 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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<\/a> 70-22 in a tough area-round matchup against a state power.<\/p>\n This time around in 2026, claiming a high seed could help give them an easier playoff path.<\/p>\n It\u2019ll be a challenge, as Eastern Hills has to get past a few familiar, capable rivals.<\/p>\n Kennedale was placed into Eastern Hills\u2019 district in the 2026 UIL realignment. The Wildcats and Highlanders will clash Thursday, Nov. 5 in a regular season finale. It\u2019ll be a bi-district rematch that could decide the district title.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m expecting [Southwest and Kennedale] to be really hard games,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cBoth physical teams. They should be physical ball games. And we\u2019ll see when we get down the road, and we get there.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe love them,\u201d Anderson said of his players. \u201cThey know I love them, and they love each other. They play hard for each other. They have each other\u2019s back.\u201d<\/p>\n Up next, Eastern Hills will face Dunbar (1-4, 1-1) Friday, Oct. 16 at Clark Stadium.<\/p>\n This story was originally published October 9, 2026 at 5:00 AM.<\/p>\n CORRECTION: The article originally stated that Eastern Hills last won a district title in 1975. The Highlanders won a district title in 1993.\u00a0<\/p>\n Corrected Oct 9, 2026<\/p>\n![\"Fort](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/729A6016.JPG\" "\\"729A6016.JPG\\"")
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 <\/p>\n Fort Worth Eastern Hills\u2019 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 <\/p>\n
![\"Fort](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/729A5635.JPG\" "\\"729A5635.JPG\\"")
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 <\/p>\n![\"Fort](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/729A6113.JPG\" "\\"729A6113.JPG\\"")
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 <\/p>\n