Top 25 Texas high school football rankings (9/18/2023)

Prosper Survives Power-25 Matchup, Lake Travis Jumps into the Rankings; Who Else in the Lonestar State Rose and Fell

Throughout the 2022-23 high school football season, SBLive is taking a look at the top 25 teams in the state of Texas, spanning all classifications and corners of the Lone Star State.

Each week, we release an update to the SBLive Texas Power 25 football team rankings, reflecting all results from the previous week. Take a look at the most recent rankings, updated Monday.

Prosper rose two spots to No. 15 after edging out No. 12 Denton Guyer to open District 5-6A play on Friday. There was no movement in the top-10 but Lake Travis debut at No. 22 ahead of a showdown on Friday with No. 4 Austin Westlake. 

Four teams from the Lone Star State are ranked nationally. Duncanville (Texas) is No. 5, DeSoto No. 10, Galena Park North Shore is No. 11 and Austin Westlake is No. 23 in the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25.

Who rose and fell after Week 4? Find out below in this complete breakdown of the SBLive Texas Power 25 rankings, as of the week of Monday, September 18, 2023:

PAST RANKINGS: PRESEASON | AUG. 28 | SEPT. 4 | SEPT. 11

Have a case to make about a team? A bone to pick? Reach our Texas editor at andy@scorebooklive.com.

1. Duncanville Panthers (3-0, 1-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 6
Previous rank: 1
Last week: Def. Mansfield Lakeridge 76-0

It was another dominant performance for the top team in Texas last week. The Panthers are settling into midseason form heading into district play and are looking very comfortable. All eyes will be on the October 27 matchup versus No. 2 DeSoto for the district title. 

Up next: vs. Cedar Hill, Friday, 7 p.m.

2. DeSoto Eagles (3-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 11
Previous rank: 2
Last week: Def. Dallas-Skyline, 42-17

Like Duncanville, DeSoto is setting itself apart from the rest of the pack as district play is beginning and the Eagles are headed for a collision head-to-head matchup with the Panthers. The Eagles finished Week 4 with a 1-0 district record cruising to a victory over Dallas-Skyline. 

Up next: at Waxahachie, Friday, 7 p.m.

3. Galena Park North Shore Mustangs (4-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 12
Previous rank: 3
Last week: Bye Week

The nationally ranked Mustangs have solidified themselves as one of the top-4 in the Lone Star State. North Shore is coming off a SBLive Texas Power-25 win against Westfield two weeks ago, and they were off for Week 4 preparing for the remainder of district play.

Up Next: Beaumont United, Friday, 7 p.m.

4. Austin Westlake Chaparrals (3-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 23
Previous rank: 4
Last week: Bye

The top-4 in Texas has been rock solid all year long as all four teams have been also ranked in the national rankings since the preseason. SBLive/SI nationally ranked No. 23 team, the Chapparals will get their biggest test this week as they travel to long time Austin rival, the Lake Travis Cavaliers. If Westlake wants to show the top-3 that they are a real threat to a TX-6A, Division 1 State Championship, a road win against Lake Travis will be a step in the right direction.

Up next: at Lake Travis, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

5. Aledo Bearcats (4-0)

Previous rank: 5
Last week: Def. Azle, 50-7

The winning streak continues for the perennial TX-5A powerhouse as they cruised to a lopsided victory last Friday night. The Bearcats are looking like a team to beat through the first month of the season after earning a narrow victory against Denton-Guyer as they look balanced offensively and defensively. Aledo should continue their winning ways as they prepare for head-to-head district matchup with Denton-Ryan on Oct. 20. 

Up next: vs. Saginaw, Friday, 7 p.m.

6. Austin Vandegrift Vipers (4-0)

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Def. Stoney Point, 48-7

The Vipers had a slow, first week offensively, but the Viper offense has been in midseason form the last three weeks, cruising to a 4-0 record and winning their first district game handily. Future Louisville Cardinal,  Deuce Adams is showing why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the Lone Star State. He's thrown nine touchdown passes and no interceptions through four games so far and 2024 Viper wide receiver Miles Coleman has hauled in five of them. Vandegrift is showing that they are a complete team and a real threat to make it back to the state title game in Division II.

Up next: Bye

7. Atasocita Eagles (3-0)

Previous rank: 7 
Last week: Bye

The Eagles took the past week off as the prepare to start district play and continue to show why they deserve their top-10 ranking in Texas. It was a successful undefeated non-district season for the Eagles as they knocked off previous No. 5 ranked Katy Tigers two weeks ago. After the upset win, it appears Atascocita is looking like a true threat to make a deep playoff run in 2023. 

Up next: at Kingwood, Thursday, 7 p.m. 

8. Katy Tigers (3-1)

Previous rank: 8
Last week: Def. Morton-Ranch, 54-14

After dropping a non-district game to Atascocita, the Tigers have bounced back to win their next two in convincing fashion with two district wins. Katy is still a threat to make a deep playoff run in TX-6A, Division-1 and will be able to compete for a state championship.

Up next: at Mayde Creek, Friday, 7:15 p.m.

9. Southlake Carroll Dragons (4-0)

Previous rank: 9
Last week: Def. Timber Creek, 44-0 

The Dragons pulled off another convincing win in shutout fashion defeating Timber Creek, 44-0.  It has been a great first month to the season with the Dragons with lopsided victories in each of their first four games as Southlake has risen up the rankings since the preseason. 2024 quarterback Graham Knowles had another stellar game last week throwing for over 250 yards and two touchdowns, while 2026 running back racked up 120 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Up next: Against Haltom, Friday, 7 p.m.

10. Melissa Cardinals (4-0)

Previous rank: 10 
Last week: Def. Crandall, 67-28

The Cardinals keep rolling. Led by 2024 quarterback Trever Ham Melissa has scored 219 total points through the first four games this year. Melissa was able to start district play last week with a big win, and will continue to get better as they prepare for a run towards the state championship in TX-5A, Division-II. They are aiming to take down current division-2 champion, South Oak Ciff.

Up next: vs. Terrell, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

11. Pharr San Juan Alamo North Raiders (4-0)

Previous rank: 11
Last week: vs. McAllen, 56-0.

The Raiders are showing why they are deserving of a top-15 ranking in the Great State of Texas, while also showing why they are a force to not be slept on in South Texas. PSJA North started district play with a bang, a 56-0 shutout over McAllen and have now scored 177-points as opposed to allowing just 17 to their opponents. Led by a dominant run game that has gained 1,343-yards and 18-touchdowns, the Raiders have not allowed a point to an opponent in their last 8-quarters.

Up next: at Vela, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

12. Carthage Bulldogs (4-0)

Previous rank: 13

Last week: Def. Def. Marshall, 38-13

Across all classifications in the state of Texas, it would be hard to find a team on a more dominating, impressive run than the Bulldogs have currently. Their current win streak reached 20-games as Carthage wrapped up an undefeated non-district season, and will begin district play this week. In all, the Bulldogs have scored 144-total points and allowed just 44 to their opposition. Their leaders on the offensive end are just sophomores as they look to build upon the Carthage dynasty.

Up next: at Bullard, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

13. Prosper Eagles (3-1)

Previous rank: 15
Last week: Def. No. 12 Denton-Guyer, 31-28.

In the SBLive Texas Week 4 Game of the Week, the Eagles survived with a narrow victory over then No. 12 ranked Guyer Wildcats, 31-28. Prosper was able to bounce back after suffering their first loss two weeks ago to Rockwall and start off district play at 1-0 with the win. The Eagles continue district play this week on the road as they look to build upon last week's performance; as they racked up 229 yards on the ground and three scores. 

Up next: at Rock Hill, Friday, 7 p.m.

14. China Spring Cougars (3-1)

Previous rank: 14
Last week: Def. Waco-Connally, 61-41

After an early season loss to No. 10 Melissa, the Cougars have regained their momentum over the last two games scoring 130 points. The reigning back-to-back TX-4A, Division 1 state champions are showing they are still a force in the Lone Star State and are looking to continue this current momentum as they start district play in two weeks and then ready to make another long, playoff run into December. 

Up next: Parish Episcopal, Friday, 7 p.m.

15. Denton Guyer Wildcats (2-2)

Previous rank: 12
Last week: Lost to No. 15 Prosper, 31-28.

In the first time in five matchups, the Wildcats lost to the Eagles. With two losses now on the season, and an 0-1 start in a tough district, Guyer must have a short memory about last week. They will lean on 2024 quarterback Logan McLaughin's leadership under center to push towards that coveted district title and a deep playoff run into December. 

Up next: at Little Elm, Friday, 7 p.m.

16. South Oak Cliff Bears (2-2)

Previous week: 16
Last week: Def. No. 23 Parish-Episcopal, 49-14.

The reigning TX-5A, Division-2 state champs have had a long non-district season, however they were able to climb back to .500 with quality win against Parish-Episcopal last week. The Bears used a big second quarter scoring 21-unanswered points to take a 28-7 lead into the halftime break, then added 14 more points in the third to put the game out of the reach. SOC tallied over 400 rushing yards to lead the way for the Bears with six touchdowns. The Bears jump into TX-5A Division II, District-6 play this week as they look to get their first win streak of the season. 

Up next: at Adamson, Thursday, 7 p.m.

17. Cibolo-Steele Knights (3-1)

Previous rank: 17
Last week: Def. Midland-Legacy, 62-31

Cibolo-Steele head coach David Saenz and his Knights have rebounded with two straight wins after dropping their week-2 contest to the Lake Travis Cavaliers. In these two wins, the Knights have solidified themselves as the top team in the San Antonio area and look in midseason form on both sides of the ball. 

Up next: Against Birmingham (California), Friday, 7 p.m.

18. Longview Lobos (3-1)

Previous rank: 18
Last week: Def. Lufkin, 42-0.

After dropping their first game of the season, the Lobos have ran off three straight wins, including an opening district shutout win against Lufkin. Longview jumped out to a 21-point first quarter lead and never looked back against the Panthers. The Lobos have looked like a complete team on each side of the ball as they have 139 points and only allowed 37 to their opponents. 

Up next: At Lancaster, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

19. North Crowley Panthers (4-0)

Previous rank: 22
Last week: Def. Paschal, 62-0

After starting the season unranked, the Panthers move up another spot in the Power 25 after a complete team victory last week to open district play. North Crowley's high octane offense continued from their victory over Lovejoy two-weeks ago as they jumped out to a 42-0 halftime lead, and never looked back. During the Panther four-game winning streak, the Panthers have allowed just 47 points and scored 243 points for their own. 

Up next: Against Trinity (Euless), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

20. McKinney Lions (4-0)

Previous rank: 21
Last week: Def. Little Elm, 51-10

The Panthers hot start to the 2023 season continued last week with an opening district win on the road to move their winning streak to four games. They quickly asserted themselves as a real threat this  year with a Week 1 win against Longview, and have brought the same intensity each week during the win streak. District play will continue this week as the look to move to 5-0.

Up next: Boyd (McKinley), Friday, 7 p.m.

21. Reagan Rattlers (3-0)

Previous rank: 23
Last week: Bye 

The Rattlers are hot to start the 2023 season as they entered their off week with a 1-0 district record. Reagan jumps back into TX-6A, District 28 play this week as they will face San Antonio Marshall and their 2025 running back Cole Pryor will look to continue his stellar play in his first full year as the Rattler lead back. 

Up next: at San Antonio Marshall, Saturday, 7 p.m.

22. Lake Travis Cavaliers (4-0)

Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Austin-Akins, 37-0

It is rivalry week for the newly ranked Lake Travis Cavaliers. The Cavaliers will host their longtime district foe and perennial state powerhouse Austin Westlake this Friday night, and put their 4-0 record on the line. Lake Travis so far this season has scored 122 points and have only allowed 40-points to their opponents. They have one signature win on their resume as they defeated No. 17 Cibolo-Steele, 20-10 during Week-2. 

Up next: at No. 4 Austin Westlake, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

23. Willis Wildkats (4-0)

Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Conroe, 63-14.

Asserted itself as the 13-6A District front-runner after thrashing Conroe, 63-14, behind six touchdowns from DJ Lagway. The Florida commit threw three through the air and three more on the ground. 

Up next: at Grand Oaks, Friday, 7 p.m.

24. Lucas Lovejoy Leopards (3-1)

Previous rank: 25
Last week: Def. Terrell, 34-20

The Leopards were able to rebound from their loss to North Crowley in Week 3, while holding a narrow lead at halftime against Terrell, but they were able to use a 21-point third quarter to pull away and improve to a 3-1 record. Lovejoy will look to extend its winning streak through district play to set up an undefeated district finale against No. 10 Melissa on Nov. 2 for the district championship. 

Up next: at Denision, Friday, 7:30 p.m. 

25. Lewisville Farmers (2-1)

Previous rank: 20
Last week: Bye

The Farmers open up district play after an off week last week, and will look to build upon their shutout win with its winning streak with a strong focus on the defensive side of the ball (28 points allowed all season). 

Up next: at Flower Mound, Friday, 7 p.m.

Next 5 Up:

Spring Westfield (1-2)

Smithson Valley Rangers (3-1)

Corpus Christi Miller (3-0)

Wimberly Texans (4-0)

Timpson Bears (4-0)