High School

Top 25 Texas high school football rankings: Duncanville, DeSoto collide (10/23/2023)

Dallas and Houston games of the year — Duncanville vs. Desoto, North Shore vs. Atascocita — go head-to-head Friday

Ryan Childers

The Texas high school football game(s) of the year has arrived.

As attention from around the nation will descend into Texas Week 10 as No. 1 Duncanville faces No. 2 DeSoto and No. 3 North Shore hosts No. 7 Atascocita, both on Friday at 7 p.m.

Throughout the 2023 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 and release an update to the SBLive Texas Power 25 football team rankings, reflecting all results from the previous week.

Through nine weeks, the top 10 has really solidified themselves as real contenders to win a state title. However, the rest of the top 25 have proven that no matter what on any given night, an upset can happen.

Smithson Valley and Corpus Christi Miller debuted after both of their respective all but secured a district championships and, once again, the top 15 went undefeated and stays put.

PAST RANKINGS: PRESEASON | AUG. 28 | SEPT. 4 | SEPT. 11 | SEPT. 18 | OCT. 2 | OCT. 9 | OCT. 17

Who rose and fell after Week 9? Find out below in this complete breakdown of the SBLive Texas Power 25 rankings, as of the week of Monday, October 23, 2023:

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

1. Duncanville Panthers (7-0, 5-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 5
Previous rank: 1
Last week: Def. Dallas-Skyline, 49-3

Duncanville will enter the Texas high school football game of the year undefeated. The nationally ranked Panthers (7-0, 5-0), the top ranked team in Texas, built an early lead and didn't look back in a 49-3 win on Thursday in a District 11-6A matchup.

Up next: Against No. 2 DeSoto, Oct. 27, 7 p.m.

2. DeSoto Eagles (7-0, 5-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 7
Previous rank: 2
Last week: Def. Cedar Hill, 35-13

The week has finally arrived. DeSoto cruised to another easy district win last week as they have set up an undefeated showdown for the district championship with No. Duncanville.

Up next: Against No. 1 Duncanville, Friday, 7 p.m.

3. Galena Park North Shore Mustangs (8-0, 5-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 10
Previous rank: 3
Last week: Def. Humble, 38-24

The Mustangs are entering their own game of the  year against No. 7 Atascocita undefeated and looking to add another district championship to their decorated trophy case. North Shore jumped out to a quick 24-0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back against Humble.

Up next: Against No. 7 Atascocita, Friday, 7 p.m.

4. Austin Westlake Chaparrals (8-0, 5-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 19
Previous rank: 4
Last week: Def. Austin, 65-14

After moving up one spot in the national rankings, the Chapparals showed why they are one of the top teams in the country. A balanced attack offensively and defensively, Westlake has not lost a regular season game since 2019 and looks to continue that this season with just two games remaining before the playoffs. 

Up next: Against Bowie, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

5. Aledo Bearcats (8-0, 5-0)

Previous rank: 5
Last week: Def. Denton Ryan, 25-19

It was closer than usual but the Bearcats win streak continues as Aledo survived their biggest test to the 2023 season. Not only is the defense rolling for the longtime Texas powerhouse, the offense is cruising as well. The Bearcats  have one game remaining on the schedule and have wrapped up at least a tie for another district championship.

Up next: Bye week; then at Brewer, Nov. 3, 7 p.m.

6. Vandegrift Vipers (8-0, 5-0)

Previous rank: 6
Last week: Def. Cedar Ridge, 58-0

The Vipers are look to be in cruise control for the district title with two games left in the regular season. Senior Louisville commit Deuce Adams continues to soar, passing for another three touchdowns on an 81 percent completion rate against Cedar Ridge. 

Up next: At Vista Ridge, Friday, 7 p.m.

7. Atascocita Eagles (8-0, 4-0)

Previous rank: 7
Last week: Def. Houston King, 28-21

The Eagles survived a scare a week prior to their regular season gae of the year against No. 3 North Shore on Friday. Atascocita was able to earn the hard fought overtime victory over King as they were able to get the stop in the extra period for the win. Last year, the Eagles lost to the Mustangs 16-13 in the regular season and again in the playoffs, so Atascocita is looking to avenge those two losses this year. 

Up next: Against No. 3 Galena Park North Shore, Friday, 7 p.m.

8. Katy Tigers (7-1, 6-0)

Previous rank: 8
Last week: Def. Cinco Ranch, 42-13

The Tigers continue to roll through their district season unblemished as they are quietly just going about their business headed into the TX-6A playoffs. The long time Houston powerhouse is proving through conference play that they are still a threat at rattling off a long win streak in the state playoffs.

Up next: Against Seven Lakes, Friday, 7:15 p.m.

9. Southlake Carroll Dragons (8-0, 5-0)

Previous rank: 9
Last week: Def. Eaton, 70-28

The Dragons are rolling through district play and has scored 70 points two weeks in a row and are entering their biggest test of the season this week against an undefeated Byron Nelson team. 2024 quarterback Graham Knowles has led the Dragons to an unblemished record to date throwing for 1,600 yards and 14 touchdowns along with the addition of 2025 running back Riley Wormley has scored four touchdowns in just three games played.

Up next: At Byron Nelson, Friday 7 p.m.

10. Melissa Cardinals (8-0, 5-0)

Previous rank: 10
Last week: Def. Greenville, 55-14

Melissa made an emphatic entrance to the season and has not looked back. The Cardinals continue to positioned themselves for a district championship showdown on Nov, 2 against No. 23 Lucas Lovejoy. 

Up next: At Princeton, Friday, 7 p.m.

11. Pharr San Juan Alamo North Raiders (8-0, 5-0)

Previous rank: 11
Last Week: Def. McAllen Memorial, 27-7

The Raiders are the the No. 1 team in South Texas and continue each week to show why cruising to an undefeated record with two games remaining. PSJA North has shown that they are not just a defensive team, but can score points in bunches rather through the air or on the ground;

Up next: Against Juarez-Lincoln, Thursday, 7 p.m.

12. Carthage Bulldogs (9-0, 5-0)

Previous rank: 12
Last week: Def. Center, 72-27

The Bulldogs know how to win — big. Carthage is winners of 25 games in a row and has shown no signs of slowing down. Led by a young core in the offensive backfield, the Bulldogs have their eyes on back-to-back state championships, which would be No. 10 in program history.

Up next: Against Van, Friday, 7:30 p.m. 

13. Prosper Eagles (7-1, 5-0)

Previous rank: 13
Last week: Def. Braswell, 38-21

With the win last week, the Eagles now sit alone at the top of district 5-6A and one week closer to clinching a district championship. Prosper continues to win as they just continue to get better every week for the upcoming playoffs. The Eagles have been able to reel off five wins in a row in convincing fashion including a Power-25 win over district foe Denton Guyer.

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

14. Denton Guyer (6-2, 4-1)

Previous rank: 14
Last week: Def. Allen, 24-19

The Wildcats escaped with a narrow victory last week over their rival Allen and stayed alive for the district championship in the competitive District 5-6A. Class of 2025 Isaac Harney led the Wildcats to victory last week throwing for touchdowns to give Guyer the edge against Allen. With two games remaining, the Wildcats need some help from their district mates to knock off first place Prosper.

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

15. Cibolo-Steele Knights (7-1, 3-0)

Previous rank: 15
Last week: Def. East Central, 52-28

Cibolo-Steele is cruising through District 27-6A through its first three weeks of conference play and have positioned themselves for position another district title. 2025 quarterback Chad Warner led the Knights last week with four touchdown passes and 300 yards through the air. The Knights have bounced back from their early season loss to Lake Travis solidifying themselves as the top team in San Antonio.

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

16. South Oak Cliff Bears (6-2, 4-0)

Previous rank: 16
Last week: Def. Samuel, 48-0

South Oak Cliff is in the drivers seat to win another district championship with two games remaining and it is safe to say the Bears are gearing up for the TX-5A Division II playoffs. Last week, 2025 dual-threat quarterback Carter Kopecky has thrown 18 touchdown passes to just one interception this season. SOC is ready to repeat as state champions. No. 20 Melissa Cardinals stands in its way. 

Up next: Against Dallas-Wilson, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

17. Longview Lobos (7-1, 5-0)

Previous rank: 17
Last week: Def. McKinney North, 36-13

It was another impressive win for the Lobos in Week 9 as they have now won seven straight games. The Lobo rushing attack has propelled them during the win streak led by 2024 Oklahoma Sooner commit Taylor Tatum as they are averaging nearly 219 rushing yards per game as they are in prime position to claim the District 7-5A title with two games remaining. 

Up next: Against Tyler, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

18. North Crowley Panthers (8-0, 5-0)

Previous rank: 18
Last week: Def. Bell, 44-3

Business as usual for the Panthers. After their marquee win against Lucas-Lovejoy, North Crowley is averaging around 59 points per game and are in prime position with a strong October to compete for a TX-6A, District 3 title. North Crowley in for first place with  two games remaining, and await their matchup with district foe, Crowley for the regular season finale on November 2.

Up next: Against Chisholm Trail, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

19. Reagan Rattlers (8-0, 6-0)

Previous rank: 19
Last week: Def. San Antonio Churchill, 38-0

One week removed after winning the San Antonio game of the year, the Rattlers continued to show their strength on both sides of the ball with another shutout win. Throughout the season, Reagan has shown to be balanced offensively and defensively and look to be a threat in the playoffs with an experienced and deep team. 

Up next: Against San Antonio Roosevelt, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

20. Willis Wildkats (8-0, 6-0)

Previous rank: 20
Last week: Bye Week

The Wildkats used the week off to prepare for undefeated district foe The Woodlands. A win this week will earn them the District 13-6A championship led by 2024 quarterback and Florida commit DJ Lagway who has put up video game numbers all season long. 

Up next: At The Woodlands, Thursday, 7 p.m.

21. Lucas-Lovejoy Leopards (7-1, 5-0)

Previous rank: 22
Last week: Def. Poteet, 48-7

The Leopards have hit their stride through mid-October, riding high on a five-game win streak and proving it can compete with the state's top teams in the process. They will get another chance at a marquee win in the regular season finale on Nov. 2 against No. 10 Melissa for the district championship. But first? Greenville at home.

Up next: Against Greenville, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

22. Timpson Bears (8-0, 4-0)

Previous rank: 23
Last week: Def. Joaquin, 69-0

Another big district win for Timpson last week. The Bears, led by one of the Lone Star State's top athletes are showing that they can compete with any team with 2024 athlete Terry Bussey under center. Bussey, who is a 5-star recruit committed to play at Texas A&M looks like a human joystick on a football field leading the Bears offense. Timpson headlined by 2025 athlete JJ Garner, who has scored 19 total touchdowns on the year and averaging 148 rushing yards on the ground.

Up next: At Shelbyville, Friday, 7 p.m.

23. Wimberley Texans (7-0, 2-0)

Previous rank: 24
Last week: Def. Navarro, 48-20

The Texans have solidified themselves as a top team in TX-4A, Division II and have continued to roll through every week. It is a rich tradition of winning in Wimberly, and 2025 dual-threat quarterback Cody Stoever is helping lead the way for the Texans to get back to the state championship game in Arlington.

Up next: Against Lago Vista, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

24. Smithson Valley Rangers (7-1, 5-0)

Previous rank: NR
Last Week: Def. Boerne-Champion, 49-14

One thing is true every year about Smithson Valley: the Rangers will play defense and will lean on the their big offensive line and their run game. Smithson Valley suffered an opening night loss to No. 19 Reagan, but have reeled off seven straight dominant wins through district play. 2025 running back Bradley Sowersby leads the way offensively carving yards in the run game along with 2024 wide receiver and Texas commit Freddie DuBose on the outside. 

Up next: Against Buda-Hays, Friday, 7 p.m.

25. Corpus Christi Miller Buccaneers (8-0, 5-0)

Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, 59-40

Offensively, the Buccaneers have shown that they can score with anyone in TX-5A all season long, and that was the case last week as they won their district showdown in shootout fashion — No. 2 vs. No. 5 in SBLive's South Texas power rankings. After splitting time under center last year, 2025 quarterback Trevor Long has commanded the job for head coach Justen Evans and leading an offense averaging 59 points per game. After a deep playoff run a year ago, Miller appears ready to run it back.

Up next: At Victoria West, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Next 5 Up:

Pflugerville Weiss (8-0, 4-0)
McKinney Lions (7-1, 4-1)
Johnson Jaguars (7-1, 5-1)
Forney Jackrabbits (7-1, 4-1)
Lake Travis Cavaliers (6-2, 4-2)

-- Ryan Childers | ryanchilders0455@gmail.com | @sblivetx

Lead photo by Rob August

Published
Ryan Childers
RYAN CHILDERS

Ryan Childers is a freelancer who covers high school sports Central Texas. He's based out of Spring Branch, Texas and has seen his work published in the San Marcos Record.

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