Top 25 Texas high school football rankings (9/11/2023)

North Crowley debuts in Power 25: Who in Lone Star State rose, fell and dropped?

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.

Four teams from the Lone Star State are ranked nationally. Duncanville (Texas) is No. 6, DeSoto No. 11, Galena Park North Shore is No. 12 and Austin Westlake is No. 23 in the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25.

Who rose and fell after Week 3? Find out below in this complete breakdown of the SBLive Texas Power 25 rankings, as of the week of Monday, September 11, 2023:

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

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

1. Duncanville Panthers (2-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 6
Previous rank: 1
Last week: Bye Week

The top-ranked team in the Lone Star State took the week off after traveling to Florida in Week 2. It still appears that Duncanville and the No. 2 ranked team DeSoto are on a collision course to on Oct. 27 for one of the nation's best District (11) title races.

Up next: vs. Lake Ridge, Sept. 15

2. DeSoto Eagles (2-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 11
Previous rank: 2
Last week: Def. South Oak Cliff, 54-14

After taking last week off to prepare for this Week 3 match up against South Oak Cliff, the Eagles jumped out quickly to a big first half lead over the No. 15-ranked Bears and never looked back. The Eagles led by their 2024 quarterback Darius Bailey as he tossed four first half touchdown passes en route to a 47-0 halftime advantage. Like Duncanville, the Eagles are taking each game week by week, but will definitely be ready for their matchup with nationally-ranked and top-ranked team in Texas in the Panthers. 

Up next: vs. Dallas Skyline, Sept. 15

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

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 12
Previous rank: 3
Last week: Def. No. 15 Westfield, 45-9

It was another take of business as usual for the Mustangs last Friday night against Westfield. The No. 4 team in the country raced out to a 31-9 lead in the first half and then never let off the gas in this non-district matchup. North Shore was able to keep Westfield out of the endzone in the second half, adding two touchdowns of its own. The nationally ranked Mustangs open up district play next.

Up next: vs. Beaumont United, Sept. 15

4. Austin Westlake Chaparrals (3-0)

SBLive/Sports Illustrated national ranking: 23
Previous rank: 4
Last week: Def. Austin-Akins, 53-0

It was the second straight week that the Westlake defense posted a shutout as the Chapparal offense seems to be clicking in all areas. The Chaps will take this week off as they get ready for TX-6A, District-26 play next week. The perennial state powerhouse, Westlake, will travel to long time Austin rival, Lake Travis to open up district play on Sept. 22.

Up next: Bye

5. Aledo Bearcats (3-0)

Previous rank: 5
Last week: Def. Justin-Northwest, 38-13

This past Friday, the Bobcats cruised to their 17th straight victory dating back to last year with their win over Northwest. Class of 2026 running back Ray Guillory paced the way for Aledo with 122 yards on the ground while the Bobcats as a whole rushed for 258 yards. The Bobcats are a well-oiled machine that just keeps rolling and just wont be stopped. Aledo opens up district play this week on the road.

Up next: at Azle, Sept. 15

6. Vandegrift Vipers (3-0)

Previous rank: 6
Last week: Def. Waco-Midway, 48-17

The Vipers rolled to their third straight victory. The key to the winning ways through three weeks has been jumping on opponents fast, and they did just that leading the Panthers 21-7 after the first quarter. Louisville commit Deuce Adams threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns, while 2024 running back Zaid Oliver tallied 111 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The pursuit of a district title starts this week at home against the Tigers.

Up next: vs. Stoney Point, Sept. 15

7. Atasocita Eagles (3-0)

Previous rank: 7
Last week: Def. East St Louis, 43-13

The Eagles hosted an out of state opponent, East St. Louis and earned a big victory to remain undefeated through three games. Atascocita remains in the Top-10 through the first three weeks with a strong start to the 2023 season. One week after knocking off the Katy Tigers, the Eagles were able to put together another great game racing out to a 29-13 lead after the first quarter and class of 2024 quarterback Zion Brown tossed an efficient 14 of 16 passing and  four touchdowns through the air. 

Up next: at Kingwood, Sept. 21

8. Katy Tigers (2-1)

Previous rank: 9
Last week: Def. Katy-Thompkins, 41-7

A week after dropping their first loss of the season, the Tigers were able to get back on the right side of the win column with a victory over Thompkins as they open up district play with a 1-0 record. Katy will look to continue their winning ways the rest of the way looking to capture another District 19 title, and chase a state 'chip.

Up next: at Morton Ranch, Sept. 16

9. Southlake Carroll (3-0)

Previous rank: 8 
Last week: Def. Cedar Hill, 31-6

The Dragons took care of business this past week against Cedar Hill to remain undefeated. Through the first three quarters, South Lake led 24-0 and added one-more score in the final quarter. Senior quarterback Graham Knowles is leading the Dragon offense with 700 yards passing and six touchdowns through the air through three gmaes.

Up next: at Forth Worth Timber Creek, Sept. 14

10. Melissa Cardinals (3-0)

Previous rank: 11
Last week: Def. Royse-City 39-7

Has there been a more impressive team in TX-5A so far through three games than the Cardinals? A week after defeating back-to-back state champion China Spring, Melissa came out in dominant fashion cruising to their 3-0 record. The Cardinals open up district play on the road this week at Crandall, and looks to be on a collision course with Lovejoy for the TX-5A, DII District-7 title. 

Up next: at Crandall, Sept. 15

11. Pharr San Juan Alamo North Raiders (3-0)

Previous rank: 14
Last week: Def. United South, 35-0

The Raiders just continue to win through their non-district schedule as they head into district play. With an undefeated record heading into their district opener this week against McAllen, the PSJA defense will look to continue their dominant play in TX-5A as they have pitched two shutouts so far this season. Leading 21-0 at the break, the Raiders added two second-half touchdowns.

Up next: vs. McAllen, Sept. 14

12. Denton Guyer Wildcats (2-1)

Last week: Def. Lancaster, 28-20

Defense spurred the offense as Guyer rebounded from a narrow loss to No. 5 Aledo in Week 2 with a gutsy 28-20 road win over Lancaster. Caleb Rowe's fumble return for touchdown tied the game early and the Wildcats defense didn't relinquish the lead after going up two scores. Power 25 district opener at Prosper is one to watch.

Up next: at No. 14 Prosper, Sept. 15

13. Carthage Bulldogs (3-0)

Previous rank: 16
Last week: Def. Cornerstone Christian, 34-0

All they do is win. The Bulldogs racked up their No. 19 in a row dating back to last year's 16-0 state championship team. Carthage was able to make short work last week of Cornerstone Christian with a shutout win, 34-0. With one more non-district game this week, the Bulldogs are looking just as dominant in TX-4A, Division II as anyone as they are striving for back-to-back state titles.

Up next: vs. Marshall, Sept. 15

14. China Spring Cougars (2-1)

Previous rank: 12
Last week: Def. Mexia, 69-27

The Cougars bounced back in a big way this past week against Mexia as their offense scored 69 points, a week after suffering their first loss to Melissa. China Spring jumped out quickly to a 49-14 halftime lead, and was able to keep their foot on the gas through the second half as well. The schedule for the Cougars does not get any easier over the next three weeks in non-district play starting this week with a 3-0 Connally team. 

Up next: vs. Waco-Connally, Sept. 15

15. Prosper Eagles (2-1)

Previous rank: 10
Last week: Lost to Rockwall, 47-41

Prosper suffered its first loss of the young season in a shootout with Rockwall and has an opportunity to rebound against Denton-Guyer. Class of 2025 running back Leonel Anguiano paced the Eagles with 110 yards rushing and a score, as Prosper racked up 273 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. This week the Eagles face the Wildcats to open up TX-6A, Division 1, District-5 play in a tough, loaded district as it will be a bloodbath battling among the top four spots.

Up next: vs. Denton-Guyer, Sept. 15

16. South Oak Cliff Bears (1-2)

Previous week: 14 
Last week: Lost to DeSoto, 54-14

Despite the Bears' 1-2 overall record to star the 2023 season, South Oak Carroll should still be considered the favorite to repeat as state champions in TX-5A this year. After earning their first win a week ago, the Bears faced the No. 2 ranked DeSoto Eagles and just could not keep pace with the high-flying Eagles offense. SOC trailed 47-0 at the break, but was able to score two second half touchdowns.

Up next: vs. No. 23 Parish-Episcopal, Sept. 15

17. Cibolo-Steele Knights (2-1)

Previous rank: 18 
Last week: Def. Hutto, 57-27 (More here)

After last week's loss to Austin perennial powerhouse, Lake Travis, the Knights wanted to come out fast and really deliver a statement to the rest of the state and Region IV that they were still one of the best teams in the region. Steele blasted Hutto after jumping out to a 57-0 lead on the Hippos, and really just did not look back as they were able to contain a Hippo team and 2024 quarterback Will Hammond for much of the night after scoring 80 points a week prior. 

Up next: vs. Midland-Legacy, Sept. 15

18. Longview Lobos (2-1)

Previous rank: 19
Last week: Def. Tyler-Legacy, 28-7

After dropping their first game to McKinney, 23-21, the Lobos have turned it around and won their last two non-district games as they head into district play this week. Longview led by 2024 and Oklahoma commit at running back, Taylor Tatum are considered favorites to make it to Arlington for the state championship in TX-5A. Through three games, the senior tailback, has 317 yards and five touchdowns on the ground heading into district play.

Up next: vs. Lufkin, Sept. 15

19. Westfield Mustangs (1-2)

Previous rank: 15 
Last week: Lost No.3 North Shore, 45-9

Tough three game stretch for the Mustangs after dropping their second game of the season after starting 1-0. A talented group slides once more after scoring nine points in the second straight week. District play starts in two weeks against Spring. 

 Up next: Bye; Spring, Sept. 22

20. Lewisville Farmers (2-1)

Previous rank: 19 
Last week: Def. Mesquite 36-0

The Farmers got back into the win column with a shutout win against Mesquite after dropping their Week 2 game to Highland Park. With district play beginning in two weeks in TX-6A, Region 1, District 6, Lewisville will look to extend its winning streak with a strong focus on the defensive side of the ball (25 points allowed all season). 

Up next: Bye; Flower Mound, Sept. 22

21. McKinney Lions (3-0)

Previous rank: 22
Last week: Def. Flower Mound,  30-7

It has been a strong start to the young 2023 season for the Lions as they improved their record to 3-0 last week with a non-district win over Flower Mound. McKinney started the season unranked, but with a win over No. 17 Longview they quickly showed they are a real threat this season. They move up two more spots from last week's No. 22 ranking. The Lions will face district foe Little Elm this week for their first test in district play this season.

Up next: vs. Little Elm, Sept. 15

22. North Crowley Panthers (3-0)

Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. No. 19 Lucas Lovejoy, 43-20

Down Texas wideout commit Parker Livingstone to injury, Lovejoy still brought a high-octane offense averaging 46 points per game, and even scored the contest's first two touchdowns, but ran into a wall in the North Crowley defense on Friday. The Panthers scored 35 straight points over the next two quarters and rolled to an early-season signature win. Cornelius Warren had three touchdowns and 106 yards and QB Chris Jimerson threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Up next: vs. Paschal, Sept. 15

23. Reagan Rattlers (3-0)

Previous rank: 24 
Last week: Def. San Antonio Clark, 38-13 

Impressive start through three games for the Rattlers. They were able to knock off longtime rival in Smithson Valley, then a road win against Round Rock before earning their first district win last week against San Antonio Clark. Started slow against Clark, but rallied with a strong second half led by 2024 running back Cole Pryor, who paces Reagan offensively. The Rattlers enter their off week before resuming TX-6A, District-28 play in two weeks.

 Up next: Bye; San Antonio Marshall, Sept. 23

24. Parish Episcopal Panthers (1-2)

Previous rank: 20 
Last week: Def. LBJ Austin, 26-12

After an 0-2 start to the season, the Panthers were able to pick up their first win of 2023 last week to improve to 1-2 on the year. After a 7-6 deficit at the end of the first, Parish was able to rebound scoring 19-points in the second quarter to take the 26-12 lead into the break and they never looked back. 2025 gun-slinger Sawyer Anderson was efficient passing the ball for 193 yards and two touchdowns through the air. The Panthers are facing another 1-2 ranked team this week in the in the South Oak Cliff Bears — which will hang on to its ranking?

Up next: vs. No. 15 South Oak Cliff, Sept. 15 

25. Lucas-Lovejoy Leopards (2-1)

Previous rank: 19 
Last week: Lost to North Crowley, 43-20

After two strong wins in the first two weeks of the season, the Leopards came out on the losing end for the first time last week. Lovejoy held a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, but North Crowley was able to overcome the deficit in the second half, as the Leopards were held off the scoreboard in the second half. TX-5A, District-7 conference play starts this week as the Leopards will look to start district play out strong like they did in the first two weeks of the season.

Up next: vs. Terrell, Sept. 15

NEXT 5 UP:

Corpus Christi Miller Buccaneers (3-0)

Lake Travis Cavaliers (3-0)

Smithson Valley Rangers (2-1)

Willis Wildkats (3-0)

Wimberly Texans (3-0)

Editor's note: A previous version of SBLive's Texas Football Power 25 for September 11 did not include No. 12 Denyon Guyer. These rankings have been updated to correct the error.