Texas High School Football Games of the Week: Sept. 12-14
The first two weeks of the high school football season in Texas have been full of terrific matchups featuring some of the state — and the nation’s — best teams.
Week 1 featured a number of pivotal games that could have major impacts come playoff time, including a handful of matchups between top-25 teams in the state rankings. Week 2 was no slouch either, with a pair of top-10 showdowns. And Week 3 might be even better, with two top-10 in-state battles and the No. 1 Duncanville facing off against national powerhouse St. Frances (Md.) Academy.
Below are the key matchups to watch this weekend:
The On3 Massey Ratings — which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated college high school sports team rankings since 1995 — rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory.
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Top high school football games in Texas
St. Frances Academy (Md.) @ #1 Duncanville – Saturday, Sept. 14
After having a bye in Week 1, Duncanville trounced Dallas-area rival South Oak Cliff 34-12 in Week behind five touchdowns from five-star quarterback and Alabama commit Keelon Russell. The Panthers have won back-to-back state titles for the first time in school history and will be top candidates to add another trophy to the mantle this season. While it won’t affect their title run, they’ll face an extremely tough St. Frances squad that has Pittsburgh powerhouse Central Catholic, New Jersey’s No. 2 team St Joseph Regional, and is coming off a close loss to California title. contender Orange Lutheran.
#14 Byron Nelson @ #2 Southlake Carroll – Friday, Sept. 13
The Dragons made relatively easy work of Midland in Week 1 in a 48-24 romp, then dominated Hebron to get off to a 2-0 start. Awaiting them in Week 3 is a matchup with top-15 foe Byron Nelson. The Bobcats, whose roster is headlined by Baylor safety commit Leo Almanza, are coming off a pivotal top-25 victory over Lewisville and will be looking to carry that momentum even further.
#4 Atascocita @ #8 Westlake – Friday, Sept. 13
Another week of monumental matchups in Texas is headlined by a Friday-night showdown in Austin between Atascocita (2-0) and Westlake (2-0). The No. 7 Eagles are coming off a statement road win over former national top-25 foe Katy and have carried an impressive offense thus far. Westlake defeated Prosper to open its season with a bang and followed up with a 63-point showing last week. Atascocita’s dynamic running back combo of Oklahoma commit Tory Blaylock and Cardae Mack will likely be a handful for the Chaparrals. The Massey Ratings predict a 35-34 win for the Eagles.
#7 Guyer @ #6 North Crowley – Friday, Sept. 13
North Crowley made national headlines last week, as it traveled to then-No. 3 DeSoto and upset the back-to-back state champions for an unbelievable 57-51 victory. As a result, the Panthers (2-0) made a big jump into the national top 10 and will look for another marquee win in the coming days when Guyer (2-0) comes to town. Led by Oklahoma QB commit Kevin Sperry, the Wildcats will also bring an impressive offense to the table on Friday night. The game will feature five Power Four commits. The Massey Ratings give Guyer a 52% win probability on the road.
South Oak Cliff @ #11 Longview – Friday, Sept. 13
No program in the state, let alone the country, has opened with a tougher schedule than South Oak Cliff. The Golden Bears faced two top-10 national teams in the first two weeks with a road game at North Shore (38-0 loss) before a home title against Duncanville (34-12 loss). But don’t be deceived by the 0-2 record. SOC claimed back-to-back 5A DII crowns in 2021 and 2022 and they’ll boast one of the state’s more talented rosters this season. Longview comes into this one after consecutive wins over Lufkin and Marshall and currently sits inside the national top-25 rankings.