Week 5 of the Texas high school football season had several standout performances from Fort Worth-area squads.
Here are high school sports editor Charles Baggarly’s main takeaways from the action:
White Settlement Brewer scores 63 in win over Azle
In District 3-5A Division I, the first three playoff spots are hard to secure.
That’s because Richland, Denton Ryan and Aledo are, usually, on a different level. But for teams like White Settlement Brewer, that fourth playoff spot is an attainable goal.
The Brewer Bears secured an important 63-42 victory over Azle, a 2024 playoff team, following losses to Aledo and Richland.
“I think it was the first game this year where I felt like we complemented each other,” Brewer coach Marte Amrine said. “We got some turnovers on the defensive side. We got some big returns in our kick return game that set up our offense, and they finished drives.”
Brewer’s offense scoring 63 points is a positive sign, especially since it was held to 21 combined points in losses to Richland and Aledo. According to Amrine, the staff told the team to keep focusing on themselves regardless of the score.
“It’s about us, and improving every week,” Amrine said. “And not worrying about the team that we’re playing. … As you’re trying to build a program, it’s all about how do you improve yourself. … I think our kids have done a good job of seeing which areas we need to get better in. They are taking advantage of that. It’s a process every week.”
The Bears have a long way to go and will need strong performances against Denton, Birdville and Granbury — those teams could challenge for a playoff spot with improved play.
“We want to do everything we can to get in the tournament,” Amrine said. “We’ll fight and claw. And our district is tough — from top to bottom every team has improved this year. You’ve got to bring your A-game every week, and if you don’t, you’re going to get beat.”
Byron Nelson steamrolls Trinity
After a sizable loss to Southlake Carroll, Euless Trinity needed a response to prove itself as a top team in the Fort Worth area.
The Trojans, however, fell flat for the second consecutive week, as Byron Nelson (2-2, 1-1) seized a shocking 38-13 blowout victory on Friday. The Bobcats led 31-0 at the half and were in control from start to finish.
What does this mean for District 4-6A? Well, with the way the Trinity Trojans (3-2, 1-2) have played, they aren’t the usual playoff lock they have been in years past. Surging teams like L.D. Bell, Haslet Eaton and more could be more competitive against the Trojans this season.
Byron Nelson’s huge victory showcases that the Bobcats are a solid team despite the loss to Carroll. With the Dragons trouncing Byron Nelson and Trinity, the gap between them and the rest of the competition is incredibly wide. No. 1 Carroll is truly in a league of its own in 4-6A.
Haltom narrowly defeats Arlington Lamar
In District 8-6A, it feels like most teams can find a way to win against any opponent.
After a victory against Arlington Martin to start district play, it seemed Lamar would be in contention for a district championship. That can still be the case, but the Vikings’ 44-43 loss to Haltom on Friday is a bit of a setback.
For Haltom, it was a huge step in the right direction after four losses to start the season. Running back Vudrico Roberson had 173 rushing yards, four touchdowns and the game-sealing interception. Receiver Elijah Lewis had 175 receiving yards and two TDs.
Now, only two undefeated teams remain in 8-6A: South Grand Prairie and Arlington Bowie, the 2024 district champion.
With 1-1 records, Arlington, Lamar, Martin and Haltom will likely compete for the third and fourth playoff spots in what should be a close race. With a strong run to close the year, the district championship is still up for grabs.
Joshua capitalizes in triple overtime
Joshua football is off to a 3-1 start, and its latest victory was monumental.
The Owls defeated Midlothian 27-21 in triple overtime to start district play with a victory. Last season, Midlothian went 5-1 in District 7-5A Division I play, finishing second behind state power Highland Park.
On the other hand, Joshua had a 1-5 district play record last season. With a win over a top team, the Owls are on track to compete for a playoff spot.
Crowley bounces back against Weatherford
In 2024, Crowley struggled in non-district play before going on a five-game win streak to earn a playoff spot out of District 3-6A. The Eagles won two playoff games — it was their best season since 1971.
The 2025 season could bring more of the same. Coach Carlos Lynn scheduled a tough non-district slate to prepare his team for the games that matter. Although the Eagles missed some opportunities early in the season, there is no question that they are more experienced having faced tough squads like Houston North Shore and Tyler Legacy.
A 40-8 victory over Weatherford on Friday shows that the Eagle defense can carry it to success in district play.