DFW 6A & 5A Football Preview: Duncanville, DeSoto, South Oak Cliff and More

District 11-6A may be the most talent-rich district in Texas this fall. Waxahachie, Duncanville, and North Crowley enter the season as the consensus favorites to advance deep into the 6A playoffs, with a pair of Division I-bound prospects leading the way. Waxahachie defensive standout Jaquan Snell and Duncanville wide receiver Trenton Yancy are both expected to draw heavy recruiting attention once the postseason arrives.

Allen enters the picture with a notable name at quarterback—sophomore Ty Snell, cousin of Waxahachie's Jaquan—but the Eagles are navigating significant roster turnover after losing multiple starters to graduation. Head coach Tim Dodge acknowledged the youth on his roster, noting the defensive line and secondary as the areas with the least returning experience. Southlake Carroll and Coppell are also in the 6A conversation, though their playoff bracket placement—Division I or Division II—will depend on how their respective districts shake out.

One team that already knows its path is Aledo. The Bearcats are making their first appearance in 6A, and head coach Robby Jones is treating the jump in classification as a reset in expectations. "Everybody in the playoffs in 6A can beat you," Jones said, pointing to the work his program put in this spring and summer to prepare for the step up.

Class 5A Division I could be the most competitive classification in North Texas. DeSoto slides down from 6A and immediately becomes a favorite, powered by running back Sarod Baker, who eclipsed 3,000 rushing yards last season. Frisco Lone Star, the reigning state finalist, returns with quarterback Trey Wright—a sophomore who led the country in total yards a season ago—and a coaching staff that is already raising internal expectations heading into the new year. Denton Ryan, Highland Park, and Melissa round out the group of programs that believe they can challenge the Eagles.

At Highland Park, quarterback Buck is the focal point of an offense that has produced back-to-back 4,000-yard passing seasons. His head coach called him the most accurate quarterback he has ever coached and noted Buck is on pace to break the all-time DFW passing record.

In 5A Division II, South Oak Cliff is chasing history. The Golden Bears are seeking their sixth consecutive state final appearance and would claim their fourth title during that stretch if they get there. Coach Todd has Argyle, Anna, and Mansfield Timberview as the programs most likely to stand in their way, but the message inside the South Oak Cliff program remains unchanged. "No matter what product we put on the field," the coach said, "the result we're striving for is to be a state champion."