Brian Gosset: Biggest things from Week 9 of the Fort Worth-area high school football season
Week 9 has already come and gone as Fort Worth-area teams continue their march this season. A lot of action took place with impressive wins and big upsets, plus top recruits proving why they’re some of the best in the state.
Check out the best of the best from the ninth week of the Texas high school football season.
Best win
Midlothian 39, Lake Belton 37
The Panthers were playing for more than just an eighth straight win Friday night, they were playing for their fallen coach Clif White, who died after a five-month battle with bladder cancer.
With high emotions at Midlothian ISD Stadium, that included a moment of silence and Clif’s wife Meagan and their two children, the Panthers rallied from 10 down in the fourth quarter to beat the Broncos and improve to 8-0 for the first time since 1984.
Bryant Wesco caught an 8-yard TD pass from Chad Ragle and Ragle scored the go-ahead 2-yard TD before the Panthers defense went to work in the final minutes.
Midlothian’s rushing attack shined with over 450 yards on 54 carries.
Biggest Upsets
Crowley 26, Euless Trinity 24
Angel Loerna’s booted a 36-yard field goal as time was expiring to send the Eagles past the Trojans. Crowley improved to 4-1 in District 4-6A.
Trinity had erased a 23-14 deficit and led 24-23 with just under a minute left in the game.
But Crowley marched down quickly to set up Loerna’s heroics.
Caleb Williams finished with 314 total yards and two TDs for the Eagles.
Birdville 34, Richland 30
The Birdville Hawks scored the final 13 points in the fourth quarter to knock off undefeated Richland. The win pushed Birdville to second in district at 5-1 and 6-2 overall.
After going down 10, Birdville kept it for over five minutes before Noah Normand hit Sekou Konate on an 8-yard TD pass. Following the two-point try, the Hawks were down two midway through the fourth.
Then Richland fumbled on the ensuing drive and Birdville recovered.
Birdville regained the lead with 43 seconds left after Normand ran into the end zone from 13 yards out.
Normand finished with four total touchdowns and 273 yards passing.
Numbers
5,498
Aledo scored the final 14 points to beat Denton Ryan 35-21, locking up a district title for the 15th straight season. The Bearcats also extended their national district winning streak to 110 games.
It’s been 5,498 days since Aledo lost a district game.
You have to go back to Oct. 5, 2007 when Everman beat the Bearcats 35-28.
If you break it down, that’s 785 weeks and three days. Crazy, right?
Quarterback Hauss Hejny threw for 149 yards, added 132 more on the ground, and accounted for three TDs.
80
Mansfield Timberview put up 80 points during its win over Dallas Sunset, including 37 in the first quarter. The Wolves improved to 8-0 on the season.
Timberview outgained Sunset 357-19 in total yardage and held the Bison to minus 62 yards rushing.
Top recruit
Jake Strong, Sr., QB, Justin Northwest
The 4-star Texas Tech commit had his way with FW South Hills on Friday as the Texans won 65-0. Strong was nearly perfect on the night, going 11 of 12 for 264 yards and five TDs.
That’s 24 yards per completion.
Northwest finished with 358 yards passing and 577 total.
Strong threw touchdown passes to three different receivers, Kenan Reil (2), Logan Jeskevic (2) and Terry Duncan Jr. (1). Reil was the top receiver with 114 yards. Jeskevic had four catches for 92.
Strong is up to 17 TDs this season to only two interceptions.
326 yards passing
Jake Wilson, Sr., QB, Byron Nelson
Wilson continues his hot hand with 326 yards and four touchdowns in the Bobcats 56-24 win over Keller Central. Byron is 8-0 for the first time in program history.
Wilson has over 2,600 yards and 29 TDs this season to only four interceptions.
It’s his second 300-yard game in a row and fifth of the season. It’s also his fourth game with at least four TDs.
242 yards rushing
Jayden Hart, Sr., RB, Keller
Hart had a career-night during Keller’s 47-21 win over Fossil Ridge.
He rushed for a career-high 242 yards and four touchdowns, smashing his previous record of 140 yards against Keller Central in September.
Hart came into the night with eight TDs in seven previous games this season. Hart averaged 11 yards per carry and had a long during a 68-yard touchdown against Ridge.
He goes over 800 yards with 12 scores for the Indians.
Undefeated
These teams are still unbeaten after nine weeks: Southlake Carroll, FW Arlington Heights, North Crowley, Byron Nelson, Argyle, Mansfield Timberview, Midlothian and Tolar
