Written by Will Johnson, September 7, 2026
Two weeks into the Texas high school football season, the games are beginning to tell us much more than the preseason projections.
Allen followed its impressive win over Duncanville by dismantling DeSoto. North Crowley dominated Southlake Carroll. Waxahachie survived a battle with Coppell, while Katy, Ridge Point and Cypress Ranch earned their way into the rankings with quality victories.
This is where the BTGS ranking system begins separating itself from a traditional preseason poll. Reputation still provides context, but results now carry the most weight. Teams have to prove themselves every week, and the quality of the opponent matters just as much as the final record.
Week 3 Rankings:
1. Allen Eagles
Record: 2–0 | Previous ranking: No. 2
Week 2: Defeated DeSoto, 50–6
Allen takes over the No. 1 position after delivering a second consecutive statement victory. The Eagles followed their 26–7 win over Duncanville by overwhelming DeSoto 50–6.
Through two games, Allen has outscored two championship-level programs 76–13. That combination of opponent quality, dominance and defensive performance gives Allen the strongest early résumé in Texas. At this point, the Eagles have earned the top spot rather than receiving it because of reputation.
2. North Crowley Panthers
Record: 2–0 | Previous ranking: No. 4
Week 2: Defeated Southlake Carroll, 40–10
North Crowley rises two positions after controlling Southlake Carroll from start to finish. The Panthers led 27–7 at halftime and allowed only three points after the break.
North Crowley has now defeated Aledo and Southlake Carroll by a combined score of 66–10. Those are respected programs, and the Panthers have made both victories look convincing. Allen holds the slight advantage based on opponent quality, but North Crowley is making a legitimate argument for No. 1.
3. North Shore Mustangs
Record: 2–0 | Previous ranking: No. 1
Week 2: Defeated John Curtis Christian, 27–17
North Shore drops two positions despite remaining undefeated. The Mustangs earned a solid interstate victory over Louisiana power John Curtis Christian, but Allen and North Crowley produced more dominant Week 2 performances.
This is not a major concern for the defending Class 6A Division I champions. North Shore remains balanced, experienced and capable of beating anyone in Texas. The Mustangs did not fall because they played poorly; two other teams simply strengthened their cases.
4. Waxahachie Indians
Record: 2–0 | Previous ranking: No. 7
Week 2: Defeated Coppell, 27–24
Waxahachie continues its rapid climb. After beating Ennis 72–14 in the opener, the Indians showed they could also win a close game against a quality opponent.
Waxahachie used an 11-play, 63-yard drive to score the winning touchdown late against Coppell. That drive demonstrated patience and toughness when the game was on the line. The Indians have now shown both dominance and late-game execution, earning a place in the Top 5.
5. Richmond Randle Lions
Record: 2–0 | Previous ranking: No. 3
Week 2: Defeated Westfield, 3–0
There may not be a stranger final score in Texas this season than Randle’s 3–0 victory over Westfield. The offense struggled, but the Lions’ defense delivered a complete shutout and protected a three-point lead.
Winning still matters, especially against a physical opponent. Randle also owns a quality victory over South Oak Cliff. However, the lack of offensive production causes the Lions to slide two positions. Championship teams must be able to win in different ways, but Randle will need more balance moving forward.
6. Duncanville Panthers
Record: 1–1 | Previous ranking: No. 10
Week 2: Defeated Cedar Hill, 34–7
Duncanville responded to its opening loss exactly as a championship-caliber program should. The Panthers defeated Cedar Hill by 27 points and produced 322 rushing yards.
The Week 1 loss to Allen still counts, but it looks less damaging after Allen’s dominant performance against DeSoto. Duncanville’s roster strength, program stability and improved Week 2 performance push the Panthers back toward the top half of the rankings.
7. Smithson Valley Rangers
Record: 1–0 | Previous ranking: No. 8
Week 2: Defeated Sotomayor, 47–14
After having its opener canceled, Smithson Valley finally took the field and looked every bit like a defending champion. The Rangers produced a convincing 33-point victory over Sotomayor.
The back-to-back Class 5A Division I champions move up one position. Smithson Valley remains one of the most stable and defensively reliable programs in the state. A smaller sample of completed games keeps the Rangers behind the teams above them for now.
8. Katy Tigers
Record: 2–0 | Previous ranking: Not ranked
Week 2: Defeated Dickinson, 42–24
Katy enters the BTGS Top 10 with one of the strongest two-game résumés outside the top group. The Tigers opened by defeating Atascocita 28–17 and followed it with an 18-point road victory over Dickinson.
Katy rushed for 271 yards against Dickinson after producing 293 rushing yards in the opener. The Tigers’ physical identity, quality victories and long history of program consistency make this entry well deserved.
9. Ridge Point Panthers
Record: 2–0 | Previous ranking: Not ranked
Week 2: Defeated Shadow Creek, 28–7
Ridge Point enters after putting together two impressive victories. The Panthers edged Dickinson 29–26 in Week 1 before controlling Shadow Creek 28–7.
Beating two respected Class 6A opponents gives Ridge Point a strong early strength-of-schedule score. The 21-point win over Shadow Creek also added the dominance that was missing from the narrow opening victory. Another quality result could move the Panthers up quickly.
10. Cypress Ranch Mustangs
Record: 2–0 | Previous ranking: Not ranked
Week 2: Defeated C.E. King, 31–28
Cypress Ranch earns the final position after upsetting our previous No. 5 team. Senior quarterback Braden Baker threw for 254 yards and four touchdowns, while the Mustangs won on a 40-yard field goal as time expired.
The victory was not an isolated performance. Cypress Ranch also defeated Fort Bend Hightower 24–7 in Week 1. Two quality wins, combined with poise in a close game, give the Mustangs a strong enough résumé to enter the rankings.
Teams that dropped out
C.E. King
C.E. King falls out after losing 31–28 to Cypress Ranch. The Panthers showed fight and briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter, so this is not a damaging loss. C.E. King remains close to returning.
Southlake Carroll
Southlake Carroll drops out after a 40–10 loss to North Crowley. The Dragons needed a major comeback to survive Jenks in Week 1 and were unable to recover against North Crowley. The talent is still present, but the first two performances created legitimate concerns.
South Oak Cliff
South Oak Cliff did not play after losing 20–14 to Randle in the opener. The Golden Bears remain a championship contender in Class 5A Division II, but other teams have now added two strong results while South Oak Cliff has played only once.
First five teams out
C.E. King — A three-point loss to a newly ranked team keeps the Panthers close.
South Oak Cliff — Still dangerous, but currently 0–1 with a limited résumé.
Southlake Carroll — Must respond after a 30-point loss.
Denton Guyer — The 2–0 Wildcats strengthened their case by beating Melissa 27–9.
Carthage — The Bulldogs remain one of the strongest programs outside Class 6A.
What Week 2 taught us
Allen and North Crowley have separated themselves through the first two weeks. Both teams have defeated respected programs, dominated defensively and shown the roster strength needed to compete for a championship.
Week 2 also reminded us that winning can look different. Waxahachie needed a late scoring drive. Randle won with only three points. Cypress Ranch prevailed on the final kick. Each result revealed something different about the teams involved.
The BTGS system will continue becoming more results-driven as the season progresses. Preseason expectations are fading, and every team is being judged by what it puts on film now.
Reputation may open the door, but performance determines who stays in the room.
Who is ranked too high, too low or missing completely? Join the conversation with Between The Game Sports on Facebook.
BTGS rankings are independently compiled by Between The Game Sports using current results, opponent quality, game dominance, roster strength, program stability and weekly trajectory. External reporting is used for research and fact-checking.
