Fort Worth-area high school boys soccer: Rankings, things to know ahead of postseason
The UIL soccer playoffs will begin on March 25, and high school teams are currently preparing for playoff runs.
Which teams have the most momentum with the postseason around the corner? See rankings and things to know from Fort Worth-area boys soccer programs.
Class 6A
1. Keller (13-2-4) - The Indians have suffered three ties in district 4-6A play but have yet to suffer a loss. That’s a strong sign heading into the postseason; the squad knows how to avoid defeat. Keller lost to Euless Trinity in the bi-district round in the 2023 season and is looking to bounce back.
2. Hurst L.D. Bell (17-3-2) - The Bluer Raiders, actually, aren’t in first place in district 3-6A. That spot belongs to Euless Trinity. However, Bell has won eight in a row including a recent 2-0 win over the Trojans. Senior Maddox Olatunde, also a football star, leads the squad with 25 goals.
3. Euless Trinity (14-5-2) - Trinity made it all the way to the regional quarterfinals in 2023 and are in a position to go on another run. The Trojans, out of the ranked Class 6A teams, have the most postseason experience. Junior Cort Laurence leads the squad with 24 goals.
4. Southlake Carroll (12-6-2) - The Dragons have won four consecutive games and are in second place in district 4-6A, which is arguably the strongest group in the area. Carroll was in a similar position last year and won a bi-district championship.
5. Arlington Martin (13-5-4) - Martin soccer is behind Grand Prairie and South Grand Prairie in the district 11-6A standings, but is the only Fort Worth-area coverage zone team within the top three.
Class 5A
1. Arlington Heights (16-4-2) - The Yellowjackets made an area round appearance in 2023, where they suffered a disappointing 6-0 loss to Midlothian. This year, however, Heights is the top team in district 5-6A. Can the Yellowjackets make it out of the area round this time?
2. Justin Northwest (11-4-6) - The Texans are first in district 5-5A, although the race is a tight one. Northwest had a strong playoff run last season, making it all the way to the regional quarterfinals, where Centennial got the upper hand.
3. Brewer (12-4-3) - Brewer is second in district 5-5A and secured a 3-0 victory over Northwest earlier in the season. In the two team’s most recent matchup, Northwest secured a 1-0 victory. In last year’s playoffs, Brewer suffered a surprising bi-district round loss to Fort Worth Southwest following a first place district finish.
4. Centennial (14-2-5) - The Spartans are coming off a season where they made it all the way to the regional semifinals. Although Centennial isn’t performing as well in the regular season this year, the team is in a good position to make another run. Senior Adrian Huerta has scored 10 goals.
5. Grapevine (10-6-8) - The Mustangs took a step back in the regular season but can still be a threat in the postseason. Senior Tanner Anstis has scored a team high 14 goals. Grapevine, in 2023, suffered an area round loss to Northwest.
Class 4A
1. Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis (16-5-0) - The Eagles are thriving in district 7-4A and are sitting in first place. Last season, DHJ made it all the way to the regional finals in an impressive, dominant postseason run. Do the Eagles have another deep run in store? Carter Riverside is the only team to defeat Diamond Hill-Jarvis in district play.
2. Fort Worth Carter Riverside (15-6-1) - Carter Riverside has won five in a row, and the defeats suffered were close ones. In 2023, Carter Riverside made it to the regional quarterfinals and lost to Fort Worth Western Hills. Will Carter Riverside step out of Diamond Hill Jarvis’ shadow? The two teams last regular season matchup would suggest so; Carter Riverside won 3-0, taking down the district 7-4A kingpin.
3. Benbrook (10-15-1) - Benbrook suffered a tough defeat in the bi-district round in the 2023 season. The Bobcats are in a good position to go on a stronger run. Benbrook may be third in district 7-4A, but games against Carter Riverside and Diamond Hill-Jarvis have been close ones. The Bobcats will be a tough bi-district opponent for any team.
4. Castleberry (22-3-0) - Castleberry is thriving in district 8-4A and, along with Decatur and Bridgeport, has a 8-2 district record. The Lions, however, separate from the pack with an incredibly strong 22-3 total record. Castleberry lost its previous regular season match to Bridgeport but secured a dominant 5-0 win over Decatur. In 2023, Castleberry lost in the area round.
5. Decatur (13-6-0) - Decatur, in terms of potential, is similar to Castleberry. The Eagles have the most impressive recent win with a 4-3 victory over Bridgeport. Decatur’s 5-0 loss to Castleberry is the only thing holding the team back from a No. 3 ranking. Decatur fell in the bi-district round in the 2023 season.
Does another program deserve to be ranked? Send your suggestions and comments to cbaggarly@star-telegram.com.
