Which moments in the 2023 Texas high school football season were most memorable?

The 2023 Texas high school football season had plenty of memorable moments. Which ones stand out as the best of the season among Fort Worth-area teams?

Here’s a recap of some of the season’s most interesting times.

Shock of the season: Byron Nelson

Heading into the district 4-6A championship between Trophy Club Byron Nelson and Southlake Carroll at Northwest ISD Stadium, it was clear the Bobcats had a strong chance to topple the Dragons.

Southlake Carroll hadn’t lost a regular season matchup since Riley Dodge’s hiring. Did any of us actually believe Byron Nelson would win this time around? Head coach Travis Pride and the Bobcats certainly believed in themselves.

Byron Nelson didn’t just defeat Southlake Carroll to claim the district crown. They dismantled the Dragons in a 34-17 game that was hardly competitive. The Bobcat defense stymied quarterback Graham Knowles and the dynamic Dragon offense to a low production point that didn’t seem possible.

Southlake Carroll got the last laugh in the playoffs, avenging the loss with a dominant 56-7 victory when things mattered most. The regular season loss was the wake-up call Carroll needed to get back to its dominant ways.

Regardless of how the season ended, the Byron Nelson Bobcats will forever be known as the 2023 District 4-6A champs.

Comeback of the year: Richland

Richland and head coach Ged Kates had a marvelous run, going undefeated in the regular season to claim the District 5-5A D1 championship.

It looked as if that run was coming to an end with the Royals trailing 34-9 at the half to Barbers Hill. That was when running back Michael Turner and quarterback Drew Kates started working their magic.

A score, an onside kick recovery and two more scores later, Richland had all but erased the sizable deficit in 10 minutes of play. Getting back into a game in the span of a half would’ve been incredibly impressive, but doing it in a quarter can only be described as bonkers.

The wild game was destined for overtime, and that’s exactly what happened. Turner scored the game winner for Richland, adding to an extensive list of accomplishments and moments in a memorable individual campaign.

Biggest year to year turnaround: Crowley

Crowley, prior to head coach Carlos Lynn’s hiring, won four games in the 2022 season. The Eagles had high expectations to start their new era, and the team delivered with a seven game win streak to begin the season.

Although Crowley dropped its last four games, it was evident the Eagles played above what their record stated with quarterback Caleb Williams and a dynamic offense. The team captivated high school football fans with an explosive, high scoring offense that never failed to produce highlights.

All things considered, the Eagles made a massive step in the right direction in building another football powerhouse in Crowley ISD. Of course, Crowley has a ways to go before rivaling North Crowley.

If the Eagles continue to soar on the Trajectory they started, the gap may be bridged sooner than expected.

Game of the year: Southlake Carroll-DeSoto

A playoff game between two top tier Dallas-Fort Worth teams that’s actually competitive is a rarity. Southlake Carroll and DeSoto wasn’t supposed to be particularly close, considering the Eagles dominance to that point and the Dragons emphatic loss to Byron Nelson in the regular season.

DeSoto’s run game got the best of the Dragons, and the team averaged 8.2 yards per carry. Still, Southlake Carroll was arguably DeSoto’s toughest challenge of the season. That includes Duncanville, the Class 6A D1 state champion.

The game was a back and forth, electric affair between two of the best offenses in Texas. The Eagles pulled away behind the run games’ consistency and a few timely stops.

The Class 6A D1 semifinal matchup was Texas high school playoff football at its best at Allen Eagle Stadium. Two of the best teams in the area in a high stakes contest. Simple, but it doesn’t get much better than that.

Biggest “what if?”: Brock

It’s hard to say Brock football was a disappointment, but there’s no other way to describe what happened in the 2023 playoffs. Clearly, the Eagles were meant for more and their playoff run will be talked about as a “what if” in Texas high school football.

Although the 38-31 loss to Malakoff would say otherwise, Brock was the best football team in Class 3A D1. Malkoff went on the secure the state title, defeating Franklin 14-7 at AT&T Stadium.

The loss to the Tigers in the state semifinal wasn’t fluky, but the Eagles played the better brand of football for the majority of the game.

It was inconsequential, however, as Brock kept finding different wacky ways to turn the ball over. Two were fumbles returned for touchdowns. The turnovers weren’t a result of poor play calling or even decision making, but the Eagles just couldn’t hold onto the football.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of when losing in a state semifinal, but it seemed as if 2023 was the Eagles’ year to get over the hump and win the big one following two consecutive losses in the state championship.

At the end of the day, it’s Brock football. It’s a reliably consistent program, and they’ll be back in the state championship picture and competing at a high level for years to come.

Play of the year: Colleyville Heritage

Colleyville Heritage, in a regional semifinal matchup, trailed Argyle by 10 points with six minutes remaining and put together a speedy comeback. With less than a minute remaining, the Panthers had an opportunity to take the lead.

The late surge was capped by a game winning, 21 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Luke Ullrich to wide receiver Braden Blueitt. The spectacular play advanced Colleyville Heritage to the quarterfinal, where the team lost to Emerson.

Blueitt’s clutch catch was a magical moment that epitomizes Jerry Edward’s first season as head coach of the program and what the group was able to accomplish.

Most unique individual performance

In a battle of two of the best teams in Fort Worth ISD, Keith Guidy lifted Arlington Heights to victory over Fort Worth Wyatt with a spectacular individual performance. He recorded a football hat trick, recording a 68 yard touchdown reception, a 60 yard pick six and a 70 yard punt return.

You don’t see that type of performance often, especially in Class 5A football. Guidry’s breakout performance was a memorable one in an important Fort Worth football rivalry game.