Texas high school football is basically a religion, and the UIL state football championships 2024 served as the ultimate revival. If you weren't at AT&T Stadium in mid-December, you missed a week of absolute chaos, heartbreak, and some of the most lopsided "slugfests" we've seen in years. We’re talking about a four-day marathon where dreams are either realized under the Jumbotron or crushed on the turf.
Honestly, 2024 felt different. There was this weird tension in the air.
Maybe it was the fact that some of the biggest dynasties in the state were teetering on the edge, or maybe it was the emergence of new powerhouses that nobody—and I mean nobody—saw coming a few years ago. You had the North Crowley coronation, the Richmond Randle nail-biter, and the usual Carthage masterclass.
The Night Fort Worth Took Over the 6A
For literally 76 years, the city of Fort Worth was looking for a title in the highest classification. That’s a long time to wait. Then came North Crowley. They didn't just win the UIL state football championships 2024 6A Division I title; they basically dismantled Austin Westlake in a 50-21 blowout that felt like a shift in the tectonic plates of Texas football.
Chris Jimerson Jr. was the guy. The North Texas signee played like he had ice in his veins, leading the Panthers to a 16-0 season.
A lot of people thought Westlake’s defense would hold up. Tony Salazar usually has those guys ready. But Cornelius Warren had other plans, ripping off 217 yards on the ground. It was one of those games where you’re watching and you realize halfway through the second quarter that the "unbeatable" team is actually in a lot of trouble.
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Then you have the 6A Division II side of things. Austin Vandegrift finally climbed the mountain by taking down Southlake Carroll 24-17. It was a defensive slugfest. The Vipers' defense was suffocating, holding the Dragons to just 53 rushing yards. If you like old-school, "hit-them-in-the-mouth" football, that was the peak of the week.
Why 5A and 4A Stole the Spotlight
If the 6A games were about power, the 5A and 4A games were about pure, unadulterated drama. Specifically, that Richmond Randle and South Oak Cliff game.
Look, SOC (South Oak Cliff) is a juggernaut. They were in the finals for the fourth straight year. Richmond Randle was the "new kid" on the block. But Landen Williams-Callis—remember that name, he's a five-star for a reason—carried the Lions to a 38-35 win. It was an instant classic. Keilan Sweeny from Randle actually did something you almost never see at this level: he recorded a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in the same game.
Key Champions and Scores
- 6A D1: North Crowley 50, Austin Westlake 21
- 6A D2: Austin Vandegrift 24, Southlake Carroll 17
- 5A D1: Smithson Valley 32, Highland Park 20
- 5A D2: Richmond Randle 38, South Oak Cliff 35
- 4A D1: Celina 55, Kilgore 21
- 4A D2: Carthage 28, Waco La Vega 14
Let's talk about Smithson Valley for a second. Larry Hill is a legend. He’s been coaching for decades and has hundreds of wins, but he had never won the big one. Seeing him finally hoist that trophy after the Rangers beat Highland Park 32-20 was probably the most emotional moment of the tournament. The Rangers' defense was a brick wall, allowing only 49 rushing yards.
The Dynasty That Won't Die
Carthage. Again.
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It’s almost getting predictable at this point, but you can’t help but respect it. Scott Surratt’s Bulldogs won their 10th state title by beating Waco La Vega 28-14. They now have the longest active 11-man winning streak in the state at 31 games.
KJ Edwards, the guy they call "Lightning," broke the game open with an 86-yard touchdown run that made the La Vega defenders look like they were running in sand. He finished with 188 yards. Carthage is a machine. They don't rebuild; they just reload and wait for everyone else to try and catch up.
The Small Town Heroes
You can't talk about the UIL state football championships 2024 without mentioning the 2A Division I finale. Ganado vs. Stamford was, quite frankly, insane. It went to three overtimes. Three. Ganado eventually walked away with a 30-28 victory in what many people are calling the game of the year.
And then there's the 6-man world. Gordon is just on another planet right now. They beat Whiteface 70-24 (the game was called in the 3rd quarter due to the mercy rule). Gordon is heading into 2026 with a 44-game winning streak. They are essentially the 6-man equivalent of the 1990s Bulls.
Attendance and the "TV Effect"
There's been a lot of chatter about the crowds. 159,560 people showed up over the course of the week. That’s a huge number for high school sports, but it’s actually the lowest turnout since 2015.
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Why?
Well, the Victory+ app might have something to do with it. This was the first year games were streamed for free on the app rather than being locked behind a cable subscription. Over 2.1 million people tuned in. When you can watch the 6A D1 title game (which had a peak of 207,320 viewers) from your couch for free, some people are going to skip the drive to Arlington.
That said, 36,120 fans showed up for North Crowley vs. Westlake. To put that in perspective, that single game outdrew the entire state championship weekend in Florida. Texas is just built different.
What to Watch for in 2025 and 2026
If you’re already looking ahead, keep an eye on Jayton. They repeated as 1A Division 2 champs and are moving up to Division 1 with a 30-game winning streak.
Also, watch the "District of Doom." North Crowley proved they can hang with the big boys of DFW, and the target on their back is now massive. Recruiting is going to go through the roof for these schools, especially with guys like Landen Williams-Callis and KJ Edwards still having time left on their high school clocks.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Download Victory+ Early: Don't wait until kickoff to figure out the streaming app. It's the new home for UIL and it’s actually pretty solid.
- Follow the Streaks: Gordon (44) and Carthage (31) are the ones to watch. Every game they play next year is a "State Championship" for the opponent trying to break the streak.
- Plan the Trip: If you want to go to AT&T Stadium in 2026, book your Arlington hotel in October. Seriously. Prices triple once the semifinals start.
- Watch the 2A/3A Levels: The 6A games get the TV time, but the most competitive, heart-stopping football often happens in the smaller divisions where the towns literally shut down to attend.