REIGNING DYNASTIES
A look at the most successful Texas programs of the 21st century
While the free-form, scattershot employment of the word “legendary” holds down the top spot of overused words, “dynasty” might be the one most casually applied across the length and breadth of Texas high school football.
It’s not always been the case. At the turn of the past century, seven schools stood atop the University Interscholastic League podium as true dynasties, winners of at least six state and/or division championships since 1920 — Brownwood, Abilene, Breckenridge, Odessa Permian, Plano, Waco and Wichita Falls.
Two decades into the new century, owing to the UIL’s decision beginning in 1990 to double the number of champions, a process that was completed for four 11-man classifications by 1998 and for all five in 2006, the number of schools with six or more titles has ballooned to 18.
Aledo now leads with 10 titles, all during the UIL expansion era, followed by Katy with nine (eight in the two-title era) and Carthage, Celina, Mart and Southlake Carroll with eight each. Celina, Mart and Carroll all won titles before expansion; all eight of Carthage’s titles have come since 2008.
Seven 11-man schools have won at least five division titles in the 21st century (which, for this purpose, begins in 2001) — Aledo (nine), Carthage (eight), Katy (six), Lake Travis, Southlake Carroll, Allen and Mart (five each).
The dynastic map of Texas football, as a result, looks considerably different on this 2021 championship weekend. Of the aforementioned seven pre-2001 leaders, only Abilene has won a division championship in this century.
Reasons vary for the emergence of new dynasties. Carthage has prospered under coach Scott Surratt, who has led the Bulldogs to all eight titles and is compensated accordingly as one of the state’s best-paid coaches.
Aledo’s enrollment has more than doubled since 2001 under veteran coach and former athletic director Tim Buchanan. Allen, winner of five titles this century, is now the largest UIL school in the state with almost 7,000 students.
Lake Travis tripled its enrollment in the past two decades, winning five consecutive titles in 5A before climbing into the 6A ranks. Meanwhile, Mart, winner of five titles this century, has declined in enrollment and has profited by being among the largest schools in the current Class 2A.
Katy and North Shore, the two standard-bearers for Houstonarea football, have been consistent contenders throughout the new century. Katy’s enrollment dipped at one point as Katy ISD opened new schools, but its current enrollment of more than 3,400 makes it among the biggest schools in 6A. North Shore, meanwhile, is among the 10 largest 6A schools.
Katy, Carroll, Aledo, Carthage and Mart all were on hand for last season’s title games. None return for this season’s games, which will include North Shore’s bid for its fifth title of the century.
Shiner repeated as Class 2A champions Wednesday, and Austin Westlake will go for a second in a row in 6A on Saturday. Westlake is competing for a third consecutive championship under coach Todd Dodge, who is retiring at season’s end. At least one division champ has repeated in each season since 2004.
Among other leaders, Stephenville will compete for a sixth title and its second since 2001. Shiner, Stratford, Gilmer and Westlake each have won three titles in school history.
Here are the top UIL 11-man football dynasties of the 21st century, based on division championship victories.
Aledo
2009-2020: nine championships in 12 years.
Record: 174-11.
Coaches: Tim Buchanan (2009-13, 2019-20; Steve Wood
(2014-18).
Division titles/finals appearances: 4A Division II titles in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013; 5A Division I titles in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020; lost in 2017 5A Division II final.
All-state players (partial list): RB Johnathan Gray, QB Luke Bishop, OL-DL Wes Harris, QB Dillon Davis, WR JoJo Earle.
Defining characteristics: Gray set the tone early in Aledo’s glory decade, scoring 13 touchdowns in the 2009-11 title games, and the Bearcats scored a record 1,013 points in 2013. Ten firstteam all-state defenders, though, prove Aledo could play defense, too. Coach Tim Buchanan notes that all nine title teams also were district champions.
Carthage
2008-20: eight championships in 13 years.
Record: 170-24.
Coach: Scott Surratt. Division titles/finals appearances: 3A Division II titles in 2008-10, 3A Division I title in 2013, 4A Division I titles in 201415 and 2019, 4A Division II title in 2020.
All-state players (partial list): RB Dwight Smith, DL Deshun Williams, QB Anthony Morgan, QB Blake Bogenschutz, RB Keontay Ingram, QB Gunner Capps.
Defining characteristics: Much as Mack Brown embraced Darrell Royal at Texas, Surratt called on longtime coach Sleepy Reynolds to help him win the hearts and minds of townspeople. Surratt’s salary is $154,000, and the school district also employs 12 assistant coaches, four of whom have been with Surratt throughout his tenure in Carthage.
Katy
2003-20: six championships in 18 years.
Record: 242-23.
Coaches: Mike Johnston (2003), Gary Joseph (2004-20).
Division titles/title appearances: 5A Division II titles in 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2012; 6A Division II titles in 2015 and 2020; division championship losses in 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2014.
All-state players (partial list): RB Donovonn Young, DB Sam Holl, RB Aundre Dean, DB Trent Hunter, RB Kyle Porter, DB Collin Wilder, RB Rodney Anderson, RB Adam Taylor.
Defining characteristics: The Tigers have been Houston’s most consistent program for two decades, beginning in the late 1990s under Johnston and continuing under Joseph, who was Katy’s defensive coordinator before succeeding Johnson after the Tigers won the 2003 Division II title. Defense and a strong ground game are hallmarks for Katy, which was 6-4 in division title games from 2003 to 2020.
Austin Lake Travis
2007-11: five championships in five years.
Record: 77-3.
Coaches: Jeff Dicus (2007), Chad Morris (2008-09), Hank Carter (2010-11).
Division titles/title appearances: 4A Division II title in 2007, 4A Division I titles in 200811.
All-state players (partial list): QB Garrett Gilbert, OL Paden Kelley, WR Jason Bird, WR Cade McCrary, WR Conner Floyd, LB Corbin Crow, QB Baker Mayfield, QB Charlie Brewer.
Defining characteristics: Despite a string of coaching changes, Lake Travis reeled off an unprecedented five consecutive division championships with three quarterbacks who went on to college careers of note. The Cavaliers continued to succeed in Class 6A, with a division title and two title-game losses from 2015 to 2017.
Southlake Carroll
2002-11: five 6A division titles. Coaches: Todd Dodge (200206), Hal Wasson (2007-11). Record: 119-12.
Division titles/finals appearances: 5A Division II titles in 2002, 2004, 2005, 5A Division I titles in 2006 and 2011, lost in 2003 5A Division I final.
All-state players (partial list): QB Chase Wasson, QB Chase Daniel, QB Greg McElroy, QB Riley Dodge, QB Kenny Hill.
Defining characteristics: Todd Dodge, who learned the passing game at Port Arthur Jefferson from coach Ronnie Thompson, took the art to a new level with the help of five allstate quarterbacks in the Dragons’ first decade in Class 5A. One of the five was Riley Dodge, now the Dragons’ head coach. Only a 2003 loss to North Shore kept them from five consecutive titles.
North Shore
2014-present: three titles in seven seasons with a championship game Saturday against Duncanville.
Record: 101-17.
Coach: Jon Kay.
Division titles/finals appearances: 6A Division I titles in 2015, 2018 and 2019, 2021 6A Division I finalist.
All-state players: DL K’Lavon Chaisson, LB Andrew Hyacinth, RB Zach Evans, DL Jordan Revels, QB Dematrius Davis, LB Corey Flagg, DB Upton Stout.
Defining characteristics: In an era defined by offense, six of Kay’s North Shore teams have held opponents to under 20 points per game. The Mustangs also produced arguably the era’s most dramatic moment, Davis’ 45-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to A.J. Carter that beat Duncanville for the 2018 title. Two of North Shore’s titles have come against Duncanville, the Mustangs’ opponent Saturday. North Shore also won a Division I title in 2003 under coach David Aymond.
Other noteworthy runs since 2001
Allen (2008-17) — Five 6A division titles, including three in a row from 2012 to 2014 with Kyler Murray at quarterback.
Mart (2006-19) — Five titles in Class 2A, including three in a row from 2017 to 2019, along with three championship game losses.
Richland Springs (2003-19) — Dominant six-man program of the new century with nine titles, including five in seven years between 2010 and 2016.
Schools that won three consecutive titles — Bremond (2A, 2014-16); Cameron Yoe (2A, 201214); Daingerfield (2A, 2008-10);
Highland Park (5A, 2016-18).