PHOTO: MATTHEW SMITH
BY: BRIAN GOSSET
It was a phenomenal sports weekend for Fort Worth high schools – led by Eagle Mountain’s berth into the UIL Class 4A D2 state championship later this week in Garland.
The Knights’ were led by D1 commits Keoni Wiliams (Nebraska) and Brooke Lacewell (A&M), who combined for 22 of 42 kills as they handedly took care of Longview Spring Hill 25-15, 25-8, 25-17 on Saturday in the state semifinals at Wilkerson-Greines Center.
Eagle Mountain (37-11), in its second year of existence, faces defending state champ Wimberley (46-6) at 6 pm Friday from the Culwell Center. The Knights haven’t dropped a set in the playoffs and are riding a 23-match win streak. They have allowed just one set in their past 17 games – during a 3-1 win over 5A #1 Aledo in a warm-up match on Oct. 27.
Eagle Mountain is a part of EMSISD, but holds a Fort Worth address. According to UIL archives, the Knights are the first team from Fort Worth to play for a UIL volleyball title. Only three teams previously had even reached the final four – the last coming from Castleberry in 1977. Castleberry also made it in 1976 and Boswell, which is also in EMSISD, made it in 1969.
The Knights also took down a state giant Canyon Randall – last year’s state runner-up – 25-19, 25-10, 25-10 in the Region 1 final.
Against Spring Hill, Williams added eight total blocks and Lacewell had 12 digs. Lexi Nichols led all players with 22 digs while Aubert has put in 33 and 34 assists in back-to-back wins.
Meanwhile, EMHS wasn’t the only volleyball team from Fort Worth to have success this weekend as All Saints took down Houston Lutheran South 25-23, 25-23, 25-16 on Friday in Waco to win its second straight TAPPS 5A state championship.
The Saints complete the year 27-4.
They went 47-3 last season after beating Fort Bend Christian 3-1.
Seniors Avery Bingham, Liz Sellers, Malia Miller and Chava Nuckols were selected to the all-tournament team. Mary Schindler was in her first year with the program after taking over in February. She spent the previous 20 years with Tarleton State.
Arlington Heights, Eastern Hills and Eagle Mountain football teams won playoff games to start the postseason. Heights took down Brewer 36-23 – led by running back Carter James, who rushed for 287 yards and four touchdowns. It’s the first playoff win for the Yellowjackets since 2022. Before that, 2014 was the last time they won a postseason contest.
The Yellowjackets (10-1) will play Lubbock Monterey in the 5A D1 area round at 7 pm Thursday from Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium. They have won 10 games for the fifth time since 1980 (2003, 2010, 2014, 2022). They also won district for the first time since 2015.
Eastern Hills had the biggest weekend – taking down Kennedale 22-17 on Saturday for its first playoff win since 1999. Prince Hill led the Highlanders with 83 yards rushing and one touchdown.
EHHS (6-5), which didn’t clinch a playoff spot until Week 11, will face defending champ Celina in the 4A D1 area round at 730 pm Friday at Pennington Field in Bedford.
“It’s huge for our school,” head coach Devvin Anderson told GM Sports’ Nolan Ruth after the win. “It’s huge for our kids to show that hard work pays off. And we’re young, we have 17 sophomores on varsity. So it’s a wonderful experience for them.”
IT’S THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1999 TWO FOOTBALL TEAMS FROM FORT WORTH ISD WILL BE PLAYING IN THE UIL AREA ROUND (Dunbar, Eastern Hills 26 years ago).
Eagle Mountain, in only its second year, defeated Benbrook 28-12 to advance to the 4A D2 area round. It was the Knights’ first playoff win in program history. The team is 8-3 after going 2-9 last season with the year ending in a first round playoff loss against Glen Rose. Brycen Vindiola threw for 136 yards and two touchdowns and added 95 yards rushing and one touchdown to lead EMHS.
The Knights will play Midland Greenwood in the next round at 7 pm Friday in Clyde.
Additionally, defending TAPPS D2 champion, Fort Worth All Saints also won its first football playoff game, 58-21 vs Arlington Grace Prep. Gavin Beard threw for 251 yards and five touchdowns while Bourke Toler added 93 yards and one touchdown on five carries.
In the next round, the Saints (11-0) will take on Fort Worth Christian at 7 pm Thursday from Grapevine’s Mustang-Panther Stadium.
Fort Worth Covenant Classical won its first round game 96-69 over Red Oak Ovilla. The Cavaliers will play Prosper Prestonwood North in the second round of the TAPPS 6-Man D2 playoffs.
