ARLINGTON — Gordon’s sustained dominance and Rankin’s return to the championship stage will collide Wednesday morning when the Longhorns face the Red Devils in the Class 1A Division I six-man state championship game at AT&T Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. as Gordon (13-0) looks to continue a historic run that has defined six-man football in the program’s rural West Texas community. The Longhorns enter the matchup unbeaten since the start of the 2023 season and are seeking their third consecutive state championship, a feat that would further cement their place among the state’s elite six-man programs.
Gordon’s consistency has been its calling card during the run. The Longhorns have blended speed, discipline and execution on both sides of the ball, overwhelming opponents with a fast-paced offense while maintaining control defensively. Their experience on the state’s biggest stage could prove critical in a game where composure often separates champions from challengers.
Rankin (12-2) arrives in Arlington with momentum of its own after navigating a tough postseason path to reach the title game. The Red Devils have leaned on balance and physicality throughout the season, pairing an efficient offense with a defense capable of forcing timely stops. For Rankin, Wednesday represents a chance to reclaim a championship and disrupt Gordon’s recent stranglehold on the division.
Beyond the matchup itself, the championship highlights the continued resurgence of six-man football across rural Texas. As communities without the population to field traditional 11-man programs turn to the six-man game, schools like Gordon and Rankin have helped preserve football culture while elevating the level of competition statewide.
With a championship trophy on the line and two proud programs representing small-town football on one of the sport’s grandest stages, Wednesday’s matchup promises high stakes, speed and a celebration of the six-man game at its best.