Lake Highlands football returns to action in the area round of the playoffs this Friday. The Wildcats will play the Allen Eagles, who are ranked No. 13 in the country by Sports Illustrated.

Lake Highlands quarterback Chuck Smith scrambles up the right sideline in the Wildcats’ 49-0 win against Irving on November 6th, 2025. Courtesy of Mike Duhon photography.

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Over the past 20 years, these teams have met four times, with Allen winning every contest. Most recently was a 49-24 Lake Highlands loss in 2021. Most notably, however, was the 63-6 rout led by now-NFL star Kyler Murray in 2013 as part of his legendary tenure with the Eagles.

The Wildcats will hope to flip history, looking to steal a game to continue their playoff run.

Despite a dominant 11-0 season and nearly 42-point average margin of victory, Allen escaped a scare in the bi-district round.

Last Thursday, the Eagles found themselves down 15-14 in the fourth quarter against Lewisville. With their backs against the wall, they orchestrated a 16-play drive culminating in a Lyndon Spriggs 4-yard rushing touchdown with 3:54 left. After the two-point conversion, Allen held on to its 22-15 lead to win. 

Spriggs has led the ground game for the Eagles this season, accumulating 651 yards and 12 touchdowns on 101 carries. He has been supported by Jaden Hambric, Allen’s other running back, who has 463 rushing yards and 11 scores of his own.

The Eagles aren’t limited to their rushing attack, however, and boast weapons all over the field.

Caleb Smith, a three-star receiver committed to Arizona, has hauled in 60 receptions for seven touchdowns and 754 yards. Smith, named a player to watch this week by SportsDay, has displayed impressive ability after the catch and has been a dangerous punt returner for Allen.

Opposite him is Carter Harris, the Eagles’ deep threat. He’s averaging over 31 yards per reception this season and has eight touchdown catches.

Another Allen receiver with eight touchdowns is Josyah Johnson, a sophomore phenom. Although he’s still an underclassman, Johnson already holds five Division I offers. 

Bringing all of these pieces together is quarterback Jeremiah Daoud, the steady signal-caller and Florida Atlantic pledge. This year, Daoud has thrown 21 touchdowns to just three interceptions. 

Backing up Daoud is freshman Ty Snell. Snell will likely be a big part of the future of this Eagles’ program. He doesn’t turn 15 until December, but already has 14 offers to play college football and is the No. 1-ranked quarterback nationally in the class of 2029 by QB Hit List. 

Against Lewisville, Allen gave up only one rushing yard, in part due to New Mexico-committed defensive lineman Devin Palmer. His presence will pose a big challenge for Lake Highlands, which leaned on running back Christian Rhodes in its 43-36 win over South Grand Prairie. 

Rhodes’ 171 rushing yards in the bi-district round were the seventh-most among Dallas-area performers last week. He also impressed in the passing game, taking his three receptions for 139 additional yards. He and the Wildcats will need to continue to excel through the air if they want to come away with a win on Friday.

Lake Highlands quarterback Chuck Smith is qualified to lead a high-powered passing game, though, and had 373 passing yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win. Those passing yards were good for the third-most of Dallas-area quarterbacks in the bi-district round.

Smith also ranks third among Dallas-area quarterbacks in passing yards with 2,942 and second in touchdown passes with 37. 

Between Rhodes and Franklon Evans, who found the end zone twice against South Grand Prairie, the Wildcats have a chance at an upset this week. If they’re able to continue their dominance and Smith can get production out of his other receivers, Lake Highlands can give the Eagles a run for their money.

The game will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday at McKinney ISD Stadium. Tickets are $8.50 for adults and $4.50 for students and can be purchased through HomeTown Ticketing’s website.