Thursday Night Lights: Week Four in DFW Brings Upsets, Statement Performances, and Rising Stars

Thursday night football in DFW never disappoints, and Week Four delivered a slate of performances that will shape recruiting conversations moving forward. Rockwall’s upset of state-ranked North Crowley was the headline, but across the metroplex several quarterbacks, running backs, and wideouts put up numbers that should have college coaches circling back to the tape.

Here’s a breakdown of the notable performances, the scouting takeaways, and what they mean for the recruiting picture.

Rockwall Stuns State-Ranked North Crowley

Rockwall’s 37–35 win over North Crowley wasn’t just an upset, it was a showcase for multiple Division I-caliber athletes.

Ryan Wiley | WR | Rockwall | Class of 2028

The 6-foot sophomore stole the spotlight, hauling in the game-winning touchdown and flashing the skillset that already has earned him early offers from Pittsburgh, SMU, UTEP, Tulsa, Sacramento State, and North Texas. Wiley’s polish is advanced: clean route running, natural hands, and quickness that separates against top-tier defensive backs. He’s already a national recruit and Thursday night showed why.

Brent Rickert | QB | Rockwall | Class of 2026

The senior signal-caller was sharp all night, throwing for 292 yards and two touchdowns while keeping the Yellowjackets’ offense on in rhythm. Rickert’s poise, quick release, and ability to throw accurately on the move were traits in his game that stood out. He displayed superb deep ball touch and athleticism outside the pocket, all while avoiding costly mistakes. With consistent performances like this, expect his recruiting profile to climb.

Kaydon Castro | RB | Rockwall | Class of 2027

Castro gave Rockwall the balance offensively they needed, rushing for 71 yards and three touchdowns. A stout, compact, downhill runner, he excels in short-yardage situations thanks to his low center of gravity and strong contact balance. He will be a workhorse back in district play and a reliable red-zone option for the Yellowjackets.

Jack Duckworth | WR | Rockwall | Class of 2026 (Stanford Commit)

Already committed to Stanford, Duckworth showed why the Cardinal jumped on him early. Explosive off the line, reliable in traffic, and capable of extending drives, Duckworth was a steady target in crunch time. He’s the type of polished, high-IQ receiver that translates well to the Power-5 level.

North Crowley Star Shines in Defeat

G’yrell Smith | RB | North Crowley | Class of 2027

Smith put together one of the best individual performances of the night, scoring five touchdowns and nearly carrying North Crowley to victory. His speed, elusiveness, and vision make him nearly impossible to contain, while his power and balance allow him to finish runs through contact and break tackles easily. Currently holding an offer from North Dakota, Smith is the type of back whose recruitment will take off quickly as more coaches get film from this performance.

Heath Dominates Mansfield Legacy

Rockwall-Heath rolled to a 49–14 win, with several offensive standouts.

Carter Zahm | RB | Heath | Class of 2027

At 6’0, 190 pounds, Zahm punched in multiple scores and showed his balanced power running style. He’s the type of back who sets the tone physically, running behind his pads and leaning forward for extra yardage through contact. Expect him to be Heath’s pace-setter as the season goes on.

Prosper Neal | QB | Heath | Class of 2027

In his second year as a starter, Neal continues to develop. He tossed three touchdowns and 168 yards in the win, just two weeks after a 302-yard, 2-TD effort earlier this season. Neal has a quick trigger, with a live arm, and the footwork to extend plays in the pocket. With continued growth, he could become a rising prospect in the 2027 class in DFW.

Other Notable QB Performances

Axel Lofstrand | QB | Newman Smith | Class of 2026

The 6’3, 200-pound senior led Newman Smith to a 69–0 rout of Sunset, showing off a big arm, strong fundamentals, and deep ball accuracy. He’s athletic enough to make throws on the move and stands tall under pressure. Lofstrand is the type of prospect who could be a steal for the right college program.

Benjamin Wilson | QB | Frisco Memorial | Senior

Wilson passed for 284 yards and three touchdowns in a 35–6 win over Frisco Independence. A two-sport athlete committed to Central Oklahoma for baseball, he brings athleticism, clean mechanics, and the arm strength to stretch the field. Even with his baseball future, his senior film could increase football conversations at the next level for his services.

Recruiting Takeaways

• Stock Up: Ryan Wiley (2028) looks like the next nationally recruited wideout out of DFW. His early offer sheet is just the beginning.

  
  

• Immediate Attention: G’yrell Smith’s five-touchdown performance demands more FBS eyes on him moving forward.

  
  

• QB Risers: Brent Rickert and Prosper Neal both played themselves into bigger recruiting conversations this week.

  
  

• Sleeper Alert: Axel Lofstrand is the type of senior who could rise late with the right exposure.

  
  

Thursday night football once again lived up to the hype in DFW, and with district play heating up, expect more breakout performances to keep reshaping the recruiting landscape week after week.