Decatur football shuts out Fort Worth Southwest, takes second place in District 5-4A D1

Fort Worth Southwest High School football is headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The Raiders came into Friday night’s game against the Decatur Eagles at Clark Stadium with a record of 5-4 overall and 4-1 in district.

But, it was Decatur that was able to add another win to their column and earn the second seed in District 5 4A-1 with their 45-0 win over Southwest.

“Every week we have dealt with things, other programs might have folded, or might not be able to get past, but we continually find ways to find solutions to our problems,” Southwest head coach Joseph Turner said. “We just have to stay focused, you know football season is a very long season.”

This season for the Raiders has been one of trials and tribulations. Three starting players suffered season-ending injuries in the first half of the season. The other players had to adjust and change positions. Zachariah Cain became the starting quarterback after Jahbori Cooper-Suttice broke his wrist.

“It was kinda rough at first, and then I knew once my quarterback went down, I had to step up to the plate and become a leader,” Cain said. “Just working everyday trying to be the best I can for the team.”

The past two seasons, Southwest had a 4-6 record overall. This losing record kept them out of the playoffs. For players like Raylon Carter, who has played Varsity since his freshman year, this winning season means a lot.

“It opens up a new chapter for the people that are underclassmen, so they have confidence going into the new season,” Carter said. “We have broken the school curse of always coming up short.”

Carter, a three-star UNT commit, has been one of the key players that kept the Raiders from coming up short this season. Coming into the final district game of the season, he had 42 tackles, seven forced fumbles, an interception and four touchdowns. While Carter has made big plays on the field, the new head coach has made big calls from the sidelines.

“I was told before I got here that if we could get things on the right track, we’re gonna win a lot of games and go to the playoffs,” Turner said. “I talk to the boys about mental toughness, and regardless of what happens, never quit, never stop.”

Both teams came into the game with a loss to District 5 4A-1 first-ranked Springtown. Decatur lost to them in double overtime 41-38 last week.

When Southwest played Springtown in week one of district play, the Raiders lost 68-0. But Turner said his team has come a long way since then, and he hoped to secure the second seed by beating Decatur.

“They’re a really good team,” Turner said. “Decatur took Springtown to overtime, you know, but they are beatable. We can beat them because we are a way better team than we were when we first started the season. So it’s gonna take everybody, offense, defense, special teams, all 11.”

But, Southwest was unable to stop Decatur. The Eagles led 35-0 going into halftime.

“I think for us, it’s being true to who we are, not trying to do things that we have not done this year, knowing that Southwest is very athletic, sitting there at 5-4, just like we are, 4-1 in district, you know it comes down to the last game for seeding like that, so for us, it’s sticking to what we do and what we know, and I think the kids did that.” Decatur head coach Steve Huff said.

It was the Eagles’ determination that made the biggest difference Friday night.

“We all played as a team, our game last week brought us back together, it motivated us, and we took practice very seriously,” Decatur quarterback Cayden Forrest said. “It ain’t over, it’s a one-week season at this point, and we haven’t been stopped.”

Decatur will play Lake Worth next week in the first round of the playoffs.

“We had a really tough preseason, had a really tough game last week against Springtown, so now it’s a clean slate,” Huff said “We got a win tonight, hopefully a little momentum going into the playoffs, but now it’s just clear, and we start all over, kinda reset the season now.”

Southwest will also have a chance to reset the season as they will play Kennedale in the first round of the playoffs.