The Tyler Lions football team will travel to Dallas on Friday, October 9, 2026, for a District 7-5A Division I matchup against the Sunset Bison. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on James Jones Field at Sprague Athletic Complex, with quarterback Raykell Ford slated to return for the Lions after missing more than two games.
Tyler enters the game with a 3-2 overall record and a 1-1 mark in district play. The Lions are coming off a bye week, which Coach Rashaun Woods stated came at an opportune time for the team. The open date allowed the team to work on cleaning up areas of their play and for players to recover from injuries.
Woods emphasized the importance of player health due to the varsity roster comprising only 43 students. Ford, who has been sidelined, is among the key players expected to return to the field. Woods noted on Monday that Ford's repetitions in practice would increase throughout the week, expressing that the team is "glad to have him back to full strength."
Sunset, meanwhile, holds an overall record of 2-3 and an 0-2 record in district play. Coach Woods stated the Lions' intent for the upcoming game: "We’re going to come out and make sure we do everything necessary to win the football game." He also observed that the Bison typically prefer to run the football.
Tyler's last contest was a decisive 66-28 victory over Dallas W.T. White on September 25, played at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. In that game, Kayden Walker was a significant contributor, scoring four touchdowns. His scoring plays included punt returns of 72 and 94 yards, a 90-yard kickoff return, and a 62-yard pass reception from Jacob Harper.
Woods acknowledged Walker's critical role in the previous game, also crediting the players who blocked for him. He further highlighted the defensive effort and the opportunity to get many players into the game during the win against W.T. White.
Following this week's game in Dallas, the Lions will return home on October 16 to play Crandall. That game is designated as Pink Out Night for Breast Cancer Awareness.
In other local sports news, the Lady Lions volleyball team is scheduled to play at Whitehouse on Friday, with the varsity game beginning at 4:30 p.m. Additionally, the District 10-5A Cross Country Meet is set to take place on October 14 at Lindsey Park in Tyler.
