Week Three marks the end of non-district play for most schools in Texas. From now on, every game counts. Not that it didn't matter before, but playoff seeding is based on district records. While the season is about to ramp up, for real, the following recruits have already shown they're for real. Here's the DCTF crew's top takeaways from this past weekend.

Pleasant Grove puts away Midland Christian behind two-way stars

Name: Ahkari Johnson | School: Pleasant Grove | Class: 2024 | Pos: ATH | HT: 5'11" | WT: 180

The Arkansas commit had a monster afternoon as Pleasant Grove took out Midland Christian 45-26 on Saturday. He ran for two scores and threw for two scores, while playing outstanding on the defensive side of the ball. Johnson is a big and physical runner, but he displays good coverage skills and he's not afraid to come up and stick his nose in run support. - Matt Stepp

Name: Jaylen Boardley | School: Pleasant Grove | Class: 2024 | Pos: RB/LB | HT: 6'0" | WT: 190

Boardley appears to be getting close to full health as he displayed outstanding open field speed when ripping off a 70-yard touchdown run, he also showed great hands hauling in a long pass late in the game with tight coverage applied. - Matt Stepp

Offensive fireworks in Emerson vs. Panther Creek game

Name: Kylen Evans | School: Frisco Emerson | Class: 2024 | Pos: WR | HT: 6'2" | WT: 190

The Texas State commit is an imposing figure on the outside who hauled seven passes for 97 yards and a incredible one-handed touchdown catch in Emerson's win Friday. Evans displayed  great body control and coordination hauling in the touchdown pass, while being interfered with by the defensive back. - Matt Stepp

Name: Mike Hawkins | School: Frisco Emerson | Class: 2024 | Pos: QB | HT: 6'2" | WT: 185

The Oklahoma commit looked extremely smooth and comfortable piloting unbeaten Emerson in their 48-21 win over Frisco Panther Creek Friday. Hawkins threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 68 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. His running hasn't been needed early in the year for the Mavericks, but will be key later in the year. Hawkins has a low delivery point, but is calm and accurate in the pocket and is a fluid and athletic runner when he decided to pull the ball down. - Matt Stepp

Name: Sentel Simpson | School: Frisco Panther Creek | Class: 2025 | Pos: WR | HT: 6'4" | WT: 185

Simpson is not a natural running back, but he plays the position to help his Panther Creek squad out, showing his willingness to sacrifice for his team. Simpson ran for 28 yards and two touchdowns, showing his toughness in short-yardage situations. Simpson was electric in the return game as well, putting the Panthers in good field position multiple times. Expect the Panther Creek junior to move to WR or possibly to safety at the next level where his size, speed and physicality will be a major asset. - Matt Stepp

Running backs running wild

Name: Davian Groce | School: Frisco Lone Star | Class: 2026 | Pos.: RB | HT: 6'1" | WT: 190

Groce is a versatile offensive weapon out of the backfield who sometimes even splits out wide. He is a shifty runner, and despite being taller, can glide in and out of traffic and elude tacklers in tight windows. He was a deep ball weapon in the passing game with good top-end speed and long arms. Groce will be among the top-rated players in his class and already boasts offers from Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, Oklahoma State, SMU, TCU, Texas Tech and more. - Greg Powers

Name: Bobby Ross | School: Lubbock Estacado | Class: 2025 | Pos.: RB | HT: 6'3" | WT: 200

The junior RB, who holds offers from Texas Tech, UTSA, Texas State and North Texas after back-to-back 200+ yard outings, was held in check by a tough Palo Duro defense with just 69 yards on fourteen carries and a touchdown in a 48-14 win Thursday. Ross is a big and physical back who likely will transition to the defensive side of the ball in college where he could be a terror rushing the passer off the edge. - Matt Stepp

Name: Josh Bell | School: Euless Trinity | Class: 2025 | Pos. RB | HT: 5'8" | WT: 180

Josh Bell has been Trinity's go-to man on offense this year and he's well on his way to his the 1,000-yard mark through three weeks. In the Trojans' first win of the season, Bell gashed the Flower Mound Marcus defense for 341 yards on 29 carries. He follows blocks to perfection and flashes a burst at the second level. He also runs track and posted a 11.41 100m at the Weatherford Relays last spring as a sophomore. - Ishmael Johnson 

Highly touted recruits show what they hype's all about

Name: Max Anderson | School: Frisco Reedy | Class: 2024 | Pos.: OL | HT: 6'5" | WT: 290

Anderson is a technique-sound offensive lineman who is equally adept at run blocking and pass blocking. He has moved inside to guard, the position he will likely play at the next level. The DCTF four-star is committed to Tennessee. - Greg Powers

Name: Elijah Barnes | School: Dallas Skyline | Class: 2025 | Pos.: OLB | HT: 6'1" | WT: 210

Barnes is a big, physical defensive presence who boasts nearly 30 scholarship offers, including Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State and more. He has offers as an EDGE and ILB and will move around the Skyline defensive formation based on down and distance. He was best coming downhill and had a game-changing sack early in the first half, showcasing his burst and big-hitting capability. - Greg Powers

Freshmen Phenoms in the DFW area

Name: Karece Hoyt | School: Frisco Lone Star | Class: 2027 | Pos.: WR | HT: 6'1" | WT: 190

Hoyt is a physically impressive freshman. He has quarterback skills but worked at wide receiver in this game and made his impact felt with three receptions for 44 yards. He's racked up 149 total yards and two touchdowns this season. Hoyt recently earned his first scholarship offer from Texas Tech. - Greg Powers

Name: Antayvious Ellis | School: Crowley | Class: 2027 | Pos.: WR | HT: 6'0" | WT: 165

The freshman playmaker looked the part in the Eagles’ dominant win over Mansfield Summit. Ellis caught four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown and holds offers from TCU, Texas Tech, and UTSA. His speed and route-running ability are what stand out the most and can separate himself from defenders in an open field. - Mallory Hartley

A couple sleepers from Crowley v. Mansfield Summit

Name: Maruio White Jr | School: Mansfield Summit | Class: 2024 | Pos: DE | HT: 6'3" | WT: 210

White may be a little undersized for a collegiate defensive end, but he has plenty of room to add weight once he gets in a program. As of right now, he's extremely quick off the edge. While Summit had a tough night overall, White kept competing until the final whistle, showing off the relentless motor that's earned him offers from Incarnate Word, Texas State and North Texas. - Carter Yates

Name: Caleb Williams | School: Crowley | Class: 2025 | Pos: QB | HT: 6'1" | WT: 175

Williams passed for 202 yards and three touchdowns, which was impressive. He did it on only nine completions, which is absurd. No wonder his favorite route is the streak. Sure, he's also dynamic running threat (see his 55 yards and two touchdowns on the ground), but the junior is proving he can spray it around the yard. Three different Crowley wide receivers caught touchdowns in the first quarter alone. He's not quick to tuck and run like most with his athletic ability, instead choosing to stay in the pocket and take hits as soon as the ball's left his hands. - Carter Yates