Atlanta Edges Gladewater 21-14 in District Play
Atlanta finished district play undefeated at 5-0 with a win over Gladewater on Friday night.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Football
Atlanta defeated Gladewater 21-14 in a District 8-3A Division I football game, improving to 8-2 overall and finishing district play undefeated at 5-0. Kaigen Lloyd scored Atlanta's first and last touchdowns, while Gladewater fell to 4-6 overall and 2-3 in district play.
Why it matters
The result gives Atlanta a clean sweep of its district schedule heading into the postseason. For Gladewater, the loss closes the regular season and sets up a playoff opener against Malakoff.
Atlanta outscored Gladewater 14-7 over the second half after a 7-7 halftime tie, with touchdown runs of 4 and 7 yards by Kaigen Lloyd and a 21-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Thompson to Simmons. Gladewater's lone late score was a 22-yard pass from Achilles Hess to Landen King with 5:29 left.
The players
Kaigen Lloyd
Lloyd scored both of Atlanta's touchdowns in the win, including the game-opening and game-sealing runs.
Achilles Hess
Hess threw both of Gladewater's touchdown passes, including a 22-yard score to Landen King late in the fourth quarter.
The details
Atlanta took a 7-0 lead on a 4-yard Lloyd run with 1:59 left in the first quarter, and the teams were tied 7-7 at halftime after Gladewater answered on a 16-yard scoring pass from Hess to Destin Sheridan. Atlanta pulled ahead 14-7 on a 21-yard Thompson-to-Simmons touchdown pass in the third quarter, then sealed the win with a 7-yard Lloyd run in the fourth quarter.
Timeline
Friday: Atlanta defeats Gladewater 21-14 in district play.
Thursday, 7 p.m.: Gladewater opens the playoffs against Malakoff.
Season Trajectory
Atlanta's unbeaten run through the District 8-3A Division I schedule positions it as the district's strongest finisher heading into the postseason. Gladewater's 2-3 district finish means its playoff opener against Malakoff is its only remaining game in the 2026 season.
Atlanta's undefeated district finish gives it a clean slate heading into the playoffs, while Gladewater must win its opener against Malakoff to extend its season. Fans tracking the postseason bracket can plan around the Thursday 7 p.m. kickoff in Tyler.
The takeaway
A district sweep like Atlanta's often signals a team peaking at the right time, but playoff openers are decided by single games, so Gladewater's Thursday matchup is a fresh start.
What happens next
Gladewater opens the playoffs on Thursday at 7 p.m. against Malakoff at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in Tyler.
Further reading
For more high school coverage, see Football on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Longview News-Journal.
