IHSFAN TOP 10 Team

IHSFAN Top Ten Team 2022 Presented by

By: Jake Herman

In anticipation of the 2022 season, IHSFAN has compiled its annual list of the area’s Top Ten players. Keep an eye on these ten when the lights turn on this fall.

Sedrick Alxander, LBJ, Senior RB

Among the magazine-record four running backs on this seasons IHSFAN Top Ten Team, LBJ's Sedrick Alexander is the only repeat honoree. During his junior season, Alexander saw his workload more than double as he assumed the lead role in a talented backfield. For a second straight season, he averaged more than nine yards per carry, totaling over 2,000 yards and absolutely dominating every defense in District 13-4A. The district offensive MVP had a nose for the end zone, scoring 30 touchdown which helped spur LBJ’s historic run to the state championship game.

In 2022, Alexander will again be the focal point of the Jags' offense as they move up to the 5A level. "I believe we can do exactly what we did last year despite moving up (to 5A)," Alexander told IHSFAN. "For those people that thought we did something special the last two seasons, wait until this year."

Brayden Buchanan, Vandegrift, Sr. QB

In 2022, the Vandegrift Vipers will lean heavily on the play of senior QB Brayden Buchanan. In his first year as the starter, the Baylor baseball commit tossed 42 touchdown passes, including a school-record six in a single game against Westwood. Buchanan completed more than 60 percent of his throws, tallying 3,017 yards and earning MVP honors in District 25-6A. He credits some of his success to longtime Vipers head coach Drew Sanders, who taught him the discipline to improve his reads. "With Coach Sanders, it starts with character -- and the football comes second," Buchanan told IHSFAN.

Despite losing three all-district receiving targets to graduation, Buchanan is confident that he and his teammates can replicate last season's success. The Vipers earned a berth in the state quarterfinals before losing to eventual champions Westlake. "Throughout the offseason I've seen a ton of new guys… who have made huge strides," Buchanan told IHSFAN. "We have a great coaching staff and all the tools to run the table this year."

Before a high-ankle sprain shortened his 2021 season, Stony Point running back Cameron Cook proved to be among the most elusive and versatile running backs in Central Texas. Averaging eight yards per carry and 15 yards per reception, Cook forces defenses to account for him at all times. The third-year varsity starter racked up seven touchdowns over his team's first three games. The Tigers were not the same team without him down the stretch, missing out on a playoff spot. "At first it was hard to have to watch my team instead of playing," Cook told IHSFAN. "I know that this season I have to be on top of my game, so I've been rehabbing."

But in just limited action, Cook managed to impress several Division I programs and receive a handful of offers to play at the next level. "Ever since I was younger, this is what I wanted to do," Cook said of playing college football. "For my recruiting to go like this, it's something I could only wish for." But despite the national attention, Cook told IHSFAN he keeps things loose and easy-going around his teammates. "I'm not too serious," Cook said. "I'm a fun person -- I like to talk to everybody."

Bo Edmundson, Lake Travis, Senior QB

In his first full season as Lake Travis' starting quarterback, Bo Edmundson took his game to new heights in 2021, earning a repeat appearance on the IHSFAN Top Ten Team. Racking up 3,239 yards and 40 total touchdowns, his maturity was evident as the season progressed. "Sophomore year it was play by play, one at a time," Edmundson told IHSFAN. "This year I was taking command and managing the game… the coaches put a lot more on my shoulders."

Edmundson enters this season with valuable playoff experience. The Michigan State commit saved some of his best football for Lake Travis' 2021 run, which ended in the state semifinals. Edmundson remembers calming his teammates' nerves before a quarterfinal win over San Antonio Brennan -- in which he threw for 322 yards and two touchdowns. "I remember telling the guys that it's just another game," Edmundson said. "I know I have the responsibility to the team… I just have to wear it." The Cavaliers will go as far as Edmundson takes them in 2022.

BUSH’S TOP TEN 2022

At a school known for producing elite quarterbacks, wide receiver Jaden Greathouse has entered the conversation as one of the greatest players in Westlake's storied history. Through three state championship seasons, the 6-foot-2 wideout has been a model of both consistency and explosiveness. His 43 career touchdowns prove his mettle as a red zone threat, while his UIL-record 236 yards in the 2021 state championship game blew the top off Denton Guyer's vaunted defense. "Just hearing the crowd at Jerry World was so surreal," Greathouse told IHSFAN. "The (Westlake) community has always had my back and come to support us, so it was great to be able to repay them."

Greathouse averaged nearly 20 yards per catch last season, amassing a team-high 1,274 yards. In his senior season, the wide receiver is challenging himself to set the bar high for teammates both on and off the field. "My freshman year, we had great seniors who taught us the Westlake way," Greathouse told IHSFAN. "We've built amazing connections over the years… when you're out there trying to get better, you're driving off the energy of your teammates." No matter who is under center for Westlake, defenses will be circling number 9 all season long as the key piece in the Chaparrals offense.

Braylon James, Del Valle, Senior WR

Headed into his senior season, Braylon James has developed into one of the area's premier wideouts. The 6-foot-3 Del Valle Cardinal has always been an outstanding athlete, but he's now turned his attention to polishing his routes. "If I can run routes like a 5'9" guy, like Tyreek Hill --" James said, "then I'll wind up being one of the best guys in the nation."

And despite often towering over his opposing cornerback, the comparison isn't too far off. Last season saw James find more ways than ever to impact the game. Setting career highs in catches (47), receiving yards (568) and touchdowns (7), James said that he became a more complete football player under the tutelage of head coach Bobby Acosta. And much like Tyreek, James was a huge factor in the kick return game with 250 total yards. "Because we weren't as successful offensively, we needed a spark in all other aspects," James told IHSFAN. "I was able to do my job on kick returns… and that was exciting."

BUSH’S TOP TEN 2022

Few players were more important to their team than Quinten Joyner was to Manor in 2021. As the second-leading rusher in UIL 5A footba ll, Joyner racked up 2,494 yards and 31 touchdowns in just 12 games. He averaged over 200 yards per game and a video-game-like 11 yards per carry. Any doubt of Joyner's status as the Overall MVP of District 11-5A was erased in his district finale against Cedar Park -- Joyner's 404 yards and four touchdowns led Manor to their first regular season win over the defending district champs.

As the year went on, Joyner credited his progress to film study with his offensive line. "We did a great job of adjusting and fixing things on game day," Joyner told IHSFAN. He says he'll carry this mindset into 2022, where Manor will lean on him just as heavily moving up to the 6A level. "I want to prove that I can be 'that guy' -- the best on the field," Joyner said. "I think we'll be a good team again."

Noah Long, Liberty Hill, Junior RB

A key cog in the slot-T system at Liberty Hill, Noah Long beat several older players to claim the title of Offensive MVP in District 14-5A as a sophomore. Toting the rock 233 times, Long was the only underclassman in Texas to rush for over 2000 yards at any level. Embodying his team's 'Walker Tough' mantra, Long's quick and aggressive running style became a staple of one of the area's best offenses. "It's a well-oiled machine, so you have to hit the holes really fast," Long told IHSFAN. "Sometimes (defenses) know what's coming…but you just have to keep pounding the rock."

Long reached the end zone 29 times and lost just one fumble, leading his team to a state runner-up finish. With a slew of returners on offense, Liberty Hill will once again be a contender in 2022. "We're hungry to get back (to Jerry World) next year and prove to everybody that we can win it," Long told IHSFAN.

BUSH’S TOP TEN 2022

Austin Novosad, Dripping Springs, Senior, QB

After an electrifying junior season, Dripping Springs' Austin Novosad is hungry for more in 2022. The District 12-5A MVP led the Tigers to an undefeated regular season, throwing with pinpoint accuracy for over 300 yards per game. But in the first round of the playoffs, the Tigers lost a 63-56 shootout thriller to Georgetown. "I thought our team had a great year," Novosad told IHSFAN. "Although playoffs didn't go as we wanted, we learned a lot and will bring back almost our whole offense next year."

The Baylor commit is ready to take both his leadership and athleticism to a new level next season -- a pivotal one for the Dripping Springs program. The Tigers are moving up to the 6A level and will compete in the same district as Westlake and Lake Travis – producing matchups should make any neutral fan excited. "We're ready to go in and compete with some of the best programs in Texas," Novosad told IHSFAN.

Mason Shorb, Rouse, Senior QB

As one of three players making a repeat appearance on the IHSFAN Top Ten Team, Rouse quarterback Mason Shorb went from Newcomer of the Year to , Overall MVP of District 13-5A. Among area quarterbacks covered in IHSFAN magazine, none threw for more yards (3,813) or touchdowns (49) last season. Shorb's completion percentage (70.9) and passer rating (145.8) trailed only Westlake's Cade Klubnik.

With his arm strength and accuracy, it seemed there was no window too tight for Shorb in 2021. "I think I grew as a quarterback in the mental state and moving around the pocket," Shorb told IHSFAN. "When you're on the move and things are tight, you just have to make something happen."

Looking ahead, the UTSA commit is focused on getting a young wide receiving corps up to speed in time for a difficult non-district slate -- including a week four clash with Liberty Hill. Despite Shorb's five touchdowns, the Raiders suffered a second consecutive playoff loss at the hands of the Panthers in 2021. "It was a dogfight and just came down to who wanted it more," Shorb told IHSFAN. "We won't let it happen again."

BUSH’S TOP TEN 2022

2021 Post Season Awards Presented by:

2021 Coach of the Year Coach Jahmal Fenner LBJ Jaguars

Coach Fenner is the first ever back to back winner of our Coach of the Year award. 2021 was an emotional and historic season for the Jaguars. Coming off their historic 2020 season that had the Jags just minutes away from playing in a State Championship game the Jags went undefeated through the regular season and added a new chapter to their school history book as they played for a state championship in Jerry World.

Coach Fenner dealt with unbearable personal tragic news during the playoffs but somehow found the strength to continue on his coaching journey.

2021 Player of the Year Dior Bradfield Weiss Wolves

In 2021 Dior led the Wolves to a 10-2 record that included an undefeated swing through District 11-5A D1 and going 2 rounds into the playoffs.

Dior's final stats include 212 completions for 3,386 yards and an incredible ratio of 43 Passing touchdowns against just 4 interceptions. Dior also scored 2 rushing Touchdowns.