Issuu

CEO David L. Phillips

PUBLISHER Brandon Keily

EDITOR IN CHIEF KP Kelly

CONTRIBUTORS KP Kelly Adam Ogburn Taylor Arenz Pat Carrigan Stan Martin Kyle Spishock J.B. Dominguez Dylan Beck Maxwell Milner David L. Phillips 16712 S. IH-35 Buda, TX 78610 844.894.7321 TexasHSFootball.com

The Battle for Austin: The Lake Travis vs. Westlake Rivalry By Kyle Spishock | TexasHSFootball.com

It happened over 15 years ago at Darryl Zavodny’s Chick-fil-A in Bee With nearly two decades of history, obviously, there have been Cave. Initially, the plan was to get the neighboring school districts to numerous memorable moments: finally compete against each other, bringing together schools separated by a mere 12 miles. Westlake was a then 5A competitor; Lake » Then Westlake head coach Derek Long shut down Texas Travis had yet to win a second-round playoff game at 4A. Longhorn quarterback and Lake Travis quarterback Garrett Gilbert, holding the standout to just 210 yards. Still, after the After Westlake won that initial game 38-14, both teams combined loss, LT turned it around, rattling off 48 straight wins. for 10 state championships — six by the Cavaliers, four for the Chaparrals. » The game spent two seasons at Darrell K. Royal Texas-Memorial Stadium, where at least 30,000 attended. To open the The Chaps earned victories in the first pair, but it was the Cavaliers 2010 season, Lake Travis defensive end Tyler Paulsen that embarked on a nine-year stretch that saw them win a dozen intercepted Westlake quarterback Lewis Guilbeau for a consecutive matchups, prompting many to question if the matchup pick-six to win the contest. could truly be called a rivalry. » In 2012, now Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Since their original 2006 meeting, either Lake Travis or Westlake — Mayfield launched a 96-yard touchdown bomb that gave and sometimes both — have advanced to the state semifinals every Lake Travis the 14-11 victory. The following year, TCU year except 2014 and the last two seasons. Both teams reached the competitor Shaun Nixon rushed for 125 yards in the fourth 5A title games in 2015. quarter alone, rallying the Cavs to keep their then win streak alive 28-27. Lake Travis has won six state championships (five in a row while in Class 4A from 2007-2011), while Westlake has claimed four. Lake » In 2012, realignment bumped Lake Travis up in classification, Travis beat Westlake for nine consecutive years from 2008-2016. and the schools have been district rivals ever since. That, Yet, according to coach Todd Dodge, Westlake rejoined the rivalplus the return to cozy campus venues, added some spice to ry in 2017, holding off Lake Travis 21-14; it took until 2019 for the the rivalry. Chaps to become a dynasty. Before North Shore ended Westlake’s 54-game winning streak on December 11, 2022— the fourth-lon» A controversial referee spot in 2017 essentially snapped gest in Texas high school football history— Lake Travis was the last Westlake’s 10-game losing streak. After Garrett Wilson was team to beat Westlake when they topped them 26-25 in 2019. tackled near the line to gain, officials ruled the necessary yardage as short. Still, the Chaps defense decided the game, Beyond the gridiron, the rivalry extends to both teams’ passionholding the Cavaliers to scoreless after halftime and ate fan bases and communities. Exuberant fans often sell the $8 permitting just six first downs and minus-four rushing yards. general admission tickets to the game for upwards of over $100 on Craigslist. Average fan attendance indicates that the Lake Tra- Overall, the Cavaliers have dropped the last four to the Chaps. Still, vis versus Westlake rivalry consistently ranks among the state’s top Lake Travis holds the 11-8 head-to-head advantage. Their 20th conhigh school football rivalries, often garnering tens of thousands of test occurs in the upcoming season. spectators.

11 WINS 4 | Texashsfootball.com

8 WINS

Coaching Legend Returns to the Sideline By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Retirement did not last long for one Texas high school football coaching legend. Three years ago, Todd Dodge was walking off into retirement after leading the Westlake Chaparrals to their third consecutive state championship. But, the retirement of the ole’ ball coach did not last long. Todd Dodge has been named the new Head Football Coach and Athletic Director of the Lovejoy Leopards. Dodge is one of the greatest coaches in the history of Texas high school football. Dodge led the Southlake Carroll Dragons to four state championships in five years and had a 48-game win streak in the process. He then moved on to coach the Austin Westlake Chaparrals and led them to three state championships.

TODD DODGE COACHING CAREER 1987 - Rockwall HS (TX) (QB/WR) 1988–1991 - McKinney HS (TX) (OC) 1992–1993 - North Texas (QB/WR) 1994–1995 - C. H. Yoe HS (TX) (HC) 1996–1997 - Newman Smith HS (TX) (HC) 1998–1999 - Fossil Ridge HS (TX) (HC) 2000–2006 - Carroll HS (TX) (HC) 2007–2010 - North Texas (HC) 2011 - Pittsburgh (QB) 2012–2013 - Marble Falls HS (TX) (HC) 2014–2021 - Westlake HS (TX) (HC)

COACHING RECORD

In his time as a head coach, Dodge has a 71-8 record in the state playoffs. He was named the 6A Coach of the Year five times, and he was named the National Coach of the Year four times.

125 Wins – 46 Losses (high school)

As the new Lovejoy coach, Dodge is taking over a 5A Division II program that went 12-2 this year and was 7-0 in District 7-5A. Their two losses came to North Crowley and, in the playoffs, to the South Oak Cliff Golden Bears. While Lovejoy has made the playoffs 14 times in school history, they have yet to make a state championship game appearance.

CHAMPIONSHIPS

While the itch to get back to coaching was strong, Dodge shared that the opportunity was perfect for him because he’ll be within 20 minutes of his family, which includes his son and Southlake Carroll Head Coach, Riley Dodge. Dodge will also have his five grandchildren, his daughter Molly, and his mother-in-law all in the area as he coaches the Lovejoy Leopards in Lucas, Texas. With Dodge on the sideline, the first-ever state title game appearance for Lovejoy may come soon.

2002 - Texas 5A State Champs 2004 - Texas 5A State Champs 2005 - Texas 5A State Champs 2006 - Texas 5A State Champs

6 Wins – 37 Losses (college)

2019 - Texas 6A State Champs 2020 - Texas 6A State Champs 2021 - Texas 6A State Champs

AWARDS 2003 - High School Coach of the Year (Schutt Sports) 2004 - High School Coach of the Year (USA Today) 2005 - Southwest Region HS Coach of the Year (PrepNation.com) 2005 - Inductee Texas High School Football Hall of Fame 2015 - Lone Star Gridiron 6A Coach of the Year (Lone Star Gridiron)

BEST OF LUCK NEXT SEASON! 6 | Texashsfootball.com

8 | Texashsfootball.com

2023 Regular Season Teams of the Week By Adam Ogburn | TexasHSFootball.com

6A Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: Week 4: Week 5: Week 6:

5A Bridgeland Aldine Summer Creek Prosper Odessa Round Rock McNeil

Week 7: Weslaco Week 8: Odessa Permian Week 9: Katy Taylor Week 10: Cypress Springs Week 11: LD Bell

4A Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: Week 4: Week 5: Week 6:

Mellissa Liberty Hill Frisco Lone Star Boerne Champion PSJA North La Porte

Week 7: El Paso Ysleta Week 8: Cedar Park Week 9: Lake Dallas Week 10: College Station Week 11: Pflugerville

Blanco Malakoff McGregor Gunter Eastland Tarkington

Week 7: Henrietta Week 8: Lone Oak Week 9: Lorena Week 10: Grape Creek Week 11: Harmony

Highland Van Horn Harrold Moran Bowie Gold-Burg Oglesby

Week 7: Covington Week 8: Kress Week 9: Penelope Week 10: Borden County Week 11: Paint Rock

3A Wharton Houston Scarborough Stephenville Beeville Jones Kaufman Iowa Colony

Week 7: Waco Connally Week 8: Lindale Week 9: Farmersville Week 10: San Elizario Week 11: Krum

2A Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: Week 4: Week 5: Week 6:

Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: Week 4: Week 5: Week 6:

1A Timpson Abilene TLCA Kerens Iola Rosebud-Lott Mason

Week 7: Junction Week 8: Stinnett W. Texas Week 9: Gruver Week 10: Hawley Week 11: Tahoka

Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: Week 4: Week 5: Week 6:

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THIS YEARS WINNERS!

16 | Texashsfootball.com

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Wimberley Texans: A Program on the Rise By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Wimberley Texans came into the season off of a historic 202223 season. Last year, the Texans went 10-0 in their regular season, undefeated in District 13-4A Division II play, and made it all the way to the UIL 4A Division II state championship. In the title game, they matched up with the Carthage Bulldogs and lost 42-0.

In round two, they faced Orange Grove. Stoever threw for 294 yards and 4 touchdowns and added 132 yards rushing and rushing touchdown to lead the Texans to a 49-8 win. Next up was Ingleside, who the Texans beat easily, 63-14, to advance to face the Sinton Pirates. The Pirates were coming off a 50-14 win over Navarro and were on a 9-game win streak. The Wimberley defense held Sinton to just 13 The Texans have been a program on the rise over the past 5 sea- points, and the offense, led by 234 yards rushing from Stoever, put sons. In 2018, they went 4-7. But since then, Head Coach Doug up 38 points to advance to the state semifinal. Waiting in the semiWarren’s team improved each season. They went 12-4 in 2019 and finals was the undefeated Bellville Brahmas. Bellville was 36-2 over 2020, 10-3 in 2021, and 15-1 last season. This year, the Texans had the last three seasons coming into this game. their eyes set on getting back to the state title game and winning their school’s third state championship. Bellville featured a decisive running game with two 2,000-yard running backs, Murray and Hranicky, and a third back, Hood, who Wimberley got their season off to a great start. In week one, they rushed for over 1,600 yards this year. Although, it was the Bellbeat Canyon Lake, 60-6, led by quarterback Cody Stoever’s 6 total ville defense that struck first in the state semifinal game, forcing a touchdowns. They continued their excellent start with a 44-6 win fumble and returning it for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Wimberley over Pieper. But, in week 3, they got challenged. responded late in the first quarter on a Cody Stoever 5-yard touchdown run to tie the game. The 7-7 score would hold into halftime. The Texans faced Brock in week 3. Wimberley had the 21-7 halftime The Brahmas struck first in the second half, with a 65-yard rushing lead, but Brock tied the game in the third quarter. With 2 minutes touchdown, but once again Wimberley responded, again on a Stoto go in the game, the Texans scored to go up 35-27, and then the ever touchdown run to tie the game. However, Bellville was able to defense intercepted Brock to win the game, 35-27. score twice more quickly in the third quarter to take a 28-14 lead. However, Wimberley was not done fighting for their undefeated After week three, Wimberley started to dominate opponents. They season. Stoever scored on his third touchdown run to cut the lead beat Fredericksburg 48-10, a game in which Stoever had 6 touch- to 28-21 going into the 4th quarter. downs, then beat Lampasas 41-20. After a 49-13 win at Jarrell, the Texans played one of their best games of the season. Like Bellville did on the first and second quarter’s first drive, they scored on the opening drive of the fourth quarter to take a 35-21 In week 10, Wimberley beat Manor New Tech, 72-0. They went on to lead. Again, the Texans weren’t done fighting for a spot in the state win their last three games of the regular season, 48-20, 34-22, and title game. They scored again to cut the lead to 35-27, but they a big 70-6 win over Austin Achieve. The Texans once again finished missed the PAT. With under a minute to go, they had the ball back, the regular season undefeated and finished first in district play at and Stoever was able to score on a run to cut the lead to 35-33, but 5-0. the two-point conversion to tie the game was unsuccessful. Bellville won, 35-33. The Texans faced off against Pearsall in round one of the playoffs and dominated Wimberley finished the season JUST one game shy of returning to them, 68-0, for their second shutout of the the State title. It was a heartbreaking end to the season for the Texseason. Stoever threw three touchdowns, ans WHO have established themselves as one of the best 4A proand Benji Olmedo ran for 100 yards grams. With key players like Cody Stover…, the Texans will be one of and a touchdown. the favorites to reach the championship game next year. 18 | Texashsfootball.com

China Spring Historic Run Comes to an End By J.B. Dominguez | TexasHSFootball.com

For the first time since 2020, the China Spring Cougars (8-4) lost a Kyle Barton playoff game, falling to the Anna Coyotes (11-1) 45-21 in the Area Round of the Class 4A DI Playoffs at Joshua’s Owl Stadium by a Kyle is the most accomplished of these young men as you can see score of 45-21. below: The size and speed of the Anna defense was too much for the usu» Most touchdowns in a game (Tied) ally high-powered China Spring offense. The Cougars’ first drive » Single season rushing touchdown leader ended in a 3 and out. In their second drive, trailing 7-0, China » Single season points scored leader Spring faced a 3rd & 11 from the Coyote 37. QB Cash McCollum » Career rushing touchdown leader was sacked for an 8-yard loss, but an unsportsmanlike penalty by » Career points scored leader Anna kept the drive alive. McCollum found Grayson Martin from 16 yards out to tie the score at 7 with 2:52 remaining in the first quar- When you ask him about his play, he will mention his offensive line ter. It was all Anna Coyotes from that point forward. and how they do a great job blocking. He will talk about his quarterback and receivers making plays. He definitely won’t leave out Anna Sophomore QB Ziondre Williams was able to do a lot of dam- the defense and what they mean to the team. What you won’t hear age both with his arms and legs. He had 75 yards and a touchdown is him talking about himself, and if you are able to get something through the air in his first two drives and then showed his elusive- out of him, it is about the areas he is working to improve, not what ness by going for runs of 46 and 47 yards in the following drives he has accomplished. after being flushed from the pocket. RB Edward Chumley was a force on the ground, pushing in two touchdowns on the evening. Ryder Reeves The story of the game was the Anna defense. They were able to keep McCollum uncomfortable in the pocket. The Cougar receivers rely on a quick first move to get free and gain yards, but the Coyote defenders did not allow the speedsters to roam free. On A Personal Note For those that have followed my articles, it is no secret that I am a China Spring guy. It is the school my kids went to, the school I went to, and the school my parents went to. I have seen a lot of folks come through in Cougar blue, so believe it when I say that this group of young men are special. I have had the pleasure of watching these elementary kids grow into fine young men.

Ryder is the heart and soul of the Cougar defense. The nice young man that always has a smile on his face will tear through opposing offenses. Ryder was on track to break the single-season tackles record before a shoulder injury sidelined him. He was able to come back for the final game, but he left everything he had on the field, reinjuring the same shoulder on the last play of the game. My Guys I have had the pleasure to coach, or coach against, many of these young men through their elementary years, and up through their freshmen years. #4 Kyle Barton, #9 Grady Flanigan, #21 Carter Pierce, #27 Ryder Reeves, #51 Evan Garner, #65 Garret Cavazos & #68 Donnie Willett. To these young men, along with the many others that I have watched over the years, It has been an honor and a privilege to be a small part of your journey.

Southlake Carroll Dragons: On the Verge of Returning to Dominance By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

When you think of the top 6A programs in the state, the usual suspects to rattle off most people’s tongues are Duncanville, North Shore, and Westlake. And, with back-to-back state titles, the DeSoto Eagles have joined that party. But, a team that doesn’t typically get named, that is always at the top of the polls with those teams, is the Southlake Carroll Dragons. It was not too long ago, when the Dragons were not only the dominant team in Texas, but the top program in the country. In the early 2000s, Southlake Carroll won 4 state championships and had a 48game win streak. In 2018, they hired Riley Dodge, who was a quarterback during part of the Dragons dominant years, to return the school to dominance. Since Riley Dodge took over as Head Coach in 2018, the Dragons have gone 78 and 8, including a state championship appearance in 2021 in which a Quinn Ewers led team fell short to a Cade Klubnik led Westlake team, 52-34. 2023 was another excellent season for Southlake Carroll. Any notion that losing their 2022 MVP, Owen Allen, to the college ranks would slow down their offense was quickly dispelled in week one. The Dragons put up 70 points in week one, led by 5 touchdown passes from Graham Knowles, and followed up with 57 points against Flower Mound Marcus in week 2; a game that saw sophomore running back Davis Penn rush for 123 yards and 2 TDs. The Dragons kept rolling in their 2023 season. In week 3, their defense, led this year by Dustan Mark and Eric Garza, held Cedar Hill to 6 points and then shut out Timber Creek in week 4. They then averaged over 65 points per game over their next 4 games and improved to 8-0. In week 9, Southlake faced off against the Trophy Club Byron Nelson Bobcats, yet undefeated and a football program on the rise. This would be the battle for first in District 4-6A. The game started as a defensive battle, but the Bobcats took a 13-3 lead into halftime. In the second half, the Dragons struggled on offense, and the Bobcats leaned on running back Tucker James to move the ball and keep the lead. Southlake lost the game, 17-34. The Dragons bounced back from their loss with a dominating 63-0 win over Fossil Ridge to finish the regular season at 9-1. They then 22 | Texashsfootball.com

beat Boswell in the opening round of the playoffs, 70-0, led by 133 yards rushing and 2 TDs from sophomore running back Angelo Rendo. Next they beat a 9-2 Frenship team 49-14 and an 11-0 Highland Park team 45-14 to reach the regional finals and set up a rematch against Trophy Club Byron Nelson. The rematch with the Bobcats was a much different game than in week 9. This game was all Dragons from the beginning. They jumped on the Bobcats, putting up 14 points in the first quarter and 28 in the second quarter. The defense limited the Bobcats to just one score in a 56-7 win. Penn finished with 143 yards rushing and 4 TDs, and Trey Ferri led the defense with two interceptions. In the 6A Division II semifinal, Southlake faced off against the #1 team in the state, the defending champion and undefeated DeSoto Eagles. DeSoto hadn’t been challenged much all year and even had a win over Duncanville, who was ranked in the top 5 in the nation then, and went on to win the 6A D1 state title. But, the Dragons were ready to battle. Southlake struck first, taking an early 7-0 lead, but DeSoto quickly tied the game up. The Dragons then took the lead back, 10-7. The back-and-forth continued as the Eagles took a 14-10 lead in the second quarter. Southlake drove the field again in the second quarter but had to settle for a field goal once again. Another Desoto second-quarter TD put the Eagles up 21-13, but the Dragons found the endzone again to cut the lead to 20-21 at halftime. In the second half, the Dragons took the lead on another Kyle Lemmerman field goal. Once again, DeSoto took the lead back, 2823, and in the true back-and-forth nature of the game, Southlake took the lead right back, 31-28. However, DeSoto took control of the game late, scoring the next 17 points to go up 45-28 in the 4th quarter. The Dragons scored late on a Knowles touchdown pass to cut the lead to 45-38, but DeSoto then ran the clock out for the win. The 45-38 was the closest game for DeSoto, and the only game in which they faced the chance of losing a game. DeSoto would go on to win the state title and be ranked in the top 3 in the nation in most polls. You can argue that, by the end of the season, Southlake Carroll was the second-best team in the state. While the Dragons lose Graham Knowles next year, they have a lot of talent returning, and they should be able to make another deep playoff run and try to win their school’s 9th state title.

Three 2023 Three-Peats That Came Up Short By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Three teams were going for a three-peat in this year’s UIL State Championships, the Westbrook Wildcats, the Franklin Lions, and the South Oak Cliff Golden Bears. Westbrook Wildcats Head Coach Homer Matlock had his Wildcats looking to win their thirdstraight state title. The Wildcats had been 35-7 over the past three seasons and were coming off a 13-1 year and a Six-Man DI title. They dropped their season opener to Knox City, but then dominated the rest of their season. They scored over 60 points six times, including a 110-65 win over Borden County. In the state title game, they faced the undefeated Gordon Longhorns, and came up short, 20-70. Franklin Lions The Lions have established themselves as the dominant football program in 3A Division 1. Over the last two seasons, they had been 32-0. The Lions started the season right where they left off, winning 7 games to push their win-streak to 39 games. They lost in week 8 to Lorena, 4952, but revenged that loss in the playoff regional finals, 49-27. Franklin faced the Malakoff Tigers in the state championship. In a close defensive battle, the Lions fell to the Tigers, 7-14. South Oak Cliff Golden Bears Head Coach Jason Todd has built one of the best football programs in Texas and led the Golden Bears to their first two state title appearances in 2021 and 2022, winning both. The Bears had a dominant season. They finished 6-0 in District 6-5A DII play and dropped just two games to 6A D1 and 6A DII state champions, DeSoto and Duncanville. SOC faced the Port Neches-Groves Indians in the title game, a team they beat for the title last year. In one of the best games of the year, SOC lost, 17-20. While all three programs came up short in their bid to three-peat, all three will be favorites to get back to the state title game next year and attempt to win 3 out of 4 state championships.

2023 UIL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THIS YEARS WINNERS!

DUNCANVILLE PANTHERS 6A-D1

DESOTO EAGLES

6A-D2

ALEDO BEARCATS

5A-D1

PNG INDIANS

5A-D2

ANNA COYOTES 4A-D1

GILMER BUCKEYES

4A-D2

MALAKOFF TIGERS 3A-D1

GUNTER TIGERS 3A-D2

TIMPSON BEARS 2A-D1

ALBANY LIONS

2A-D2

GORDON LONGHORNS

1A-D1

BENJAMIN MUSTANGS 1A-D2

6A DI State Championship: Duncanville vs North Shore By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

For the fifth time in six years, the Duncanville Panthers and North Shore Mustangs faced off for the 6A Division 1 State Championship. North Shore got the best of Duncanville in the first three championship matchups, but Duncanville beat North Shore last year. Less than a minute into the game, all-world running back Caden Durham broke free for a 26-yard touchdown, putting the Panthers up 7-0 and setting the tone for Duncanville. After both teams made defensive stops, North Shore tied the game at 7 on a D’Andre Hardeman Jr. run. The next Duncanville drive started out with two penalties that backed them up to the 28-yard line, but Durham broke free again, this time on a 72-yard touchdown run, to put the Panthers up 14-7. The Panthers’ defense quickly forced a 3-and-out, and on the next drive, Keelon Russell hit Dakorien Moore for a 39-yard touchdown and a 21-7 lead going into the second quarter. Early in the second quarter, a North Shore punt backed Duncanville up to the 8-yard line. But Durham broke free once again, this time for a 92-yard touchdown, already putting him over 200 yards rushing. After a North Shore field goal cut the lead to 28-10, Russell threw his second touchdown, this time a 28-yard pass to Zach Turner, to push the lead to 35-10. North Shore cut the lead to 18 again on a DJ Bailey to Chris Barnes touchdown pass. North Shore started out the second half on a drive that took up half the quarter, but the Panthers’ defense was able to hold the Mustangs to a field goal. Then, late in the third quarter, Russell threw his third touchdown, a 75-yard touchdown pass to Turner, to put the Panthers up 42-20. The two teams would trade touchdowns in the fourth quarter. North Shore scored on two DJ Bailey touchdown passes, and Duncanville scored on a Russell touchdown run, his fourth touchdown of the game. With the score at 49-33, North Shore had two chances to make it a one-score game, but a forced fumble by Colin Simmons that Duncanville recovered, then a KaDavion Dotson-Walker interception of Bailey on the next play sealed the victory. Duncanville won their second consecutive state title. 26 | Texashsfootball.com

Final Score: Duncanville 49 / North Shore 33 Box Score

Duncanville vs Galena Park North Shore (Dec 16, 2023) Team Name

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

Duncanville

North Shore

AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas Attendance: 40,673

Offensive MVP

Defensive MVP

Casen Durham

Colin Simmons

22 Rushes for 231yds, 3TD’s (10.5yds Avg.)

8 Tackles (5 Solo), 3 Sacks for -13yds, 1 Forced Fumble

Duncanville Panthers 2023 Season Recap By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Duncanville Panthers came into the season as the defending 6A Division I State Champions after an undefeated 2022 season and a title game victory over the North Shore Mustangs. Head Coach Reginald Samples, one of the best coaches in the country, had his team, led by Caden Durham and Keelon Russell on offense, and by Colin Simmons and Alex January on defense, looking to repeat as state champs. The Panthers took on the defending 5A DII state champion South Oak Cliff Golden Bears in week one and beat them, 34-13. They went on to win their next five games by outscoring their opponents 320-13. The Panthers found themselves in the top 5 in most national rankings heading into a showdown with the defending 6A DII state champion DeSoto Eagles. DeSoto upset Duncanville, 49-35, to end the 22-game Panthers’ win streak. They got back on track with a 35-3 win over Mansfield Legacy to finish the regular season 8-1 and second in District 11-6A. The Panthers dominated Rockwall-Heath 64-24 in round 1 of the playoffs, then beat The Woodlands, 49-21. Then they beat the 11-2 Westfield Mustangs in dominating fashion, 70-28. In the state semifinal, Duncanville took on the then undefeated North Crowley Panthers, who were coming off impressive wins over Permian, Prosper, and Allen. Duncanville won, 52-10, led by Caden Durham’s 225 yards rushing and five touchdowns. The win sent Duncanville to the championship game for a rematch against the undefeated North Shore Mustangs.

2023 DUNCANVILLE TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 51.24 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 13.4 Leading Passer: Keelon Russell (2,986 yards passing, 32 total TDs) Leading Rusher: Caden Durham (1,841 yards, 21 TDs) Leading Receiver: Dakorien Moore (61 rec, 1,243 yards, 14 TDs) Leading Tackler: EJ Mckinney (86 tackles) Sack Leader: Colin Simmons (7 sacks)

2023 DUNCANVILLE SCHEDULE 8/25 - South Oak Cliff (34-13 W) 9/2 - Rockledge (44-0 W) 9/15 - Lake Ridge (76-0 W) 9/23 - Cedar Hill (56-0 W) 10/6 - Waxahachie (44-10 W) 10/12 - Mansfield (51-0 W) 10/19 - Skyline (49-3 W) 10/28 - DeSoto (49-35 L)

11/2 - Mansfield Leg. (35-3 W) 11/10 - Hutto (63-7 W) 11/17 - Rockwall-H. (62-24 W) 11/25 - Woodlands (49-21 W) 12/2 - Westfield (70-28 W) 12/9 - North Crowley (52-10 W) 12/16 - North Shore (49-33 W)

2023 6A DI STATE CHAMPIONS

6A DII State Championship: DeSoto vs Summer Creek By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

DeSoto came into the title game as a big favorite against the 14-1 Final Score: DeSoto 74 / Summer Creek 14 Summer Creek Bulldogs. However, much like Mathis had turned DeSoto into a perennial championship contender, Summer Creek Box Score Head Coach Kenny Harrison was in the process of starting to do the DeSoto vs Humble Summer Creek (Dec 16, 2023) same with his team. In their lone loss, a close one to North Shore, the Bulldogs proved they could compete with the best of teams. Team Name 1st 2nd 3rd 4th But could they hang with DeSoto? Just a few minutes into the game, it became apparent that Desoto was too much for Summer Creek, and that the Eagles were the undisputed best team in Texas. DeSoto scored on their opening drive on a 54-yard touchdown run by Marvin Duffey. Two plays later, they intercepted Summer Creek, finding the end zone on a two-play 14yard Deondrae Riden Jr run. Then, DJ Bailey got to work.

Total

DeSoto

Humble Summer Creek

AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas Attendance: 32,346

Bailey connected with Daylon Singleton for three touchdowns, a 26yard, a 54-yard, and a 52-yard touchdown, to put DeSoto up 36-7 at the end of the first quarter. The Eagles added a 33-yard Angel Diaz field goal and a DJ Bailey touchdown run to go up 46-7 at halftime.

Offensive MVP

Defensive MVP

D.J. Bailey

Keylan Abrams

The second half was similar to the first, with the Eagles offense scoring on big plays, and the defense dominating. Bailey threw his 4th touchdown of the game with 3:49 to go in the third quarter, a 26-yard pass to Ethan Feaster.

16-22 for 281yds, 4TD’s & 0 Ints

6 Tackles (4 Solo, 3 TFL), 1 Sacks for -3yds, 1 INT

Late in the 4th, with most mostly backups and underclassmen in the game, DeSoto gave one more carry to Marvin Duffey to cap off his high school career. Duffey took it 61 yards inside the 10-yard line. Then, Chad Williams threw a touchdown pass to Antonio Pride to push the score to 74-14. The 74 points and the margin of victory set UIL 11-Man Championship game records.

DJ Bailey ended one of the best careers for a Texas high school quarterback and solidified himself as a true Texas HS Football Legend!

30 | Texashsfootball.com

DeSoto Eagles 2023 Season Recap By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The DeSoto Eagles entered the season as the reigning 6A Division II champions, having defeated the Vandegrift Vipers 42-17 to claim their school’s second state title and cap off a 14-2 season in 2022.

2023 DESOTO TEAM STATS

The Eagles entered the 2023 season ranked #2 in the state of Texas, led on the field by Senior Quarterback DJ Bailey and on the sidelines by Head Coach Claud Mathis. Under Mathis, DeSoto had become a top Texas high school football program, and entered the 2023 season as a top 20 nationally ranked team, another state title would put the Eagles amongst the best programs in the nation.

Points Per Game: 53.4 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 18.7 Leading Passer: DJ Bailey (3,366 yards passing, 49 total TDs) Leading Rusher: Marvin Duffey (1,545 yards, 22 TDs) Leading Receiver: Daylon Singleton (55 rec, 1,210 yards, 17 TDs) Leading Tackler: Brandon Booker (117 tackles) Sack Leader: Keylan Abrams (23.5 sacks)

DeSoto began the season with two statement wins, defeating Allen 39-7 and South Oak Cliff 54-14. From this point, they were the #1 ranked team in Texas.

2023 DESOTO SCHEDULE

After allowing 35 points against Waxahachie in week 4, yet securing a 56-36 victory, they triumphed 64-3 in both weeks 4 and 6 before defeating Cedar Hill in week 7 to set up a showdown with Duncanville. Defending 6A D1 Champions Duncanville, a top 5 ranked team in the nation, were outplayed by the Eagles, who achieved a 49-35 victory and continued their streak into the playoffs. The biggest challenge of their year came against Southlake Carroll in the State Semifinals. DeSoto’s most pivotal play of the season occurred when they were leading 35-31, with Southlake Carroll at the 3-yard line on 4th and goal. Carroll QB Graham Knowles attempted to run the ball, but DeSoto defensive lineman Keylan Abrams stopped him inches from the go-ahead touchdown. The Eagles held on for a 45-38 win, advancing to face Summer Creek in the 6A DII State Championship.

8/25 - Allen (39-7 W) 9/9 - SOCHS (54-14 W) 9/15 - Skyline (42-17 W) 9/22 - Waxahachie (56-35 W) 10/6 - MLHS (64-3 W) 10/13 - Lake Ridge (64-3 W) 10/20 - Cedar Hill (35-13 W) 10/28 - Duncanville (49-35 W)

11/2 - Mansfield (63-24 W) 11/10 - Harker Height (50-10 W) 11/17 - Wylie East (42-20 W) 11/24 - Willis (65-31 W) 12/1 - Cedar Hill (59-16 W) 12/9 - SCHS (45-38 W) 12/16 - Summer Creek (74-14 W)

2023 6A DII STATE CHAMPIONS

5A DI State Championship: Aledo vs Smithson Valley By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Championship got off to a rough start for Aledo. The Bearcats Final Score: Aledo 51 / Smithson Valley 8 went 3-and-out on their first drive and had to punt. It was only their third punt of the season. They forced Smithson Valley to punt on Box Score their first drive, and an outstanding punt backed Aledo up to the Aledo vs Comal Smithson Valley (Dec 15, 2023) 2-yard line. An off-sides penalty pushed Aledo back to the 1-yard line. Then the Bearcats got tackled in the endzone for a safety and Team Name 1st 2nd 3rd 4th a 2-0 Smithson Valley lead. Smithson Valley capitalized on good field position from the free kick and connected on a 49-yard field goal to increase their lead to 5-0. On the next Aledo drive, Hauss Hejny threw an interception that put the Rangers at the Aledo 8-yard line. The Bearcats defense stopped them, but the Rangers connected on another field goal to go up 8-0 with 5:29 to go in the first quarter. But then, the Aledo offense got to work. Aledo got on the board with 1:28 to go in the first quarter on a 25yard touchdown pass from Hejny to Hawk Patrick-Daniels to cut the lead to 8-7. The Bearcats defense forced a 3-and-out. A few plays after a Patrick-Daniels 43-yard run, Patrick-Daniels cashed in on a touchdown run to put Aledo up 14-8. A second-quarter stop on 4th and 3 by the Bearcat’s defense gave the ball back to Aledo, and Hejny hit Kaydon Finley for a 69-yard touchdown to put Aledo up 21-8. Aledo added to the lead with a Cole Crawford field goal to head to halftime up 24-8. Aledo kept it rolling in the second half. The Rangers couldn’t move the ball against the Bearcats defense. Smithson Valley did force a 4th down for Aledo on their first drive of the half, but Aledo converted, and a few plays later, Hejny connected with Colton McCoy for a 29-yard touchdown. A huge sack by Davhon Keys got the ball back to the Bearcats, and Patrick-Daniels scored again on a 51-yard run to put Aledo up 38-8. Aledo got the ball back quickly, Patrick-Daniels broke another long run, and Hejny found the endzone on a run to push the lead to 44-8 with 2:20 to go in the third quarter and put the game away.

34 | Texashsfootball.com

Total

Aledo

Comal Smithson Valley

AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas Attendance: 22,184

Offensive MVP

Defensive MVP

Hawk Patrick-Daniels

Davhon Keys

16 Rushes for 186yds, 3TD’s (11.6yds Avg.)

12 Tackles (6 Solo, 2 TFL), 1 Sacks for -9yds,

Aledo Bearcats Season Recap By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Bearcats came into the 2023 season as the defending 5A Division I state champions and were focused on repeating and claiming the school’s record 12th state title. Led by All-American Hauss Hejny at QB on offense, and Division 1 commits Davhon Keys, Jaden Allen, and Jake Gillespie on defense, Aledo started the season as the top-ranked team in 5A. Aledo won a close opener, 50-35, then faced a big test in week 2 against Denton Guyer, but they secured a 48-45 win. Any doubt the close week 2 game may have cast over the ability of the Bearcats to repeat was quickly dispelled. Aledo won 38-13 in week three, then they went on to win their next 5 games in dominating fashion: 50-7, 70-0, 60-14, 71-0, and 42-0. This 5-game run put Aledo into the top 20 in most national polls. The Bearcats had another close game in week 9 against Denton Ryan, but they stayed undefeated with a 25-19 win. From there on, the Bearcats’ high-powered offense rolled over teams, and their defense shut down every offense. They beat the previously undefeated Red Oak, 59-35, the then 11-2 Abilene Eagles, 56-21, and 13-2 Forney, 43-7, on their way back to the title game to face the Smithson Valley Rangers, who were on a 14-game win streak.

2023 ALEDO TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 49.8 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 15.9 Leading Passer: Hauss Hejny (2,773 yards passing, 27 total TDs) Leading Rusher: Raycine Guillory Jr (1,236 yards, 17 TDs) Leading Receiver: Trace Clarkson (50 rec, 959 yards, 7 TDs) Leading Tackler: Davhon Keys (169 tackles) Sack Leader: Carson Dempsey (5 sacks)

2023 ALEDO SCHEDULE 8/25 - PEHS (50-35 W) 9/1 - Guyer (48-45 W) 9/8 - Northwest (38-13 W) 9/15 - Azle (50-7 W) 9/22 - Saginaw (70-0 W) 9/29 - The Colony (60-14 W) 10/5 - South Hills (71-0 W) 10/13 - Centennial (42-0 W)

10/20 - Ryan (25-19W) 11/3 - Brewer (59-13 W) 11/9 - Shoemaker (27-6 W) 11/17 - Lubbock-C. (48-31 W) 11/24 - Red Oak (59-35 W) 12/1 - Abilene (56-21 W) 12/8 - Forney (43-7 W) 12/15 - SVHS (51-8 W)

2023 5A DI STATE CHAMPIONS

5A DII State Championship: PNG vs SOC By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

PNG came into the championship looking to win their school’s first Final Score: Port Neches–Groves 20 / SOC 17 state title since 1975, and to do so, they would have to beat the back-to-back state champion Golden Bears. Box Score Dallas SouthOak Cliff vs Port Neches-Groves (Dec 16, 2023) The Indians took the ball right down the field on the opening drive, but a penalty, a tackle for loss, and a sack stalled the drive. They Team Name 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total settled for a 32-yard field goal from Gio Oceguera and a 3-0 lead. SOC responded, driving down the field, and despite a good goalSOC 7 3 7 0 17 line stand by PNG, SOC scored and took a 7-3 lead. On the next drive, PNG went for it twice on 4th down, converting both times to PNG 3 6 0 11 20 get inside the 10, but again they had to settle for a field goal. On the next drive, the ball slipped out of the SOC QB’s hands, and PNG recovered at the 14-yard line. But, once again, the SOC defense stopped the Indians, and they settled for a 31-yard Oceguera field goal to take a 9-8 lead. Just before the end of the first half, SOC connected on their own field goal, and the Indians went to halftime down 9-10. The Golden Bears extended their lead to 17-9 in the third quarter on a 44-yard touchdown run by Danny Green. PNG got the ball moving to start the 4th quarter, and big plays from Adams and Nguyen got PNG to the 1-yard line. But the SOC defense stopped them inside the 10 again, and PNG settled for another field goal. Down 12-17, PNG shocked SOC with an onside kick and recovered it. PNG again moved right down inside the 10-yard line, but again struggled to get in the end zone. However, a pass interference in the end zone, followed by an offside penalty by SOC, put PNG at the one-yard line and Shea Adams ran in for the go-ahead touchdown. A successful 2-point conversion put PNG up 20-17 with 3:32 to go. On the final drive, SOC was able to initially move the ball to midfield, but the PNG defense stepped up and sacked the SOC QB on back-to-back plays, and a hook and lateral attempt by SOC on 4th and 26 failed as PNG secured the comeback win and the 5A DII State Title.

38 | Texashsfootball.com

AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas Attendance: 33,913

Offensive MVP

Defensive MVP

Gio Oceguera

Max Scroogs

4 FG’s (32, 21, 31, 23)

12 Tackles (6 Solo, 2 TFL), 1 Sacks for -9yds,

Port Neches–Groves Indians 2023 Season Recap By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Port Neches-Groves Indians were coming off a 13-2 2022 season in which they made it all the way to the 5A Division II State Championship, in which they ran into the defending champion South Oak Cliff Golden Bears. The Indians had a 17-5 lead over SOC, but the Golden Bears went on a 26-0 scoring run and won 34-24. In 2023, the Indians were looking to get back to the state championship and prove that they could compete with and beat South Oak Cliff. The season did not get off to a good start for Head Coach Jeff Joseph and the Indians. They dropped the opener to Port Arthur Memorial, 7-24. The Indians got back on track with a 45-14 win over 2-8 Beaumont United, but in week 3, they had a close call against the below .500 4A DII West Orange-Stark, 26-20. Despite being 2-1, the Indians were starting to be written off as a title contender, but then PNG went on a roll. PNG beat two top teams in weeks 4 and 5. A 7-0 win over Fort Bend Marshall, and a 38-23 win over Texas City. The Indians then went on to dominate their next six games, outscoring their opponents 262 to 72. A hard-fought 30-27 win over the then-undefeated Lake Creek Lions sent PNG to the Quarterfinal. They then beat Huntsville 24-14 and beat Liberty Hill in a thriller, 42-35, to advance to a rematch with the #1 ranked South Oak Cliff Golden Bears in the state championship.

2023 PORT NECHES–GROVES TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 33.7 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 15.3 Leading Passer: Connor Bailey (1,639 yards passing, 19 total TDs) Leading Rusher: Isaiah Nguyen (2,051 yards, 14 TDs) Leading Receiver: London Nunley (45 rec, 764 yards, 11 TDs) Leading Tackler: Max Scroggs (90 tackles) Sack Leader: Andres Fuentes (4.5 sacks)

2023 PORT NECHES–GROVES SCHEDULE 8/25 - PORT ARTHUR (24-7 L) 9/1 - Beaumont U. (45-14 W) 9/8 - W. Orange-Stark (26-20 W) 9/22 - Fort Bend M. (7-0 W) 9/29 - Texas City (38-23 W) 10/7 - Fort Bend W. (38-20 W) 10/13 - Dayton (41-14 W) 10/20 - Santa Fe (51-14 W)

10/27 - Nederland (41-16 W) 11/3 - Galena Park (41-7 W) 11/10 - Brenham (37-7 W) 11/17 - Rouse (51-14 W) 11/24 - Lake Creek (30-27 W) 12/1 - Huntsville (24-14 W) 12/8 - Liberty Hill (42-35 W) 12/16 - SOC (20-17 W)

2023 5A DII STATE CHAMPIONS

4A DI State Championship: Anna vs Chapel Hill By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Anna Coyotes were making their first championship game ap- Final Score: Anna 26 / Chapel Hill 0 pearance, with Head Coach Seth Parr looking to complete the turnaround at Anna. Anna was 3-7 in 2000, 7-3 in 2001, and then put Box Score together back-to-back one-loss seasons. Anna vs Tyler Chapel Hill (Dec 15, 2023)

Anna got off to a dominating start. They effortlessly moved the ball down the field and cashed in on an Edward Chumley 6-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead 8:37 into the first quarter. Chapel Hill went three-and-out on their first drive, and the high-powered Anna offense had the ball back. On the second Anna drive, the Bulldog defense made a few stops, forcing Anna into a 4th and 7. Anna went for it, and Ziondre Williams scrambled for a first down to the 11yard line. The Bulldog defense again forced a 4th down, and Anna settled for a 22-yard field goal and a 10-0 lead with less than a minute to go in the first quarter. Chapel Hill got a first down and moved the ball up to midfield but failed to connect on a couple of deep balls and was forced to punt with 10:32 to go in the second quarter. Anna returned the punt all the way inside the 10-yard line on a 76-yard punt return from Jabari Finnie. Anna then faced 4th and goal from the 2, and Chumley ran it in for his second touchdown, giving Anna a 17-0 lead with 8:35 to go in the first half. On the next Bulldog drive, Anna had a 17-yard sack, forcing another Chapel Hill punt. A few plays later, Anna scored on a screen pass to Chumley, his third touchdown in the first half, to put Anna up 24-0. Both teams made stops on the next drives, and then late in the half, Chapel Hill attempted to punt, but the snap went through the end zone for a safety to put Anna up 26-0 going into halftime. The third quarter ended with neither team scoring, and both defenses looking solid. In the 4th quarter, Chapel Hill managed a 17play drive, getting down inside the 10-yard line, but they were unable to convert on a 4th down from the 2-yard line. Neither team could get the ball moving for the rest of the 4th quarter, and the second half was scoreless. Ninety years after Anna started their football program, they won the state title. It is just the second state title in any sport for Anna. Their last title was in boys’ golf in 1968.

Team Name

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

Anna

Chapel Hill

AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas Attendance: 14,384

Offensive MVP

Defensive MVP

Edward Chumley

CJ Miller

16 Rushes for 71yds, 2TD’s (4.4yds Avg.)

15 Tackles (5 Solo, 1.5 TFL),

Anna Coyotes 2023 Season Recap By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Anna came into the season off the best season in school history, going 13-1 in 2022. With seven starters back on both sides of the ball, Head Coach Seth Parr and the Coyotes had their eyes set on getting to their school’s first championship game.

2023 ANNA TEAM STATS

The Coyotes opened their season against a Decatur team that went 11-4 in 2022. They won a close game, 37–30. They then dominated Aubrey, 42–0. In week 3, they took on the 8-time state champion Celina Bobcats. Anna lost in a tight matchup, 40–42.

Points Per Game: 38.1 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 16.8 Leading Passer: Ziondre Williams (2,930 yards passing, 39 total TDs) Leading Rusher: Edward Chumley (1,069 yards, 15 TDs) Leading Receiver: Sean Steens (84 rec, 923 yards, 8 TDs) Leading Tackler: CJ Miller (204 tackles) Sack Leader: CJ Miller (8 sacks)

After their loss to Celina, Anna went on a run. They outscored their next five opponents, All Saints, Walnut Grove, Mabank, Kaufman, and Nevada Community, 231–53. They then won a close 21–20 game at Paris and finished off the regular season 9–1 by beating Sulphur Springs, 30–16, winning District 8-4A D1.

2023 ANNA SCHEDULE

Their defense dominated in the first round of the playoffs, delivering a 17–0 shutout over Wilmer-Hutchins. They then faced the defending champions, China Spring Cougars. They dominated China Spring, 45–21, then narrowly beat Panther Creek, 42–38. Anna beat another state power, the Stephenville Yellowjackets, 41– 21 in the quarterfinals to set up a rematch against Decatur in the semifinals. The Coyotes beat Decatur for the second time that year, 38–27, to advance to their first state title to face the 13-2 Chapel Hill Bulldogs.

8/25 - Decatur (37-30 W) 9/1 - Aubrey (42-0 W) 9/15 - Celina (42-40 L) 9/22 - All Saints (38-20 W) 9/29 - Walnut Grove (52-7 W) 10/6 - Mabank (35-0 W) 10/13 - Kaufman (48-20 W) 10/20 - Community (58-6 W)

10/27 - Paris (21-20 W) 11/3 - Sulphur Springs (30-16 W) 11/9 - Wilmer-Hutchins (17-0 W) 11/17 - China Springs (45-21 W) 11/24 - Panther Creek (42-38 W) 12/1 - Stephenville (41-21 W) 12/8 - Decatur (38-27 W) 12/16 - Chapel Hill (26-0 W)

2023 4A DI STATE CHAMPIONS

4A DII State Championship: Gilmer vs Bellville By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Buckeyes came into the championship against the Bellville Final Score: Gilmer 28 / Bellville 26 Brahmas looking for their school’s fourth state championship. Gilmer got the ball moving on the opening drive, but the drive stalled, and they turned it over on downs. Bellville got on the board quickly on their first drive as Sam Hranicky broke free for a 66-yard touchdown. The Buckeyes got on the board with 5:15 to go in the first quarter when Cadon Tennison connected with Brandon Webb for a touchdown to tie the game. The Buckeyes’ momentum continued as they forced a Bellville fumble on the next drive, recovered it, and scored a few plays later on a Tennison QB-keeper. The Gilmer lead did not last long. On the first play of the second quarter, Bellville QB Zach Leuschner hit DD Murray for a 72-yard touchdown. The extra point was no good, and Bellville still trailed, 14-13, with 11:47 to go in the first half. Bellville got the ball back after a failed Gilmer fourth-down attempt and drove down the field quickly. However, the Gilmer defense stepped up and intercepted Bellville in the end zone. Then, Will Henderson ran through the middle and past the defense for a 65yard touchdown and a 21-13 lead with 2 minutes left in the half. But just a few plays later, Hranicky ran up the middle for a 58-yard Bellville touchdown to cut the lead to 21-20. The late first-half fireworks continued as Tennison connected with Ta’Erik Tate for a 69-yard touchdown, giving Gilmer a 28-20 lead at halftime. The second half was a defensive battle with both teams struggling to move the ball. Late in the third, Bellville converted on a fourth down, then scored later on the drive on a 4-yard Corrian Hood run to cut the lead to two. The two-point conversion was no good. Gilmer held on to a 28-26 lead. With 6:57 to go in the game, Bellville punted and tried to pin Gilmer back and get the ball back one more time. However, Gilmer put the ball in the hands of Will Henderson, who converted on a big third down, then on a fourth and six to secure the win and the fourth state championship in Gilmer history.

Box Score

Gilmer vs Bellville (Dec 15, 2023) Team Name

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

Gilmer

Bellville

AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas Attendance: 15,036

Offensive MVP

Defensive MVP

Will Henderson

Brandon Webb

27 Rushes for 227yds, 1TD (8.4yds Avg.)

2 Tackles (2 Solo), 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT

Gilmer Buckeyes 2023 Season Recap By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Gilmer Buckeyes were coming off an 11-1 2022 season and had their eyes set on getting to their school’s ninth title game appearance. The Buckeyes had gone 39-5 over the last three seasons but hadn’t won a title since 2014. The Buckeyes’ season got off to a rough start. They opened the season against four 4A D1 teams. They dropped their opening game at home, 53-71, to Chapel Hill. They lost their second game of the year on the road at Kilgore, 23-24. They were able to pick up wins in weeks 3 and 4 in close games, 43-40 over Paris, and 59-56 over Lindale. Gilmer had an offensive explosion in week 6 in an 82-62 win over Walnut Grove, but they hit a low point in week 7 when they lost 2863 to Pleasant Grove. This was a pivotal point in the season, falling to 3-3, and the Buckeyes responded. The Buckeyes won four consecutive games to finish the regular season at 7-3. In those 4 weeks, they outscored their opponents 228-43. In the first round of the playoffs, they beat Center easily, 69-42, then won close games against Sunnyvale and Aubrey to set up a Regional Final against the undefeated defending champion Carthage Bulldogs. In a thriller that was perhaps the best game of the season in Texas high school football, Gilmer knocked off Carthage in overtime, 4744. They went on to beat Glen Rose, 79-42, to move on to face Bellville for the 4A DII state championship.

2023 GILMER TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 50.9 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 35.8 Leading Passer: Cadon Tennison (2,694 yards passing, 27 total TDs) Leading Rusher: Will Henderson (2,736 yards, 35 TDs) Leading Receiver: Ta’Erik Tate (62 rec, 1,190 yards, 14 TDs) Leading Tackler: Kamryn Brown (126 tackles) Sack Leader: Kamryn Brown (10 sacks)

2023 GILMER SCHEDULE 8/25 - Chapel Hill (71-53 L) 9/1 - Kilgore (24-23 L) 9/8 - Paris (43-40 W) 9/15 - Lindale (42-40 L) 9/22 - Walnut Grove (82-62 W) 10/6 - Pleasant Grove (63-28 L) 10/13 - Liberty-Eylau (56-12 W) 10/20 - North Lamar (49-12 W)

10/27 - Spring Hill (59-13 W) 11/3 - Pittsburg (64-6 W) 11/10 - Center (69-42 W) 11/16 - Sunnyvale (41-38 W) 11/24 - Aubrey (34-21 W) 12/1 - Carthage (47-44 W) 12/8 - Glem Rose (79-42 W) 12/15 - Bellville (28-26 W)

2023 4A DII STATE CHAMPIONS

3A DI State Championship: Malakoff vs Franklin By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Malakoff Tigers have had a football team for 102 years and had Final Score: Malakoff 14 / Franklin Lions 7 yet to win a state title. Their opponent were the Franklin Lions, a school that had won back-to-back state titles and were playing in Box Score their fourth straight title game. Malakoff vs Franklin (Dec 15, 2023)

After stopping Franklin on the Lions’ first drive, the Tigers drove down the field on a drive led by QB Mike Jones. Jones capped off the drive with a touchdown pass to Chauncey Hogg to put the Tigers up 7-0. Franklin drove right down the field on their next drive, but as the Lions were running the ball into the endzone for the tying score, they fumbled the ball into the endzone, and Malakoff recovered the fumble with 0:06 to go in the first quarter. The rest of the first half was a defensive battle. The Tigers got inside the Lions’ 40-yard line twice in the second quarter but turned the ball over both times, once on downs and once by a fumble. The Franklin offense was not able to move the ball at all against Malakoff in the second quarter, and the Tigers took a 7-0 lead into halftime. The second half started similarly to the first, looking like it would be a defensive battle. However, Malakoff QB Mike Jones connected again with Hogg for a TD, putting the Tigers up 14-0. Franklin responded on the next drive. They put the ball in the hands of Jaden Jackson, and he led the Lions on a scoring drive, putting Franklin on the board with a rushing touchdown. After cutting the lead to 7, the Franklin defense stepped up and forced a three-and-out from the Tigers, and they got the ball back to their offense with momentum going into the 4th quarter. Both defenses made a stop in the 4th. Franklin moved the ball down inside the Malakoff 15 but failed to convert on a 4th down and turned the ball back to Malakoff with 1:53 to go, still down 14-7. Franklin still had two timeouts and looked to get the ball back with one more chance to tie the game or take the lead. But, Malakoff put the ball in the hands of Mike Jones, and he ran for a couple of first downs to end the game. 50 | Texashsfootball.com

Team Name

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

Malakoff

Franklin

AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas

Offensive MVP

Defensive MVP

Mike Jones

Parker Poteete

10-14 for 140yds, 21 Rushes for 103yds, 2TD’s & 0 Ints

13 Tackles (6 Solo, .5 TFL)

Malakoff Tigers 2023 Season Recap By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Malakoff was coming off one of their best seasons in school history, going 13-2 in 2022. Head Coach Jamie Driskell had his Tigers team looking to improve on 2022 and get back to the state title game for the second time in school history.

2023 MALAKOFF TEAM STATS

The Tigers opened their season against a West Rusk team that went 10-3 last year and was one of the favorites to win the 3A Division II title. Malakoff beat them easily, 56-14, to set the tone for their season: dominating defense and a high-scoring offense.

Points Per Game: 49.9 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 9.9 Leading Passer: Mike Jones (2,621 yards passing, 31 total TDs) Leading Rusher: Jerrion Hall (1,490 yards, 31 TDs) Leading Receiver: Chauncey Hogg (76 rec, 1,048 yards, 12 TDs) Leading Tackler: James Studley (49 tackles) Sack Leader: Michael Elliot (4 sacks)

They beat Grandview in week 2, 51-21, a team that would go on to lose only to Malakoff in 2023. The Tigers then dominated the rest of their regular-season opponents to finish 10-0 and win District 8-3A Division I. In their 10-0 regular season, Malakoff shut out 4 teams, including a 76-0 win over Kemp and a 51-0 win over Fairfield.

2023 MALAKOFF SCHEDULE

Malakoff won their opening playoff game, 49-0, over Maypearl and then beat Mount Vernon, 66-21. In the regionals, the Tigers rematched with Grandview. The first game had been the closest for the Tigers in the regular season, though still a 30-point game. Malakoff beat Grandview again, 42-7. They then easily beat Winnsboro, 58-20, to advance to the semifinals. The Tigers had a battle in the semifinals against Brock but were able to pull out a 38-31 win to advance to face the two-time defending champion Franklin Lions for the state title.

8/25 - West Rusk (56-14 W) 9/1 - Grandview (51-21 W) 9/8 - Salado (42-0 W) 9/15 - Gladewater (51-7 W) 9/22 - Kemp (76-0 W) 9/29 - Fairfield (51-0 W) 10/6 - Teague (35-0 W) 10/13 - Eustace (76-7 W)

10/27 - Mexia (41-10 W) 11/3 - Groesbeck (52-14 W) 11/9 - Maypearl (49-0 W) 11/17 - Mount Vernon (66-21 W) 11/24 - Grandview (42-7 W) 12/1 - Winnsboro (58-20 W) 12/7 - Brock (38-31 W) 12/14 - Franklin (14-7 W)

2023 3A DI STATE CHAMPIONS

3A DII State Championship: Gunter vs Tidehaven By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Gunter came in at 15-0 and looking to repeat as state champions. line. On the next play, Overman scored and pushed Tidehaven also entered the championship undefeated and was the Gunter lead to 16. The extra point was no good, keeping it a looking for their first title since 1967. two-score game. It looked like we might be heading to a scoreless first quarter until Tidehaven’s star running back, Joseph Dodds, broke free for a long run to the 3-yard line. Three plays later, Kale Russell hit Dodds for a touchdown to give Tidehaven a 7-0 lead with 4:03 to go in the first quarter. On the next drive, the Gunter offense started to move the ball, led by QB Walker Overman, but the drive stalled, and they had to settle for a field goal to cut the Tidehaven lead to 7-3 with 0:33 to go in the first quarter. The Tiger defense got the ball back for Gunter. A big 4th down conversion kept the Gunter drive alive, and then Walker Overman ran for 38 yards down inside the 5-yard line. Brock Boddie punched the ball in on the next play, giving Gunter a 10-7 second-quarter lead. The Gunter defense held Tidewater offense off and a few plays later, Boddie scored again to extend the Tigers’ lead to 17-7 with 4:18 to go in the first half. Gunter seemed to have taken the momentum, but less than a minute later, Joseph Dodds broke free for a 61-yard touchdown run to cut the Gunter lead to 3 going into halftime. The second half started as a defensive battle and a punting contest. Both teams punted on their first two possessions of the second half. Then, with 2:55 to go in the third, Gunter broke the game open with a 68-yard catch and run for a touchdown from Overman to Lemberg. Tidehaven continued to struggle to gain anything on offense in the 4th quarter. The Gunter defense keyed in on Dodds, forcing Tidehaven to attempt to pass, but the passing game was struggling. Gunter was able to drive into Tidehaven territory but missed a field goal. Tidehaven was not able to capitalize on the missed Gunter field goal, and Gunter quickly had the ball back. Walker Overman led a mid-fourth quarter drive down the field and appeared to score a touchdown, but the touchdown call was reversed because Overman’s knee was down a foot shy of the goal

Tidehaven was able to complete a couple of passes on their last drive, but time ran out, and Gunter secured their second straight state championship. Final Score: Gunter Tigers 30 / Tidehaven Tigers 14 Box Score

Gunter vs El Maton Tidehaven (Dec 15, 2023) Team Name

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

Gunter

Tidehaven

AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas Attendance: 9,282

Offensive MVP

Defensive MVP

Walker Overman

Major Thornhill

10-15 for 149yds, 24 Rushes for 172yds, 2TD’s & 0 Ints

8 Tackles (6 Solo, .3 TFL), 1 Sack

Gunter Tigers 2023 Season Recap By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Gunter came into the season as the defending 3A Division 2 state champions after a 15-0 run in 2022. The Tigers had gone 69-5 over the last five seasons, and Head Coach Jake Fieszel had the Tigers looking to win their school’s 4th state title. The Tigers’ season got off to a dominating start with a 53-6 win over Cornerstone. In week 2, they traveled to Walnut Grove and won 6424. Then, they beat Trinity Christian 38-0 before facing perennial state power Brock. They beat Brock 35-12, in what would end up being their closest game of the regular season. In the last six regular-season games, Gunter outscored their opponents 387-13, including four shutout wins over Howe, Lone Oak, Leonard, and Blue Ridge to end the regular season undefeated and winning District 8-3A DII. The Tigers continued their shutout streak in the first round of the playoffs with a 75-0 win over Trinity Leadership Cedar Hill. They gave up their first points in six weeks in the next round but won easily, 83-6 over Wichita Falls City View. A 45-0 win over Comanche set up a quarterfinal game against the undefeated Jacksboro Tigers. Gunter won 45-33, then beat another unbeaten team, Canadian, 38-17 to advance to the state championship to take on Tidehaven.

2023 GUNTER TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 56.4 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 7.9 Leading Passer: Walker Overman (1,830 yards passing, 35 total TDs) Leading Rusher: Walker Overman (988 yards, 21 TDs) Leading Receiver: Cannon Lemberg (37 rec, 638 yards, 10 TDs)

2023 GUNTER SCHEDULE 8/25 - Cornerstone C. (53-7 W) 8/31 - Walnut Grove (64-24 W) 9/8 - Trinity C. (38-0 W) 9/15 - Brock (35-12 W) 9/22 - Gladewater (49-7 W) 10/6 - Bells (64-6 W) 10/13 - Howe (82-0 W) 10/20 - Lone Oak (75-0 W)

10/26 - Leonard (63-0 W) 11/2 - Blue Ridge (54-0 W) 11/9 - Trinity L. (75-0 W) 11/16 - City View (83-6 W) 11/24 - Comanche (45-0 W) 12/1 - Jacksboro (55-33 W) 12/8 - Canadian (38-17 W) 12/15 - Tidehaven (30-14 W)

2023 3A DII STATE CHAMPIONS

2A DI State Championship: Timpson vs Tolar By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Timpson Bears and Tolar Rattlers both came into the 2A Division 1 State Championship looking to win the first state title in the history of their school. The main attraction in this game was Texas A&M commit Terry Bussey. Bussey got to work quickly. On Timpson’s opening drive, Bussey hit Colton Carroll for a 43-yard touchdown and a 7-0 Timpson lead. On the next drive, Tolar’s drive looked to stall out, but a conversion on a fake punt gave their drive new life inside Timpson territory. However, the Timpson defense held strong and forced Tolar to punt the ball back to Timpson. On the next drive, Timpson got stopped on 4th down, and Tolar got the ball back to end the first quarter. Tolar reentered Timpson territory, but once again could not sustain their drive and punted. The punt was great and pinned Timpson back to the 3-yard line. Backed up at their own 3-yard line, Bussey threw a slant to Dacorian Johnson, who took it 97 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest touchdown pass and reception in UIL State Championship history. Timpson took a 14-0 lead. On the next drive, Tolar drove to midfield before getting stopped. Again, they punted and backed Timpson up inside their 10-yard line. Backed up at their 7-yard line, the explosive Bears offense struck again with Bussey breaking free down the sideline, then cutting back across the field to score on a 93-yard touchdown run to give Timpson a 21-0 lead going into halftime. The Tolar Rattlers surprised Timpson with an onside kick to start the second half and recovered it. They then put the ball in the hands of their QB, Isaac Blessing, and he powered the ball down the field, and scored to cut the lead to 21-7 with 8:10 to go in the third. The Rattlers seemed to have taken back momentum, but it was short-lived. On the kickoff, Amari Bruton took the kickoff back for a touchdown, and pushed the lead back to 21. Tolar started to move the ball on their next drive, but Timpson forced an interception and ran it back 49 yards inside the 10-yard line. One play later, Bussey scored on a touchdown run to push the lead to 35-7. To cap the state championship off, Bussey hit Johnson 58 | Texashsfootball.com

again for a 44-yard touchdown, then connected with Amari Bruton on the next drive for Bussey’s 4th touchdown pass, securing the Timpson win and the school’s first-ever state title. Final Score: Timpson 49 / Tolar 7

Box Score

Tolar vs Timpson (Dec 13, 2023) Team Name

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

Tolar

Timpson

AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas Attendance: 7,402

Offensive MVP

Defensive MVP

Terry Bussey

Tyler Lane

12-15 for 311yds, 10 Rushes for 155yds, 6TD’s & 0 Ints

17 Tackles (12 Solo, .2 TFL), 1 Sack

Timpson Bears 2023 Season Recap By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Timpson came into the season with high hopes, led by their star quarterback, Terry Bussey. Head Coach Kerry Therwhanger and the Bears had gone 40-3 over their last three seasons but were still looking to win their school’s first title. The Bears opened up the season against the Beckville Bearcats. The Bearcats had gone 10-2 in 2022, but Timpson beat them easily, 50-13. They then beat Jefferson, 48-29, and beat a good Daingerfield team in a close game, 33-26. From there, Timpson dominated. Timpson outscored their next six opponents 374-26. In the last game of the regular season, they took on the Garrison Bulldogs for #1 in District 11-2A Division 1. The Bears won a hard-fought game, 35-26, to finish the regular season undefeated. The Bears easily beat Corrigan-Camden, 68-7, in the first round of the playoffs, then easily beat Wolfe City, 58-20, and Honey Grove, 68-7. In the regional final, timpson faced Garrison again. The Bears once again beat Garrison, the only team to defeat Garrison in 2023, 35-23. Timpson faced the Ganado Indians in the state semifinal and beat them 35-21 to advance to their school’s first state title game.

2023 TIMPSON TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 47.4 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 10.7 Leading Passer: Terry Bussey (1,785 yards passing, 24 total TDs) Leading Rusher: JJ Garner (1,313 yards, 22 TDs) Leading Receiver: Amare Bruton (58 rec, 1,079 yards, 12 TDs)

2023 TIMPSON SCHEDULE 8/24 - Beckville (50-13 W) 9/1 - Jefferson (48-29 W) 9/8 - Daingerfield (33-26 W) 9/15 - Waskom (63-12 W) 9/22 - Grapeland (53-0 W) 9/29 - San Augustine (72-6 W) 10/13 - West Sabine (56-8 W) 10/20 - Joaquin (69-0 W)

10/27 - Shelbyville (61-0 W) 11/3 - Garrison (35-26 W) 11/10 - Corrigan-Cam. (68-7 W) 11/17 - Wolfe City (58-20 W) 11/24 - Honey Grove (68-7 W) 12/1 - Garrison (35-23 W) 12/7 - Ganado (35-21 W) 12/13 - Tolar (49-7 W)

2023 2A DI STATE CHAMPIONS

2A DII State Championship: Albany vs Mart By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The 2A Division II state title game was a showdown between two Final Score: Albany 28 / Mart 10 15-0 teams and a repeat of the 2022 championship game. It was the 15th state title appearance for Mart, and they were looking for Box Score their school’s 8th title. The Panthers came in scoring 48.5 points per Albany vs Mart (Dec 14, 2023) game and giving up only 9.2 per game. The game started out as a defensive battle between two teams that had combined to shut out 14 opponents during the season. Mart looked to strike quickly early with a deep pass, but Albany intercepted it. Albany could not get anything going on offense and had to punt the ball back. Mart got the scoring started on a 38-yard field goal by Armando Chavez. Less than a minute later, Mart intercepted Chip Chambers and looked to take a 2-score lead, but the Albany defense stopped them. Then, early in the second quarter, Adam Hill broke free for a 52-yard touchdown to give Albany a 7-3 lead. The Lions’ defense made a big play late in the second quarter, recovering a fumble at the Mart 41-yard line with 2:40 to go in the first half. Albany scored on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Chambers to Branson Beal. Albany got the ball back again and scored on a Chambers to Hill pass to go up 21-3 at halftime. The second half was a defensive battle. The Lions’ defense was disciplined, aggressive, and hard-hitting. They knocked the Mart QB down on almost every drop back and, showing incredible sportsmanship, they helped him back up. With 8:27 to go in the game, Mart cut the lead to 21-10 on a JD Bell run. On the next drive, Albany looked like they were about to give the ball back on a bobbled snap, but Hill controlled it and plowed through Mart for a first down. Both teams would make defensive stops, but it was Adam Hill running through the Lions’ defense on physical runs, running clock, and scoring again late in the game to secure the win, complete a 16-0 season, and repeat as state champions.

62 | Texashsfootball.com

Team Name

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

Albany

Mart

AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas Attendance: 8,257

Offensive MVP

Defensive MVP

Adam Hill

Zane Waggoner

24 Rushes for 132yds, 2TD’s (5.5yds Avg.)

9 Tackles (5 Solo, .2 TFL), 1.5 Sacks

Albany Lions 2023 Season Recap By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Albany Lions came into the season as the defending 2A Division 2 State Champions after a 14-2 2022 season. Led by Adam Hill and Chip Chambers on offense, and a stout defense led by Jaxson Hoel and Zane Waggoner, Head Coach Denney Faith had the Lions looking to repeat. Faith came into the season with 344 wins, the fifth most wins in UIL Texas high school history, behind only Gordon Wood, G.A. Moore, Randy Allen, and Phil Danaher. The Lions had a challenge in week one, barely getting by Lubbock Trinity Christian, 22-21. They got back on track with dominant week 2 and 3 wins at home over Dublin, 55-7, and Seymour, 41-14. Week 4 was a showdown with the undefeated 4A Division 1 defending champion Hawley Bearcats. The Lions soundly beat the much bigger school, 27-14. They followed this win up with a 31-13 win over the Comanche Indians, who had gone 10-2 in 2022. Then, the Lions went on an incredibly dominant seven-week stretch. From week 6 through the area round of the playoffs, Albany outscored their opponents 387-7. In round 3 of the playoffs, they faced a tough Muenster team that had just beaten the Wink Wildcats, 4214. The Lions prevailed in a 19-14 defensive battle. Albany beat the then 12-1 Collinsville Pirates, 52-14, in the quarterfinals, and then knocked off the then 12-2 Sunray Bobcats, 34-14 to improve to 15-0 and advance to the state title game for the second year in a row and the ninth time in school history. A state championship win would be the fourth in school history and would be the 360th career win for Denney Faith.

2023 ALBANY TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 43.9 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 8 Leading Passer: Chip Chambers (2,529 yards passing, 37 total TDs) Leading Rusher: Adam Hill (2,641 yards, 44 TDs) Leading Receiver: Cason Fairchild (70 rec, 1,191 yards, 14 TDs) Leading Tackler: Jaxson Hoel (158 tackles) Sack Leader: Adam Hill (15.5 sacks)

2023 ALBANY SCHEDULE 8/25 - Trinity C. (22-21 W) 9/1 - Dublin (55-7 W) 9/8 - Seymour (41-14 W) 9/15 - Hawley (27-14 W) 9/22 - Comanche (31-13 W) 10/6 - Miles (41-0 W) 10/13 - Cross Plains (49-0 W) 10/20 - Roscoe (44-7 W)

10/27 - Hamlin (71-0 W) 11/3 - TLCAA (66-0 W) 11/9 - Eldorado (60-0 W) 11/17 - Celeste (56-0 W) 11/24 - Muenster (19-14 W) 11/30 - Collinsville (52-14 W) 12/7 - Sunray (34-14 W) 12/14 - Mart (28-10 W)

2023 2A DII STATE CHAMPIONS

1A DI State Championship: Gordon vs Westbrook By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The game started out looking like it would be a high-scoring shootout. Riley Reed from Gordon scored less than a minute into the game, and a successful two-point kick gave the Longhorns an 8-0 lead. Westbrook responded on their opening drive when Keegan Gilbreath scored on a 4th-down run, and the game was tied at 8-8 with just over 7:14 to go in the first quarter. The back-and-forth continued as Gordon scored on a touchdown pass on their first play of the next drive, after the Westbrook kickoff went out-of-bounds and put Gordon in great field position. Gordon went up 16-8. On the Wildcats’ next drive, Grayson Jeffrey scored on a 36-yard touchdown run. The two-point kick was blocked, keeping the Longhorns ahead, 16-14.

On the opening drive of the second half, Westbrook controlled the ball and drove down the field, but, once again, on fourth and goal, the Longhorns stopped Westbrook. Gordon started to drive down the field, looking for one more score to end the game. But Parker Matlock made an impressive defensive play as he broke through the Longhorn’s offensive line and strip-sacked the Longhorns QB to give Westbrook back the ball. However, the Longhorns’ defense immediately responded by forcing a Westbrook fumble and got the ball back to their offense with 4:27 to go in the third quarter. A few plays later, Stryker Reed scored on a touchdown run, giving Gordon a 70-20 lead, which ended the game because of the mercy rule.

This is when the game would change. The Longhorns continued Final Score: Gordon Longhorns 70 / Westbrook Wildcats 20 their quick-strike offense, led by Riley and Stryker Reed. Stryker Reed scored on a 38-yard touchdown run to put Gordon up 24-14 with 4:03 to go in the first quarter. They scored again a few minutes Box Score later when Riley Reed found the end zone again. Gordon scored Westbrook vs Gordon (Dec 13, 2023) again to start the second quarter on a Walters touchdown run and Team Name 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total took a 40-14 lead with 9:52 to go in the first half. Less than two minutes after taking a 26-point lead, the Longhorns stopped Westbrook 1-yard short on 4th down and got the ball back to their offense. On the next play, Riley Reed broke free for a 74yard touchdown run to put Gordon up 48-14 with 7:16 still left in the first half. Then, a few plays later, Riley Reed intercepted Westbrook and ran it back for a pick-six. With 5:19 to go in the second quarter, Gordon was up 56-14. Westbrook was able to get back on the scoreboard on their next drive with a long touchdown run by Larson with 3:04 to go in the half. Seven seconds later, Gordon scored on a 43-yard touchdown pass, putting them up 64-20, just one point away from the mercy rule. To end the first half, Westbrook went on a long drive, getting into scoring position, but the clock ran out. Despite Gordon being ahead 64-20.

66 | Texashsfootball.com

Westbrook

Gordon

AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas Attendance: 4,688

-- Game Ended in 3rd Quarter due to Mercy Rule. --

Offensive MVP

Defensive MVP

Riley Reed

Kaden Crowe

5 Rushes for 100yds, 3TD’s (20yds Avg.)

8.5 Tackles (6 Solo, .1 TFL),

Gordon Longhorns 2023 Season Recap By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Gordon came into the season off to a great 12-1 2022. Head Coach Mike Reed had the Longhorns looking to win their first title since 1999. The Longhorns got the season off to a dominant start, shutting out their first two opponents, Throckmorton, 48-0, and Strawn, 46-0. They then went on the road and gave up a score to Waco Live Oak, but won, 58-8. Gordon continued their dominant regular season, outscoring their next five opponents 292 to 16. In the opening round of the playoffs, they ended the season of Saint Jo, 64-14. They then beat Milford, 83-34, to advance to face the undefeated Abbott Panthers. The Longhorns easily beat Abbott, 64-16, to advance to face the Jonesboro Eagles. They beat the Eagles, 54-8, to earn their school’s third state championship game appearance. Waiting for them in the finals was the two-time defending champion Westbrook Wildcats.

2023 GORDON TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 59.53 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 9.1 Leading Passer: Noah Kostiha (814 yards passing, 16 TDs) Leading Rusher: Riley Reed (1,164 yards, 27 TDs) Leading Receiver: Brayden Walters (28 rec, 731 yards, 15 TDs) Leading Tackler: Kaden Crowe (134 tackles) Sack Leader: Juan Cabrera (7 sacks)

2023 GORDON SCHEDULE 8/25 - Throckmorton (48-0 W) 9/2 - Garden City (58-12 W) 9/9 - Strawn (46-0 W) 9/15 - Live Oak C. (58-8 W) 9/29 - Santa Anna (56-8 W) 10/6 - Gorman (61-0 W) 10/13 - Bryson (54-8 W) 10/19 - Lingleville (61-0 W)

10/27 - Baird (56-8 W) 11/3 - Perrin-Whitt (60-0 W) 11/9 - Saint Jo (64-14 W) 11/17 - Milford (83-34 W) 11/24 - Abbott (64-16 W) 12/2 - Jonesboro (54-8 W) 12/13 - Westbrook (70-20 W)

2023 1A DI STATE CHAMPIONS

1A DII State Championship: Benjamin vs Ogleby By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Oglesby grasped their first state title game led by running back Ky- an onside kick, and Rigdon scored yet another TD to ler Fossett, who had 2,612 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns com- put Benjamin up 60-28 with 36 seconds to go in the half. ing into the game, and a defense giving up only 14.3 points per game. The Tigers quickly drove down the field and Fossett scored on his 4th touchdown run with 2 seconds to go. Benjamin fair-caught the Fossett and Grayson Rigdon traded touchdown runs on the first 4 kickoff, and then, on the last play of the half, Rigdon caught a Hail drives of the game; Fossett with 48 and 33-yard touchdown runs, Mary for his 8th touchdown of the first half. Benjamin led 68-34 at and Rigdon from 7 and 22-yard touchdown runs. the half. On Oglesby’s third drive of the game, Benjamin made the first defensive stand of the game, forcing the Tigers to turn the ball over on downs. The following Benjamin drive was just like the first two, with Rigdon leading the Mustangs quickly down the field and scoring on a 15-yard touchdown run to put Benjamin up 22-14, with 3:46 to go in the first quarter.

After two Rigdon third-quarter touchdown passes, one for 32 yards to Tallon Hayes and one for 24 yards to Keegan Hayes, the mercy rule was triggered. The Benjamin Mustangs were back-to-back state champions! Final Score: Benjamin 82 / Oglesby 34

Oglesby quickly responded, with Fossett getting his third rushing touchdown to cut the lead to 22-20. But less than 30 seconds later, Rigdon hit Keegan Hayes for a 36-yard touchdown to put Benjamin up 28-20 after the first quarter.

Box Score

Team Name

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

An early second-quarter Benjamin fumble put Oglesby in great field position, and they scored to tie the game at 28 with 8:42 left in the first half. But from here on, it would be all Benjamin.

Benjamin

Ogelsby

On the next drive, Rigdon scored on a 4-yard run to put Benjamin back up. This touchdown was the 14th for Rigdon in a Six-Man state title game, a new record. He then intercepted Oglesby on the next drive, then found the endzone a few plays later on offense for his 5th rushing touchdown to put the Mustangs up 44-28. Oglesby was able to move the ball on their next drive, but just as they were running in for a touchdown, they fumbled, and Weston Weatherford recovered it and brought it back for a touchdown and a 52-28 lead with 47 seconds to go in the half. Benjamin then recovered 70 | Texashsfootball.com

Benjamin vs Ogelsby (Dec 13, 2023)

AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas Attendance: 4,267

-- Game Ended in 3rd Quarter due to Mercy Rule. --

Offensive MVP

Defensive MVP

Grayson Rigdon

Keegan Hayes

7-7 for 116yds, 15 Rushes for 263yds, 10TD’s & 0 Ints

11 Tackles (8 Solo, .1 FF),

Benjamin Mustangs 2023 Season Recap By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Benjamin came into the season looking to repeat as state champions. The offense was led by Grayson Rigdon, who won state titles and MVPs in 2021 and 2022. The defense was led by brothers Tallon and Keegan Hayes. The Mustangs started the season with dominant wins over Follett, 80-33, and McLean, 74-12. They faced a very good Abilene Christian team in week 3 that was expected to challenge Benjamin, but the Mustangs won easily, 72-27. Benjamin rolled through the rest of their regular season, beating their last 7 regular-season opponents by an average of over 52 points. They capped off their undefeated regular season on the road with a 56-8 win over the Crowell Wildcats. The Mustangs beat Motley County, 52-6, in the first round of the playoffs. They then faced the then 9-1 Newcastle Bobcats. The Bobcats were able to put up 84 points against Benjamin, but the Mustangs’ offense was better and put up 112 to advance to face the then undefeated Jayton Jaybirds. Benjamin beat Jayton, 85-40, and Klondike, 52-4, to earn a trip back to the 1A Division 2 championship, where they would face the 12-0 Oglesby Tigers.

2023 BENJAMIN TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 69.3 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 19.2 Leading Passer: Grayson Rigdon (1,244 yards passing, 19 total TDs) Leading Rusher: Grayson Rigdon (2,402 yards, 49 TDs) Leading Receiver: Grayson Rigdon (23 rec, 637 yards, 18 TDs) Leading Tackler: Tallon Hayes (135 tackles)

2023 BENJAMIN SCHEDULE 8/25 - Follett (81-33 W) 9/1 - McLean (74-12 W) 9/8 - ACHS (72-27 W) 9/15 - Guthrie (62-0 W) 9/22 - Roby (77-12 W) 9/29 - Loraine (61-16 W) 10/6 - Paducah (51-6 W) 10/20 - Harrold (69-6 W)

10/27 - Chillicothe (52-0 W) 11/3 - Crowell (56-8 W) 11/10 - Motley County (52-6 W) 11/17 - Newcastle (112-84 W) 11/24 - Jayton (85-40 W) 12/2 - Klondike (52-4 W) 12/13 - Oglesby (82-34 W)

2023 1A DI STATE CHAMPIONS

2023 TAPPS FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THIS YEARS WINNERS!

PARISH EPISCOPAL

D1 11-MAN

LIBERTY CHRISTIAN

D2 11-MAN

DALLAS CHRISTIAN

D3 11-MAN

FIRST BAPTIST

D4 11-MAN

EMERY/WEINER D1 6-MAN

COVENANT CHRISTIAN

D2 6-MAN

PRESTONWOOD CHRISTIAN

D3 6-MAN

Parish Episcopal

By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Parish Episcopal came into the season having won four consecutive state championships. The Panthers started their season off with one of the toughest schedules in all of high school football. In week one, the Panthers lost to the UIL 5A Division 1 Champion Aledo Bearcats, 50-35. They fell to 0-2 in week two, losing to the Southwest Prep Champs, Episcopal Knights. They got their first win in week 3 against LBJ Austin but dropped to 1-3 after a 49-14 loss to the 2-time defending UIL 5A DII champion South Oak Cliff. In week 5, the Panthers faced the 2-time defending UIL 4A DI champion China Spring Cougars. The Panthers turned their season around with a big 38-21 win over the Cougars. They went on to win their next 7 games by an average of 56-19 and advanced to the TAPPPS 11-Man D1 championship game. In the title game, they faced the undefeated #1 ranked St. Thomas Catholic Eagles who were looking for the first title in 27 years. The Eagles were led by running back Johann Cardenas, a Vanderbilt commit. Cardenas rushed for 459 yards and 7 TDs in the semifinals. The Eagles got off to the lead, up 7-6 after the first quarter. The Panthers took the lead in the second quarter and help a 26-22 lead going into the 4th. An interception from Kyle Hamburger led to Maddux Reid touchdown to put the Panthers up 11 in the 4th quarter. Reid ended the game with 188 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns. A fumbled recovery by the Panthers then led to a Sawyer Anderson to Beckham Smith pass to secure the 5th straight title for Parish. Final Score: Parish Episcopal 40 / St. Thomas Catholic 29 Box Score

St. Thomas Catholic vs Parish Episcopal (Dec 14, 2023) Team Name

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

St. Thomas

Parish Episcopal

Waco ISD Stadium - Waco, Texas

2023 PARISH EPISCOPAL TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 43.8 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 26.5 Leading Passer: S. Anderson (3,459 yards passing, 40 total TDs) Leading Rusher: M. Reid (1,943 yards, 29 TDs) Leading Receiver: C. Darby (62 rec, 937 yards, 6 TDs) Leading Tackler: J. Richardson (105 tackles) Sack Leader: C. Mitchell Irving (5 sacks)

2023 PARISH EPISCOPAL SCHEDULE 8/25 - Aledo (50-35 L) 9/1 - Episcopal (27-20 L) 9/8 - LBJ Austin (26-12 W) 9/15 - South Oak Cliff (49-14 L) 9/22 - China Spring (38-22 W) 10/6 - Bishop Lynch (58-14 W)

10/13 - Cornerstone C. (56-13 W) 10/26 - Trinity C. (56-28 W) 11/3 - Prestonwood C. (49-40 W) 11/17 - Concordia L. (48-6 W) 11/24 - Antonian Prep (73-41 W) 12/1 - St. Thomas C. (40-29 W)

2023 D1 11-MAN STATE CHAMPIONS

Liberty Christian School-Argyle By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Liberty Christian Warriors came into the season with a bit of national attention, with their Head Coach being former Dallas Cowboys star tight end, Jason Witten. But, the Warriors had some star players of their own on this year’s team, led by senior UConn quarterback commit Cole Welliver, and including two of Witten’s sons, junior CJ and freshman Cooper. The Warriors opened their season against Prestonwood Christian. Prestonwood, winning 48-19. It would end up being their secondclosest game of the season. Liberty Christian would go on to outscore their opponents 716-96 on the season, including 5 shutouts. Their great defense only allowed teams to score more than 10 points 4 times in the season. The closest game of the season came in the semifinals against All Saints. All Saints was 9-2 and coming off of a 43-14 win over Legacy Christian. Led by Welliver’s 6 touchdown passes, the Warriors won, 45-17, to advance to face the Regents Knights for the state title. The Championship game was dominated by Liberty Christian. Junior running back Chase Garnett ran for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns. Welliver threw for 3 touchdowns, with 2 of those going to junior wide receiver Brady Janusek. The defense was led by senior Mac Saul with 10 tackles and sophomore Cade Violi with 8 tackles. Junior Andrew Michaels added 3 tackles to go along with a sack. Final: Liberty Christian Warriors 52 / Regents Knights 10 Box Score

Regents vs Liberty Christian (Dec 1, 2023) Team Name

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

Regents

Liberty Christian

Waco ISD Stadium - Waco, Texas

76 | Texashsfootball.com

2023 LIBERTY CHRISTIAN TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 51.1 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 6.9 Leading Passer: C. Welliver (3,082 yards passing, 50 total TDs) Leading Rusher: C. Garnett (1,743 yards, 29 TDs) Leading Receiver: B. Janusek (54 rec, 984 yards, 13 TDs) Leading Tackler: C. Witten (108 tackles) / J. Haire (96 tackles) Sack Leaders: M. Saul (9 sacks) / C. Witten (7 sacks)

2023 LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHEDULE 8/25 - PCHS (48-19 W) 9/1 - ESD (48-29 W) 9/15 - GFCHS (56-3 W) 9/22 - Bishop Lynch (56-7 W) 9/29 - LCA (52-0 W) 10/6 - FWCHS (85-13 W) 10/13 - MCHS (46-0 W)

10/20 - SCS (49-0 W) 10/27 - All Saints (42-13 W) 11/2 - TCHS (49-7 W) 11/10 - Bishop Dunne (49-0 W) 11/17 - GCHS (56-7 W) 11/25 - All Saints (45-17 W) 12/1 - Regents (52-10 W)

2023 D2 11-MAN STATE CHAMPIONS

Dallas Christian School-Mesquite By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Dallas Christian got their season off to a great start with a 48-0 win against Bishop Dunne, led by 3-star junior quarterback Luke Carney with 4 total touchdowns and 364 total yards. They dropped their second game to Quachita Christian, 14-17, but then the Chargers went on a roll. The Chargers won 11 games in a row to get to the state title game. In that win streak, they scored over 55 points eight times, including three shutouts, 55-0 over Covenant, 59-0 over Dallas HSAA, and 70-0 over MKCA. They faced the Holly Cross Knights in the championship game. The Knights were led by Gibby Alvarado at QB with 31 passing TDs on the season, and Holly Cross averaged 61 points per game over their last 4 games, including a 72-6, 74-7, and 66-6 win. The Chargers defense excelled against the high-powered Holy Cross offense. They gave up 378 yards, but led by 9 tackles from Devontay High, and 7 from Chris Scott, only allowed the Knights to score twice. The offense put up 407 yards. Carney had 280 yards passing for 2 TDs. Jaden Davis ran for 122 yards and 2 TDs, and William Nettles caught 8 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. Final: Dallas Christian Chargers 28 / Holy Cross Knights 13 Box Score

Dallas Christian vs Holy Cross (Dec 2, 2023) Team Name

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

Dallas Christian

Holy Cross

Waco ISD Stadium - Waco, Texas

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2023 DALLAS CHRISTIAN TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 47.8 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 10.3 Leading Passer: L. Carney (3,723 yards passing, 38 total TDs) Leading Rusher: J. Davis (1,154 yards, 24 TDs) Leading Receiver: W. Nettles (83 rec, 1,784 yards, 18 TDs) Leading Tackler: D. Lampkins (119 tackles) Sack Leader: J. Crawl (7 sacks)

2023 DALLAS CHRISTIAN SCHEDULE 8/25 - Bishop Dunne (48-0 W) 9/1 - OCHS (17-14 L) 9/8 - Tolar (37-6 W) 9/15 - Bishop Lynch (41-28 W) 9/22 - Nolan Catholic (59-21 W) 9/29 - FWCHS (58-16 W) 10/6 - Covenant (55-0 W)

10/13 - Dallas HSAA (59-0 W) 10/20 - Brook Hill (55-3 W) 10/28 - MKCA (70-0 W) 11/10 - LCCHS (63-7 W) 11/17 - Covenant (58-19 W) 11/25 - TCHS (24-14 W) 12/2 - Holy Cross (28-13 W)

2023 D3 11-MAN STATE CHAMPIONS

First Baptist Academy-Dallas By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

First Baptist got their season off to a hot start, scoring 48 points in the first half against Brazos Christian. They went on to win 55-13, led by 7 touchdown passes and 508 yards passing by Hunter McCoy. The Saints kept the offense rolling all season. They put up 78 points in week 2, with McCoy throwing another 5 touchdowns. They won their first 12 games of the year, averaging over 50 points per game while giving up just 14 points per game. They faced the Lubbock Christian Eagles in the championship game. The Eagles were on a 5-game win streak in which they outscored their opponents by an average of 52-10. First Baptist struck first with a 33-yard McCoy rushing touchdown, but Lubbock Christian took the lead with a touchdown and a 2-point conversion. Then an Eagles field goal put them up 11-7. But from there, it was all Saints. The Saints rattled off 28 straight points and had a 42-17 lead going into the 4th quarter. McCoy finished the game with 194 yards passing and 5 TD passes and added 177 yards rushing with 3 TDs. The defense was led by George Anagostis with 12 tackles, Alijah Carson with an interception, and Joseph Martinez with 7 tackles and 2 sacks. Final: First Baptist Saints 55 / Lubbock Christian Eagles 33 Box Score

First Baptist vs Lubbock Christian (Dec 2, 2023) Team Name

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First Baptist

Lubbock Christian

Waco ISD Stadium - Waco, Texas

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2023 FIRST BAPTIST TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 54.2 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 17.2 Leading Passer: H. McCoy (4,155 yards passing, 68 TDs) Leading Rusher: H. McCoy (859 yards yards, 12 TDs) Leading Receiver: A. Cason (81 rec, 1,708 yards, 35 TDs) Leading Tackler: G. Anagnostis (119 tackles) Sack Leader: K. Thomas (5.5 sacks)

2023 FIRST BAPTIST SCHEDULE 8/25 - BCHS (55-13 W) 9/1 - MKCA (78-41 W) 9/8 - Hyde Park (47-15 W) 9/15 - Covenant (63-12 W) 9/22 - MCP (68-26 W) 9/29 - RCHS (57-7 W)

10/20 - LCHS (47-22 W) 10/26 - Bishop Gorman (61-0 W) 11/3 - TCHS (40-7 W) 11/17 - TCHS (62-14 W) 11/25 - NCHS (49-28 W) 12/2 - LCHS (55-33 W)

2023 D4 11-MAN STATE CHAMPIONS

The Emery/Weiner School-Houston By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Emery-Weiner came into the season looking for their school’s 4th TAPPS Championships in the past 9 years. They got the season off to a great start, beating Calvert, 54-8. However, they dropped their second game, a tough 55-8 loss to First Baptist Christian. But from there, they won 9 in a row to reach the TAPPS Six-Man Division 1 Championship. In that 9-game in streak, they outscored their opponents 601- 252. In the championship, they faced off against their long-time rival, Veritas Academy. Veritas came into the game with just a 7-5 record but had put up 62 points vs Saint Mary’s and 77 against HCCSA to reach the title game. Emery/Weiner was able to shut down the high-powered Veritas offense and hold them to 22 points, led by Daniel Gordons who led the team with 11 tackles. On offense, junior QB Bennett Grossman led the way with four touchdown passes and rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown. Final: Emery/Weiner 52 – Veritas Academy 22 Box Score

Points Per Game: 59.6 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 28.1 Leading Passer: Terry Bussey (1,785 yards passing, 24 total TDs) Leading Rusher: JJ Garner (1,313 yards, 22 TDs) Leading Receiver: Cannon Lemberg (49 rec,949 yards, 11 TDs) Leading Tackler: D. Gordon (96 tackles) Sack Leader: Lemberg (49 rec)

2023 EMERY/WEINER SCHEDULE 8/26 - Calvert (5-0-13 W) 9/2 - FBCHS (55-8 L) 9/9 - FBCHS (67-54 W) 9/23 - Chester (58-13 W) 9/28 - CRJHS (56-0 W) 10/5 - LPA (72-46 W)

10/21 - SMHHS (56-48 W) 10/28 - GLSHS (76-36 W) 11/4 - St. Augustine (66-6 W) 11/18 - IWA (60-8 W) 11/24 - GLSHS (90-41 W) 11/30 - VA (52-22 W)

2023 D1 6-MAN STATE CHAMPIONS

Emery/Weiner vs Veritas Academy (Nov 30, 2023) Team Name

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Emery/Weiner

Veritas Academy

Waco ISD Stadium - Waco, Texas

2023 EMERY/WEINER TEAM STATS

Covenant Christian By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

The Covenant Christian Cougars came into the season looking to get to make their first state title game appearance in school history, in their last season of six-man football. Next season, they will be playing 11-man football in TAPPS Division IV District 2. They opened their season on the road against Live Oak Classical, and in a high-scoring game, they won 78-55. They then beat Cristo Rey Jesuit, 62-0, in week 2 at home. They went on to win their first 8 games of the season, averaging over 62 points per game and giving up just 15 points per game. In week 9, the Cougars faced the undefeated First Baptist Christian Warriors. The Cougars lost, 67-20. They rebounded with a big 7214 win over Allen Academy. Then, their offense was unstoppable through the first few rounds of the playoffs, setting up a state semifinal showdown rematch against First Baptist Christian. This time, the fully healthy Cougars team outlasted the Warriors, 74-62, to advance to their schools first championship game. The TAPPS 6-Man Division 2 championship game was one of the most exciting Texas high school football games of the year. Down 16-6 early against Abilene Christian, the Cougars took a 36-30 halftime lead, and never looked back, winning their first state title. Final Score: Covenant Christian 80 / Abilene Christian 76 Box Score

Abilene Christian vs Covenant Christian (Nov 30, 2023) Team Name

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Abilene

Covenant

Waco ISD Stadium - Waco, Texas

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2023 COVENANT CHRISTIAN TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 62.9 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 28.4 Leading Passer: Jackson Rudy (3,147 yards passing, 60 TDs) Leading Rusher: Jackson Rudy (1,729 yards, 39 TDs) Leading Tackler: Colby Van Bruaene (100 tackles) Sack Leader: Keaton Campbell (8 sacks)

2023 COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHEDULE 8/26 - Live Oak C. (78-55 W) 9/1 - Cristo Rey Jesuit (62-0 W) 9/8 - DSAS (60-14 W) 9/15 - Logos Prep A. (56-8 W) 9/22 - Mt. Carmel A. (57-0 W) 10/6 - LCA (51-6 W) 10/13 - Westbury C. (86-38 W)

10/19 - Faith West A. (49-0 W) 10/27 - First Baptist C. (67-20 L) 11/3 - Allen Academy (72-14 W) 11/10 - San Marcos A. (60-8 W) 11/17 - Live Oak C. (67-38 W) 11/24 - First Baptist C. (74-62 W) 11/30 - Abilene C. (80-76 W)

2023 D2 6-MAN STATE CHAMPIONS

Prestonwood Christian Academy North-Prosper By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

Prestonwood Christian North came into the season looking to win their first-ever state championship in just their third year as a football program. They opened their season with a big 62-8 win over Harvest Christian Academy, but dropped their second game, 38-46, at Lucas Christian Academy. After that loss, they dominated their next 8 opponents, outscoring them 458 to 85, to reach the state title game. In the TAPPS Six-Man Division 3 Championship, the Lions faced Baytown Christian. Baytown was just 8-4 heading into the game, but faced a tough schedule, and beat the previously unbeaten St. Joseph Catholic to reach the state title game. Prestonwood Christian North saved their best performance of the season for their championship game. They had an offensive explosion, with 484 yards of offense and 10 touchdowns. They play two junior quarterbacks on offense, and both quarterbacks played great. QB Jaxon Lucas completed 11 of his 13 passes for 223 yards and 5 touchdowns. QB Hayden Wood added 123 yards passing and 2 passing touchdowns. Wood also had 87 yards rushing and 93 yards receiving. The defense was led by Mason Purcell. Purcell led the team with 14 tackles and two interceptions. Tucker Richardson and Branson Reeves both had double-digit tackles. Final: Prestonwood Christian North 70 / Baytown Christian 22 Box Score

BCHS vs Prestonwood Christian (Nov 30, 2023) Team Name

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BCHS

Prestonwood

Waco ISD Stadium - Waco, Texas

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2023 PRESTONWOOD TEAM STATS Points Per Game: 55.7 Defensive Points Allowed Per Game: 16.3 Leading Passer: J. Lucas (1,099 yards passing, 15 total TDs) Leading Rusher: H. Wood (727 yards, 7 TDs) Leading Receiver: T. Richardson (48 rec, 935 yards, 10 TDs) Leading Tackler: B. Reeves (65 tackles) Sack Leader: C. McCaffree (8 sacks)

2023 PRESTONWOOD SCHEDULE 8/25 - HCA (62-8 W) 9/1 - LCA (46-38 L) 9/9 - WPA (62-28 W) 9/15 - FCA (68-7 W) 9/29 - TCHS (64-6 W) 10/6 - NCA (52-28 W)

10/20 - BCHS (48-0 W) 10/27 - Azle Christian (54-8 W) 11/11 - GCHS (54-0 W) 11/17 - CHHS (56-8 W) 11/24 - NCA (40-34 W) 11/30 - BCHS (70-22 W)

2023 D3 6-MAN STATE CHAMPIONS

Clarence Spieker Legacy: Small-Town Texas HS Football Journey By David L. Phillips | TexasHSFootball.com

The next stop on my Small-Town Texas HS Football journey brought Clarence was eager to show me his robust garden, the numerous me to Hermleigh, Texas—a small West Texas town located just fruit and pecan trees all over the backyard. One pecan was transsouth of Snyder and north of Sweetwater. I have an uncle there named Clarence Spieker. He is the little brother of my 92-year-old grandmother Helen Spieker of San Angelo, who is a bit of a matriarch to our family. My memories of Uncle Clarence stem back to early family gatherings at my great-grandparent’s little house on Churchill Street in San Angelo. Edwin and Annie Spieker raised five children from their humble beginnings on the Spieker farm near the small community of Eola. I remember getting together often with my aunts, uncles, and cousins to watch them play some dominoes, break some bread, and have some good ole German fun. In 2020, my uncle received an honor that was even hard for him to believe. The school board in Hermleigh voted unanimously to have Cardinal Stadium renamed after my uncle, Clarence Spieker. He was so caught off guard by the honor that he couldn’t believe it was true until Mark, his son, called him and confirmed it when he read the article in the Snyder news. And oh, what a stadium it is! Hermleigh’s football field had come a long way from the days when in my interview with Dennie Ray Braswell, he told me that they had to run the cows off the field before they could play the game. The tax revenue from a sea of windmills surrounding the community has allowed the school to build a stateof-the-art complex featuring the Sportturf 419 artificial playing surface courtesy of Carter Construction. The stadium has hosted many playoff games since it was constructed in 2011. Uncle Clarence and my Aunt Mary met me early in the morning at their humble abode just down the street from the school for our interview. Clarence walked out to greet me in my truck, and as we walked back to the house, I noticed a large pecan tree right there in the front yard. Proudly, Clarence said that his son Mark had picked up a pecan from the neighbor’s yard and poked it in the ground, and despite Clarence mowing it over a couple of times, it kept growing back. It is a huge, beautiful tree today.

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planted from his father’s place in San Angelo, and the pear tree has provided our whole family with pears each year for pies and other recipes. He then took me inside his woodworking shop. It was just what you would imagine, a perfect setup to explore your “Tim the tool man” creativity. We went inside the home to see many pieces of furniture that Uncle Clarence had built or refinished, and Mary was so proud of her amazing collection of miniature creamer cups that she had gathered from their travels all over the world. They both showed me pictures of their son Mark’s and daughter Michelle’s wonderful families, and what they showed me next really left an impression on me. After raising their children, they hosted seven foreign exchange students in their home. Even more, on their travels abroad, they visited all but one of these children in their hometowns all across Europe!

ing the ball in bounds. Then they ended up scoring as time ran out, winning the game 63-61. “Newcastle fans went berserk!” Mary exclaimed.

DP: What was your philosophy for coaching?

CS: “There had to be rules, but there had to be some flexibility in those rules too. I think if the kids could see me work as hard as they were working, they would continue to buy in. The longer I coached, the more I realized it’s not so much what the kids can do for your program, but it is what the program can do for some of the kids. Especially those that never start but stay with the team. Many of those kids come back years later and tell you what the program did for them. It took me a while to realize that. As a young coach, you want to be gung-ho and get it done and get some wins, but you got Aunt Mary mentioned an article we did at Texas HS Football in our to look at everything.” magazine on Sammy Baugh and his NFL record being broken. They told me that Sammy Baugh’s granddaughter was Clarence’s sec- DP: Can you describe the small-town atmosphere as it ond-grade teacher. Later in life, he arranged for her to have Sammy relates to coaching Texas HS Football? autograph two footballs. One was auctioned off, and the other he gave to his son, Mark. After receiving the gift, Mark said, “Sammy CS: “I think small towns are like any town, everybody wants to win, Baugh, who is this?” Later, he went online and came back and said, but in small towns, I think it’s closer knit because in a lot of small “Dad, did you know Sammy was the first player inducted into the towns, people that grew up there and went to school there remain NFL Hall of Fame?” Clarence laughed. in those small towns. But the history of that school stays in the

community, and I think the community is a little tighter than the large towns. The impact that a coach has… I think that he has to realize, you can’t get lost in a small town, you have to be a part of that community. You have to take part in everything that the community does. Whether it’s a community gathering, whether it’s a church gathering, or whether it’s a school function that doesn’t DP: What made you want to be a coach? have anything to do with football, in a small town, coaches need to be a part of that. Not just in the good times but in the problems CS: “I started out and wasn’t going to coach. Then my first job was too, you have to be involved and present and be there to help when down in Charlotte, and Leroy Starns was the coach, and he asked somebody needs help.” me to help. In my second year, he gave me the jr high and assistant to High School for three years, and then this job in Hermleigh came DLP: How special was it to have the stadium named open, and it was closer to San Angelo, and it was 6-man, and I knew after you? a little bit about it, and so I took that job to be closer to mom and dad” CP: “It was humbling….it was humbling.” DP: “Did you have any idea it was coming?” CS: “No, I did not. The board meets on Tuesdays, Clarence played high school football for the Wall Hawks when they and Wednesday morning, I was sitting here drinking coffee, and were a 6-Man team. The coaches he had in high school at Wall inthe superintendent called and said, ‘they voted last night to have spired him to be a coach. J.W. “Spud” Aldridge and Charlie Kelso the stadium named after you, and I wanted to call you and tell you made him appreciate coaching and community. Later, when Clarbefore it came out in the paper.’ Well, Mary heard a bit of the call ence became a coach, Spud, who was by then the head coach at and said, ‘what was that about?’ Clarence said, “Don’t tell anybody; McMurry, often called to check in on him. Clarence said he was really checking to see if there was any 6-man talent he needed to be aware of for recruiting. Spud and Clarence stayed in close contact all the years that he coached. While catching up with my aunt and uncle was so nice; as a reporter for www.TexasHSfootball.com, I was there to interview Coach Spieker. I had prepared a few questions for our interview, and here is what followed:

DP: What was your fondest coaching memory? CS: The 1984 quarterfinals while coaching at Newcastle, the location, Comanche, TX. Newcastle was playing Abbott and down at the half 40-14. Clarence said Abbott had an outstanding running back that went on to play college ball. “We can’t panic,” Spieker thought to himself, even though they had never been down like this at any time during their season. The coach kept calm at halftime. He went through his regular routine, checking in with his offense and then with his defense, and made adjustments. Adding to the intensity, Abbott came out and scored again on their first possession in the 3rd quarter to make it 46-14. Spieker’s squad stayed calm and didn’t panic. Mary chimed in that a key to the game was that Abbott had never played a full game all season, they had 45-point mercy ruled all other opponents up to that game, and Coach Spieker had his boys in shape. In the game’s final minute, Newcastle scored and set up for an onside kick. The ball was headed out of bounds, but a Newcastle player ran as hard as he could go and slid, barely keep-

Coach Clarence Spieker Record as Head Coach 118-56 Head Coach at Hermleigh & Newcastle 1974-1990 Head Coach Hermleigh and Newcastle 3 Appearances in State Quarterfinals 1 Appearance in State Semi-Final 7 Playoff Appearances District Director of Six-Man Coaches Association: 8 years President of Six-Man Coaches Association: 2 terms Coached Six-Man All-Star Game: 1983 6-Man Hall of Fame Inductee: 2008

I don’t know if it was a joke or not; let’s wait until the paper comes out.” So, a previous student that went to school with Mark saw it online and called Mark. Then Mark called his dad and said, “They’re naming the stadium after you?” “That’s what they told me, but I ain’t telling nobody,” Coach said. Mark said, “Well, people know already.”

CS: “I’ve never thought about that…I guess that the kids that played for me got something out of it. Not wins and losses, but just got a foundation of what you need to do to be successful. If they can learn that in sports, I think a lot of that carries over to real life, and if they did that, then I’m happy.”

Well, sure enough, Coach got a copy of the paper when it came out, and it was official; it was in the paper! Coach concluded, “It was very humbling, but also, I was very proud, for my family, for everybody.”

Mary added one final thought:

The conversation led to tales of Coach farming for various farmers in the community in his downtime to make extra money. They shared that they used that extra money to travel all over the country and to Europe many times. As I mentioned earlier, they welcomed seven foreign exchange students into their home and visited all but 1 in their own hometowns. They love to travel, and they love living in their little, small town of Hermleigh, Texas. I had given Coach a Texas HS Football logoed YETI cup when I first arrived as a gift. Well, when I took a restroom break, the recorder kept rolling. Clarence boasted to Mary, “Did you see my new YETI cup?” Mary said, “Uh, you may think that’s yours. I’m the only one allowed to have a YETI in this house,” Clarence said. “Well, we may have a fight on our hands,” LOL.

DP: One last question before we head over to the football field: What would you like your legacy to be as a coach?

“He’s the fairest person that I’ve ever met. He treated his kids pretty much the same, all of them. He had his favorites, but they didn’t know it. He’s the most fair person I’ve ever met in my whole life; in anything, whether it be football or whatever, he’s fair.” I want to thank my Uncle Clarence and Aunt Mary for the wonderful time they shared with me to catch up on family and to talk about Small-Town Texas HS Football. Also, a special thanks to 3rd-year Hermleigh Cardinal Head Coach Sam Winters and Assistant Coach Heath Gibson for allowing Uncle Clarence and me to walk in on their practice. The Cardinals are coming off three solid winning seasons under Coach Winters and are in one of the most competitive districts in 1A.

If you have a Small-Town Texas HS Football Story, contact David L Phiilips: DLPhillips@TexasHSFootball.com

Baker Mayfield: A Career Reborn By Kyle Spishock | TexasHSFootball.com

TEXAS HS CONNECTION With Damar Hamlin and Joe Flacco receiving all the AP Comeback teams searching for quarterbacks that once passed on him may Player of the Year award considerations, one former Texas high exhaust up to $30 million a year on the six-year veteran. After he school football quarterback had a remarkable career resurgence. checks his bank account, Mayfield will surely have the last laugh. After nearly being out of the league after stints with both the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams last season, former Lake Travis grad Baker Mayfield led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a franchiserecord third consecutive NFC South division title and a team-record-tying fourth consecutive playoff appearance. It wasn’t supposed to be like this with the Bucs. Pundits fully expected them to tank; Mayfield had other plans, completing 64.3% of his passes for 4,044 yards and 28 passing touchdowns. He ended the year with a passer rating of 94.6. In two games into the postseason, Mayfield posted a passer rating of 106.3—the highest postseason mark by a quarterback in franchise history. Tampa Bay got him at a discounted rate of $4 million for one season, hiring Mayfield as a stopgap filler after posting a paltry 2-10 starting record the previous season. The former #1 pick with the Cleveland Browns was unceremoniously dumped in favor of the derisive Deshaun Watson. Throughout the year, Mayfield outplayed Watson, and also cost a whopping $222 million less, and also took his team to the second round. Silencing the doubters is a role Mayfield has had to play throughout his entire career since competing locally in the Lone Star State. Putting up big numbers with Lake Travis (6,255 yards for 67 touchdowns, compiling a 25-2 overall record), Mayfield only lost two games in his starting tenure, as well as winning the 2011 4A State Championship. Despite the gaudy stats, Mayfield still fielded a lack of scholarships from Power Five schools. TCU pulled an offer. Texas Tech, the team he eventually chose, bogged him down with scholarship issues. There was also controversy on whether or not he could get a year of eligibility back after transferring to Oklahoma. After falling off the roster with three NFL teams, Mayfield isn’t always pretty, but he does enough to win, especially with Tampa Bay’s solid personnel. When he becomes a free agent in March,

2024 Texan NFL Pro Bowlers By Kyle Spishock | TexasHSFootball.com

The NFL announced its complete rosters for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games. Of course, Lone Star State talent was in abundance. Here are the honored athletes in both the AFC and NFC and their ties to Texas high school football: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams, QB - (NFC)

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs, QB - (AFC)

The 2021 Super Bowl victor was a high school standout, leading Highland Park to a 15-0 record and the UIL 4A Division I state championship in 2005. His Dallas alma mater has won more games than any other in Texas high school football history.

Perhaps not near the level of last year’s MVP campaign, Patrick Mahomes still guided his team to secure their eighth straight AFC West title.

Last year, Stafford’s number was retired by Highland Park, as well as induction in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

The best quarterback of his generation, Mahomes got his start at Whitehouse, leading his team to its first-ever district title. As a senior, Mahomes threw for 4,619 yards and 50 touchdowns, as well as rushing 157 times for 948 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, WR - (NFC)

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns, DE - (AFC)

Mike Evans led the NFL in touchdown receptions, earning him his fifth Pro Bowl selection. The likely Hall of Famer boasted 13 touchdown receptions and 1,233 receiving yards on 76 receptions.

One of five Cleveland Brown players named to the Pro Bowl this year, Myles Garrett is also in contention for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

As a senior with Galveston Ball, Evans received second-team District 24-4A honors after making 25 receptions for 648 yards and seven touchdowns.

Under coach Bob Wager at Martin, Garrett earned Texas Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior, posting 81 tackles, 19.5 quarterback sacks, and 19 quarterback hurries.

Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers, OT - (NFC)

Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens, DT - (AFC)

Trent Williams earned his 11th selection to the Pro Bowl in his 13-year career. The selection total ties Anthony Muñoz, Jonathan Ogden, and Willie Roaf for the most by an offensive tackle in NFL history.

Justin Madubuike is one of three Texas A&M Aggies to make the Pro Bowl this year, joining fellow alumni Mike Evans and Myles Garrett.

Born and raised in Longview, Williams played for the Lobos high school football team, where he was teammates with Malcolm Kelly, Chris Ivory, and Robert Henson. He was an unanimous first-team all-district selection as a senior. Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles, OT - (NFC) One of six Philadelphia Eagles named to the Pro Bowl, Lane Johnson has now made back-to-back all-star appearances. As a born and raised athlete at Groveton, Johnson actually competed as a quarterback, nabbing honorable mention All-state selection at the position. It wasn’t until his junior season at Oklahoma that he switched to a lineman role. Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens, K - (AFC) Arguably the greatest kicker of all-time, Justin Tucker has made the Pro Bowl every year since 2019. In his junior season with Westlake, he was named the third-best place-kicker in the nation by ESPNU, booted in 30 field goals, and managed 155 PATs. During the year, he accepted a scholarship to kick for UT, and graduated a semester early to become a Longhorn that January.

With McKinney North, Madubuike had 75 tackles and 16.5 sacks. He was also named to 2016 All-District and All-State honors. Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos, WR - (AFC) Despite the drama surrounding the Russell Wilson situation, rookie Marvin Mims Jr. stood out as the sole offensive player selected from the Broncos to the Pro Bowl. As a senior competing with Lone Star, Mims Jr. set a national record with 2,629 receiving yards on 117 receptions with 32 touchdown catches. Overall, Mims Jr. graduated with a state record 5,485 receiving yards.

TEXAS HS CONNECTION Click on the QR code to get updates on former Texas high school football legends!

Former Whitehouse QB Patrick Mahomes Wins Third Super Bowl By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

TEXAS HS CONNECTION The legend continues to grow... The former Whitehouse Wildcats QB has done it again. On Sunday, February 11, Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to a comeback 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. It was Mahomes’ third Super Bowl victory, and he won his third Super Bowl MVP, tying Joe Montana for the second-most Super Bowl MVPs, behind only Tom Brady. Kansas City Chiefs 2023-2024 Season The Kansas City Chiefs started their 2023-24 season by winning six of their first seven games, dropping only their season opener to the Detroit Lions. However, they hit a rough patch in the middle of the season, losing five out of their next eight games, and barely winning their last two games of the season.

favorites, the San Francisco 49ers, in a rematch of Super Bowl LIV, which the Chiefs won, 31-20. Super Bowl LVIII: Kansas City Chiefs vs San Francisco 49ers In a microcosm of their 2023-24 regular season, the Super Bowl was not looking great for the Chiefs for most of the first half. Kansas City struggled to move the ball, and the 49ers jumped out to a 10-0 lead. Late in the first half, the Chiefs finally got the ball moving and were able to connect on a short field goal to head to halftime down 10-3.

The Chiefs got the ball to start the second half, but on their first drive, Mahomes through an interception, and things were looking bleak for the Chiefs. However, the KC defense stepped up and forced a 49er punt. Then, late in the third, the Chiefs cut the lead to 10-6 on an NFL Super Bowl record 56-yard field goal from Harrison Butker. Then, 3 minutes later, in one of the biggest plays of the For Mahomes, the former Whitehouse QB, who compiled 619 pass- game, the Chiefs recovered a fumbled punt and got the ball at the ing yards, 50 passing touchdowns, 948 rushing yards, and 15 rush- SF 16-yard line. On the next play, Mahomes hit Valdes-Scantling for ing touchdowns in his senior season for the Wildcats, the 2023-24 the go-ahead touchdown. regular season was a bit of a down season from a statistical standpoint. Mahomes’ 27 touchdowns were the lowest of his career as a The 49ers briefly took the lead back in the fourth quarter, 16-13. starter, and his 14 interceptions were the highest of his career. But Then, the kickers, who may have been the leading candidates for despite the down year for Mahomes and the Chiefs, they won the the MVP award midway through the 4th quarter, traded field goals, AFC West and secured the #3 seed in the AFC in the NFL playoffs. making it 19-16 49ers with 1:50 to go. But then, Mahomes began to do what he does best—he put his Superman cape on and took Mahomes led the Chiefs into the playoffs, seeking to win his third over. Super Bowl and the fourth in Chiefs franchise history. They beat the Miami Dolphins in the opening round, 26-7, with the Chiefs’ defense Mahomes led the Chiefs down the field to set up Butker for a gameshutting down their former teammate, Tyreek Hill, and the high- tying field goal, and Butker connected on his 4th field goal to send scoring Dolphins offense in a game played in -4-degree weather. the Super Bowl into overtime. It was just the second time a Super Bowl had gone into overtime, the other being Super Bowl LI when Up next were Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo. Down 13- Tom Brady and the Patriots came back from down 28-3 to win the 17 at halftime, Mahomes led the Chiefs to a comeback win, 27-24. Super Bowl in overtime. The Chiefs then faced the #1 seed and Super Bowl favorites, the Baltimore Ravens. In a defensive battle, the Chiefs offense did just Super Bowl LVIII Overtime enough to give their team a lead, and Mahomes made a critical play late in the game to keep the clock running and secure the 17-10 San Francisco won the coin toss and elected to take the ball first. win. Next up, Super Bowl LVIII to face the #1 NFC seed, and betting Under the new overtime rules for the NFL playoffs, both teams

would get a chance to possess the ball, barring a defensive touchdown. The 49ers went on an impressive drive to start the overtime, converting a couple of third downs and getting inside the red zone. However, the Chiefs defense, led by Chris Jones, forced the 49ers to settle for a field goal. The kick was good, putting the 49ers up by 3 and setting the stage for Mahomes. The Chiefs needed a field goal to extend the game or a touchdown to win it. On the first set of downs, the 49ers defense held the Chiefs to small gains and forced KC into a 4th and 1 from their own 34-yard line. Andy Reid called a quarterback run off the right tackle, and Mahomes took it for 8 yards and the first down. From there, Mahomes completed a couple of passes and then scrambled for a 19-yard run to put KC at the 13-yard line. After a 3-yard Pacheco run and a 7-yard Mahomes to Kelce pass play, the Chiefs had the ball at the 3-yard line with the overtime clock ticking down below 10 seconds. With 3 seconds left on the overtime clock, Mahomes found Mecole Hardman for a 3-yard touchdown and a 25-22 Super Bowl win. The Patrick Mahomes Legend Grows Mahomes finished the Super Bowl 34 of 46 with 333 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had 66 yards rushing, leading the Chiefs. Mahomes was awarded the Super Bowl MVP, his third. Mahomes is chasing the “GOAT,” Tom Brady, and at age 28, he has a chance to surpass Brady. Brady has 7 Super Bowl rings and 5 Super Bowl MVPs. If Mahomes can win a couple more Super Bowls (a tall task, to be sure), the former Whitehouse QB and Texas high school football legend may end up being considered the greatest to ever play football.

The Origins of Texas High School Football By KP Kelly | TexasHSFootball.com

High school football in Texas is more than just a sport—it’s an integral part of the state’s cultural fabric. Engrained within the hearts of communities, underpinned by a spirit of local identity, and propelled by athletic prowess, this iconic pastime is a quintessential symbol of the Lone Star State. As we journey back to the genesis of high school football in Texas, we uncover a compelling tale of camaraderie, competition, and an enduring love for the game. Join us as we delve deeper into this gridiron legacy, tracing the roots, evolution, and profound impact of Texas high school football. Humble Beginnings: Dallas and Houston Pioneer the Movement While the origins of football in America can be traced back to a game between Rutgers and Princeton in 1869, Texas didn’t immediately jump on the bandwagon. According to records from the Texas Almanac, it wasn’t until the final years of the 19th century that the sport began to make inroads into the educational establishments of Texas. First Texas High School Football Team The first high school to play football in Texas is believed to be Galveston Ball High School, established in 1884. Located in the historic city of Galveston, this institution introduced young Texans to the sport in the late 19th century, marking a pivotal moment in Texas’ high school athletic history. It was the inception of an enduring tradition that would grow in scope and scale, eventually becoming an inseparable part of Texas’ cultural identity.

High School Football Begins to Grow in Texas In the beginning, high schools in Dallas and Houston were the torchbearers, establishing unofficial teams to play a game that was rapidly gaining popularity in the Northeastern states. These early adopters played a crucial role in planting the seeds of football within Texan culture, laying the foundation for the sport’s thriving future in the state. Over time, the burgeoning trend started to spread, gaining momentum across the state. These initial steps taken by the schools in Dallas and Houston marked the onset of a journey towards what would become an ingrained part of the Texas tradition—high school football. The University Interscholastic League (UIL) Shapes the Game In the nascent stages of Texas high school football, the games were, for the most part, unregulated. Recognizing the need for a governing body to establish rules and oversee competitions, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) came into existence in 1910. Born out of the University of Texas at Austin, the UIL initially aimed to promote better school curricula. However, its role soon extended to include the governance of Texas high school competitions, including football. The UIL implemented standardized rules for the game and began organizing state championships, ensuring fair play and maintaining the sport’s integrity. This was a pivotal moment in Texas high school football history, as the UIL’s structure helped promote the sport and create a more cohesive, organized state-wide program. Today, the UIL remains instrumental in Texas high school football. Its role in shaping the game has helped elevate Texas high school football to the prominent and celebrated position it enjoys today. The Post-War Resurgence: Economic Boom and Athletic Evolution The conclusion of the Second World War brought about an unprecedented economic boom in the United States. Texas was no exception to this, experiencing a surge in population and prosperity that profoundly influenced its social and cultural landscape. Among the many aspects of life in Texas that were touched by this post-war resurgence, high school football assumed a central role, becoming a significant symbol of local pride and community identity. Newfound prosperity allowed for the expansion of athletic pro-

grams across Texas. Schools, flush with resources, could invest more in their football programs, from equipment to facilities. Consequently, the quality of play improved, and interest in high school football soared. Games became weekly spectacles, drawing large crowds and fostering community spirit. This era also ushered in a wave of athletic evolution. Coaches began incorporating complex strategies and techniques into their playbooks, further stimulating the game’s growth and popularity. The post-war period solidified Texas high school football’s position as an integral part of the state’s identity.

Pop culture and the entertainment industry helped put Texas high school football further on to the national stage. The Book “Friday Night Lights, ” followed the 1988 Permian High School Panthers and Head Coach Gary Gaines, was a best seller by H. G. Bissinger in 1990. Then, a movie, loosely based on the book, titled Friday Night Lights, starring Billy Bob Thorton, was a box office hit. It was followed by a TV Series, Friday Night Lights, also based loosely on the book, that aired from 2006 to 2011 and spent time as the number one show in ratings. The Stars of Texas High School Football

The Civil Rights Movement and the Integration Impact As the United States grappled with the transformative change brought about by the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, Texas high school football faced a significant turning point. The integration of schools led to the mingling of talents and a diversification of athletic prowess on the football fields, enriching the sporting environment. We have to give a lot of respects to some of the all-time greats who paved the way leading up to this point, like Richard “Night Train” Lane, and “Mean” Joe Greene, amongst many others. The integration not only elevated the level of competition but also played a role in bridging racial divides. Through football, students from different backgrounds were able to find common ground, while communities became more unified around their shared love for the sport. This chapter of history is a testament to the inclusive power of high school football in Texas. From Local Pride to National Acclaim The evolution of Texas high school football didn’t stop at regional recognition. It was determined to make a name for itself on a larger scale. By the turn of the 21st century, the sport had become a significant part of the cultural fabric of Texas, gaining attention beyond state lines. In this modern epoch, Texas high school football teams began regularly earning spots in national rankings. The quality of play, the intensity of rivalries, and the unwavering community support garnered the attention of national media outlets. This visibility put Texas football in the spotlight and underlined its dominance in the sport.

Texas high school football is a fertile ground where some of history’s greatest players and coaches have honed their skills. Each generation brings forth a new set of bright stars who not only dominate the local scene but often go on to leave their mark at the college level, and even in the NFL. Legendary Texas High School Football Players Here are just a few of the all-time greats that shaped the history of Texas high school football: Vince Young Vince Young stands tall among these luminaries. A Madison High School star, Young’s unique blend of speed, agility, and arm strength, redefined the quarterback position, pushing it beyond its traditional parameters. He led his high school team to a state championship and later starred at the University of Texas, where he was instrumental in winning the national championship in 2005. Ken Hall Ken Hall, also known as the “Sugar Land Express,” is a legendary figure in Texas high school football. While playing for Sugar Land High School from 1950 to 1953, he set multiple records, including the national high school record for career rushing yards with a staggering 11,232 yards. This record stood for nearly six decades until it was broken in 2012. Hall’s exceptional speed and agility on the field continue to inspire generations of football players in Texas. Hall is considered by many as the greatest American high school football player of all time.

Jonathan Gray

Gordon Wood

Another all-time great Texas high school running back is Jonathan Gray, from Aledo High School. He was a dominant force in Texas high school football from 2008-2011, setting numerous state records, with an incredible 205 touchdowns and over 10,889 rushing yards. Gray’s performances led Aledo to three state championships, solidifying his legacy as one of the all-time greats in Texas high school football.

Gordon Wood, coached for 43 years, with the majority of his career at Brownwood High School. Renowned for his strategic prowess and ability to inspire, Wood led his teams to nine state championships. His career spanned from 1943 to 1985, during which he compiled an impressive record of 396 victories. Even after retirement, Wood’s impact on the game and his influence on his players and fellow coaches were profound, shaping Texas high school football as we know it today.

Drew Brees Drew Brees began shaping his illustrious career at Austin’s Westlake High School. From 1995-1997, Brees led the Westlake Chaparrals to a 28-0-1 record, culminating in the school’s first and only state title in 1996. His high school success hinted at his future achievements; Brees passed for a remarkable 5,461 yards and 50 touchdowns, foreshadowing his later prowess on the gridiron. His high school jersey, number 15, is retired in honor of his contributions to Westlake’s football legacy. Kyler Murray Then, of course, there’s Kyler Murray, who starred for Allen High School, guiding them to three consecutive state titles and never losing a game during his high school career. Murray’s electrifying performances were just the beginning of a football journey. He would later win the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma and become the number one pick in the NFL draft. In a poll conducted on our website, Murray was selected as the Greatest Texas High School Football Player of All-Time, narrowly beating out Ken Hall. Legendary Texas High School Football Coaches On the sidelines, Texas has also produced its share of legendary figures. Here are just a few of the legends of coaching in Texas high school football: G.A. Moore G.A. Moore, whose reputation as a master tactician, is well-known throughout the state and beyond. With stints at Pilot Point and Celina high schools, Moore holds the record for the most wins in Texas high school football history, leaving an indelible legacy that continues to inspire the next generation of coaches. Phil Danaher Phil Danaher, the head coach of Calallen High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, is an iconic figure in the state’s high school football history. With a coaching career that spans over four decades, Danaher has notched the most wins in Texas high school football history. As of my knowledge cut-off in September 2021, he had accumulated over 470 victories. His dedication to the sport and to his players’ development has solidified his reputation as a master strategist and influential mentor.

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Gary Joseph Gary Joseph, a renowned coach of Katy High School, Texas, is another significant figure in the history of Texas high school football. Following the legacy of his father, Eddie Joseph, who was an influential executive director of the Texas High School Coaches Association, Gary Joseph has maintained a winning tradition at Katy. He led Katy to 9 state finals, winning 5 state championships. His impressive record and commitment to developing young athletes embody the high standards set by his father, contributing to the family’s storied football lineage in Texas. Todd Dodge Finally, the name Todd Dodge will forever be associated with the rise of Southlake Carroll as a state and national powerhouse. Dodge’s teams, known for their high-flying offenses, won four state titles in five years, and at one point, enjoyed a 48-game winning streak. He would then go on to Westlake to three straight UIL State Championship Titles. These illustrious players and coaches are just a few of the countless that embody the rich history and fierce competition of Texas high school football. They are part of a legacy that continues to thrive, enriching the larger landscape of American football and influencing future generations of gridiron greats. The Texas HS Football Legacy Continues Emerging from its humble origins in the late 19th century, high school football in Texas has evolved into a cultural cornerstone, reflecting a potent blend of community spirit, athletic ambition, and an enduring passion for the sport. As we delve into the heart of the gridiron tradition, it becomes evident how high school football has come to symbolize the quintessence of Texas—a harmonious blend of spirited competition, community cohesion, and a deepseated reverence for heritage. As we step into the future, there’s little doubt that the tradition of high school football will continue to illuminate those exhilarating Friday night lights in Texas.