Notes and thoughts from the state championships
Thoughts of importance to A&M fans-Let's get this out of the way, Cade Klubnik put on a show last night. He was gutsy, he was smart, he showed some wheels, he threw with touch and velocity. He flat out got it done last night and he has done it all season long. Now we wait to see what happens on the offer front, but there is no doubt in my mind he made a strong case last night, and over the course of the season. Last night he was 18 of 20 for 220 yards and a TD and he had 17 carries for 97 yards and 2 TDs. -It was a quiet day for Katy 2022 Bobby Taylor and if you are a DB that is a good thing. There will not be many, if any, highlights of him from Katy's big win, but that just means he did his job. As a whole the Katy defense swarmed and disrupted any and everything Cedar Hill tried to do, and that includes severely limiting a Cedar Hill passing game known for its big play ability. -Denton Ryan's defense has more than a few prospects of interest and 2022 DT Bear Alexander and 2023 LB Anthony Hill definitely stood out in my mind. They were both on the attack Friday night. Alexander was quick off the ball, he worked his hands, and he was a consistent presence in the Cedar Park backfield. Then there was Anthony Hill making tackles all over the field, driving guys into the dirt and throwing them out of bounds, and playing with an all-around edge. I also liked what I saw from Austin Jordan on the night. That was a high-octane offensive attack they faced Friday night, and Jordan and the Ryan D were able to keep it grounded for the most part. Alexander had 5 tackles (3 solos, 2 assists), .5 a sack, and 2 pass break-ups, Hill recorded 10 tackles (5 solos, 5 assists), 2 sacks, and a forced fumble which was recovered for a Ryan score, and Jordan had 2 tackles and a PBU on the night. Some thoughts on some highly rated guys - WR JoJo Earle, Aledo - quick, fast, instinctive, he changes speeds as well as anyone in the country. I predict he does well at Alabama, I know I'm really going out on a limb there. Friday, he lined up all over the field for the Bearcats. He worked from the slot, as a wildcat QB, and Aledo does a great job of getting the ball in his hands in a variety of ways. He finished with 6 receptions for 133 yards and a TD and 12 carries for another 91. - DE Ja'tavion Sanders, Denton Ryan - Sanders is a freak on the field. More times than not he has completely altered games with his play on both sides of the ball. His quickness and explosiveness off the edge is elite, and if he is focused and continues to grow and progress the sky is the limit. On the other hand, he has also made ridiculous catch after catch on the offensive side over the course of his career, and on Friday, offense is where he did most of his damage. He led Ryan with 5 receptions for 77 yards and a TD. It will be interesting to see what the next level has in store, but there is no doubt in my mind he is a special talent. -QB Quinn Ewers, Southlake Carroll (2022) - It was not his cleanest night of the year, but he put it all out there and competed. He looked sharp early, but Westlake's defense was able to keep him and the Carroll offense off balance much of the night. There is no question he can make all the throws, and he is one of the top QBs in the country regardless of class. -QB Kaidon Salter, Cedar Hill - Salter has made a career on making big throws in big moments, but Saturday it was not to be. It was a tough day for Salter. He made some questionable decisions and there were a few balls I know he wished he had back. Katy's defense applied the pressure, and Salter and the Cedar Hill offense was unable to find his rhythm. It will be interesting to watch Salter at Tennessee. He is smart, he is a leader, and he has a quick release and a strong arm. He is now on his way to Knoxville to enroll early. -S Bryan Allen, Aledo (2022) - It was a quiet day for Allen. He is a ballhawk on the back end of the Aledo defense and Crosby was mindful of his presence. He finished the day with 2 tackles (1 solo, 1 assist). -ATH Billy Bowman Jr, Denton Ryan - He is headed to Oklahoma as a receiver and he did most of his damage on offense Friday night. He has been a dynamic playmaker on offense, defense, and special teams throughout his career and I have no doubt Lincoln Riley will get creative in the ways he involves Bowman. He finished with 4 receptions for 62 yards, and a 6-yard carry in Friday's 59-14 Ryan win. Some top Performances that stood out in my mind Many were already mentioned. JoJo Earle, Cade Klubnik, Anthony Hill, and Bear Alexander all had big performances. Here are a few more. RB DeMarco Roberts, Aledo - All he did was rush for 254 yards and 6 TDs on 31 carries. That's it. That is all he did. And he made it look easy on his way to offensive MVP honors. He is headed to Lamar. S Ty Marsh, Denton Ryan - Marsh's strip of Josh Cameron late in the second quarter was a game changing moment. Cedar Park was threatening to make it a game, Montgomery comes down with a huge reception, and Marsh strips it away and steals any and all momentum Cedar Park had going into haftime. He finished with 6 tackles (5 solos, 1 assist), a TFL, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, 3 PBUs, and an INT. He was named defensive MVP for his efforts DE Cal Varner, Katy - Varner was a man on a mission Saturday afternoon. The future Rice Owl recorded 3 tackles and 2 TFLs and was a constant presence. His big highlight though was the pick six to put Katy's final points on the board. The catch and 15-yard TD return shut down any and all hopes of a Cedar Hill comeback. He deserved to take home defensive MVP honors and he did. S Dalton Jackson, Katy - He led the swarming Tiger defense with 4 tackles (3 solos, 1 assists), a forced fumble, and 2 PBUs. The future Arizona Wildcat seemed like he was in on just about every tackle though. ATH Reggie Branch, Crosby - Mr. do-it-all, did all he could on Friday. Aledo proved to be too much, but Branch has no reason to hang his head. He finished with 11 carries for 72 yards and a TD, and he recorded 4 receptions for a team leading 79 yards. CB Michael Taaffe, Austin Westlake - I will be honest I was pretty ignorant of Taaffe's abilities before Saturday, and my goodness were my eyes ever opened. He got it done on both sides of the ball and his one-handed pick of Ewers was a real head turner. Great eval by the Rice Owls, they got a good one. WR Brady Boyd, Southlake Carroll - Boyd was my MVP for the Dragons. He came out of the gate hot and he never let up. He finished with 12 receptions for 190 yards and 2 TDs. There is no doubt in my mind he could see the field early at Minnesota. Prospects to know CB Jaden Allen, Aledo (2024) - Aledo needed an early defensive stop and it was Allen who came through with the PBU to force it. He also had a PBU deep over the middle. He has speed, feet, and hips and he is not afraid. RB Owen Allen, Southlake Carroll (2023) - Allen has been on the scene since starting as a freshman for the Dragons, and that will continue as his career progresses. He is slippery fast, with great vision and quickness and he is a weapon in the passing game. RB Seth Davis, Katy (2023) - Saturday was my first chance to see Davis in person, and he was nothing short of impressive. In fact, he took home offensive MVP honors for leading the Tiger offense with 14 carries for 123 yards and a TD. WR Jaden Greathouse, Austin Westlake (2023) - big bodied, great hands, and he led Westlake with 5 receptions for 103 yards and a TD. RB Kalib Hill, Denton Ryan (2023) - A tough, downhill runner, he finished with 15 carries for 98 yards. At 6-foot and 200-pounds he is already a load for opposing defenses. TE Jason Llewellyn, Aledo (2022) - His size, athleticism, and ability to block and catch are going to catch plenty of attention. He finished with 2 receptions for 24 yards but he showed he could be a versatile weapon. TE RJ Maryland, Southlake Carroll (2022) - Long and lean he made several highlight reel receptions. His ability to adjust to the ball definitely caught the eye. He checks in at 6-4, 205 and he lined up at receiver for Carroll. OL Connor Robertson, Austin Westlake (2022) - What is not to like about a big, physical mauler on the offensive line. He finishes strong, he picks up blocks downfield, and he has a lot of good tape. Look for his stock to continue to rise.
Texas State Championships Recap - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
I say it every year, but if you have not had a chance to experience the UIL State Football Championships I highly recommend it. There really is nothing like it. This year was no different, and now it is time to try and wrap it all up. Here's my quick look at the last three days.Top PerformanceQB Kyron Drones, Pearland Shadow Creek - 2021Kyron Drones is not yet a household name across the country, but people will be talking about him soon enough. The junior quarterback took home offensive MVP honors in the 5A Division I State Championship after he guided his team to a win over a stout Denton Ryan squad. It was not always pretty he did throw 2 INTs - but he put on a gutsy show. When the game was in the balance and when his team needed a leader to step up, he did so without hesitation. He gave Shadow Creek a 7-0 lead early in the first and he added another to make it 21-7 early in the third. Ryan pressured him consistently and he made them pay by gashing them with his legs and finding receivers down the field. Statistically he finished with 135 yards and 2 TDs on 24 carries and he completed 10 of 18 for 185 yards, but his performance went beyond the numbers. Best Game of the Weekend5A Division I State Championship Game - Shadow Creek vs Denton RyanFriday's night cap was not a beauty contest, far from it. It was often times ugly. It was gritty. It was tough. It was a backyard brawl. These two heavyweights came ready to fight to the end and that is exactly what happened as Shadow Creek pulled out the 28-22 win. It came down to the game's final play - a Seth Henigan Hail Mary attempt that had a shot but ultimately fell to the turf. The game had all the drama and then some - just take a look at Randy Masters' punt return and tell me this is not a crazy game. Overall though both of these teams left it all on the field. Best Play Randy Masters, punt return against Denton RyanIt was only 37 yards but it was something you had to see to believe.https://twitter.com/dctf/status/1208210271963095041?s=20The Future AggiesRB Devon Achane, Fort Bend Marshall (2020 signee)It was a tough night for Texas A&M signee Devon Achane. Fort Bend Marshall got behind early and could not make up ground as they fell to Aledo in the 5A Div II State Championship. Still Achane showed plenty. He was was quick, fast, and elusive and Aledo made sure not to give him a shot in the return game. He finished with 17 carries for 171 yards, and 2 TDs on the ground and 7 receptions for 121 yards.QB Eli Stowers, Denton Guyer (2021 commit)My heart goes out to Stowers. Injury took him out of the game before it ever really got started. He suffered what is believed to be a torn PCL on Guyer's first drive and he was forced to the sideline. It was hard to see it all happen the way it did, but there is no doubt in my mind he will be back better than ever. Most likely to be AggiesAfter talking with Liucci, here's the top 10 guys who played this weekend most likely to be Aggies outside of Devon Achane 1. QB Eli Stowers, Denton Guyer (2021) - committed2. DT Marcus Burris, Texarkana Pleasant Grove (2021) - there's been quite a bit of A&M buzz3. DE Landon Jackson, Texarkana Pleasant Grove (2021) - same with Burris4. OL Jaeden Roberts, Galena Park North Shore (2021) - he's been on the Aggies radar since before he moved to Texas5. OL Ty'Kieast Crawford Carthage - this one will likely include a JC stop before it could happen6. QB Kyron Drones, Pearland Shadow Creek (2021) - A&M legacy, who would be a candidate if A&M is in need of 2 QBs in the class.7. CB Denver Harris, Galena Park North Shore (2022) - already holds an offer and has been to campus8. ATH Dametrious Crownover, Grandview (2021) - he holds an offer and he has potential on either side of the ball.9. QB Dematrius Davis, Galena Park North Shore (2021) - Va Tech commit, but he's another candidate if the Aggies pursue a second QB10. ATH Malik Hornsby, Fort Bend Marshall - The numbers would have to work out but he's one to watch in January.Texas A&M 2021 commit Shadrach Banks would also be on this list, but we did not get to see him since he was out injuredComplete bonehead mistake on my part. I left off 2021 CB Deuce Harmon. He would be no. 4 on this list.Five who improved their rankingWR JoJo Earle, Aledo - the speed and quickness was on full display. He ripped off several big plays and finished the day with a championship ring. He stat line was 10 carries for 43 yards, and 4 receptions for 107 yards and a TDDE Ja'tavion Sanders, Denton Ryan - He was a menace of the edge and got to Drones a couple of times on the night. He also had fourth quarter touchdown reception to give Ryan a chance at the win. He finished with 4 receptions for 65 yds and a TD, and he was credited with 2 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.WR Roderick Daniels, Duncanville - This was the dude. He was Duncanville's big play threat and it is safe to say his 8 carries for 133 yards and a TD and 2 receptions for 54 yards do not adequately tell the story.QB Dematrius Davis, Galena Park North Shore - He is just really good. He completed 6 of 12 passes for 91 yards, and 1 TD, and he had 16 carries for 115 yards, and another TD on the day. It was yet another stout performance.ATH Billy Bowman Jr, Denton Ryan - Offense, defense, and special teams. His 2 INTs showed his ball skills and instincts. He's going to be a good one.Welcome to the radarQB Kyron Drones, Shadow Creek - See the top performance section at the top for more information. QB Kai Horton, Carthage (2021) - He completed 16 of 22 passes for 231 yards and 3 TDs. Big, heady QB, he's going to attract quite a bit of attention.RB Moses Wray, Wimberley (2022) - His statline is not going to jump off the table but he is a solidly built prospect who could end up on either side of the ball. S Ty Marsh, Denton Ryan (2021) - He is a big hitter with range and a nose for the ball. 2022s Randy Masters, Denver Harris, and Bryan Allen all also lived up to their billing as future prospects.Other Top PerformancesLB Roddrell Freeman, Mart (2021) - 21 car, 168 yds, 3 TDs; 3 assists, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 FRQB Dane Jentsch, Grandview (2021) - 14 car, 152 yds, 1 TD; 12 of 17, 218 yds, 0 INTs; 2 solos, 3 assists, .5 TFL, 1 INTWR Kelvontay Dixon, Carthage - 3 car, 32 yds; 7 rec, 120 yds, 3 TDsRB Bruce Garrett, Pleasant Grove - 25 car, 254 yds, 3 TDsDT Marcus Burris, Pleasant Grove (2021) - 1 assist, 1 PBU, 2 sacksDE Landon Jackson, Pleasant Grove (2021) - 1 solo, 1 assist, 2 PBU, 1 sackLB Drew Sanders, Denton Ryan - 8 car, 25 yds; 6 rec, 48 yds; 2 solos, 3 assists, .5 TFLLB DJ Arkansas, Denton Ryan (2021) - 7 solos, 7 assists, LB Jeremiah Harris, Pearland Shadow Creek - 4 solos, 3 assists, 2 sacks, 1 TFLQB Jake Bishop, Aledo - 13 car, 46 yds, 1 TD; 11 of 16, 244 yds, 3 TDs, 0 INTsRB Jase McClellan, Aledo - 25 car, 218 yds, 2 TDsWR Monterren Parks, Aledo - 6 rec, 132 yds, 2 TDs QB Malik Hornsby, Fort Bend Marshall - 11 of 17, 157 yds, 1 TD, 0 INTs; 13 car, 155 yds, 2 TDsLB JD Thursby, Duncanville (2021) - 7 solo, 3 assist, 1 sack, 1 FR, 3 QB hurriesQB Chris Parson, Duncanville (2023) - 6 of 10, 100; 12 car, -22 yds, 1 TDLB Corey Flagg, Galena Park North Shore RB Kaedric Cobbs, Denton Guyer - 28 car, 162 ydsQB Kirkland Michaux, Austin Westlake 20 of 31, 285 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INTWR Mason Mangum, Austin Westlake - 3 rec, 79 yds, 1 TDClosing ThoughtThere were some big names out for several different reasons. There were freshmen QBs forced into the spotlight. There were heartbreaking moments, tough breaks, and there were big time plays, and players, coaches, and fans pouring their hearts out as the final minutes ticked off the clock. All in all it simply does not get any better. Even on a bad day it is still a great day. Top to bottom it is my favorite event of the year and in my opinion it is a must see for any football fan out there. Final Results6A Div I - Galena Park North Shore 31 Duncanville 17Off. MVP: QB Dematrius Davis, North ShoreDef. MVP: LB Corey Flagg, North Shore6A Div II - Austin Westlake 24 Denton Guyer 0Off MVP: QB Kirkland Michaux, Austin WestlakeDef. MVP: DB Michael Taafe, Austin Westlake5A Div I - Pearland Shadow Creek 28 Denton Ryan 22Off MVP: QB Kyron Drones, Shadow CreekDef MVP: LB Jeremiah Harris, Shadow Creek5A Div II - Aledo 45 Fort Bend Marshall 42Off MVP: QB Jake Bishop, AledoDef MVP: DB Demarco Roberts, Aledo4A Div I - Carthage 42 Waco La Vega 28Off MVP: WR Kelvontay Dixon, CarthageDef MVP: S Cole Whitlock, Carthage4A Div II - Texarkana Pleasant 35 Grove Wimberley 21Off MVP: RB Bruce Garrett, Pleasant GroveDef MVP: DL Marcus Burris, Pleasant Grove3A Div I - Grandview 42 Pottsboro 35Off MVP: QB Dane Jentsch, GrandviewDef MVP: S Dane Jentsch, Grandview3A Div II - Gunter 43 Omaha Pewitt 22Off MVP: RB Clayton Reed, GunterDef MVP: Peyton Lowe, Gunter2A Div II - Mart 25 Hamlin 20Off MVP: RB Roddrell Freeman, MartDef MVP: CB Klyderian Campbell, Mart
