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
High school notes and thoughts from my weekend
- Haynes King and Eli Stowers are not only very talented QBs, but they are great fits for the Texas A&M offense. They run complex offenses where they are given a lot of pre-snap responsibilities. They work out of the shotgun and go under center, and they are dual threat guys who know how to extend plays with the legs and run if needed.-King is a no-nonsense leader on the field. He can run, but he is a pass first guy. His eyes are always downfield unless it's a designed run and he is well versed in the art of carrying out fakes. He put the ball in some tight windows Friday night, and made some nice throws under pressure. One thing I like about him is his ball placement, even on incompletions. The polish, the intelligence, the athleticism, it's a very impressive overall package. He did not disappoint.-My favorite play from King was the throw right before halftime to setup the field goal. It was a clutch throw into a tight window, with little room for error due to time in the game and the needed placement of the ball.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/1170149669395193856?s=20-Stowers' size and frame are the first things you notice, but one thing he has done quickly this fall is put to bed any talk that he was just a big athlete and may not be a QB. Now he still has some rough edges to his game, but he is definitely a QB and one of the best in the country. -It is also clear Stowers is very comfortable in the clutch. He was more than ready to roll when Guyer got the ball back and he had a chance to lead a game winning drive. He also didn't flinch when a penalty put Guyer behind the chains with time ticking down. He made a couple of gains on the ground to put Guyer back on plan.-Stowers' deep ball is a thing of beauty and he has great confidence in it. He throws it with touch and zip, and he can drop it in the bucket way down field.-In his short to intermediate throws, it looks like he's trying to put a lot of touch on it and it results in him taking too much off of it at times. I would like to see him just let it rip more.-I've heard some of the talk about 5-star, and he may get there eventually, but I'm not going there yet. He's definitely one of the top QBs in the country though and solid top 15 in Texas prospect.-I'll just leave this clip here, it's a good one from Guyer's game winning drive.https://twitter.com/Jason_Howell/status/1170439718036746240?s=20-Cedar Hill QB Kaidon Salter is going to be a great pick-up for someone. He is a dual-threat QB with a big arm and who can make throws from a variety of arm slots. He is a P5 QB, there's no doubt in my mind. Very impressive. -Cedar Hill may be the best 0-2 program in the state. They will make a lot of noise come playoff time.-Guyer is for real. And Kaedric Cobbs is going to make some team very, very happy. The Guyer RB is incredibly smart, like top of his class smart, and he is a strong, physical runner with more versatility than he's credited with. He also has a tremendous work ethic and desire.-Longview is good, but they are not as strong as last year. It will be interesting to see how the inexperience at OL and WR develops over the course of the season.-Longview 2021 RB Kaden Meredith is fun to watch. He is a strong, explosive back, who always seems to fall forward. He is also a big factor in the return game.-Longview 2020 DL Sawyer Goram-Welch was all over the place Friday night. He wants to play defense and he has plenty of opportunities. -Arlington Martin may be the most fun team I have see this year. Martin opened the game with 100-yard kickoff return, blocked a punt for a TD, recovered and returned a bad shotgun snap for a TD, and blocked a field goal to setup a field goal. -30 yards of offense with a 24-point halftime lead is something else. I don't think I've seen anything like it before. -Hebron and Martin both have swarming defenses that are going to be match-up issues for their opponents.-2022 RB Isaiah Broadway was impressive in a loss for Hebron. His 36-yard TD run was pretty. It was a decisive run and he exploded right through the middle of the Martin defense for 6. He is also versatile and can be a weapon in the passing game and in the return game. -Martin 2022 DE Ernest Cooper IV is an intriguing prospect. He is very long at 6-4, 215, but he is light in his lower body. He does a good job of using his length, working his hands, maintaining leverage, and he was able to generate pressure on a regular basis. He will be one to watch as he fills out and develops more strength. He is also well aware of Martin alum Myles Garrett and that Terry Price coached him at Texas A&M. He only camped at Texas and Texas A&M this summer. His highlights from the game are below.https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9878202/5d72e642bd6b1114e09b4440
