Texas high school football – Page 4

Oklahoma QB signee Jackson Arnold wins Texas Gatorade Player of the Year Award

Oklahoma Sooners QB Jackson Arnold named Texas Gatorade Player of the Year and is a finalist for Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Former Denton Guyer Wildcat and future Oklahoma Sooner quarterback Jackson Arnold’s efforts in his final high school season have been rewarded. Arnold has been named the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year.

During this regular season, Arnold completed 69% of his passes and totaled 4,400 yards and 57 total touchdowns during his senior year. He also added Arnold also took very good care of the football, with only three interceptions on the season.

While being named the best football player in the state of Texas is a phenomenal accomplishment for the young QB, Arnold is still on the shortlist for the Gatorade National Player of the Year Award as one of three finalists.

Former winners are a who’s who of college and NFL players. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik won it in 2021, and Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba won it in 2019. Other notable winners of the award include Spencer Sanders, [autotag]Kyler Murray[/autotag] (twice), Matthew Stafford, and Cedric Benson.

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Beyond blessed to win Texas Gatorade player of the year 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HOY78pKZ4L

— Jackson Arnold (@_JacksonArnold_) January 6, 2023

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The other two are very familiar faces: Texas signee [autotag]Arch Manning[/autotag] and USC signee and former OU commit [autotag]Malachi Nelson[/autotag].

Arnold’s Denton Guyer did fall in the state semifinals, but the numbers he had against the competition he played against is hard to argue with. Being a finalist alongside future Red River rival Arch Manning and USC’s Malachi Nelson just feels like how it was meant to be.

Even if Arnold doesn’t win the national award, being selected as the best player in the state of Texas across multiple publications is quite an accomplishment. Arnold’s time at the helm may not come until 2024, but he’s already got excitement building for his debut.

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Oklahoma commit Jackson Arnold wins MaxPreps Texas High School Player of the Year

Ahead of signing with the Oklahoma Sooners, Jackson Arnold wins Max Preps Texas High School Player of the Year Award.

Jackson Arnold has had a tremendous 2022 after making it to the Texas state championship game in 2021.

After winning the Elite 11 MVP, Jackson Arnold had a tremendous senior season for Denton Guyer. In Guyer’s semifinal run, the Oklahoma Sooners five-star commit had a tremendous season where he accounted for 57 total touchdowns and 4,400 yards.

Now he can add Max Preps Texas High School Player of the Year to his mantel after his incredibly productive 2022 season.

The No. 4 quarterback and No. 7 player in the 2023 recruiting class, Arnold earned his fifth star after his performance at the Elite 11 camp in the summer. An Under Armour All-American, Arnold is the No. 1 overall player in the state of Texas.

Arnold was initially recruited by Jeff Lebby while the Sooners’ offensive coordinator was still with Ole Miss. Lebby’s move to Oklahoma opened the door for Arnold to make the move north up I-35 to Norman.

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Texas Showdown: Previewing the title rematch between Duncanville, North Shore

The top 10 Super 25 teams square off in a huge title game in the Lone Star State.

It’s a top-tier high school football matchup this weekend in Texas, where two undefeated and evenly-matched rival Super-25 teams square off in the state championship.

Here is a preview of the Class 6A Division I title game between the Duncanville Panthers and the North Shore Mustangs.

No. 9 Duncanville (14-0)

The Panthers began the 2022 season with a 23-10 win over South Oak Cliff (Texas). That’s about as close as any opponent got all year, with the exception of Westlake (Texas), who lost by a touchdown. Almost everyone else got blown out, with 10 opponents going down by 30 points or more. Their most recent victim was Prosper (Texas), who they defeated, 41-0.

No. 8 North Shore (15-0)

Meanwhile, the Mustangs had two close shaves all season. In October, they only managed to beat Summer Creek (Texas) by a touchdown and Atascocita (Texas) by a field goal. All the other teams they faced lost by two possessions or more. To advance, North Shore beat Westlake 49-34.

Per the Houston Chronicle, this will be the fourth time in five years these teams meet in this game. North Shore won the last three (2018, 2019 and 2021), and all were decided in the fourth quarter.

The game will be played at the Dallas Cowboys’ home, AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 7:00 p.m. central.

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Oklahoma receives pair of crystal ball predictions for 2024 4-star DL Nigel Smith

The Oklahoma Sooners starting to gain some 2024 recruiting momentum earning crystal ball predictions for 4-star DL Nigel Smith. From @john9williams

Oklahoma’s been firing on all cylinders on the recruiting trail since Brent Venables’ arrival. After landing in Norman last December, the Sooners 2022 recruiting class landed inside the top 10 after he and his staff were able to pull that class together by signing day. The 2023 class has the potential to finish inside the top five as they head down the stretch.

After their win over Oklahoma State, when they hosted a number of players across the next few recruiting cycles, the Sooners continue to build positive recruiting momentum.

After receiving commitments and projections for players in the 2023 class from Bedlam weekend, the Sooners are moving in the right direction for 2024 as well.

One player that seems to be trending in Oklahoma’s direction is 2024 four-star defensive lineman Nigel Smith. The Sooners received crystal ball predictions from OUInsiders’ Parker Thune and Brandon Drumm in the last few days.

Nigel Smith, from Melissa, Texas, is one of the top players in the Lone Star State, ranking inside the top 10 with ESPN, Rivals, the On3 Consensus, and the 247Sports Composite rankings. He’s the No. 6 defensive lineman in the 247Sports Composite for 2024.

Smith has had a fantastic 2021 season for Melissa, racking up 66 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. Melissa’s 10-2 on the season and in the midst of a playoff run in the Texas 5A division 2 state championships. They’ve got a regional matchup with Terrell on top for this week and, with a win, would move on to face the winner of Midlothian and South Oak Cliff in the other regional on their side of the bracket.

Nigel Smith’s size jumps off the screen. He plays big and moves well for a player of his stature. He does a good job shedding blocks and getting into the backfield. He’s a versatile defensive lineman who can play as a defensive end in a three-man front or as a three-technique defensive tackle in a four-man front. Smith displays strong hand usage, which he uses to quickly defeat blocks both on the edge or along the interior. He’s a physical player looking to punish the ball carrier.

Smith is among a group of defensive linemen the Sooners have targeted in the top 10 at the position for 2024, along with David Stone T.A. Cunningham, Williams Nwaneri, and Kamarion Franklin.

Nigel Smith’s Recruiting Profile

Projections

No Rivals Futurecasts predicted at this time.
On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has the Ohio State Buckeyes as the favorite for Smith.
Oklahoma has received a pair of crystal ball predictions for Nigel Smith since Saturday.

Film

Hudl

5-star 2024 quarterback DJ Lagway sets his commitment date

Willis (Texas) quarterback DJ Lagway sets his commitment date.

One of the best quarterbacks in the recruiting class of 2024 will soon be announcing his decision on where he will play college ball. Willis (Texas) quarterback DJ Lagway told 247 Sports today that he will be making his decision on December 7.

Lagway has offers from 33 different schools but has narrowed his choices down to USC, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Florida and Baylor.

In Gods hands🙏🏾 @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/LkVOyfM3ba

— DJ Lagway ✞ (@DerekLagway) November 16, 2022

Lagway says he’s looking for somewhere he feels at home:

“That family atmosphere, somewhere I feel at home and somewhere I can grow and develop thats a huge thing for me… My family made sure they loved it, its a really nice area. I’m really excited to get up there next December and get right to work.”

This season Lagway has posted over 2,000 passing yards to go with 24 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 130.4 QB rating. He’s also good with his legs, racking up another 517 yards and seven scores on 50 carries.

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Watch: 4-star Texas WR Bryant Wesco went full Randy Moss on this touchdown catch

Watch: Four-star 2024 Midlothian (Texas) wide receiver Bryant Wesco elevates for a touchdown catch.

A lot goes into winning any matchup between a wide receiver and a cornerback. Being able to elevate over the DB and make a play at the catch point never hurts, though.

Watch Midlothian (Texas) four-star 2024 wide receiver Bryant Wesco go full Randy Moss on this touchdown catch.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkwZP1LOCgC/

Midlothian went on to beat Red Oak (Texas) 56-28, improving to 10-0 on the season. Next, they have a road playoff game against Northwest (Texas) Friday night.

Wesco (6-foot-2, 170 pounds) is ranked No. 33 at his position in the recruiting class of 2024. He has offers from Baylor, Kansas, Oklahoma, TCU and Texas Tech.

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Texas A&M takes a hit with decommitment from 5-star LB Anthony Hill

Esports Rankings:

Latest “Madden NFL 23” fall regional rankings

Texas A&M takes a hit with decommitment from 5-star LB Anthony Hill

According to Hayes Fawcett at on3, Hill now plans to take his recruitment all the way to signing day.

Ryan (Texas) five-star linebacker Anthony Hill committed to playing for Texas A&M at the end of July. Today, he backed out of that commitment. In a statement, Hill thanked the school and the coaching staff.

According to Hayes Fawcett at on3, Hill now plans to take his recruitment all the way to signing day.

BREAKING: Five-Star LB Anthony Hill Jr. has Decommitted from Texas A&M.

The No. 1 LB in the ‘23 Class had been committed to the Aggies since July.

Hill tells me he plans on taking his recruitment down to signing day.https://t.co/oOIR7fIQUA pic.twitter.com/GlSGZfSuwG

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 7, 2022

Hill (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) is the consensus best linebacker in the class of 2023 and ranks No. 17 in the country according to 247 Sports.

The news was a blow for Jimbo Fisher’s 2023 recruiting class. Their score dropped to 212.88, which ranks No. 23 in the cycle. The Aggies were in the top 10 not too long ago.

Hill still has 33 offers on the table, including ones from Alabama, Miami, Oklahoma and USC – which were his other reported finalists. However, Nick Harris at Rivals reports that Texas is now trending for Hill’s commitment. He is visiting Austin for this weekend’s game against Auburn.

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Friday Night Notes

Football Rewind: Texas HS team saves undefeated season with clutch blocked punt, touchdown

Josef Fuksa saves Reedy (Texas) football team’s perfect record with blocked punt, touchdown in crunchtime.

For a moment there, it looked like Frisco Reedy (Texas) was going to suffer their first defeat of the 2022 season on the road against Heritage (Texas). Trailing by five points with only 40 seconds left to play, the Lions needed somebody to make a play.

Strong safety Josef Fuksa answered the call by blocking this punt, recovering the ball and scoring the go-ahead touchdown as time expired, completing a nine-point come from behind win in the fourth quarter.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkWlMgILshR/

Frisco Reedy’s record improved to 10-0, closing out their regular season on a high note.

USA TODAY Sports Super 25 high school football rankings, Nov. 1, 2022

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Texas HS Football: Duncanville pounds DeSoto on the ground in 41-17 win

Duncanville defeated DeSoto on Friday night to hand the school their second loss of the 2022 season.

There were a lot of interesting matchups to follow this past weekend in high school football. Texas was the scene of one of the best.

Duncanville defeated DeSoto 41-17 on Friday night, improving their record to 8-0 on the season. For DeSoto, it was only their second loss of the year and the first since facing second-ranked St. Frances Academy in Week 2.

The Panthers kickstarted the scoring with a 92-yard touchdown run from running back Caden Durham, who announced an offer from Michigan State earlier in the day. He continued to dominate the rest of the game, finishing with an absurd final line of 309 yards and five touchdowns on just 19 carries.

Duncanville 2024 4⭐️ RB Caden Durham went OFF last night with 19 carries for 309 yards and FIVE touchdowns😳😳😳@CadenDurham29 | 🎥: @DuragMedia pic.twitter.com/yRwrLoV4Mb

— Texas Football Life (@txfblife) October 30, 2022

Some of the credit must also go to Duncanville’s defense, which held Junior quarterback Darius Bailey to a 50% completion rate, just 83 passing yards, no touchdowns and a rating of 56.3.

Next up, the Panthers play an away game at Mansfield Legacy (Texas).

High School Football Playoffs: Start dates in each state (plus D.C.), and how to watch

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Paetow high school coach steps down over police investigation

The Texas high school football program has become an unfortunate focal point as the investigation continues.

The Paetow (Texas) high school football team is undergoing coaching staff changes.

According to a report by Briana Conner at ABC13, head coach Lonnie Teagle is stepping down from his position amid a police investigation. Details of the investigation are unknown at this time. Teagle was in his first year as the team’s head coach. In addition, offensive coordinator Trey Payne is also moving on.

In a statement, Katy ISD said safety is their top priority.

“The safety of Katy ISD students and staff is the District’s top priority. Whenever the District is made aware of an allegation, the accused is immediately removed from their District assignment(s), while District personnel work swiftly with law enforcement and other agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.”

In another statement to parents, the District said that David Hicks is taking over Teagle’s position. He had previously served as associate head coach. Assistant coach Matt Rhodes will be the new offensive coordinator, and Joe Sheffy will also join the staff as an offensive assistant.

Paetow lost 54-0 to Super 25 power Katy (Texas) last week, giving the Panthers a 3-3 record heading into tonight’s road game against Cinco Ranch (Texas).

Hot 5-star recruit Nyckoles Harbor moves official visit to LSU back

Live-Stream High School Football:

NFHS Network

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