Amarillo High senior Davin Lemmons begins his third season as a starting wide receiver for Amarillo High. [John Moore/ Press Pass Sports]
Davin Lemmons, Amarillo High, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, Sr. WR
The prolific Division I prospect has been the staple of the Sandies receiving corps the past three seasons. Now a senior, all eyes are on Lemmons who is not only fast but does a tremendous job in his route running. Last season the first-team All-District selection snagged 60 balls for 753 yards with nine touchdowns.
Major Everhart, Tascosa, 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, Jr. RB
Even with All-State QB Joseph Plunk running the show in the Rebels backfield last year, Everhart was able to show flashes of his untapped potential. Everhart is gaining Division I looks by the day with his dominating speed, which showed as a sophomore when he rushed for 520 yards on only 42 carries with four TDs.
Will Maynard, Amarillo High, 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Sr. QB
The reigning District 3-5A Division I MVP was absolutely incredible as a first-year starter in 2019. Maynard took command of the Sandies offense helping AHS to a 9-3 record, a district title and run to the area round. The dual-threat QB finished the year throwing for 2,331 yards with 23 touchdown tosses, and ran for 562 yards with another 10 scores.
Braden Beck, Randall, Sr. 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, RB-LB
The two-way star for the Raiders came into his own during his junior season. Beck brought stability to the backfield toting the ball 116 times for 699 yards, and was also a force on defense racking up 106 tackles with nine for a loss.
Robbie Barba, Caprock, 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, Sr. OL-DL, Sr.
Barba enters the season hoping to bring stability to a Longhorns defense that struggled last year. The second-team District 3-5A Division I selection ended 2019 making bullied his to 34 tackles, eight of which were for a loss, a sack and a fumble recovery.
Caleb Bernal, Palo Duro, 5-foot-9 180 pounds, LB
Bernal has been the backbone of the Dons defense entering his third year as a starter for head coach Chris Fisher. Last season the gritty Bernal thrived making 115 tackles, with 60 of those being solo.
Brock Ewing, Amarillo High, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Sr. LB
Amarillo High coach Chad Dunnam loves everything about the way Ewing plays the game of football. As one of the leaders on the defense, the aggressive, fearless linebacker is always in the right spot. Last year Ewing had a stellar season making 123 tackles, with two sacks to go with an INT.
Ollie Swope, Tascosa, 6-foot-4, 331 pounds, Sr. OL
Big, strong, and mobile is the only describe the physical mismatch. Swope made eight starts up front for a Tascosa team that went 10-4 last season, advancing to a second straight Class 6A Division II state quarterfinals. Swope does his job without expectation of being recognized, and has the ability to be a top O-lineman by season’s end.
Noel Marquez, Palo Duro, 6-foot-1, 160 pounds, Sr. QB
Marquez makes the move from from safety to take over as the new Palo Duro quarterback replacing three-year standout Dondray DeGrate. Head coach Chris Fisher says Marquez is a great competitor and leader with big expectations.
Tascosa‘s Darius Sanders was key on both sides of the ball for the Rebels last year. [John Moore/ Press Pass Sports]
Darius Sanders, Tascosa, 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Sr. RB-LB
No doubt Sanders impressive size and speed brings versatility to a very talented Rebels team. Not only did he bring depth to Tascosa’s backfield piling up 435 yards with six touchdowns, but Sanders was just as valuable at linebacker. In 14 games he totaled tackles, had four sacks and caused two fumbles.
Eli Martinez, Caprock, 5-foot-7, 140 pound, Sr. RB-LB
Martinez brings much needed help to the Longhorns backfield, however, it’s the defensive side of the ball that’s his specialty. The second-team All-District linebacker hopes to improve off a junior year where he made 26 tackles, three sacks, and a fumble recovery for a TD.
Branson Britten, Randall, Randall, 6-foot, 195 pounds, Sr. LB
Britten is a player anyone would want on their roster. A year ago, Britten came on last season making a team-best 108 tackles, seven of those for a loss, for a Raiders team that made their second straight run to the Class 5A Division II regional round.
Trey Thomas, Amarillo High, 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, Sr. DB
The son of former White Deer legend and All-South West Conference defensive back, Bart Thomas, enters his third year as a top safety for the Sandies. Last season Thomas was a force making 80 tackles, five pass breakups with an interception.
Anthony Tuttle, Tascosa, 5-foot-10, 235 pounds, Sr. FB
Tuttle is described by his coaches as a tough, selfless, hard worker willing that does anything to make his team better. His blocking is vital for the Rebels speedy backs, and he can run the ball when called on. A year ago Tuttle put up 229 yards on the ground with two TDs.
T.J Warren, Palo Duro, 6-foot-2, 265 pounds, Sr. OL
Warren made 10 starts as a sophomore only to see his junior season get cut in 2019 due to injury. Now 100 percent healthy, Warren is ready to step out on the field and establish himself as one of the top lineman in the Amarillo-area.
Kaden Thurman, Tascosa, 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Sr. WR-DB
The senior became one of Tascosa’s top cover guys during the Rebels 10-4 season in 2019. Not only does he cover, Thurman is always in the right spot displaying great speed is and can tackle in the open field. Thurman ended last year making 66 tackles with a team-high four interceptions.
Braylon Milligan, Amarillo High, 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, Sr. LB
The senior standout returns to an experienced linebacking group after a 2019 season that saw Milligan make a team-high 148 total tackles, 25 of those solo, with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Dylan Cheyne, Randall, 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Sr. DB
The Raiders defensive back is wanting to improve off an outstanding junior year that saw Cheyne make a total of 74 Tackles and two interceptions.
L’Travion Brown, Tascosa, 5-foot-6, 155 pounds, Jr. RB-DB
The junior will provide depth for a dominant Tascosa run game. Though he didn’t get many carries last season, expect Brown to be a bigger factor in a stacked backfield.
Lawrence Baca, Caprock, 5-foot-9, 240 pounds, Sr. DL
The second-team All-District selection is high on the Caprock coaching staff radar. Baca is expected to be a run stopper in the middle for the Longhorns after racking up 10 tackles with two sacks last year.
Notable players to watch
Avion Carter, Tascosa, 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, So. DE
Erik Gray, Amarillo High, 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, OL
Kaden Carr, Amarillo High, 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, So. OL
Isayah Hernandez, Randall, 6-foot, 175 pound, Jr. WR
Tresaun Monroe, Palo Duro, 5-foot-9, 170 pound, So. RB
Joziah Balderrama, Caprock, 6-foot-1, 190 pound, Jr. QB