2020 All-Press Pass Six-man Team

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Coach of the Year

[Graphics by Brent Seals]

Tony Dodson, Groom

Tony Dodson has built the Groom football program into one of the top Class 1A Division II programs in the state.

The 2020 season proved just that.

Dodson earns the inaugural Press Pass Sports Six-man Coach of the Year award for his team coming off a fantastic season.

The Tigers finished 12-2, a best under Dodson, advancing to the Class 1A Division II state semifinals for the first since 2014, before falling to Balmorhea in a heartbreaking 44-38 loss.

“It was a tremendous year for us,” said Dodson, who is 39-21 in five season as head coach. “It’s one of things reflect and feel good about, but we had to realize that we had to compete and nothing was going to be given to us. We had great team chemistry, we didn’t have egos, and that was key to winning. Great things happen when that happens.”

As important as winning is to programs, it was a season-opening loss to Happy that jump started the Tigers tremendous season. The Cowboys gave a confident Groom team a 68-20 beating that gave Dodson and his boys a wake up call.

“It showed us you can’t take a snap off,” Dodson said. “It showed you have to execute on every opportunity. We went into that ballgame ready win and didn’t. We had no idea what happened. So the next morning we had a meeting and from there it got real.”

Groom went on to win its next 11 games, getting better by the week. The Tigers mauled everyone in their way with quarterback Gunner Lamb crediting Dodson’s coaching preparation and tutoring.

“I can’t tell you what he means to our team this year,” Lamb said. “He’s a great man and better person. He watches more film and prepares better than anyone I’ve ever seen. He always ready to go and no one is going to be more ready.”

Dodson echoed his QBs comments.

“The longer you’re in coaching the more you learn to prioritize, and realize what is important during a season,” Dodson said. “You handle and practice and stress in game in certain ways. I have so much to learn but part of process I’ve learned is player relationships are a bigger deal. The more you get everyone on same page the better it gets.”

Player of the Year

Stetson Jameson, Happy, 5-10, 165 pound, Sr.

It was hard to deny Happy two-way standout Stetson Jameson as the inaugural Press Pass Sports Six-man of the Year.

Headed into the beginning of the 2020 season, the Happy Cowboys weren’t on the radar picked to finish third in a very tough District 1-1A Division I. Jameson proved those doubters wrong leading the Cowboys to a 1-1A championship, and state quarterfinal appearance for the for the first time since 2017. Thanks to his size, speed, and ability to run in the open field, Jameson registered a record-breaking performance netting a Texas Panhandle-best 2,500 yards rushing. He also did it all on defense making more than 100 tackles on defense, helping garner this prestigious honor.

As a wide eyed 5-foot-6, 115 pound freshman, Jameson watched Happy’s senior spread back Colton McCarley rush for almost 2,100 yards adding 55 touchdowns in a record-breaking campaign that took Happy to the state semifinals. Little did he know that three years later it would be him leading the Cowboys to a deep playoff run while setting records in the process. Jameson finished the season with a school-record 2,532 yards rushing with 55 touchdowns. Being as dangerous as he was Jameson kept teams honest with his passing finishing 33-of-46 for 585 yards and 11 touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, Jameson wrecked havoc on opposing offenses leading the Cowboys with 118 tackles, 65 of those solo, 20 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions that included a pick-six, a fumble returned for a score, and a punt return touchdown.

When second-year head coach Stacy Perryman moved Jameson from starting quarterback his junior year to running back for his senior campaign he knew Jameson was going leave his mark.

“I was expecting a good season from Jameson,” Perryman said. “Early on there were some growing pains but knowing Stetson he kept working at getting better. However, I’m not sure we expected him to be one of the best backs in Happy history.” The senior wasn’t as convinced as the coach about the move.

“I went to coach after our scrimmage and had a private conversation,” Jameson said. “I told him I didn’t think it was a good fit and that my performance was hurting the team.”

But Jameson’s performance backed up his coaches opinion and helped lead Happy back to a deep playoff run going 11-2 before falling to Borden County in the state quarterfinals.

Jameson quickly showed he was a force to reckon with by picking up 249 yards rushing and seven touchdowns against eventual Division II state semifinalist Groom. That was the start of three straight 200 plus yard rushing performances in victories over Nazareth and Springlake-Earth. But Jameson saved his best performances for the biggest games. In a matchup with eventual Division I state champion Sterling City he rushed for 182 yards and two scores, and passed for another 155 with two touchdowns. Jameson also added 13 tackles on the defensive side of the ball.

Against district rival White Deer he galloped for 236 yards rushing and seven scores, while piling up 11 tackles and a sack. In Happy’s three playoff games Jameson kept his tremendous year going rushing for an eye-opening 631 yards with 11 TDs, chipping in with 223 yards passing and five scores. Jameson was asked why he performed so well in the big games and his response characterizes a small town player.

“I’ve never been the biggest, fastest, strongest,” Jameson said. “But I was raised that work ethic and heart would make up for a lot of that talent, and having the biggest heart gave me a competitive edge.”

Perryman’s faith in Jameson in those crucial spots never wavered.

“Stetson thrived in the big moments,” Perryman said. “When we needed a third and long or a fourth down conversion I had no doubt I wanted the ball in his hands. When the lights shone brightest that’s when he performed his best.”

Newcomer of the Year

Quay Hodges, Happy, 6-0, 190 pound, Fr.

Rarely do freshmen make an impact on the line but Hodges proved his worth helping to anchor an offensive line that allowed MVP Stetson Jameson to rush for over 2,500 yards. From his defensive end position Hodges was just as impressive racking up 25 tackles with a sack going both ways for a Cowboys squad that advanced to the state quarterfinals.

Offense

Quarterback

[ Photo by Texas 1A Fan]

Gunner Lamb, Groom, 6-3, 195 pound, Sr.

The District 2-1A Division II MVP helped lead the Tigers to a 12-2 record, including a run to the Class 1A Division II state semifinal for the first time since 2014. The dual-threat QB ended his senior season throwing for 2,276 yards with 40 touchdowns, tacking on 576 rushing yards and 10 more TDs.

Running backs

[Photo by Sierra Franks]

Shayne Franks, Follett, 5-11, 165 pound, So.

Franks had a breakout sophomore campaign for the Panthers. Anytime the ball was in his hands Franks had the ability to score ending the season with 1,405 yards on top of an impressive 38 touchdowns.

[Photo by Seth Ritter]

Braedon Williams, Groom, 5-8, 155 pound, Sr.

Williams provided plenty of versatility out of the backfield for an extremely good Tigers offense. On the ground the senior ran for 454 yards with 19 touchdowns, he also added 29 catches for 381 yards with three scores.

Center

[Photo by Trevor Fleeman]

Arik Coile, Happy, 6-1, 215 pound, Sr.

Playing in all 13 games for Happy, the first-team All-State Center was the anchor for a Cowboys offense that tallied over 4,300 yards in total offense and averaged 59 points per game in 2020.

Receivers

[Photo by Seth Ritter]

Stephen Kuehler, Groom, 5-6, 140 pound, So.

Kuehler became a main target for Lamb this season. The first-team All-District selection snagged a total of 30 catches for a team-high 643 yards with 11 touchdowns.

[Photo by Texas 1A Fan]

Mason Mooney, White Deer, 6-1, 195 pound, Sr.

The senior standout was the go-to wide out for a potent Bucks offense in 2020. The speedy Mooney snagged over 50 catches on the year finishing with 1,352 yards adding 24 touchdowns.

Utility offensive player

[Provided photo]

Luke Betzen, Nazareth, 5-11, 185, Sr.

The senior was the Swifts do-it-all man in 2020. Playing out of the spreadback position gave Betzen versatility to rush for 1,527 yards, throw for 1,326 yards, and pile up 304 receiving yards for an impressive 70 combined touchdowns.

Defense

Lineman

[Photo by Sierra Franks]

Marshal Howard, Follett, 6-0, 190 pound, Sr.

The District 1-1A Division II Defensive MVP had a tremendous season helping Follett to a 12-1 record, and a run to the Class 1A Division I state quarterfinal. Howard spent the year in the opponents backfield racking up 133 tackles, 92 of which were solo, forcing three fumbles with five fumble recoveries.

[Provided photo]

Tye Schulte, Nazareth, 5-10, 180 pound, Sr.

The second-team All-Region defensive end wreaked havoc against opposing offenses during his senior season. His speed gave him a great edge when getting into backfields forcing eight QB pressures and three sacks. Schulte also led his team with 72 tackles until an injury forced him to the sidelines late in the year.

Linebackers

[Photo by Sierra Franks]

Jonathan Comacho, Follett, 5-8, 170 pound, Sr.

The lightning quick Comacho had a tremendous senior year on both sides of the ball. But on defense he was extremely talented piling up 123 tackles, 75 of those solo, adding two fumble recoveries, an interception, and a touchdown.

[Provided photo]

Harris Albracht, Wildorado, 5-10, 152 pound, Sr.

The senior was one of the leaders on a historic Wildorado team making its debut in the UIL in 2020. The Mustangs finished their inaugural season with a 9-2 record and a playoff appearance on the back of a truly suffocating defense headed by the talented senior. Albracht finished the year with 108 tackles, recovering three fumble, and forcing two.

Defensive backs

[Photo by Trevor Fleeman]

Hunter Warminski, White Deer, 6-1, 195 pound, Sr.

Not only was Warminski the Bucks main force at running back, but the first-team Class 1A Division I All-State selection did his part on defense racking up 88 tackles with two interceptions.

[Photo by Trevor Fleeman]

Pace Bressler, Happy, 5-10, 150 pound, Jr.

The honorable mention Class 1A Division All-State corner was a dependable asset for Happy coach Stacy Perryman. Playing in a all 13 games, Bressler made 67 tackles, 28 solo, two sacks and two interceptions.

Utility defensive player

[Photo by Trevor Fleeman]

TS Bow, Happy, 5-9, 160 pound, Jr.

Bow didn’t even start for the Cowboys till the opening of the season. But once he did he made his mark quickly finishing with 56 tackles, 31 of those solo, nine tackles for loss, a sack, two fumble recoveries and a pick-six. Bow was also a first-team Division I All-State a receiver gathering in seven touchdowns on only 15 receptions.

Special Teams Player

[Provided photo]

Collin Gonzales, Miami, 5-8, 155 pounds, Jr.

What a freshman year for Gonzales and the Warriors. Under first-year coach Clint Linman, Miami made strides reaching the Division II playoffs. Gonzales did all he could on the special teams averaging 24 yards a kick return with a touchdown, as well as making 17 tackles on the kickoff team, and blocked three extra-points.

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