[Graphics by Brent Seals. Photos by Ben Jenkins, David Erickson, Tom Carver, Alan Hale, Elisa Chavez, John Moore, Keirstyn Kelley, Ashley Eller]
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Collin Bishop, Childress, 6-0, 200 pound, Sr.
Bishop led Childress to its first unbeaten regular season in 30 years, and the first district championship since 2007. The District 3-3A Division II MVP showed pinpoint accuracy completing 168-of-244 passes (68.8 percent) for 2,559 yards with 24 touchdown passes without a single interception. Bishop also tacked on 719 rushing yards with 18 TDs.
Running backs
Cory Stancell, Farwell, 5-11, 190 pound, So.
There was no such thing as a sophomore slump for Stancell. The Steers workhorse led the Texas Panhandle with an impressive 2,155 yards rushing to go with 36 touchdowns. Stancell averaged 9.6 yards per carry in 11 games, while averaging 196 yards per contest.
Dario Bressler, Canyon, 5-11, 190 pound, Sr.
With a chance to show what he could do as a feature back in Todd Winfrey’s first season as head coach, Bressler took full advantage of the situation by emerging as a genuine dual threat out of the backfield for the Eagles. Bressler ran for 1,645 yards and 18 touchdowns and had 14 catches for 305 yards and five touchdowns.
Wide receivers
Kash Bradley, Bushland, 5-11, 165 pound, Sr.
The multi-dimensional Bradley utilized his breakaway speed and his nose for the endzone to garner the District 2-3A Division I MVP award. On the year, Bradley was incredible for the Falcons catching 61 passes for 1,045 yards with 14 touchdowns. He even carried the rock 46 times for 340 yards and five more scores.
Lamont Nickelberry, Childress, 5-11, 155 pound, Jr.
The speedy junior had a breakout season as the Bobcats go-to wideout during an undefeated regular season. Nickelberry snagged 56 catches for 883 yards, averaging 15.7 yards a catch, totaling 16 touchdowns. The first team All-District selection also had three punt returns for scores, and took back a kickoff for a TD.
Jameson Garcia, Amarillo High, 6-1, 190 pound, Jr.
Garcia was the primary big-play threat in Amarillo High’s passing game this season. He proved his sophomore season was no fluke with 54 catches for 885 yards and 10 touchdowns. Garcia was a first-team District 2-5A Division I selection and will return to challenge opposing defenses next season for the Sandies.
Offensive line
Brooks Leinen, Tascosa, Tascosa, 6-3, 280 pound, Sr.
A first-team 2-5A DI selection at tackle, Leinen was a big reason Tascosa’s flexbone rushing attack regularly ran over opponents as he helped give plenty of running room to a speedy backfield. Leinen graded out at 89 percent this season with 24 pancake blocks.
Dominick Hernandez, Tascosa, 6-1, 255 pound, Jr.
Hernandez provided plenty of muscle at center to help pave the way inside for Tascosa’s prodigious running game. He graded out the highest of the Rebels’ offensive linemen at 92 percent and had 20 pancake blocks as the power gear in the line.
Willy Olvera, Wellington, 5-10, 205 pound, Sr.
The punishing ground game for Wellington was led by Olvera, who was a two-time unanimous All-District lineman. Grading out at an eye-opening 98 percent, Olvera registered 56 pancakes, 37 cut blocks, and 35 knockdowns as the Skyrockets averaged 310 rushing yards per game on their way to a state quarterfinal appearance.
Erik Gray, Amarillo High, 6-3, 285 pound, Sr.
A two-way starter at offensive guard and nose guard on defense, Gray’s athletic ability will land him at Texas Tech next fall. Last fall he graded out at 91 percent in the offensive line with 23 pancake blocks as a first-team 2-5A DI selection, a feat he duplicated on defense.
Kaden Carr, Amarillo High, 6-6, 310 pound, Jr.
A mammoth force at tackle, Carr graded out at 86 percent this season with 12 pancake blocks and was a first-team 2-5A DI selection despite missing some time due to injury. Carr is currently verbally committed to play at Texas Tech University.
DEFENSEDefensive line
Avion Carter, Tascosa, 6-5, 255 pound, Jr.
Carter finds himself on the Press Pass Team for a second straight year. Carter has attracted attention normally reserved for seniors as a dominant defensive end for the Rebels the past two seasons. He had 66 tackles, including 10 for losses and eight sacks, as he was named the 2-5A DI defensive player of the year and will return to terrorize opposing offenses next season.
Anthony Gonzalez, Stratford, 5-11, 240 pound, Sr.
Leading the defensive line for the state champion Elks was the hard charging Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, along with a talented defensive front held opponents to only 100 yards rushing per contest.
Despite missing four games, Gonzalez racked up 70 tackles, 29 of those solo, adding five sacks, while causing headaches for opposing centers all game long.
Abrian Humphrey, Tascosa, 5-11, 210, Sr.
Was a complement up front to Carter at the opposite end for the Rebels, making 56 tackles and leading the team with 11 tackles for losses and 12 sacks, becoming more dominant as the season progressed. Humphrey joined Carter on the 2-5A DI first-team defense.
Linebackers
Braden Boggs-Rushing, Dumas, 5-11, 180 pound, Sr.
Boggs-Rushing was the heart and soul of the Demons, who won their fifth straight unbeaten district title by winning District 3-4A Division I. He had 62 tackles, including 10 for losses, with four forced fumbles and four sacks, and was named the 3-4A DI Defensive MVP. For good measure, he took over at quarterback before district and ended up the district’s Offensive MVP.
Kameron Brown, Palo Duro, 6-1, 205 pound, Jr.
A leader on an improved defense, Brown had 61 tackles, with 11 for losses, forced three fumbles and recorded three defensive touchdowns for the Dons, an example of his speed which also prompted first-year head coach Eric Mims to use Brown as a wide receiver on offense.
Zion Fuller, Childress, 5-10, 200 pound, Sr.
In a very competitive District 3-3A Division II, Fuller earned Defensive MVP status thanks to his toughness and leadership on the field. Fuller was also a key cog to the Bobcats first undefeated regular season in 30 years, as he battled through injuries to total 80 tackles, four of which were for a loss, and a sack.
Marc Ramirez, Wellington, 5-10, 180 pound, Sr.
Ramirez wrapped up his career as one of the best to wear a Wellington uniform. During his senior season alone, the do-it-all star shined at linebacker racking up 135 tackles, 15 for a loss with three sacks, six forced fumbles and two interceptions. The two-time District 4-2A Division II MVP ended his career with 486 career tackles, and over
Defensive backs
L’Travion Brown, Tascosa, 5-9, 170 pound, Sr.
As one of a plethora of speedy Rebels, Brown was a major playmaker for Tascosa this season. He made two interceptions and broke up nine passes while making 38 tackles, but showed his gamebreaking ability by scoring three defensive touchdowns. As a running back, Brown averaged almost 10 yards a carry and scored seven touchdowns.
Parker Cunningham, Canyon, 5-10, 170 pound Sr.
No defensive back was more disruptive than the hard-hitting senior Eagles senior. Cunningham amassed 110 total tackles, one tackle for loss, caused two fumbles, had two fumble recoveries with six pass break-ups and five interceptions on the season.
Creighton Killian, Wellington, 5-10, 170 pound, Sr.
Known for his play as the Skyrockets signal caller, Killian was even more dangerous in the secondary. The three-time first team All-District defensive back picked off seven passes in 2021 on top of 68 tackles, and 11 pass breakups for a Wellington squad that ventured back to the state quarterfinals. Killian was also 34-5 as a starting quarterback over the past three years.
Tayden Barnes, Tascosa, 5-11, 175 pound, Jr.
Barnes helped Brown anchor a fast Tascosa secondary, where he made 47 tackles, including nine for losses, and broke up five passes while scoring a defensive touchdown. His speed was also utilized on offense, as he averaged almost 12 yards a carry and scored five touchdowns.
Special teams
Kicker
Luke Laminack, Amarillo High, 6-0, 175 pound, Sr.
Laminack continued Amarillo High’s tradition of strong kickers. He made all but one of his 44 extra point attempts and kicked 10 field goals with two of 47 yards. He also had 33 kickoffs for touchbacks in addition to handling punting duties and started at defensive back.
Punter
Zane Burr, Stratford, 6-0, 185 pound, Sr.
Burr was a fantastic running back totaling 1,297 yards with 22 touchdowns, however, he was a durable asset on the Elks special teams. When called upon, the junior delivered punting 23 times for a 32 yard average.
Utility Players
Dru Jones, Stratford, RB-WR-DB, 6-0, 175 pound, Sr.
Stratford’s Swiss Army knife could flat out do everything, and Jones proved by racking up 205 receiving yards during the Elks 39-27 win over Falls City to claim the state championship. Jones ended the year with 1,015 yards receiving, 760 yards rushing, combining for 17 combined touchdowns. Defensively, the ballhawk made seven interceptions along with 68 tackles.
Damon Carrasco, Caprock, RB, 5-7, 150 pound, Jr.
Carrasco was a main catalyst of the Longhorns run to the playoffs. The hard-nosed running back finished a stellar junior campaign toting the ball 220 times for 1,344 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Jmaury Davis, Clarendon, RB-LB, 6-2, 190 pound, Jr.
The Division I prospect was quick off the edge defensively for the District 4-2A Division II champions. The lightning quick Davis ended his year with 94 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception.
Bryan Chavira, Friona, ATH, 5-9, 160 pound, Sr.
Chavira was the do-it-all player for the Chieftains playing nearly every position of the field. Chavira stacked up 1,526 yards on the ground with 20 touchdowns, threw for 434 yards and five TDs, and caught nine passes for 230 yards with three more scores. If that wasn’t enough, he averaged 39.3 yards per punt.
Brayden Klafka, Spearman, ATH, 6-2, 180 pound, Sr.
Klafka saw his season come to an end with an injury but it didn’t stop the senior leader from making a difference all over the field when healthy. Playing anywhere he was asked, Klafka tallied 371 receiving yards, 271 rushing yards and threw for 104 yards combining for 12 touchdowns. He also made 77 tackles on defense with four interceptions.
Landyn Hack, Panhandle, QB, 6-3, 200 pound, Jr.
Hack put the Panthers on his back especially during the district portion of the schedule. The District 1-2A Division I MVP threw for 1,543 yards with 13 touchdowns, adding 1,581 rushing yards with an impressive 31 scores.
Luke Flowers, Canadian, RB-DB, 5-10, 170 pound, So.
Despite battling a foot injury through part of the season, It was a breakout year for Flowers who The sophomore carried the Wildcats backfield carrying the ball 173 carries for 1,186 with 14 touchdowns. He also snagged 24 catches for 415 yds and two TDs.
Braxton Burd, Randall, QB, 5-9, 160 pound, Sr.
Burd established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the Texas Panhandle with his dazzling speed and his ability to throw the ball. Burd finished the season throwing for 1,598 yards, adding 1,298 rushing yards for a combined 32 touchdowns.
Cannon Speck, Dumas, DL, 6-0, 195 pound, Sr.
Speck was a major highlight on defense for a Dumas team that made it back to the third round of the playoffs for a third straight year. The first-team District 3-4A Division I selection racked up 55 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, had nine sacks, and forced six fumbles.
Kyler Duke, Bushland, LB, 5-9, 170, pound, Sr.
The District 2-3A Division I MVP was the heart and soul of the Falcons defense in 2021. Duke totaled 142 tackles, 39 solo tackles, 17 of those for a loss, totaling seven sacks, and two fumble recoveries.
Contributors
Lee Passmore
Craig Sperry
Kale Steed