2021 All-Press Pass Six-man Team

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[Graphics by Brent Seals/ Photos by Tom Carver, Ben Jenkins, Texas 1A Fan staff, Seth Ritter, Sierra Franks, and Cindy Huseman]

Coach of the Year: Stacy Perryman, Happy

From 2013 to 2017, Happy went 60-7 and made three state quarterfinal runs with two state semifinals appearances.

When Stacy Perryman took over the reigns as Happy’s head coach in 2019 expectations were high, and he has delivered getting the Cowboys back to their winning says in style notching a state quarterfinal appearance last year, followed by a trip to the a run to the semifinals this season.

The Cowboys finished 10-4 overall in 2021, advancing to the Class 1A Division I state semifinals before falling to Westbrook, the eventual state champions, 54-20.  That run, however, required his team to overcome injuries and adopt a “burn the boats” mentality that allowed them to pull out multiple close victories during the playoffs.

“It was an up and down season that made us better in the long run” Perryman said. “That’s what I loved about our team. We never gave up, and always kept fighting.”

Happy was humbled quickly in their first scrimmage of the season against Division II state runner up, Motley County, and used that as a springboard to start the season with wins over eventual playoff teams Groom and Nazareth.

That Nazareth win came at a cost, as spreadback Pace Bressler broke his collarbone on the very first play and missed the next seven games. Then came two losses to top 10 teams in Springlake-Earth and Sterling City by a combined 126-44.  An injury to Kyton Johnson, an eventual first team All-State end, made matters worse. A 44-20 win over Meadow headed into district action was less than impressive so Perryman challenged his team like they’d never been challenged to create team unity.

A self-proclaimed running coach, Perryman had to rely more on the passing game than normal through most of the season to open up the running attack. That reliance made Happy more dynamic as they entered the playoffs with a healthy team. Happy drew a rematch with Springlake-Earth, which had beaten them 68-36 earlier in the season. As heavy underdogs the Cowboys shocked the Six-man world capturing a last second 48-44 victory.  In the area round, they took down an old nemesis in Borden County, beating the Coyotes for the first program in program history.

No game, though, matched their scintillating victory over Valley in the state quarterfinals. Down by 12 with 5:47 left, Happy notched two scores and stopped the Patriots on the final play of the game to avenge an earlier two-point loss in district.

Perryman’s team responded to his mid-season challenge by coming together with effort and togetherness for an incredible playoff run, and earning Perryman the Press Pass Sports Six-man Coach of the Year.

Player of the Year: T.S. Bow, Happy, 5-9, 170 pound, Sr.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines most valuable player as “the player who contributes the most to his or her team’s success”.

Nobody personifies the Press Pass Sports Six-man Player of the Year status more than Happy’s T.S. Bow.

Bow is the MVP by definition.

The senior helped lead the Cowboys to a 10-4 record including a run to the Class 1A Division I state semifinals by filling whatever role was needed on the field.

Bow began making his mark last year for the Cowboys in a utility player role and garnering a spot on the inaugural Press Pass Six-Man team on defense.  Despite not starting the season as a starter he quickly became, and what a force he was. Bow finished with 56 tackles as well as garnering a first-team All-State honors as a receiver.

In 2021, he was switched to the fullback role on offense while holding down a linebacker spot on defense. Those roles changed numerous times during the season, but the Cowboy’s Swiss Army knife put up outstanding numbers on offense gaining 711 yards on the ground, tallying 13 touchdowns to go with 27 receptions for 407 yards and 10 more TDs nabbing a second-team All-State Utility Back spot while playing fullback, spreadback and end to cover for injuries.

On the defensive side of the ball, Bow moved from the linebacker spot to defensive end several times but finished with 91 tackles, 46 of those solo, and 10 tackles for loss with an interception. Bow was named the Region 1-1A Division I Defensive MVP award, as well as first-team team All-State status.

As great as Bow’s career was it almost never started.

Bow didn’t think football was for him, however, watching the Friday night lights during the year tugged at Bow.

Bow started back playing as a sophomore and head coach Stacy Perryman couldn’t have been happier.  “The growth he made over his career was phenomenal,” Perryman said. “To go from a JV player who didn’t play as a freshman to an All-State player is incredible”

That growth was on full display at the biggest moments of the game. During district action Bow tallied 514 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns to help Happy secure the second seed in District 1-1A. In their bi-district upset of Springlake-Earth, the senior totaled 146 all-purpose yards with three scores.

Bow never anticipated garnering an MVP award noting that he wasn’t the fastest or most athletic.

Grit, determination, and a passion for winning helped propel Bow to MVP status as captain of the corral during the Cowboys magical season.

Fighting Heart award: Jaxon Edwards, Valley; Pace Bressler, Happy

Happy’s Pace Bressler and Valley’s Jaxon Edwards were hyped in August as two of the most impactful Six-man players heading into the 2021 season in the Texas Panhandle.

Both ended up suffering crucial early season injuries hampering each star from helping their respective teams.

However, Bressler and Edwards were able to get healthy towards the end of the regular season becoming key cogs in Happy and Valley’s playoff run.

Bressler returned just in time for Happy’s magical state semifinal run, becoming the go-to back.

Bressler finished the year earning second team All-State honors at running back, piling up 701 yards with nine touchdowns, adding two receiving TDs, and throwing for a pair of scores in only six games.

Edwards played in only seven games, but was vastly effective. The speedy back charged up the Patriots run to the state quarterfinals ending his season with 888 yards rushing with 18 touchdowns on only 76 carries.

Newcomer of the Year: Kayle Rogers, Nazareth, 6-1, 200 pound, Fr.

Not many freshmen in Six-man come out of junior high with the build that Rogers has. He was a key player for the recouped Swifts in 2021 on both sides of the ball, while starting all 11 games for Nazareth. The freshman had 222 receiving yards, finishing with 32 tackles. Rogers garnered District 2-1A Division I All-District first team honors at nose guard. The Swifts will look to Rogers to be a big contributor to the team in the near future.

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Camden Sperry, Happy, 5-8, 160 pound, Jr.

The first team All-State signal caller helped the Cowboys offense stay balanced on their way to a Class 1A Division I state semifinal appearance.  Sperry, not the prototypical six-man quarterback, threw for 1,753 yards, and also set a new school record 41 touchdown passes.

Running backs

Luke Schulte, Nazareth, 6-2, 170 pound, Jr.

Schulte thrived under the new system of head coach Tyler Goodwin. Schulte ended his fantastic year racking up 1,289 yards on 237 carries picking up 24 touchdowns along the way. Despite some injury issues, the junior back led Nazareth to a 7-4 record and a playoff berth.

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

Franks is back on the Press Pass Six-man team for a second year in a row after a stellar junior campaign. The hard-nosed running back was the main weapon out of the backfield toting the ball 124 times for 1,320 yards with 38 rushing touchdowns. Franks also made 105 tackles on defense. For his incredible season, Franks earned a second All-State spot.

Blake Beard, Valley, 6-0, 185 pound, Jr.

Beard made up a deadly backfield with Jaxon Edwards, and did his part carrying the running back load when Edwards had to miss time due to injury. Beard, the District 1-1A Division I Offensive MVP, and honorable mention All-State selection, led the Patriots with 1,840 rushing yards with 30 touchdowns.

Wide receiver/ Tight ends

Kyton Johnson, Happy, 6-1, 210 pound, Jr.

Despite missing three games in 2021, Johnson was still able to rack up 29 receptions for 554 yards and 12 touchdowns.  The first team All-State tight end was vital to the success of the Cowboys aerial attack, but also helped set the edge for a ground game that ran for over 2,800 yards on the season.

Brett Heitschmidt, Nazareth 6-5, 185 pound, Jr.

Heitschmidt was Mr. Reliable for the Swifts. The big-bodied target was always accountable when the Swifts looked his way making the most of his opportunities snagging 21 catches for 418 yards with five touchdown receptions. Heitschmidt was named as a second team All-State selection.

Utility player

Stephen Kuehler, Groom, 5-7, 150 pound, Jr.

Kuehler was a do-it-all player for the Tigers this past year. The speedy junior was asked to do a lot for Groom, and did he answer the call. The honorable mention All-State selection passed for 1,559 yards with 34 touchdowns, while also accounting for 1,951 rushing yards for 30 more scores.

DEFENSE

Defensive line

Tucker Schlueter, Valley, 6-3, 230 pound, Jr.

A center piece to one of the best Six-man defenses in the area, Schlueter always made his presence felt with his size and physicality. Schlueter ended the year with 63 tackles, and a total of four forced fumbles that earned the junior on the Division I All-Region team.

Jeren Hughes, Valley, 5-10, 185 pound, Sr.

Hughes supplied the pressure that enabled the Valley defense to be as successful as they were in 2021. Hughes, an All-Region selection, racked up a team-best 92 total tackles, and added an interception to his stellar season.

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

The hard-hitting Hodges racked up 85 tackles on the season with five tackles for loss and a sack. The second team All-State player helped the Cowboys hold opposing offenses to 280 yards per game.

Gavin Welch, Follett, 5-8, 185, Jr.

Welch was a key cog up front for a Follett team that made a run to the Class 1A Division II regional semifinals. The first team All-Region defensive end tallied 119 tackles overall to lead the Panthers.

Linebackers

Tryce Johnson, Happy, 6-0, 150 pound, Jr.

Injuries pressed the junior linebacker into a starting role early in the season and he delivered a season that garnered him a 2nd Team All-State spot.  Johnson racked up an eye-opening 115 tackles, two tackles for loss, five interceptions including a pick six and two fumble recoveries.

Dustin Bryant, Wildorado, 6-0, 160 pounds, Jr.

The do-it-all player for the Mustang led Wildorado to the playoffs for a second straight year, and earned himself All-District recognition. Bryant totaled 103 tackles, 12 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and an interception.

Defensive back

Parker Hartman, Valley, 6-3, 173 pound, Jr.

Hartman made it difficult for opposing quarterbacks when he was in the secondary. The junior defensive back intercepted an eye-opening 11 passes in 2021, returning two of those picks for touchdowns. While his work in the secondary was immaculate, Hartman added 93 tackles to his resume, and a forced fumble. For his efforts, Hartman was a first team All-State and All-Region selection.

Utility Player

Hayden Thompson, Miami, 6-2, 175 pound, So.

Thompson did everything asked of him on a Warriors team that made it back to the playoffs. If he wasn’t running the offense, Thompson was doing work on defense totaling 78 tackles, five of which were for a loss, tacking on four interceptions with two forced fumbles. Thompson’s efforts earned the sophomore a spot on the All-Region second team.

Contributors

Craig Sperry

Tommy King

Kale Steed

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