Tascosa’s Joseph Plunk finds a running lane against Abilene High on Friday night at Shotwell Stadium. [Daniel Youngblood/ Big Country Preps]
Joseph Plunk, Tascosa, Sr. QB
Plunk proved why he’s one of the top players in the Texas Panhandle. In a knock down, drag out battle at Abilene High, Plunk the eventual game-winner during a 19-14 win on 4-yard touchdown.. Tascosa racked up 347 yards on the ground,, with Plunk carrying the ball 30 for 156 yards.
Brayden Beck, Randall, Jr. LB
The Raiders defense did a great job of stiffling Midland High in a Week 1, 35-16 victory. Leading that defensive effort was linebacker Brayden Beck who was everywhere on the field making 15 tackles, nine of which were solo tackles.
Hereford’s Xavier Gonzalez ran for 181 yards against Caprock. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
Xavier Gonzalez, Hereford, Sr. RB
Gonzalez filled the void nicely left by All-State running back Seth Dixon. Gonzalez torched the Caprock defense for 181 yards on 19 carries and a pair of scores in an impressive 40-21.
Aiden Hildinger, Canyon, Sr. RB
Though Canyon is known for a wide open air it out scheme, offensive coordinator Tod Winfrey went to his workhorse, Hildinger, to carry the load during a 50-7 win against Palo Duro. Behind a steady offensive line, Hildinger put up 140 yards on 19 carries with two scores.
Cade Cox, Dumas, Jr. LB
The 6-foot, 195 pound linebacker was a menace on the Perryton offense in the Demons 50-21 route. Cox made seven tackles, forcing a fumble with a fumble recovery. The Dumas defense held the Rangers to 84 total yards.
Bushland senior Noah Laurent is on of the top linebackers in the Texas Panhandle. [Makenzie Teal/ Pass Sports]
Noah Laurent, Bushland, Sr. LB
One of the areas best linebackers got his season off on the right foot during Bushland’s 29-22 win at Childress. Laurent swarmed the field making eight total tackles against the Bobcats.
Hayze Hufstedler, Canadian, Jr. RB
The junior running back led the Wildcats to a 36-22 over West Texas Higth. The speedy back had the Comanches secondary chasing as he raced to 236 yards on 23 carries with three touchdowns.
Jalin Conyers, Gruver, Sr. QB
It didn’t take the Oklahoma commit long to knock the rust off playing QB. Making his first start under center since his sophomore year, Conyers was electrifying in a 61-18 victory over Texhoma, Okla., throwing for 340 yards, rushing for 83 yards that combined for seven touchdowns.
Hunter Nicholas, Highland Park, Sr. QB
Nicholas was on point during a 42-0 blanking of Booker on Friday. The senior gunslinger spread the wealth, going 21 of 22 for 406 yards and four touchdown tosses.
Xavier Hernandez, Friona, Sr. LB
In one of the more surprising scores of opening night, Friona blistered Farwell 61-6. In that win for the Chieftains, the Steers didn’t have an for Hernandez, as he racked up 10 tackles and spent his majority of the time in the backfield with three sacks.