PREVIEW: 5A Longview vs 5A Denton Ryan
Jerry Jones Classic
Ford Center-The Star
Frisco, TX
August 28, 2021
2 pm Kick off
The Denton Ryan Raiders and Head Coach Dave Henigan won their third 5A-Division 1 State Championship in a 59-14 blowout win over Cedar Park in January.
A Third State Championship
In the win over Cedar Park, the Raiders were 8 of 12 on 3rd down and held Cedar Park to just 12 yards rushing. They led 31-8 at halftime and outscored them 28-6 in the second half. The Raiders racked up 527 yards of total offense. QB Seth Henigan passed for 264 yards and four touchdowns. Keon Hicks rushed for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Kaleb Hicks added 98 yards on the ground.
The Denton Ryan Raiders
Coming off an undefeated season (15-0) and claiming another state title, The Raiders must say goodbye to 3,000-yard passer Henigan. But the cupboard is not bare.
14 starters return to a team that can very easily be playing for another championship in January.
Players to Watch in 2021
DL Mason Davis, 6-2, 265: recorded nine sacks in 2020.
LB Anthony Hill, 6-2, 200: 80 tackles in 2020. He recorded 7.5 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, and 2 sacks plus he scored a touchdown on offense in the state championship game win over Cedar Park.
DB Austin Jordan, 6-0, 190: 2 INTs in 2020.
DB Garyeon Robinson: 2 INTs, one in the state championship game.
DB Kaden Kelly: 5 tackles vs Cedar Park in the title game.
QB Khalon Davis: 419 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 INTs in 2020. He could be the replacement for Henigan.
RB Kaleb Hicks, 5-10, 200: Posted 838 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns in 2020.
WR Jordyn Bailey: caught 31 passes for 510 yards and 7 touchdowns last season.
WR Michael Davis, 6-1, 205: caught 17 passes for 333 yards and 4 TDs. One of those TDs came in the title game win over Cedar Park.
The Longview Lobos
The Longview Lobos and Head Coach John King finished the 2020 season with a 9-3 record and an appearance in the regional semifinals, losing to Denton Ryan 27-9.
The Lobos return eight starters in 2021.
Players to Watch in 2021
The playmaker for the Lobos will be WR Jalen Hale (6-2, 175) who is a 4-star receiver in the Class of 2023, according to 247sports. Hale had 700 receiving yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
OL Jax Norman, 6-1, 240 had 12 starts last season.
DL D.K. Stanford will lead the charge on the defensive side of the ball.
LB Devean Issac, 5-11, 205, recorded 66 tackles, six sacks, and 13 tackles for loss.
DB TaDarion Boone, 5-9, 165, made 31 tackles and three tackles for loss.
RB Taylor Tatum and ATH Willie Nelson will be counted on heavily to make plays.
Other top players include QB Jordan Allen (6-2, 180), OL Blair William (6-2, 325), FB Isaiah Harris, ATH Dekalon Taylor, OL Jatavian Bush, FB Kenny McFarland, DL Jeremiah Rougely, WR Amarian Hamilton, and DL Jesse Fairchild.
Who wins this rematch from the 2020 playoffs? Comment below.
