All over the NFL, there are plenty of former Texas High School Football Players. Von Miller, one of the more well-known ones, will lead his Denver Broncos Defense into a highly-touted matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs Monday.
Denver (3-3) has had a stout defense for most of the year, relying on it as it experiences average quarterback play. Leading that is of course, Von Miller. Miller has seven sacks on the season, leading the team. If Denver is to control the new-and-improved Alex Smith (1,979 yards/15 touchdowns), he will need at least one more sack added to his total.
He’s got some more help on defense, too. Look no further than L.V. Berkner grad Aqib Talib. Talib has an interception on the year, along with five pass deflections. The 10-year pro is having a solid year and already has an interception, which he returned for a touchdown. Look for him to try to lock down Tyreek Hill and the high-powered Chief offense.
But the Bronco defense aren’t the only ones led by a Texan. Offensively, Emmanuel Sanders of Bellville and Jamaal Charles of Port Arthur Memorial will have playing time. Behind them, another Texan in Jordan Taylor (Denison), who will have some snaps as well.
Charles will obviously be making his return to Kansas City, where he spent nine of his 10 years. With only 42 attempts through six games, he’s averaging less carries than he ever has. Charles can still be a threat on the ground, and expect a little more enthusiasm in his runs as he takes on his former team.
Texans in KC
The Chiefs have multiple of their own set of guys who played under the lights in Texas. Pat Mahomes, Mitch Morse, Phillip Gaines and Derrick Johnson all hail from the state.
Mahomes has yet to play this year but the No. 10 pick from last years draft is cooking fine as he learns from veteran Alex Smith.
Morse, the Chiefs starting center is expected to make a return tonight. Johnson and Gaines each are a huge part in stopping their former teammate in Charles.
Johnson, from Waco, will look to grab his first sack of the year as he goes head on into the Bronco offensive line. Gaines, the second-string linebacker, still has 25 tackles on the year. The big man from Converse Judson has played in all games and started two.
The Chiefs and Broncos kickoff at 7:30 on ESPN.
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