Gordon Longhorns
Head Coach: Mike Reed
Last Season: 15-0; 5-0 in district (Won 1A Division I State Championship over Westbrook)
Gordon Key Players and Storylines
Gordon took home its first state title since 1999 last year in commanding fashion. The Longhorns defeated two-time defending state champion Westbrook in the 1A Division I state championship by mercy rule 70-20.
They’ll be the favorites in 1A Division I again with five starters back on each side of the ball.
Good luck keeping up with their offense. Head coach Mike Reed’s son Stryker Reed is arguably the fastest athlete in Class A after earning MVP at the state track meet this past spring. He draws attention with his ability to run and pass and opens a lot of space for his teammates. Running back Ry Reed, no relation to Stryker, is another explosive option in the backfield. He can “run sideways as fast as he does forward,” a nightmare for defenders to try and slow down.
Walk it off, young man. Stryker Reed secures the Class A Division I state championship for Gordon with this TD run. Wasn’t expecting the mercy rule to be in effect in this game, but Gordon was superior and this may just be the start for a team full of sophomores. #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/EMC9Dzt0WW
— Jonathan Hull (@Hull_TRN) December 13, 2023
When the Longhorns look to pass, Brayden Walters is the complete package at receiver. He can run past defenders with his straight-line speed, and is also a jump-ball threat at 6’2″.
Defensively, nose guard Juan Caberra “loves contact” and “never takes a play off” in the trenches. Behind him, linebacker Kaden Crowe was the state title game Defensive MVP. Reed says he may not be the biggest but he embodies the saying “not the size of dog in the fight but the size of fight in the dog.”
Maddox Stewart will be another impact player for the Longhorn defense. He can play a number of positions on that side of the ball.
There is state track speed all over this Longhorn squad. Throw in their depth with 21 returning lettermen and the experience that comes with winning last year’s state title, and it’s easy to see why Gordon will be favorites to win the state title again.
However, Reed says his guys can’t get complacent. They will need to give it their all every day as they stay focused on their goal of going back-to-back.
2024 Gordon Schedule
8/30- @Marfa 7:30
9/7- vs. Valley 2:00
9/13- @ Strawn 7:30
9/20- vs. Nazarene Christian Academy 7:30
9/27- vs. Fort Worth Covenant 7:30
10/5- @Follett 1:00
10/11- vs. Lingleville 7:30
10/18- @Ranger 7:30
11/1- vs. Baird 7:30
11/8- @Gorman 7:30
