After a long offseason, football is back in the great state of Texas. Here’s a look at our site’s team of the week from each classification.
6A: New Braunfels
Up on New Braunfels 33-14 early in the third quarter, Denton Ryan, ranked number 2 in 5A Division I, looked like it was set to roll to a convincing victory. However, the Unicorns had other ideas.
New Braunfels quarterback Leighton Adams helped lead a furious second half comeback, accounting for three touchdowns in the final 14 minutes. He connected with with Lance Beeghley and Landon Marsh for scores of 3 and 28 yards respectively before scoring on a quarterback keeper from two yards out with just 1:50 to go to put the Unicorns ahead for good, 34-33.
Adams finished with 312 yards passing and three touchdowns to go along with his 19 yards and one touchdown on the ground.
It was certainly a statement win for the Unicorns, who were 16-point underdogs heading into the contest.
New Braunfels takes the lead, it’s 34-33 with the point after still to come, 1:50 in the 4th Q@RyanRaiderFB | @NBUnicornFB #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/nxWhQpGg1v
— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) August 26, 2022
5A: New Braunfels Canyon
Canyon found itself as a 21-point underdog heading into its season opener against 2021 state quarterfinalist Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial on Friday.
And although the Cougars found themselves down 21-7 at the half, they found a response in the second half. Canyon outscored the Eagles 36-21 in the final 24 minutes of play, powered by 224 passing yards and two touchdowns by quarterback Deuce Adams.
After a crazy scramble play that saw Adams connect with his brother Eli for a two-yard score as time expired to cut the Veterans Memorial lead to one, the Cougars elected to go for two. Yet again, Adams kept his calm, finding Eli for a connection that gave the Cougars an improbable 43-42 victory in a wild game to open the season.
Coogs Win! 🏈 💪🏾 👏🏾 Coogtown, USA 👀. @DavissonDustin @canyonhscougars @CanyonHS_ABC @CoachTBush pic.twitter.com/VqcJBuCCWn
— CHSBoysBasketball (@CHSBBasketball1) August 27, 2022
4A: Uvalde
Football may be just a game, but sometimes what happens on the field has a far deeper meaning. That’s what occurred in Carrizo Springs on Friday night.
Uvalde’s high school football team took the field for the first time on Friday since the horrific attack by a gunman that killed 19 Uvalde elementary school students and two teachers in May.
Uvalde quarterback Brodie Carnes threw for two touchdowns, and Jonathan Jimenez added a rushing touchdown to get Uvalde out to a 21-7 third quarter lead. And down the stretch, it was the defense that shined as the Coyotes held Carrizo Springs scoreless in the final seven minutes of the game to secure a 21-13 victory.
It was a special result, one point in memory for each of the lives tragically cut short in May.
Uvalde Coyotes beat Carrizo Springs in their season opener last night. Scoring 21 points. You could see it on their faces when it sunk in – 21 points. Playing for the 21 lost back in May. #uvaldestrong pic.twitter.com/jdAIpUtjDw
— jenny wagnon courts (@JWagnonCourts) August 27, 2022
3A: Hitchcock
Refugio has firmly established itself as a state powerhouse with three undefeated regular seasons the past three years and two state championships in the past six years. However, Hitchcock had other ideas in their season opener against the Bobcats on Friday.
The Bulldogs won the state’s Division II 7-On-7 Championship, and they showed on Friday that wasn’t a fluke. Quarterback Lloyd Jones III threw for 168 yards and three touchdowns, wide receiver Damien McDaniel had four catches for 84 yards and a score, and running back Bryce Dorsey added 133 yards on the ground, three catches for 54 yards, and three total touchdowns.
The Hitchcock defense was just as strong, forcing four turnovers and holding Refugio to just 200 yards of total offense.
In a statement 49-12 victory over a Refugio team favored by 19 points, Hitchcock showed it will be an athletic force to be reckoned with this season.
If you’re a PLAYMAKER please stand up! #RedFlashOffense🚨 #dawgsontop pic.twitter.com/bedjbAKPfH
— Jacob W. Havron (@Jay_Havs) August 28, 2022
2A: San Angelo TLCA
Heading into its game against Ozona on Friday, San Angelo TLCA had gone 1,049 days without a victory.
But TLCA quarterback Layne Honea made sure that 2022 wouldn’t be another winless season for the Eagles. He threw for 291 yards and six touchdowns on Friday, connecting with receivers Jelan Johnson and Ivan Oviedo for two touchdowns apiece.
And despite a late Ozona comeback, the Eagles were able to hold the Lions off for a meaningful 42-36 victory.
With 12 starters back from a year ago, the Eagles will now look to win consecutive games for the first time since September 2017 when they host Odessa Compass Academy on Friday.
1A: Rankin
There were a number of massive six-man matchups this week thanks in part to the ever-popular Jayton Gridiron Classic.
However, away from Jayton, Rankin, ranked sixth in 1A Division I, traveled to face off against Balmorhea, ranked second in 1A Division II. The Bears were slight favorites heading into the game, but it was the Red Devils that stole the show.
Rankin quarterback Blake Wise threw for 168 yards and four touchdowns while Barret Jackson added 125 yards and a score on the ground as Rankin pulled away from the Bears in a 52-30 victory.
And although Balmorhea is a division below the Red Devils, Rankin showed it has what it takes to win marquee matchups, something that will be crucial come playoff time in November.
Rankin has more tests to come, including a matchup against #1 Westbrook in two weeks, but so far, so good for the Red Devils after Friday’s big win.
Rankin 52
Balmorhea 30Blake Bunger with the @Texas1AFan helmet sticker! #tcb pic.twitter.com/AOmQsOMSmt
— Rankin Athletics 🤟 (@RankinAthletics) August 27, 2022
Week 1 Team of the Week
Who was the Team of the Week?
