Compiled by Lance Lahnert, Lee Passmore and Kale Steed.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Dawson Jaco, Bushland, 6-0, 170-pound, Sr.
Jaco followed a tremendous junior year with an even better senior season as the signal caller and leader of a Bushland Falcons squad that went 11-2 with a third-round appearance in the Class 3A Division I playoffs. The District 2-3A Division I MVP finished the year going 214-of-311 for 3,428 yards with 38 touchdowns. He also rushed for 321 yards with 11 more scores. Jaco ends his superb career as a two-time quarterback selection for Press Pass Sports totaling 6,788 yards passing with 79 TD tosses.
Running backs
Jordi Hernandez, West Plains, 5-10, 165, Sr.
Hernandez was the backbone of the running game for the Wolves and his toughness helped carry them to a 12-2 record and the Class 4A Division II state quarterfinals in just their second year of existence. He was a workhorse leading the Texas Panhandle with 1,917 yards and 27 touchdowns and had 12 100-yard games while also catching 28 passes for 320 yards and four touchdowns.
Corey Stancell, Farwell, 6-0, 200-pound, Sr.
The hard-working lead by example running back put together another workhorse season for the Farwell Steers. Stancell, a first-team District 1-2A Division I selection, piled up 1,264 yards rushing with 22 touchdowns. Stancell was also a weapon out of the backfield snagging 26 balls for 246 yards with four TDs and threw for two more scores. Farwell’s four-year phenom ends his prolific career posting an eye-popping 6,112 yards rushing with 91 career touchdowns.
Wide receivers
Luke Flowers, Canadian, 5-10, 170-pound, Sr.
Experiencing his first full season being healthy since his freshman season, Flowers showed just how dangerous of a weapon he could be for a Canadian team that boasted a 14-1 record and run to the Class 3A Division II state semifinals. Moving to the receiver position, The District 3-3A Division II Co-Offensive MVP was a mismatch for secondaries leading the Wildcats making 66 catches for 1,471 yards with 21 touchdowns.
Tanner Adams, Bushland, 6-0, 170-pound, Sr.
Adams exploded on the scene on the Falcons opening play of the season when he broke loose for a 60-plus yard touchdown against West Plains, and he never looked back. The District 2-3A Division I Offensive MVP became the main target for Dawson Jaco having a huge year hauling in 62 receptions for 1,288 yards with 16 touchdowns.
King Tallant, West Plains, 6-0, 190. Sr.
Arguably the most experienced player on the West Plains roster lived up to his name as the big-play element to the offense. Tallant, who transferred to West Plains in 2022 after two years at Palo Duro, was a first-team All-District 2-4A Division II selection with 94 catches for 937 yards and nine touchdowns and also ran for 227 yards and five touchdowns as a dangerous dual threat.
Offensive line
Dawson Hall, West Plains, 6-0, 225, Sr.
If there’s a player who’s been the face of West Plains football for the last two years, it’s Hall. Coming over from Randall (where he started as a sophomore), Hall has led the line for two seasons at center, and he capped his career as a unanimous selection as the 2-4A D-II offensive lineman of the year, grading out at 97 percent with 50 pancake blocks.
Noel Orozco, Sunray, 6-0, 190, Jr.
A first-team All-District 1-2A Division II selection for the Bobcats, Orozco anchored the line at center which enabled Sunray to achieve such outrageous offensive numbers. Orozco has been a two-way starting lineman for the Bobcats each of the last two seasons, rarely leaving the field during a game.
Colton Flores, Amarillo High, 5-11, 220-pound, Sr.
A two-time all-district player who not only started a stout 24 games in his career for the Sandies but never missed a single offensive snap during those 24 games. This year at center he had 12 knockdowns and 28 pancakes. AHS coach Chad Dunnam praised Flores for being the leader of the Sandies o-line along with always playing with an aggressive and tough style of play despite being undersized for a 5A lineman.
Ramon Rodriguez, Wellington, 5-8, 205-pound, Sr.
The gritty, hard-nosed two-way lineman was the leader of an offensive line that averaged a powerful 289 yards rushing per game. Rodriguez graded out at 98 percent with 34 pancakes, 63 kickouts, and 23 knockdowns for a Skyrocket squad that went 9-4 making their 12th third round appearance in the playoffs in 13 years.
Braiden Mendoza, Tascosa, 6-2, 225-pound, Sr.
A two-year starter for perennial power Tascosa, Mednoza not only was the Rebs standout offensive lineman in 2023 he also was skilled enough to play both ways on the Rebs interiors lines. He was an all-district performer this year at guard and was praised by Tascosa head coach Ken Plunk for his physical play and ability to always play at the correct pad level. Mendoza produced 15 pancake blocks and 25 total takedowns and averaged a grade of 87 for Tascosa’s 12 games.
Utility Player
Julian Cervantes, Perryton, 6-0, 180-pound, Sr.
The District 2-4A offensive MVP did it all for the Rangers including moving from starting quarterback (he was first-team all-district QB as junior) during the season to help Perryton became more dynamic on offense. Cervantes played wide receiver, running back, quarterback and defensive back. He ran for 1000 yards and scored 8 touchdowns. He caught 44 passes for 800 yards and 7 TDs. He passed for 585 yards and 7 TDs. He was also 2nd team all-district at defensive back with an interception and eight pass breakups.
DEFENSE
Defensive line
Abraham Moreno, Canadian, 5-11, 220-pound, Sr.
One of Canadian’s top run stoppers and first-team All-District selection had a big-time year helping effort a Wildcat defense that limited opponents to 114 rush yards a game. Moreno finished the season with 127 total tackles, a team-high 21 sacks and 16 tackles for a loss.
Charley Pitt, Bushland, 6-2, 220-pound, Sr.
The sensational senior lineman finds himself on the Press Pass Football Team for a second straight year after guiding a very good Falcon defensive front. Pitt, the District 2-3A Division I Defensive MVP did his best going up against double and triple teams to rack up 49 total tackles, 20 of those for a loss with seven sacks.
Jarrett Diggs, West Plains, 6-2, 230, Sr.
A standout two-way lineman who was the unanimous selection as the 2-4A Division II MVP, Diggs was a force up front defensively for the Wolves, recording 77 tackles, including 12 for losses along with a team-leading five sacks to lead a defense which allowed only 45 points in four district games.
Luis Calderon, Sunray, 6-4, 338, Sr.
The 1-2A Division II Defensive MVP was a mammoth obstacle in the middle for opposing offensive lines. Calderon was extremely tough to move, recording 107 tackles, including 14 for losses, along with five sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He even broke up two passes.
Linebackers
Wyatt Davis, Canadian, 6-0, 185-pound, Jr.
Despite missing four games in the latter part of the year with an injury, there wasn’t a doubt who the heart and soul of the Canadian Wildcat defense was. Flowing sideline to sideline, the hard-hitting junior and District 3-3A Division II Defensive MVp made plays all over the field leading the team with 173 total tackles, 22 for a loss, four sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Crockett Henry, West Plains, 5-11, 170, Sr.
Henry was a unanimous selection as the 2-4A D-II Defensive MVP despite being undersized at linebacker. He led the Wolves with 109 tackles, including 12 for losses, while recording four sacks, forcing two fumbles, recovering one and intercepting a pass. Henry also played tight end.
Ali Hopson, Palo Duro, 6-0, 210-pound, Sr.
Anybody watching the Palo Duro Dons during their 2023 playoff season quickly noticed No. 8, Ali Hopson. That’s because the senior linebacker was all over the field playing sideline to sideline. Hopson was an all-district performer in leading the Dons in tackler with an impressive 167. He recorded three quarterback sacks and made six tackles for losses. Palo Duro head coach Eric Mims praised Hopson for being a sure tackler and ball carriers going down immediately on contact because of his physical skill.
Rece Davis, Canyon, 5-10, 185-pound, Sr.
A three-year starter for the Eagles who energized every game he played in with his non-stop hustle and all-in passion. He made 92 tackles (45 solo), came up with four quarterback sacks, six tackles for losses, five QB hurries, forced a fumble, had six pass breakups and one interception. Canyon coach Todd Winfrey loved the way Davis cared about Canyon football and “bleeding purple.”
Defensive backs
Damian Barragan, Sunray, 5-9, 140, Sr.
Barragan was a ballhawk in Sunray’s secondary, making 10 interceptions and returning one for a touchdown while forcing a fumble and breaking up 10 more passes en route to becoming a first-team 1-2A Division II selection. He also started at receiver and led the team in yards per catch.
Lyric Smith, Clarendon, 6-1, 180-pound, Sr.
The true definition of versatile, Smith did everything but serve hot dogs at halftime for the Clarendon Broncos during a immaculate 10-4 season and run to the state quarterfinals. On top of posting over 3,000 yards of offense, Smith was a menace in the Clarendon secondary picking off 10 passes with eight pass breakups on top of 76 tackles.
Rylan Leathers, Amarillo High, 6-1, 185-pound, Sr.
Leathers put together one of the best 2023 seasons of any Amarillo ISD player at any position with his consistent and high-level play. Leathers made 100 tackles (39 solo), had for tackles for losses, six pass breakups, one forced fumble and two interceptions. He rarely left the field as AHS’ “Swiss Army Knife” playing on special teams, was a return man, starting safety and skilled wide receiver.
Utility Player
Pratt McLain, Gruver, 5-8, 150-pound, Sr.
Gruver’s captain and heart and soul bought into new head coach Kurt Haberthur and it showed as the Greyhounds put together a 10-3 record, a District 1-2A Division II District championship and went three rounds deep in the postseason. McLain did whatever was asked him on both sides of the ball. Defensively, the linebacker was in on 102 tackles, 11 of those for a loss with two fumble recoveries.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kickoff-Punt Returner
Julio Valdez, Stratford, 6-1, 185-pound, Jr.
On top of being a valuable asset on both sides of the ball for a Stratford squad that was 14-1 making a push to the Class 2A Division I state semifinals, Valdez, the District 1-2A Division I Defensive MVP, also made himself a key hand in the special teams. Valdez returned 17 punts for a 13.8-yard average with two touchdowns including a 60-yard score.
Punter
Kaison Benton, Randall, 6-1, 170-pound, So.
The sure-handed receiver and future quarterback of the Randall Raiders made himself extremely useful as a tremendous punter in 2023. Benton could boot it, averaging 37.3 yards per punt including an incredible 18 landing being downed inside the 20-yard line and eight inside the 10-yard line.
Kicker
Joseph Estrada, West Plains, 6-2, 180, Sr.
On the rare occasions West Plains drives broke down, Estrada was usually able to salvage something from them for the Wolves. Thanks to his booming leg, he made 9-of-11 field goals, with range beyond 45 yards, and converted 75-of-77 extra-point kicks for 102 points as a first-team 2-4A Division II selection.
Best of the rest
(Class 5A-2A)
Will Flaming, Amarillo High, QB, Sr.
Pius Vokes, Amarillo High, RB, Sr.
Coltyn Fulton, Tascosa, QB, So.
T.J. Tillman, Tascosa, WR-DB, Jr.
Darien Lewis, Palo Duro, QB-DB, So.
Sammy santos, Palo Duro, OL, Sr.
Dylan Ray, Randall, RB, Jr.
Breken Melton, Randall, TE-DL, Jr.
Darion Cash, Canyon, DB, Sr.
Sam Johnson, Canyon, RB-LB, Sr.
Johnny Marquez, Dumas, WR-DB, Jr.
Keegan Ireland, Dumas, OL, Sr.
Imanol Marquez, Dumas, WR-DB, Jr.
Kalub Ramirez, Hereford, QB, So.
Tell Bryant, Hereford, TE, Jr.
Brylyn Lopez, Hereford, RB, Jr.
Reid Macon, West Plains, QB, So.
Kyron Wooten, West Plains, WR, Sr.
Sammy Perez, Perryton, DL, Sr.
Dalton L’Esperance, Perryton, DL, Sr.
KJ Jennings, Borger, QB, Sr.
Kade Gavina, Bushland, WR, Sr.
Jaxon Fetch, Bushland, LB, Jr.
Holt Humphrey, Bushland, OL-DL, Jr.
Kyler Read, Dalhart, QB, Jr.
Alex Penton, Dalhart, LB, Sr.
Nathan Martens, Muleshoe, QB, Jr.
Sebastian Kervin, Muleshoe, TE-DL, Sr.
Daniel Sianez, Muleshoe, RB-LB, Sr.
Preston Neumeier, Canadian, WR, Sr.
Brizan Wilmoth, Canadian, OL, So.
Leon Tu, Canadian, Canadian, LB, Sr.
Emiliano Hernandez, Canadian, K, Sr.
Da’Reon Mathis, Childress, RB, Sr.
Scout Smith, Childress, LB, Sr.
JP Carbajal, Spearman, RB-LB, Jr.
Carson Seaman, Friona, QB-LB, Sr.
Cade Seaman, Friona, RB-DB, Sr.
David Molina, Tulia, QB, Jr.
Tony Salazar, Dimmitt, RB, Sr.
Karston Long, Stratford, OL-DL, Sr.
Lane Uttley, Stratford, TE-DE, Sr.
Landon Durst, Panhandle, WR-DB, Sr.
Gavan Brookshire, Panhandle, OL-DL, So.
Jackson Wilbourn, Farwell, LB/WR, Sr.
Jonathan Armstrong, Farwell, QB, Jr.
Brady Thompson, Highland Park, QB, Sr.
Bryson Barron, WT High, DL, Sr.
Stephen Cowan, Gruver, DB, Jr.
Michael McCloy, Gruver, WR, Sr.
Briggs Satterfield, Gruver, QB, Jr.
Kagan Davis, Sunray, WR-DB, Jr.
Dawson Bennett, Sunray, WR-DB, Jr.
Gatlin Green, Vega, DL, Jr.
James Sully, Boys Ranch, LB, Sr.
Grayson Hagar, Boys Ranch, DB, Sr.
Ethan Nevarez, Wellington, TE-DL, Sr.
Caleb Strickland, Wellington, OL, Jr.
Jackson Jones, Wellington, LB, Jr.
Nixon Folk, Wellington, RB-DB, Sr.
Colton Caudle, Clarendon, WR, Jr.
Mason Sims, Clarendon, WR, Jr.
Anthony Ceniceros, Clarendon, OL-DL, Sr.
Terry Menefield, WR-DB, Shamrock, Sr.
Barrett Meadows, Wheeler, OL, Jr.
Miguel Lopez, Bovina, WR-DB, Sr.