Keima’j Barnes, Palo Duro, LB, Jr.
The Palo Duro Dons defense along with Barnes has been vastly underrated through the first four games. Those eyes are definitely starting to shift toward Barnes and the Dons defense by the week after Palo Duro beat Amarillo High for the first time in 22 years thanks to a 20-14 victory on Friday. Barnes was all over the field flying around the football finishing the game with 16 total tackles, nine of which were solo. Barnes also added a tackle for a loss and an interception. Through the first four games, Barnes already has 68 tackles with four sacks.
Slayden Dickinson, Canadian, RB, Jr.
Dickinson is back on this list for a second week in a row after putting together one of the greatest performances in Wildcat football history. Canadian won a wild shootout over Muleshoe on Friday, 74-67, behind the effort of Dickinson who toted the rock 36 times or 367 yards scoring an eye-opening seven touchdowns. Through the last two weeks, Dickinson has posted 592 yards in victories against Dumas and Muleshoe.
Kaison Benton, Randall, QB, Jr.
Benton continues to improve by the week but more importantly has the Randall Raiders unbeaten through the first four weeks of the season. During a 56-15 blowout win against Wichita Falls Legacy on Friday, Benton was near flawless going 16-of-18 for 230 yards throwing four touchdown passes to four different receivers.
Colt Cruth, Canyon, RB-LB, Sr.
The Canyon bruiser was clutch on both sides of the ball for the Eagles in a 27-3 convincing win over Caprock on Thursday. On the defensive side, Cruth totaled eight tackles with an interception. On offense, Cruth showed his physicality with 48 yards on only six carries and caught two passes for 19 yards.
Cayde Winters, West Texas High, Jr.
Winters helped West Texas High back into the win column with a 68-22 taming of Tulia on Friday night. Behind a great offensive line effort, the junior highlight reel chewed up the Hornet defense for 284 yards rushing on 21 carries with five touchdowns. Winters also threw for 114 yards with three more scores to total seven TDs. On the season, Winters has 824 rushing yards in four games with 15 touchdowns and has thrown for 486 yards with six more scores.
Brylyn Lopez, Hereford, RB, Sr.
Lopez has picked up where he left off last season and has no signs of slowing down. Hereford stayed undefeated handling Perryton 41-13 on Friday. Lopez ate up the Rangers defense for 140 yards on only 16 touches finding the endzone four times.
Ty McDowell, Sunray, LB, Sr.
Getting more publicity for his offensive numbers on most nights, McDowell earns credit this week for his massive defensive performance that helped Sunray knock off Childress 21-7 to stay unbeaten on the season. McDowell was a menace for Sunray picking off quarterback Drake Rabe three times while making 14 total tackles.
Emmanuel Valverde, Gruver, LB, Jr.
Gruver is another team that has yet to taste defeat getting a 51-18 lopsided win at Clarendon on Friday night. Valverde couldn’t be blocked during this victory finishing with a total of 12 tackles, five for a loss, with two sacks and an interception.
Hunter Trusler, Dalhart, QB, Sr.
Trusler looked much more comfortable in the quarterback role as Dalhart rebounded from a loss to shutout Friona 36-0. The athletic Trusler, who has taken over for an injured Kyler Read at QB, was superb going 9-of-13 for 161 yards passing with a pair of touchdowns and ran for 47 yards with two more scores.
Nathan Martens, Muleshoe, QB, Sr.
Though Martens wasn’t happy with the result he has to be somewhat happy about how he played on the road at Canadian. Despite a tough 74-67 loss, Martens had his best outing of the year and maybe his career picking apart the Wildcat secondary going 19-of-34 for an incredible 456 yards passing with four touchdowns.
