Tanner Adams, Bushland, WR, Sr.
Adams made a name for himself in a hurry during the Bushland Falcons thrilling 47-41 win over West Plains in the season opener. On Bushland’s first offensive play of 2023, Adams broke wide open over the middle and went 63-yards for the first score of the season. That was only the start of Adams’ big night as the senior established himself as a go-to weapon for quarterback Dawson Jaco hauling in six catches for 136 yards and ran for a 24-yard touchdown.
Nathan Marten, Muleshoe, QB, Jr.
The Muleshoe gunslinger opened the season in a big way by lighting up Littlefield 48-20 at home on Friday night. Martens was on fire throwing for 360 yards on 15-of-25 passing for three touchdowns and ran for 131 yards for another score.
Bryce Lynn, Pampa, WR, Jr.
What a start for the junior speedster to open the 2023 campaign. Lynn was a total mismatch for the Big Spring secondary during the Harvesters 35-25 home victory. Lynn made the most of four catches by racking up 166 yards including a 95-yard touchdown. Lynn finished averaging 41.5 yards a catch against the Steers.
Coltyn Fulton, Tascosa, QB, So.
Making his first career start, the sophomore talent turned heads in the Rebels 28-7 win over rival Palo Duro. Fulton already looks the part with his size, and though he is young, Fulton showed great arm strength going 6-of-11 for 120 yards with a touchdown pass and tacked on 88 yards rushing on only nine carries.
Elyes Torres, Highland Park, RB-WR-LB, Jr.
Highland Park’s Swiss Army Knife did everything he could to lead the Hornets to their first season-opening win since 2019. In Highland Park’s 33-21 victory against Tulia, Torres rushed for 97 yards on only four carries, had four catches for 81 yards totaling four touchdowns. Defensively, the junior was equally impressive with 11 tackles, an interception and a pass breakup.
Bryce Braden, Stratford, QB-LB, Jr.
Braden and the Elks showed a physical style of play running over Spearman 37-0 to open the year on Friday night. Braden was masterful on both sides of the ball as the 6-foot-3, 215-pound bulldozer chewed up 75 yards on eight carries with two scores. Braden also threw for 94 yards and led the team in tackles at linebacker with 14 adding two sacks.
Kyler Read, Dalhart, QB, Jr.
Read simply couldn’t be stopped during Dalhart’s season-opening 33-30 win at Perryton on Friday night. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound truck rushed for 107 yards on 27 carries with three scores and went 5-for-11 passing for another 105 yards with another TD.
Brylyn Lopez, Hereford, RB, Jr.
Hereford is in the win column much earlier than last season and Lopez is a big reason for it. The Whitefaces reeled off 27 unanswered points to down Caprock 34-20 on Friday night moving to 1-0 on the year. Lopez was the key cog out of the backfield toting the ball 29 times for 159 yards with a TD.
Tony Salazar, Dimmitt, RB, Sr.
Salazar and the Dimmitt Bobcats picked up their first win since 2021 by beating Memphis 36-14 at home on Friday night. Salazar used his speed to blaze through the Cyclone defense piling up 247 yards on the ground with three touchdowns, two of which were 60-plus yards.
Jonathan Armstrong, Farwell, QB, Jr.
Armstrong didn’t show any nerves making his first start in his first career varsity game leading the Steers to a come-from-behind win over New Deal 40-30 in one of the more exciting games of Week 1. Two separate times, Farwell found themselves down by double-digits but were able to rally. Armstrong kept a cool head by throwing for 196 yards while rushing for 108 yards combining for three touchdowns.
