The Texas High School football season came to a close, and it was another excellent year for the Texas Panhandle. Here’s a look at the 2025 Press Pass Sports Football Team. Players selected for superlative honors are separate from the Press Pass Sports Football Team. Compiled by Lance Lahnert, Lee Passmore and Kale Steed.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
Julian Reese II, Palo Duro, 6-3, 200-pound, Jr.
In his second season as Palo Duro’s starter, Reese played like a seasoned veteran in leading the Dons to an unbeaten District 2-5A Division II championship which included 11 consecutive wins. He had the most prolific passing season in school history, completing 192-of-280 passes for 3,031 yards with 31 touchdowns and only three interceptions en route to being named the district MVP. Reese was also a surprising threat running the ball, rushing for 449 yards and 12 touchdowns, both second on the team.
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RUNNING BACKS
Slade Russell, West Plains, 6-1, 190-pound, Jr.
Russell was the power gear running the ball in an explosive offense, as he averaged an astonishing 10 yards a carry while rumbling to 2,000 yards rushing on the season and 24 touchdowns in earning first team District 2-4A Division I honors in helping to lead the Wolves to their second straight unbeaten district championship. For good measure he also caught three touchdown passes. Unfortunately, Russell missed the final two playoff games of the year to injury.
Jude Dunavin, Amarillo High, 6-foot 180-pound, Sr.
Jude the Dude, that’s what AHS coach Chad Dunnam calls his star running back. “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but what didn’t Jude do well,” Dunnam said. Running. Check. Catches the ball out of the backfield. Check. Motion him out of the backfield and line him up at wide receiver? No problem. Great in pass protection. Check. With Dunavin’s credentials it’s easy to see why he was named the District 2-5A DI Offensive Player of the Year. Dunavin rushed for 1,605 yards scoring 19 touchdowns. He also caught 38 passes for 660 yards and five TDs.
Cedric Ross, Lubbock Estacado, 5-8, 170-pound, Sr.
Ross is known for speed, speed and more speed. Anytime Ross touched the football this past fall, he was more than likely to take that handoff to the house. The District 2-4A Division II MVP lived up to the billing, finishing the season rushing for 1,427 yards on 116 carries, averaging 12.3 yards per carry with 16 touchdowns.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Austin Sluder, Amarillo High, 6-1, 175-pound, Sr.
Sluder battled injuries throughout his career (like a back injury this year) but still remained a gritty, shining light in the Amarillo High high-powered offense. A deep-ball threat every time he lined up, Sluder was also physical with the football in his hands and would not be denied the end zone when given the opportunity. He caught 38 passes for 881 yards, averaging 26.7 yards per catch and scored 16 touchdowns. He was brilliant on rivalry night against Tascosa ina 63-21 win haulingin eight catches for 188 yards and five touchdowns. Sluder was named First Team All-District 2-5A DI.
Chase Campbell, Frenship, 6-2, 190-pound, Sr.
To show how much respect Campbell garnered, he missed the last three district games with injury and was still named 2-6A Co-MVP. Playing in just seven games before getting injured, the Texas Tech signee was the offensive force that drove the Tigers, hauling in 51 catches for 900 yards with 13 touchdown receptions. Campbell was also used in Wildcat formations and helped carry the load in the backfield for Frenship.
Darius Jones, Stratford, 5-8, 175-pound, Jr.
It was a breakout year for the junior do-it-all weapon. Helping lead the Elks to an 11-3 season and run to the UIL Class 2A Division II state quarterfinals, Jones was called upon to be a vital part of the offense. His main skill was being the top wide receiver for Stratford, snagging 46 catches for an eye-opening 1,110 yards with 16 touchdowns. Jones also added 290 yards on the ground on 39 carries with eight more scores.
TIGHT END
Riggs Pennington, Canadian, 6-6, 190-pound, Sr.
Standing at 6-foot-6, Pennington was a mismatch for opposing defenses each and every week. Being a senior leader for a Canadian team that boasted 11 wins while making a run to third round of the UIL Class 3A Division II playoffs, Pennington made his presence known by catching 53 passes for 866 yards, averaging 11.2 yards a catch, with a team-best 11 touchdowns.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Keegan Collins, West Plains, 6-6, 295-pound, Sr.
A repeat selection from last season, Collins has signed with Kansas State and was as the 2-4A DI offensive lineman of the year, grading out at 97 percent with 65 pancake blocks and not allowing a single quarterback sack all season. He was even more dominant in the playoffs in leading a line which provided pass protection and run blocking for the prolific West Plains offense in reaching the state quarterfinals for the third straight season.
Brandon Wright, Amarillo High, 6-2, 330-pounds, Sr.
Wright was a two-year starter and the leader of the Sandie offensive line because of his consistent, physical and reliable play. An inspiration to his coaches and teammates for playing with injuries, he was a key cog in the reason AHS scored 40 or more points seven times and cranked out 63 and 76 points in its last two games. Wright consistently graded out as one of the top performing AHS linemen week-in and week-out and finished with four knockdown and six pancake blocks. He was named Second Team All-District 2-5A DI but to us at Press Pass Sports No. 78 is deserving of this honor on our first team.
Brian Acosta-Gardea, Tascosa, 6-0, 270-pound, Jr.
The heart and soul of a Flexbone offense, like the Tascosa Rebels are famous running under head coach Ken Plunk, is obvious. It’s linemen who can block over and over for the triple option. Acosta-Gardea was a key cog at tackle in Tascosa’s offense rolling up 50 or more points five times in its 12-game playoff season. Acosta-Gardea is strong, tenacious and known for his work ethic. Although a junior, he earned First-Team All-District 2-5A DI at tackle. Coach Plunk praised Acosta-Gardea’s leadership and said the best news is “Brian is back for another year with us.”
Deacon Smith, West Texas High, 6-7, 340-pound, Sr.
Smith was the anchor of a massive offensive line that helped drive West Texas High to a historic 14-1 record and a march to the UIL Class 2A Division I state semifinals. The middle son of WT High head coach, Jeff Smith, Deacon lived up to his 6-foot-7, 340-pound frame, grading out at 92 percent for an offense than ran for 4,879 yards. The four-year starter and District 1-2A Division I Co-Offensive line MVP selection ended his high school career making an impressive 48 starts.
Gavan Brookshire, Panhandle, 6-foot, 240-pound, Sr.
Head coach Dane Ashley boasts he hasn’t coached many lineman on either side of the ball as good as Brookshire. A bit undersized, Brookshire played just the opposite, especially on the offensive side, as the District 1-2A Co-Offensive line MVP graded out at 97 percent with 35 pancakes and 10 knockdowns for an offense that posted 56 points an outing.
OFFENSIVE UTILITY PLAYER
Darien Lewis, Palo Duro, 6-1, 215-pound, Sr.
Lewis, who committed to play college ball at North Carolina but ended up signing with University of Nevada-Las Vegas in December, was an indispensable cog in Palo Duro’s offense. As a receiver, he led the Dons with 64 catches for 891 yards and nine touchdowns in earning first team 2-5A DII honors. He was also used running the ball in short yardage situations, running for 116 yards and four touchdowns. Lewis also played defensive back, where he had 36 tackles and two interceptions.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Krush Johnson, Tascosa, 6-3, 250-pound, Sr.
Krush was true to his given name throughout the 2025 season as a defensive tackle for Tascosa. The two-time Press Pass Sports defensive line selection, faced constant double teams, even triple teams on occasion, but Krush still was a force using his speed and athletic ability to frustrate and disrupt offenses. Krush recorded 70.5 tackles, 25 of those stops solo, 13 tackles for losses, scored a “big-man” touchdown, had 5.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hurries. He earned first-team all-district in 2-5A DI and a scholarship from Texas Tech where he is already enrolled in Lubbock for this upcoming semester.
Terris White, Randall, 6-0, 200-pound, Sr.
White was a major force up front for a Randall defense which set the tone each week for the Raiders. He had 65 tackles, including seven for losses along with four sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery and was named a first-team 2-4A DI selection as the Raiders reached 10 wins and the third round of the playoffs.
Champ Clanahan, Shallowater, 6-2, 215-pound, Sr.
Champ was great at putting the clamp on opposing offenses with his commanding presence on the Mustang defensive line. The District 1-3A Division I Defensive MVP had a stellar season for a Shallowater team that caught fire as the season went on, going 8-4 and winning the district title. Clanahan tallied 69 tackles on the year, nine of those for a loss, with four sacks, and even scored a “big-man” touchdown.
Jackson Graves, Wheeler, 6-foot-5, 260-pound, Sr.
Graves spent as much time in the backfield as his opponents each and every week. The menacing 6-foot-5, 260-pound, pass rusher was an absolute menace finishing his season with 98 tackles, 41 of those for a loss, racked up an incredible 12 sacks and forced two fumbles. The District 5-2A Division II Defensive MVP did more than his part to lead the Mustangs (9-2) to their first district title in almost two decades.
LINEBACKERS
K.J. Barnes, Palo Duro, 5-10, 215-pound, Sr.
Despite his lack of physical stature, Barnes anchored Palo Duro’s defense, leading the team with 166 tackles (including 121 solo), including 12 for losses as a first team 2-5A DII selection. He also had three sacks with an interception and a fumble recovery for the district champion Dons. Barnes is also a two-time Press Pass Sports selection at linebacker.
Broxton Robinson, Panhandle, 6-1, 200-pound, Sr.
Robinson ended a stellar high school career as one of the best to ever wear a Panhandle uniform. The heart and soul of the Panthers was so strong on both sides of the ball he was named the District 1-2A Division I Offensive and Defensive MVP. While everyone knew about Robinson’s dominance at the quarterback position, his defense was equally impressive. The West Point commit racked up 102 tackles this past season with two sacks and two interceptions. For his career, Robinson tallied 309 tackles.
Kelton Dill, Dumas, 6-0, 200-pound, Soph.
Dill made a huge splash in his first full varsity season as a major playmaker for the Demons in continuing their stellar linebacker play. He had 100 tackles, including seven for losses, recovered two fumbles, broke up three passes, had four sacks and blocked a punt. Dill was named first-team 2-4A Division I.
Hunter Trusler, Dalhart, 6-2, 195-pound, Sr.
Trusler made his name at quarterback, but his defense didn’t go unnoticed throughout a strong season for a Dalhart team that went 9-3. The District 1-3A Division I MVP and team leader was all over the field on both sides on the ball, however, at linebacker Trusler was more than solid, ending the year with 98 tackles with 12 of those coming for a loss.
Mark Haygood, Canadian, 6-2, 180-pound, Sr.
Haygood carried on the tradition of great linebackers for the Canadian Wildcats. The senior had a nose for the football and was seemingly in on every tackle. Haygood, a first-team District 1-3A Division II selection, ended his final season in style, racking up a team-high 193 tackles, 40 of those for a loss on top of six sacks.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Vern Blair, Palo Duro, 6-0, 175-pound, Sr.
Blair signed with the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in December. He didn’t have overwhelming stats at corner because teams didn’t challenge him throwing the ball as he had no interceptions and three pass breakups. He was an all-2-5A DII pick and had 31 tackles with a forced fumble.
Kane-White Tinsley, West Plains, 6-1, 185-pound, Sr.
On a team full of playmakers, White-Tinsley, who signed with University of Texas-El Paso, still stood tall. He had six interceptions while forcing two fumbles and recovering one, along with making 36 tackles as a first-team 2-4A DI pick. He also led the team with 50 catches for 838 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Chase Lantelme, Stratford, 6-1, 170-pound, Jr.
The two-way starter lands on the Press Pass Team in the secondary for a second year in a row. Lantelme made major strides at quarterback for an Elks team that reached the UIL Class 2A Division II state quarterfinals, but he was also very valuable defensively. A smothering corner, Lantelme ended his year with 113 tackles, four interceptions, and eight pass breakups.
Jaxon Thomas, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty, 6-foot, 190-pound, Sr.
The Liberty Patriots made major strides not only by winning 10 games, but also claiming the programs first outright District 2-4A Division II championship. Thomas brought major leadership to the Patriots in the secondary as the first team All-District selection made a total of 120 tackles, 10 of those for a loss with a fumble recovery.
DEFENSIVE UTILITY PLAYER
Bo Cowan, Gruver, 6-1, 185-pound, Sophomore
Cowan came on the scene thanks to a sensational sophomore season, and played a key role for Gruver during a run to the UIL Class 2A Division II state semifinals. The versatile Cowan can play all over the field and that showed as he tallied 148 total tackles, 37 of those were solo tackles, to go with 27 for a loss. Cowan also tacked on an incredible 14 sacks.
SPECIAL TEAMS
KICKER
Jacob Avalos, Randall, 5-8, 165-pound, Jr.
Avalos was a reliable kicker and punter for the Raiders all season. He made 32-of-35 extra point attempts and converted 5-of-6 field goal tries, with the longest from 42 yards. At punter, he averaged 37 yards a punt, with three punts of at least 57 yards. Avalos also had 16 touchbacks on kickoffs.
PUNTER
Rhett Ladd, Amarillo High, 6-3, 170-pound, Jr.
Not many football players decide to specialize in high school, but that’s what makes Rhett Ladd special. Ladd concentrates on special teams only as a punter, backup kicker and place holder. AHS coach Chad Dunnam obviously respected Rhett’s ability to punt “but as a specialist Rhett wanted to make himself more diverse and he became our backup place holder. And he’s a dang good place holder. If he’s not our kicker next year he will be our holder. People don’t see the work he puts in behind the scenes.” People definitely saw the way Ladd handled his punting duties as he earned First Team All-District 2-5A DI with his 43-yard per punt average.
KICK/ PUNT RETURNER
Kyron Brown, Palo Duro, 6-2, 190-pound, Jr.
Brown may have been Palo Duro’s most dynamic playmaker in all three phases of the game. He helped the Dons get good field position by averaging 32.4 yards on 13 kickoff returns. Brown also had 37 catches for 637 yards and seven touchdowns and tied for the team lead with six sacks.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
(Alphabetical Order)
Brock Butler, Gruver, WR, 5-10, 160-pound, Sr.
Brayson Beck, New Home, QB 5-9, 185-pound, Sr.
Coltyn Fulton, Tascosa, QB, 6-1, 180-pound, Sr.
AJ Huddleston, Idalou, RB, 5-10, 185-pound, Jr.
Angel Lara, Bovina, RB-LB, 5-10, 215-pound, Sr.
Jett Lopez, Amarillo High, QB, 6-0, 200-pound, Sr.
Kamdon Lutrick, Idalou, QB, 6-0, 175-pound, Sr.
Cooper Martin, Shallowater, QB, 6-0, 185-pound, Sr.
Seth Mayberry, Plainview, QB, 5-9, 185-pound, Sr.
Colton Mills, Dumas, QB, 5-9, 160-pound, Jr.
Deuce Moore, Lubbock Monterey, RB, 5-9, 185,
Creed Newkirk, Wheeler, QB, 5-11, 185-pound, Sr.
Bayler Schilling Canyon, WR, 6-3, 185-pound, Sr.
Cooper Schilling, Perryton, QB, 6-0, 175-pound, Jr.
Colton Strickland, Bushland, LB, 5-11, 175-pound, Sr.
Sione Vaea, Lubbock-Cooper, DL, 6-0, 280-pound, Sr.