Here’s a look at the 2023 Press Pass Sports Six-Man Football Team.
Coach of the Year
D.J. Howell, Miami
In 2021, an 11-man coach was looking to get back to Texas from Oklahoma and found himself dropped into a program as the third head coach in three years. Fast forward to this year and D.J. Howell used a culture change and a talented group of seniors to help lead Miami to a 12-1 season, a state quarterfinal appearance and the distinction of Press Pass Six-Man Coach of the Year.
Three years ago, Howell was looking to return to Texas after a successful run as a head coach of a Class 6A team in Oklahoma. It looked like as though Howell landed a job as a coordinator for a larger classification school in Texas when Miami reached out. The more the Odessa native looked at the job the more it became attractive, so he took a leap of faith and took the job. The problem was he had never coached Six-Man ball before so he learned very quickly that his knowledge of 11 players on the field didn’t fully translate to the smaller field and fewer number of players, but he knew some things he could control that would make a massive difference on the program.
“The first thing I did when I came in was focus on the culture and try to make things as good as we could,” Howell said. “I knew we had to focus on the amount of time we were putting in during the offseason and in the weight room. There was a toughness we needed to develop.”
With that change Howell expected his players to show up on time, put in the work, stack positive days on top of each other and be willing to be coached hard.
There were difficult times in that first year. Howell ran into push back and a resistance to change but he knew that a normal Tuesday in June would yield success if they put in the work. That first year saw the Warriors go to battle with eight players. After starting the season with two straight losses, game three of his tenure didn’t look much better. Midway through the first half, Miami was getting hammered by Kress when Howell dialed up “Six-Man-A-Rama” which basically entailed his future star Haiden Thompson dropping back in a spread offense and simply finding an open player. From that point forward, the Warriors had found that a base offense mixed in with a spread look would work. In his first season they qualified for the playoffs but got bounced in bi-district by Groom.
In year two, they made the step up to Division I as a team, but Howell also saw a growth in his young squad.
“Work in the weight room was showing up,” Howell said. “We were developing a toughness, and the players were really starting to buy in.”
After falling to Follett by 14 in district, Miami qualified for the playoffs but drew a very loaded Happy squad.
That maturation from good to really good showed up this year. After starting the season 6-0, the first of two pivotal games in Howell’s eyes, allowed his team to see what they were capable of. A year ago, Nazareth beat them soundly in Miami, but the Warriors returned the favor this year with a resounding 48-0 win on the Swifts home soil. The following week was a matchup with their rivals from Follett, a team they had only beaten twice since 1999. Though Howell felt the Warriors didn’t play their best game, Miami walked away with a 36-30 victory.
Two straight dogfight playoff games ensued as the Warriors took out Nazareth for a second time, 50-30, in bi-district play before scoring with 12 seconds left to take out a talented Springlake-Earth squad 42-34. That set up the rematch from a year ago, this time in the state quarterfinals, against Happy. A back-and-forth battle produced a thrilling overtime game that the Cowboys won 30-22. As much as the loss stung the third-year Warriors coach told his players in the locker room after that emotional loss that they were winners and teams wouldn’t look at the Warriors the same way moving forward.
A cultural change initiated from day one along with a vision that his senior group slowly bought into in the beginning produced a 12 -1 mark for the purple clad Warriors and, more importantly, a respect they had earned with their play over the last three seasons. That type of change is what earned Howell our nod as Coach of the Year.
Player of the Year
Haiden Thompson, Miami, 6-3, 195-pound, Sr.
The Miami Warriors made their deepest run in the playoffs since 2010 and Haiden Thompson was a direct reason for their success as he capped a career that totaled over 10,000 career yards and inked his name in Miami lore forever.
This year’s Press Pass Sports Six-Man Player of the Year has been leading the Warriors attack since his freshman year racking up almost 1,500 passing yards that first year. By his sophomore season, the gunslinger began making a name for himself as a true dual threat 1,893 yards through the air and 1,285 on the ground as Miami made the playoffs but suffered a first round loss to Groom. As a junior, he threw for 1,786 yards and ran for 1,276 as the Warriors made the playoffs again but suffered a first round defeat to the hands of Happy.
During his senior season, Thompson refused to let his team suffer another quick exit in the playoffs. The lanky yet strong signal caller added 15 pounds of muscle over the summer to make himself a bigger force out of the backfield. That hard work paid off as the Warriors ran rough shod through their schedule going 7-0 before facing Follett for the de facto district crown. On the ground he broke the century mark totaling 116 yards and through the air he added 153 yards and three scores with none bigger than the 64-yard scoring strike to Breken Early with three to play to put Miami on top.
Thompson, a Second-Team All-State spread back selection, likely saved his best for the playoffs. Against Nazareth and Springlake-Earth his stats jump off the page. In those two games he totaled 543 yards passing with 11 scores, 267 yards rushing and a touchdown while adding 35 tackles to his resume. That setup a showdown with Happy in the state quarters where Thompson had over 200 yards total offense against one of the best defenses in the state and tallied 13 tackles as the Warriors came within a yard of making the semifinals before falling in overtime.
For Miami’s head coach, D.J. Howell, he reflected that Thompson wasn’t only talented but smart.
“He was like having another coach on the field,” Howell said. “We had some great conversations between plays as his leader on the field that would often help diagnose the defense as the game played out. Haiden understood clearly what they were trying to accomplish. I see us as friends as much as a player/coach relationship.”
Thompson’s career stats jump off the page, but the senior wasn’t interested in talking about his accomplishments.
“Reflecting on all the career totals are meaningful,” Thompson said. “But, in my mind I just want to know that I gave my best to help the team win. It was a special year for all of us. I think everyone would agree. It was fun and we made memories that will last forever.”
Thompson ended his prestigious career totaling 4,218 rushing yards with 7,210 passing and had a hand in 172 offensive scores. Defense, though, is where the uber talented athlete made his biggest leaps. Miami’s captain totaled 347 tackles throughout his time at Miami with 136 of those coming in his senior season to go along with 18 career interceptions.
Newcomer of the Year
Zane Schulte, Nazareth, 5-8, 140-pound, Fr.
Based on his size many wouldn’t expect Schulte to be a big contributor yet at the varsity level. However, the tough as nails back was a key piece to the Nazareth offense. The slightly built freshman rushed for 903 yards and 21 touchdowns, threw for 303 yards and four more scores and chipped in 22 tackles and three interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. That type of contribution earned him the Class 1A Division I State Newcome of the Year award.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
Noe Juarez, Happy, 5-9, 155-pound, Sr.
Due to injuries, Juarez was forced into the signal caller position, but was still able to make the most of his season. The versatile Cowboy threw for 1,309 yards and 32 touchdowns with only four picks while also rushing for 577 yards and five scores to lead Happy to its third straight Class 1A Division I state semifinal appearance while garnering the Region 1-1A Division I Offensive MVP award and First-Team All-State honors.
RUNNING BACKS
Sawyer Francis, Silverton, 6-3, 180-pound, Sr.
Whenever teams played the Silverton Owls, they figured out very quickly just how dangerous Francis was. The track star was prodigious on the football field as well rushing for 2,025 yards and 36 touchdowns, added five receiving scores and four returning kicks. Those eye-popping numbers earned him First-Team All-Region running back and First-Team All-State Special Teams Player honors.
David Meeks, Follett, 5-9, 170-pound, Jr.
Last year’s Press Pass Sports Newcomer of the Year has solidified himself as one of the top threats in the Texas Panhandle. Meeks rushed for 1,320 yards this year with 19 touchdowns and was efficient throwing the ball from his spread back position by racking up 14 scores on 31 completions for 749 yards. The fleet footed Panther gained Second-Team All-Region honors as well.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Breken Early, Miami, 6-1, 180-pound, Jr.
One of the reasons the Warriors made a deep playoff run was the play of Early. The dynamic outside weapon became the go-to target for quarterback Haiden Thompson in the playoffs. Early gained Second-Team All-State status hauling in 26 catches for 514 yards and nine scores while also serving as a part-time signal caller.
TIGHT ENDS
Quay Hodges, Happy, 6-0, 190-pound, Sr.
A menace on both sides of the ball, Hodges wrapped up his decorated career by grabbing eight touchdowns on 27 receptions for 493 yards. He also helped fill a void in the backfield during the season when injuries struck by rushing for 231 yards and four touchdowns. To cap his career, Hodges was recognized as a First-Team All-State defensive lineman for the second straight year.
Kayle Rogers, Nazareth, 6-2, 205-pound, Jr.
Despite his season being cut short by injury, Rogers helped the Swifts stay competitive early in the season with his aggressive style of play. The talented junior used his size and athleticism to pave the way for Schulte up front while reeling in four touchdowns and tacking on a rushing score.
CENTER
Devin Burris, Happy, 6-0, 200-pound, Sr.
When a team rushes for over 3,000 yards and makes another deep run in the playoffs it’s a big man up front leading the charge. Burris was that for the Cowboys as he was the anchor for a potent Happy offense and was named First-Team All-State at the position.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Cutter Hodges, Happy, 5-10, 180-pound, Sr.
Some might say Hodges played in the shadows of his twin brother Quay but opposing teams will tell you that the hard-hitting end was a handful again this year. Hodges racked up 63 tackles, 20 of those solo, while forcing three fumbles and recovering two. The First-Team All-State lineman also tallied 497 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns as a bruising runner for Happy.
Tucker Schlueter, Valley, 6-3, 240-pound, Sr.
An absolute backfield wrecker, Schlueter was a menace to opposing offenses on his way to First-Team All-Region and Honorable Mention All-State honors. On the season, the massive lineman tallied over 100 tackles despite being the one player the opposition knew they needed to contain to have success.
Mason Hix, Happy, 5-11, 185-pound, Jr.
Injuries limited Hix to only 10 games but that didn’t limit the nose guard from wreaking havoc all over the field. The Region 1-1A Division I Defensive MVP and First-Team All-Stater selection used his all-out efforts to tally 81 tackles, 37 of those solo, while registering 11 tackles for loss with four sacks.
LINEBACKERS
Luke Wheeler, Miami, 6-0, 210-pound, Sr.
Manning the middle for the Warriors, Wheeler proved to be one of the best defensive players in the Amarillo-area. The bowling-ball backer racked up 115 tackles, 24 of those for losses, while registering two sacks, five fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles. Those are the kind of stats that help the senior earn Second-Team All-State status at linebacker.
Osiel Ventura, Follett, 5-11, 160-pound, Sr.
Ventura was key piece to a Follett defense that registered seven mercy rule wins. Ventura nabbed Second-Team All-Region honors at the linebacker position for his effort ending the year with 97 tackles and three forced fumbles.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Carlos Alanis, Silverton, 5-7, 155-pound, Sr.
Don’t let the size of Alanis fool you. The diminutive defender spoke loudly on defense putting up a jaw dropping 100 tackles of which 72 were solo, 23 pass deflections, two interceptions and eye-popping 14 sacks. That type of production earned him Second-Team All-State status in Class 1A Division II.
Micah Hinshaw, Miami, 6-0, 165-pound, So.
All the ball-hawking safety did for the Warriors was follow-up his 10-interception season last year with another 10 picks in 2023 while returning one of those for a score. The sophomore sensation also knocked down another eight balls while chipping in with 28 tackles and garnering Second-Team All-Region status.