Week 8 saw some outstanding football games and incredible performances across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Take a look at some of those individuals that stood out.
Drayden Ray, Randall, RB, Jr.
Ray had his best game in a Raider uniform as the junior continues to get better by the week. Behind Ray, Randall was able to stay unbeaten in District 2-4A Division I by going on the road and getting a 24-0 shutout at Hereford. Ray was a menace for the Whiteface defense taking the ball 20 times and chewing up 192 yards with three touchdowns. Ray also came out of the backfield to catch three passes for 21 yards.
The rest of this story is only for subscribers.
Cayde Winters, West Texas High, QB-LB, Sr.
West Texas High had one of the bigger wins across the state in a thrilling 50-49 victory over rival Panhandle in a thriller that lived up to the billing between two state-ranked teams. Quarterback Cayde Winters lived up to his reputation and then some with one of the best performances in Texas Panhandle history. Winters was called upon time and time again and was clutch each time, rushing the ball 41 times for 369 yards scoring an incredible seven touchdowns and converting four two-point conversions.
Julian Reese II, Palo Duro, QB, Jr.
The Palo Duro Dons stayed perfect in District 2-5A Division II getting a huge road win at Lubbock-Cooper 36-33 on Friday night. Reese II did his job throwing a late touchdown pass to Kyron Brown for the eventual game-winning score. The junior was superb all night in the win going 13-of-17 through the air for 238 yards with three total touchdown passes.
Ernesto Alvarado, Caprock, RB, Sr.
Caprock picked up its first District 2-5A Division I win defending home turf in a 36-26 victory against Lubbock Coronado on Friday night. Unsung hero Ernesto Alvarado stepped up and then some for the Longhorns with a career performance. Alvarado couldn’t be stopped the entire night, gutting the Mustang defense for 301 yards on only 22 carries with two touchdowns.
Cross Stambaugh, Shamrock, WR, Soph.
Stambaugh helped keep the Shamrock Irish unbeaten in District 5-2A Division II as the Irish snuck away with a 36-30 overtime win at Clarendon. The speedy sophomore caught everything thrown his way hauling in a career-high 16 catches for 236 yards with four TDs.
Coltyn Fulton, Tascosa, QB, Sr.
The senior signal caller had his best game of the season and kept the Tascosa Rebels unbeaten in District 2-5A Division I with a 35-21 road win at Lubbock Monterey. Fulton picked apart the Plainsman by running the option offense to perfection, carrying the ball 14 times for 218 yards with a touchdown. Fulton was also 5-of-7 passing for 46 yards.
Jonas Rodriguez, New Deal, RB, Sr.
With injuries in key spots, it was up to the New Deal ground game to step up and the Lions did that in a 26-24 thrilling win at Abernathy. Rodriguez was a part of a heavy rushing night for New Deal, stacking up a team-high 142 yards on 22 carries with two TDs.
Josh Marler, Highland Park, QB, Sr.
Behind Marler’s efficient passing and timely running, the Highland Park Hornets captured a big road win 38-20 at Sunray to keep their playoff hopes intact. Marler was very good through the air for Highland Park going 11-of-14 for 265 yards with four touchdown tosses and ran for 54 yards with another score.
Kelton Dill, Dumas, LB, Soph.
The sophomore linebacker had one of his best games and got Dumas back in the win column with a key 37-29 victory at Canyon. Dill was all over the field against a heavy run attack, finishing the contest 13 total tackles, 10 of which were solo.
Sammy Saenz, Littlefield, QB, Soph.
Saenz had quite the night showing off his dual-threat ability during a 50-26 win against Muleshoe in a District 2-3A Division II matchup. The sophomore is coming into his own and that showed as Saenz went 15-of-21 passing for 213 yards with four TDs, and ran for 105 yards with two more scores.