Darien Lewis, Palo Duro, RB-WR-DB, Jr.
Playing in a new role this season, Lewis showed just how dynamic he can be during Palo Duro’s stunning 33-21 win over Tascosa to open the season Thursday night. While helping the Dons snap an 11-year drought to the rival Rebels, Lewis was clutch in goal line situations out of the Wildcat formation scoring four touchdowns to pave the way for the victory. Lewis did his job in the secondary as well with 13 tackles and a forced fumble.
Cooper Schilling, Perryton, QB, Soph.
Riding off the momentum from a breakout freshman campaign, Perryton’s super sophomore led the Rangers to an emotional 45-44 victory against Canyon in one of the more surprising wins on Friday that gave first-year coach Joshua Hernandez an epic first career victory. Schilling not only punched in the game-winning two-point conversion with 22 seconds left, but he delivered throughout the contest going 12-of-20 for 198 yards passing with three touchdowns and ran for 184 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Wyatt Davis, Canadian, TE-LB, Sr.
What a start to the season for one of the top players in the Texas Panhandle. Davis is well-known as a top linebacker and that showed in Canadian’s 32-27 win at Elk City, Okla., making 19 tackles, six of those solo, with a sack and a forced fumble. Davis also showed his versatility as an offensive threat hauling in four catches for 120 yards with a score.
Dustin Coey, Dumas, LB, Sr.
Coey pulled off a special task during the Demons 42-7 road win against Caprock on Friday night. Coey was the special teams MVP for Dumas blocking two Longhorn punts on top of showing great effort at linebacker where the senior made nine tackles with two of those coming for a loss.
Cayde Winters, West Texas High, QB, Jr.
Finally getting his opportunity to shine after missing all of last year with a leg injury, Winters showed the game changer he truly can be. Behind a great effort from the offensive line, Winters was able to use his speed to torch Lockney in a 30-25 win chewing up the defense for 282 yards on 27 totes with three touchdowns. Winters finished the game averaging 10.4 yards per carry.
Philip Cook, Shamrock, QB, Sr.
Behind Cook and his team’s effort, Shamrock pulled off one of the more impressive Week 1 win’s upending Sundown 38-34 to kick off the year on Thursday night at Happy State Bank Stadium. Cook dazzled with his feet rushing for 231 yards on 13 carries with three touchdowns. He was equally impressive through the air going 9-of-18 for 158 yards with two more TDs.
Broxton Robinson, Panhandle, QB, Jr.
The dual-threat Panhandle sensation picked up where he left off last year as the Panthers jumped all over Clarendon for a 64-0 statement shutout. Robinson didn’t miss in the passing game going 10-of-10 for 249 yards with three touchdown tosses and added 106 yards rushing with another score.
Armando Lujan, Sunray, QB, Sr.
Lujan is certainly no stranger to this list over his illustrious four-year career. The senior leader of the Bobcats and record chaser got the Bobcats off on the right foot thanks to a come-from-behind 30-28 win over a very good Hooker, Okla., team on Friday. Lujan was his dazzling self-lighting up the Bulldogs for 373 yards on 31-of-43 passing with three touchdowns.
Kyler Read, Dalhart, QB, Sr.
The son of head coach Joey Read continues to shine any time he’s on the football field. The powerhouse dominated Levelland as the Golden Wolves cruised to a 55-27 victory. In that win, Read did his part and then some throwing for 284 yards with three TDs and ran for 76 yards on 13 totes finding paydirt two times.
Aaron Rosales, Friona, RB, Jr.
Despite falling short to Slaton 42-36 in overtime, it’s hard to deny the effort Rosales gave to the Chieftains in the season opener on Friday night. Rosales was a pure workhorse leaving it all on the field carrying the ball 34 times for an eye-popping 304 yards with three touchdowns.
