The Cooldown- Week One
Cover Photo courtesy of SportsDayHS and and Special Contributor Steve Nurenberg.
The 2024 Texas High School Football season kicked off over the weekend and there was plenty of action across the metroplex! DeSoto routed Creekside (GA) 70-0, meaning the Eagles have outscored their last two opponents 144-14 dating back to last seasons 6A D-II state title win over Summer Creek. While we’re on the topic of blowouts, Allen beat Midland Legacy 61-0, Lewisville beat Mansfield Summit 51-7, Frisco Reedy beat Mansfield Lake Ridge 61-7 and Arlington Seguin beat North Mesquite 57-0. Despite all the blowouts, there were plenty of close contests as well. As always, if you want a full picture of what happened across the metroplex, check out our own Professor Diggs on Twitter (X), and check out his thread “The Dump” from Friday night at midnight. Now, let’s recap some games.
Trinity takes down Houston Strake Jesuit
We’ll start with the game I was at on Friday night. Trinity ended last season on a sour note, losing to L.D. for the first time in the 2000’s. The majority of that roster is back this season, and the Trojans looked good in a 49-28 win over Houston Strake Jesuit. The defense is still going to be a bit of a concern for Trinity, though that group rebounded nicely after giving up three straight touchdown drives to start the game, only giving up one touchdown the rest of the night.
The Trojans offense was able to keep Trinity in the game early and continued to play well into the second half. Once again, Trinity dominated on the ground, racking up 344 rushing yards on 13.7 yards-per-carry.
Trinity quarterback TJ Tupou completed six of his seven attempts for 38 yards and a touchdown. Ethan Wright caught three passes for 20 yards and tight end Lukus Sanchez caught the touchdown pass from 10 yards out. Josh Bell led the rushing attack with 89 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries. JT Harris added 88 yards on seven carries and brought a kickoff back for a touchdown.
The district schedule is tough for the Trojans right off the bat with games against Southlake Carroll and Byron Nelson in September. We’ll know early on this season just how good Trinity can be, the Trojans seemed poised to claim one of the four playoff spots in District 4-6A.
Denton Guyer takes down Aledo
Denton Guyer defeated Aledo 35-30 to hand the Bearcats their first loss in two years. Denton Guyer managed to score 35 points on Aledo despite only scoring one offensive touchdown to Aledo’s four. That one touchdown came courtesy of Corbin Glasco, who also returned a kickoff for a touchdown as time expired in the first half. The other Denton Guyer touchdown came from Zach De Anda, who returned a blocked punt for six. Add in three made field goals in the first half and Denton Guyer had enough points to tie Aledo 30-30 headed to the fourth quarter. Another field goal and a safety in the fourth quarter powered the Wildcats past the Bearcats in the end.
Denton Guyer quarterback Kevin Sperry completed nine of his 22 passes for 160 yards. Glasco led the way on the ground with three carries for 73 yards and the score. DJ Reese led the receivers with three receptions for 75 yards as Sperry spread around his nine completions to five different receivers.
Aledo quarterback Gavin Beard completed 16 of his 30 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Kaydon Finley led the Bearcats receivers with eight receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Kaden Winkfield carried the ball 18 times for 106 yards and a score, and Raycine Guillory added 21 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Denton Guyer hosts an Arlington Martin squad that lost its opener to Austin Lake Travis this week, while Aledo hosts a Lancaster squad that fell to North Crowley 29-21 in week one.
Frisco Lone Star beats Argyle
Frisco Lone Star won a battle of top 5A teams, albeit two in different divisions. The 5A D-1 Rangers took down the 5A D-II Eagles 24-17 and pitched a second half shutout to do so. Frisco Lone Star was able to secure the win despite Davian Groce only carrying the ball five times, though Groce did get 10 total touches. This is due in large part to the play of quarterback Karece Hoyt, who was effective through the air on the ground. The Rangers defense was also able to rise to the occasion facing a halftime deficit and hold Argyle off the scoreboard in the second half. The Lone Star defense also forced three turnovers in the win.
Frisco Lone Star quarterback Karece Hoyt completed 21 of his 34 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns. Hoyt also led the Rangers rushing attack with 22 carries for 54 yards and a score. Ryder Mix led the receiving corps with four receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown. Bryson Jones added five receptions for 80 yards and a score while Groce finished with five receptions for 65 yards.
Argyle quarterback Maguire Gasperson completed 16 of his 31 attempts for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Will Krzysiak led the Eagles receivers with five receptions for 91 yards and a score while Jaxon Greene added seven receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. The ground attack was led by Watson Bell, who rushed for 152 yards on 22 carries.
Argyle will look to bounce back against a Midlothian Heritage squad that was routed 38-3 by Stephenville, while Frisco Lone Star will look to continue its winning streak against a Garland team that took down North Dallas 24-7 to open the season.
Offensive Player of the Week
My Offensive Player of the Week is Colleyville Heritage wide receiver Braden Blueitt! The Panthers outscored Red Oak 13-0 in the fourth quarter to secure a 32-29 win, and Blueitt stood out for Colleyville Heritage on offense. Blueitt was in sync with quarterback Bodey Weaver, catching seven passes for 202 yards and a touchdown! Weaver passed for 263 yards and finished with three total touchdowns on the night. Weaver’s connection with Blueitt will need to be strong for the remainder of the season as he is one of the area's most talented receivers and Colleyville Heritage plays in a tough district. Beating a good Red Oak squad to open the season is impressive, but Colleyville Heritage takes on a talented Richland team in week two.
Defensive Player of the Week
My Defensive Player of the Week is The Colony defensive back Tre Burton Jr.! The Colony took down Keller Fossil Ridge 38-21, and Burton Jr. is the reason why that margin of victory wasn’t smaller. Burton Jr. finished the season opener with three interceptions, six tackles and a pass breakup. At some point, you have to quit throwing to his side of the field, and that provides the rest of his defense with a huge advantage. The Colony will have a tougher task in week two with a game against Frisco Wakeland, but the Wolverines are going to want to know where Burton Jr. is on the field at all times this weekend.