Mid-season football review: Looking at offensive MVP, defensive MVP, top coaches and more
The Texas high school football season is through six weeks and most teams have played five games with five more left in the regular season, plus another six weeks in the playoffs.
We’re at the midway point and some of the best teams and performances have come from the Fort Worth-area. It’s the home stretch as teams head toward district championships and deep playoff runs.
Take a look at the Fort Worth-area mid-season players of the year, coach of the year and playoff contenders.
Offensive player of the year
Jake Wilson, Sr., QB, Byron Nelson
Wilson returned this season after leading the Fort Worth-area in passing yards in 2021 and second in touchdown passes and he’s picked up where he left off. Through five games, Wilson has completed 77% of his passes for 1,699 yards and 17 TDs to only two interceptions. He’s done some damage on the ground as well with five TD runs.
Jacob Vaughan, Sr., QB, Argyle Liberty Christian
Vaughan has led a resurgent Liberty Christian team and after six weeks, he’s the leading passer in the Fort Worth-area. Vaughan has completed 65% of his passes for 1,872 yards and 20 TDs to just two interceptions. He’s thrown for over 300 yards in four games and is averaging nearly 15 yards per completion.
Owen Allen, Sr., RB, Southlake Carroll
The Dragons are rolling through the competition with a scoring differential of 264 to 27 in five games. Allen isn’t putting up his usual numbers only because he hasn’t had to play the entire game (Carroll has won the past two games 51-0 and 62-0). But you still can’t count out Allen, who entered the season as the No. 1 back in the area and the preseason offensive MVP. Allen still has 581 yards and 11 TDs and is averaging 10 yards per carry.
Parker Polk, Sr., RB, Grapevine
In the biggest game of the year, Polk ran for nearly 200 yards and three TDs against Colleyville Heritage as he continues to roll this season. He has now rushed for at least 133 yards in all five games (826 yards, 8 TDs). Grapevine will most likely win the district title and if Polk continues this trend, he’ll definitely be in the conversation for MVP.
RJ Bunnell, Sr., RB, Argyle
Bunnell is a big reason why the Eagles are undefeated in their first year in Class 5A. Bunnell is among the leading rushers in DFW with 751 yards and 11 TDs. In three games, he’s averaged over 10 yards per carry, with a season-high 17 per rush in Week 4 against Montgomery. In the last two games, he’s rushed for 242 yards on just 18 carries.
Honorable Mention: Bryce Morton, Sr., QB, Richland; Kaden Anderson, Sr., Southlake Carroll; Kaden Brown Sr., Midlothian Heritage; Sawyer Farr, Jr., QB, Boswell; James Johnson, Jr., RB, Mansfield
Defensive player of the year
Trey Wilson, Sr., LB/DE, LD Bell
Wilson enters the week with the most tackles in the Fort Worth-area with 76, including 47 solo tackles. In three of five games, he’s made 15 or more tackles. Overall, the 3-star Wilson has 15 tackles for loss, six sacks, nine QB hurries and one forced fumble.
Enow Ettta, Sr., DE, Colleyville Covenant
Etta has been among the best defenders during the previous two seasons and this fall is no different. The 4-star Michigan commit entered the season as the preseason defensive MVP. On the year, Etta has 41 solo tackles, 59 total, 16 tackles for loss, nine sacks, six QB hurries and a fumble recovery in all five games.
Javien Toviano, Sr., CB, Arlington Martin
The 5-star Toviano entered the season as the top-ranked Fort Worth-area player and continues to be a shut down corner for the Warriors. Toviano has 18 solo tackles, 27 total, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.
S’Maje Burrell, Sr., LB, North Crowley
The 4-star Texas commit has helped the Panthers to a hot start and a defensive unit that’s allowed just 66 points in five games (13 points per game). Burrell is up to 34 tackles this season.
Jaedon Langley, Jr., DE, Boswell
Langley has helped Boswell to a great start and has won a defensive player of the week already. Through five games, Langley has 35 tackles and seven sacks, plus a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He’s led a defensive group that’s allowing 16 points per game.
Honorable Mention: Grant Mirabal, Sr., LB, Argyle; Riley Van Poppel, Sr., DE, Argyle; Gus Fleming-Wood, Sr., LB, Mansfield; Kevin Allen, Sr., DT, Everman; Poasa Utu, Sr., LB, Kennedale
Coach of the year
Ray Gates, North Crowley
In his first year at the helm, Gates has North Crowley 5-0 for the first time since 2005. The Panthers are 2-0 in District 3-6A and out scoring teams 191-66.
Travis Pride, Byron Nelson
The Bobcats are 5-0 for the first time in the program history and among the top scoring offenses in the state. Through five games, the Bobcats have out scored teams 275-50 and have set records with 79 points against Braswell and a 67-point win over Timber Creek.
TJ Dibble, LD Bell
The former Bell Blue Raider has led his alma mater to a 5-0 start for the first time since 2012. Bell has already won more games than the previous two seasons combined.
Gregory George, Mansfield
George, who has been with Mansfield for two decades, has led the Tigers to their first 5-0 start in 11 years. Mansfield has out scored teams 191-87 and has gained over 2,100 yards in five games.
Doug Wendel, Midlothian
Don’t look now, but the Panthers are 6-0 for the first time since 1984. Midlothian is 4-0 in district and out scoring teams 256-71 through six games. This includes wins of 66-0, 57-0 and 43-20 during the past three contests.
Honorable Mention: Kyle Geller, Burleson Centennial; Phil Young, FW Arlington Heights; Jason Witten, Argyle Liberty Christian; Nate Sanford, Fort Worth Christian, Zachary Criss, FW Wyatt
Championship Contenders
Class 6A: Southlake Carroll, Arlington Martin
Class 5A D1: Mansfield Timberview, Aledo
Class 5A D2: Grapevine, Argyle
Class 4A D1: Kennedale
Class 4A D2: Glen Rose
Class 3A D1: Brock
Private school 11-man: Argyle Liberty Christian
Private school 6-man: FW Covenant Classical
Dark Horses
Class 6A: North Crowley, Byron Nelson
Class 5A D1: Burleson Centennial, Midlothian
Class 5A D2: Mansfield Summit, Everman
Class 4A D1: Decatur
Class 4A D2: Godley
Class 3A D1: Grandview
Private school 11-man: FW Lake Country
Private school 6-man: Azle Christian
This story was originally published October 6, 2022 at 12:24 PM.
