High School Football

Introducing the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s 2019 high school football all-area team

Another terrific high school football season is in the books, which means it’s time to name the top players in the area.

Without further ado:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Quinn Ewers, QB, Sophomore, Southlake Carroll

291 of 402 passing (72.4%), 4,003 yards, 45 TDs, 3 INTs

83 carries, 568 yards, 9 TDs

8 games of 300 yards passing, average 285.9 yards per game

10 games of 3 or more TD passes

MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year

District 5-6A MVP

Quinn Ewers (3) passes during the 6A State Quarterfinal against Duncanville at McKinney ISD Stadium on December 7, 2019. Photo: Matt Smith (Special to the Star-Telegram).
Quinn Ewers (3) passes during the 6A State Quarterfinal against Duncanville at McKinney ISD Stadium on December 7, 2019. Photo: Matt Smith (Special to the Star-Telegram).

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Luke Mabe, DB, Senior, Colleyville Heritage

119 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 13 QB hurries

7 INTs, 25 pass deflections

5 INTs in last 4 games, 7 in last 7 games

First-team all-state

The back judge signals an interception by Colleyville Heritage cornerback Dylahn McKinney (16) in the end zone to seal the game for the Panthers as safety Luke Mabe (7) celebrates in the fourth quarter of a 5A Division I regional-round high school football playoff game at The Star in Frisco, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019.
The back judge signals an interception by Colleyville Heritage cornerback Dylahn McKinney (16) in the end zone to seal the game for the Panthers as safety Luke Mabe (7) celebrates in the fourth quarter of a 5A Division I regional-round high school football playoff game at The Star in Frisco, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram

OFFENSIVE NEWCOMER

Dez Forrest, RB, Junior, Weatherford

195 carries, 1,502 yards, 28 TDs, 6 100-yard games, 7.7 yards per carry, 136.5 yards per game

36 receptions, 759 yards, 9 TDs, 21 yards per catch, 3 100-yard games

7 games with at least 1 rushing TD and 1 receiving TD

9 TDs, 58 points scored in Week 1 vs. Granbury (4th most points in 11-man game in state history)

First-team all-district

Weatherford’s Dezmond Forrest (3) stretches to try to make it to the end zone on a first half run. He was ruled down at the 1-yard line. The Haltom Buffalos played the Weatherford Kangaroos at Kangaroo Stadium in Weatherford Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019.
Weatherford’s Dezmond Forrest (3) stretches to try to make it to the end zone on a first half run. He was ruled down at the 1-yard line. The Haltom Buffalos played the Weatherford Kangaroos at Kangaroo Stadium in Weatherford Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019. David Kent Special

DEFENSIVE NEWCOMER

Miles Skinner, LB, Senior, Keller Central

145 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 13.2 per game

13 sacks, 38 QB hurries, 2 FF

10 games with at least 10 tackles

9 games with at least 1 sack

First-team all-state

Little Elm running back Jason Jackson (5) is brought down by Keller Central linebacker Miles Skinner (2) during the first half of a high school football game at KISD Stadium in Keller, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. Central led 20-6 at the half. (Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Booth)
Little Elm running back Jason Jackson (5) is brought down by Keller Central linebacker Miles Skinner (2) during the first half of a high school football game at KISD Stadium in Keller, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. Central led 20-6 at the half. (Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Booth)

UTILITY PLAYER OF THE YEAR

DJ Graham, Senior, Keller Central

54 receptions, 508 yards, 2 TDs

34 tackles, 6 INTs, 5 PBU, 2 FR, 1 FF, 180 return yards

104-yard INT return for a TD, 63-yard fumble return for a TD

20 kickoff/punt returns, 428 yards, 99-yard KO return for a TD

Second-team all-state

District 5-6A Utility MVP

Keller Central wide receiver D.J. Graham (5) tries to avoid Richland defensive back Da’lon Arthur during the second half, Thursday night, September 5, 2019 played at Keller ISD Stadium in Keller, TX.
Keller Central wide receiver D.J. Graham (5) tries to avoid Richland defensive back Da’lon Arthur during the second half, Thursday night, September 5, 2019 played at Keller ISD Stadium in Keller, TX. Steve Nurenberg Special to the Star-Telegram

COACH OF THE YEAR

Joseph Turner, FW North Side

Led the Steers to a second place finish in the district standings

First playoff game in 40 years

District 4-5A Division 2 Coaching Staff of the Year

North Side head football coach Joseph Turner shouts out to his team after a 21-20 win over PolyTechnic during Saturday’s November 2, 2019 football game at Scarborough-Handley Field in Fort Worth, Texas. Special/Bob Haynes
North Side head football coach Joseph Turner shouts out to his team after a 21-20 win over PolyTechnic during Saturday’s November 2, 2019 football game at Scarborough-Handley Field in Fort Worth, Texas. Special/Bob Haynes Bob Haynes Special to the Star-Telegram

FIRST TEAM

Offense

QB Jake Bishop, Sr., Aledo: 3,881 yards passing, 71.2%, 242.6 yards per game, 42 TDs, 3 INTs; 87 carries, 496 yards, 6 TDs

QB Ken Seals, Sr., Weatherford: 3,060 yards passing, 33 TDs; 85 carries, 494 yards, 7 TDs

RB Jase McClellan, Sr., Aledo: 192 carries, 1,485 yards, 29 TDs, 7.7 yards per carry, 165 yards per game, 7 100-yard games

RB Dominique Johnson, Sr., Crowley: 1,300 yards rushing, 25 TDs, 10 yards per carry

RB Jacob Lee, Jr., Azle: 189 carries, 1,450 yards, 23 TDs, 7.7 yards per carry, 120.8 yards per game, 6 100-yard games

WR Da’Wain Lofton, Jr., FW North Side: 55 catches, 1,216 yards, 15 TDs; 14 TD rushes; 2,079 all-purpose yards, 32 TDs

Polytechnic’s Akeil Smiley, left tries to reach North Side’s Da’Wain Lofton as he breaks away for a touchdown run to take a 21-20 lead in the fourth quarter during Saturday’s November 2, 2019 football game at Scarborough-Handley Field in Fort Worth, Texas. North Side went on to win 21-20. Special/Bob Haynes
Polytechnic’s Akeil Smiley, left tries to reach North Side’s Da’Wain Lofton as he breaks away for a touchdown run to take a 21-20 lead in the fourth quarter during Saturday’s November 2, 2019 football game at Scarborough-Handley Field in Fort Worth, Texas. North Side went on to win 21-20. Special/Bob Haynes Bob Haynes Special to the Star-Telegram

WR JoJo Earle, Jr., Aledo: 84 catches, 1,601 yards, 16 TDs, 100 yards per game; 57 carries, 429 yards, 11 TDs

WR Eric Mcalister, Jr., Azle: 60 catches, 1,437 yards, 23 TDs, 24 yards per catch, 120 yards per game

OL Gavin Byers, Sr., Colleyville Heritage: 4-star Baylor signee, Class 5A first-team all-state

OL Aidan Hayes, Sr., Aledo: Class 5A state champ, Class 5A first-team all-state

OL Andrej Karic, Sr., Southlake Carroll: 4-star Texas commit, All-American, first-team all-district

OL James Brockermeyer, Jr., FW All Saints: ESPN 300 lineman in 2021 class

OL Vontrez Jackson, Soph., Crowley: Class 5A first-team all-state

K Joe McFadden, Jr., Southlake Carroll: 84 of 86 PATs, 7 field goals, long of 40, 105 points

ATH Jaylon Jackson, Sr., Burleson Centennial: 1,370 yards rushing, 14 TDs, 14.4 yards per carry, 395 yards receiving, 3 TDs, 2 kickoff returns for TDs

Southlake kicker Joe McFadden (84) at kickoff during the 1st quarter in Abilene at Shotwell Stadium against Midland Lee in Abilene on November 30, 2019. Photo: Matt Smith (Special to the Star-Telegram).
Southlake kicker Joe McFadden (84) at kickoff during the 1st quarter in Abilene at Shotwell Stadium against Midland Lee in Abilene on November 30, 2019. Photo: Matt Smith (Special to the Star-Telegram).

Defense

DL Evertt Preston, Sr., Crowley: 109 tackles, 52 solo tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 3 FF, 2 FR

DL Ed Jones IV, Sr., Arlington Martin: 84 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 9 QB hurries, 1 FF

DL Chris Hillard, Sr., Burleson Centennial: 51 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 16 QB hurries, 4 FF

DL Kamren Washington, Jr., Mansfield Summit: 57 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 4 PBU

LB Jadyn Landrum, Sr., Arlington Bowie: 144 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 FF

LB Jonathan Lester, Sr., Azle: 126 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 11 QB hurries, 4 FF

LB Morice Blackwell, Jr., Arlington Martin: 128 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 7 QB hurries, 2 INTs, 4 FF 3 FR

LB Graham Faloona, Sr., Southlake Carroll: 141 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 5 QB hurries, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR

DB Bryson Bonds, Sr., Crowley: 115 tackles, 67 solo tackles, 15 PBU, 10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 FF, 3 FR

DB Jahari Rogers, Sr., Arlington: 33 tackles, 14 PBU, 4-star Florida signee, Under Armour All-American, Second team All-USA Today

DB Johnny Smith-Rider, Jr., Haltom: 92 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 INTs, 9 PBU, 4 FF, 3 FR

DB Christian Smith-Johnson, Soph., Richland: 51 tackles, 7 INTs, 10 PBU

P Chase Allen, Sr., Colleyville Heritage: 45.3 yards per punt, long of 75, 5 times inside the 20

ATH JD Coffey, Jr., Kennedale: 82 tackles, 2 INTs, 6 PBU, 2 sacks, 4 TD returns, 373 return yards, 1 receiving TD

Keller Central running back Andrew Paul (30) tries to get past Richland defensive back Christian Smith-Johnson (26) during the first half, Thursday night, September 5, 2019 played at Keller ISD Stadium in Keller, TX.
Keller Central running back Andrew Paul (30) tries to get past Richland defensive back Christian Smith-Johnson (26) during the first half, Thursday night, September 5, 2019 played at Keller ISD Stadium in Keller, TX. Steve Nurenberg Special to the Star-Telegram

SECOND TEAM

Offense

QB Drey Owen, Sr., Azle: 1,944 yards passing, 26 TDs; 117 carries, 1,017 yards, 9 TDs, 8.7 yards per carry, 92.5 yards per game, 6 100-yard games

QB Stone Earle, Sr., Birdville: 2,819 yards passing, 37 TDs, 3 rushing TDs

RB Caleb Lewis, Sr., Burleson: 963 yards rushing, 18 TDs; 300 yards receiving, 2 TDs

RB Cash Jones, Jr., Brock: 2,700 yards rushing, 35 TDs

RB Emeka Megwa, Soph., Nolan Catholic: 1,600 yards rushing, 25 TDs

WR Trevon West, Sr., Arlington Lamar: 54 catches, 1,080 yards, 18 TDs

Lamar wide receiver Trevon West (19) pulls down a touchdown pass in the second quarter, defended by Trinity defensive back John Shead (4). The Lamar Vikings played the Trinity Trojans at Pennington Field in Bedford Friday, November 15, 2019.
Lamar wide receiver Trevon West (19) pulls down a touchdown pass in the second quarter, defended by Trinity defensive back John Shead (4). The Lamar Vikings played the Trinity Trojans at Pennington Field in Bedford Friday, November 15, 2019. David Kent Special

WR Money Parks, Sr., Aledo: 64 catches, 1,155 yards, 19 TDs, 18 yards per catch

WR Charles Brown, Sr., Arlington: 58 catches, 1,322 yards, 16 TDs, 22.8 yards per catch

OL Addison Penn, Sr., Southlake Carroll: 3-star Duke commit, first-team all-district

OL Kevaughnte McGowan, Sr., Arlington: First-team all-district, Class 6A honorable mention all-state

OL Michael Nichols, Sr., Justin Northwest: First-team all-district, Class 5A honorable mention all-state

OL Matthew Parkison, Sr., Azle: Class 5A second-team all-state

OL Jackson Finney, Sr., Brock: Class 3A first-team all-state

K Nicky Quevedo, Sr., Azle: 69 of 71 PATs, 9 field goals, long of 47, 96 points, 44 touchbacks

ATH Isaac Shabay, Soph., Colleyville Heritage: 713 yards rushing, 13 TDs, 662 yards receiving, 4 TDs, 276 return yards, 10 tackles, 6 PBU

Colleyville Heritage wide receiver Isaac Shabay (3) comes up with a 23 yard touchdown reception against Birdville during the first haif, Friday night, November 1 2019 played at Mustang Panther Stadium in Grapevine, TX.
Colleyville Heritage wide receiver Isaac Shabay (3) comes up with a 23 yard touchdown reception against Birdville during the first haif, Friday night, November 1 2019 played at Mustang Panther Stadium in Grapevine, TX. Steve Nurenberg Special to the Star-Telegram

Defense

DL Klaus Shoenborn, Sr., Burleson: 110 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 2 FR

DL Josh Gilliam, Sr., Mansfield Timberview: 40 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 2 FF

DL Richard Silva, Sr., Keller: 106 tackles, 67 solo tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 11 sacks

DL J’Dan Burnett, Jr., Nolan Catholic: 69 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 7 FF, 6 FR, 13 QB hurries

Nolan defensive lineman J’Dan Burnett (R) sacks Celina quarterback Hunter Watson (9) during the first half, Friday night, September 13, 2019 play at Doskocil Stadium in Fort Worth, TX.
Nolan defensive lineman J’Dan Burnett (R) sacks Celina quarterback Hunter Watson (9) during the first half, Friday night, September 13, 2019 play at Doskocil Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. Steve Nurenberg Special to the Star-Telegram

LB Deante Betts, Sr., Arlington Bowie: 96 tackles, 54 solo tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 7 sacks

LB Cooper McDonald, Sr., Justin Northwest: 118 tackles, 1 INT, 2 sacks, 2 FF, 2 TDs

LB Caimyn Layne, Sr., FW All Saints: 114 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FF

LB Braden Waters, Soph., Kennedale: 127 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 FR

DB Willie Collins, Sr., Mansfield Lake Ridge: 111 tackles, 81 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 11 PBU, 1 INT

DB Jalen Kimber, Sr., Mansfield Timberview: 4-star Georgia signee, All-American, 18 tackles, 11 PBU

DB John Diaz, Sr., Boswell: 49 tackles, 5 INTs, 11 PBU, first-team all-district

DB Ronald Wilson, Jr., North Crowley: 98 tackles, 7 INTs, 6 FF

P Logan Moore, Sr., Granbury: 42.7 yards per punt, long of 67, 10 times inside the 20

ATH Xavier Toliver, Sr., Mansfield Summit: 46 tackles, 31 solo tackles, 1 sack, 3 INTs, 1 FR, 12 PBU, 174 return yards, 99-yard fumble return for TD, 1 rushing TD

Granbury’s Logan Moore (23) kicks an extra point out of the hold by Tristan Morris (17) as Saginaw’s Sean Verdun (23) dives to attempt the block. The Granbury Pirates played the Saginaw Rough Riders in District 3-5A, division 1 high school football Friday, November 8, 2019, at Rough Rider Stadium in Saginaw, Texas.
Granbury’s Logan Moore (23) kicks an extra point out of the hold by Tristan Morris (17) as Saginaw’s Sean Verdun (23) dives to attempt the block. The Granbury Pirates played the Saginaw Rough Riders in District 3-5A, division 1 high school football Friday, November 8, 2019, at Rough Rider Stadium in Saginaw, Texas. David Kent Special

This story was originally published January 14, 2020 at 6:00 AM.

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Brian Gosset
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
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Brian Gosset covered high school sports for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram until 2023. He graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in journalism before coming to Texas in 2014.
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