GAMES
RANKINGS
Gridiron Players of the Week presented by Boost Mobile - Week 1
What an opening week of Texas high school football.
Houston-area teams did not disappoint as they took the field for the first time in games that counted. The individual performances were ones to remember and here are some of the best!
Ron Hoff – SR – Running Back (Katy Tigers)
What a debut for the senior. A move-in from South Carolina, Hoff stepped in and has immediately filled the shoes of Deondrick Glass. What made it even more impressive is that Hoff did it against the defending state champion North Shore Mustangs. Hoff toted the rock 32 times for 206 yards and a touchdown. Hoff is a power back and showed his brute force multiple times against North Shore.
C.J Brown – SR – Linebacker (Shadow Creek)
Heading into this season, CJ Brown wanted to double his number of interceptions from a year ago. In 2018, Brown had two interceptions total. Against Summer Creek in the season-opener on Saturday, Brown matched his 2018 season total. Brown picked off Bryan Bush two times and had 29 and 28-yard interception returns for touchdowns. Brown was a key part of a defensive unit that scored 23 of the eventual 64 points put up by Shadow Creek.
POSTGAME: VYPE caught up with @SCSharkFootball LB CJ Brown (@CjHtx02) after the game. He had two pick sixes, matching his 2018 season total of INTs already. #txhsfb @abc13sports @joeagleason @ABXCII @fvmous_tripp @100YARDLANDLORD @D1Jharris @coachbbutler @SCSharkRecruits pic.twitter.com/3T2ErmCmrT
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) September 1, 2019
Cody Jackson – JR – Wide Receiver (Foster)
The next coming of Ceedee Lamb has arrived. Coming off last year, everyone knew who Cody Jackson was, and he has started this year off with a bang. In a dominating victory against College Station, Jackson had seven receptions for 157 yards and four touchdowns. He is a coverage nightmare and a huge weapon for Ryan Stubblefield.
Dylan Matthews – SR – Wide Receiver (Splendora)
What a season opener for Dylan Matthews. Heading into the year, there was no doubt that Matthews would be a key part of the Wildcats' offense. He finished the first game with four receptions for 144 yards and two scores. That's an average of 36 yards per catch. He will be a player to watch this year.
John Paul Richardson - JR - Wide Receiver (Ridge Point)
It was a record-setting performance by John Paul Richardson. The junior went off in the win against Kingwood with nine receptions for 175 yards and a score. Richardson also had two carries for 32 yards and two scores. He is a wide receiver that could have a monster season.
HONORABLE MENTION
Frank Brown Jr. – SR – Running Back (Houston Sterling) - Frank Brown Jr. put Houston Sterling on his back. The senior running back had more than 200 all-purpose yards and scored four touchdowns in the season opener. Despite losing 35-27, Brown had a solid opening performance. One of his touchdown runs looked like Marshawn Lynch's "Beast Mode" run from a few years ago. Brown would not be stopped shedding tackle after tackle on the way to the end zone.
Everybody Get Out The Way 🚂🐆 pic.twitter.com/CBRIk6CHCU
— TTG ShowTime² (@iamFrankBrown1) September 1, 2019
Bryce Jones - JR – Safety (Lake Creek) - In Lake Creek's first win of the season, the award goes to the defensive side of the ball. Bryce Jones finished with eight tackles, two tackles for loss and one interception in the 49-20 victory for the Lions over Caney Creek.
Alec Bryant – SR – Defensive End (Shadow Creek) - Alec Bryant has been well-known for his talents on the defensive side of the ball. The LSU-commit finished Saturday's win against Summer Creek with a 40-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, multiple tackles and sacks and a tipped pass that was intercepted by C.J. Brown. Bryant is a force up front.
Josh Gaton – SR – Wide Receiver (Morton Ranch) - In Morton Ranch's 20-14 win over Cy Lakes, senior wide receiver Josh Gaton shined. Gaton finished with three catches for 101 yards and two scores. One of the three grabs was unbelievable. Gaton made a catch around the defender with one hand on the defender's hip. Gaton somehow held on and get into the end zone for the score. The catch may be the best of the year and it came in Week 1.
R.J. Smith – SR – Running Back (Tompkins) - Last year, the leading rusher from District 19-6A had Katy on the front of his jersey but Tompkins right behind it. R.J. Smith went OFF in his junior season and picked up right where he left off in the season opener. Smith finished with 14 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Smith is a threat in the running game and also had one reception for 24 yards and a touchdown.
Cameron George – SR – Quarterback (FB Elkins) - In the Knights' season-opener, Cameron George had a night. The senior signal-caller finished 10-for-12 for 197 yards, two touchdowns and six rushes for 40 yards and two scores. George contributed to 28 of the eventual 48 points scored by Fort Bend Elkins in a 48-0 win over Brazoswood.