Opening week of Texas high school football featured several big upsets and some huge numbers, including from a few sophomores getting in on the action.
The Sporting News narrowed down these 25 standout players for their performances. We will continue to do so each week of the season leading up to the UIL state championships in Arlington in December.
If the first week of the season is any indication, there could be some of the biggest stat totals ever by the time the 2025 season wraps up. It’s good to have high school football back. Let’s ride.
(The list is in alphabetical order)
Top performances from Week 1 of Texas high school football
Devin Allen Jr., Prosper: The senior defensive end came up huge for his team in its 29-22 upset win over defending Class 6A Division I state runner-up Austin Westlake. He tallied 5.5 sacks and three tackles, including two more for loss. The Chaps had not lost a season opener since 2014.
Chase Ames, Dripping Springs: The junior signal-caller led the Tigers to a monumental 41-14 whipping of defending Class 6A Division II state champion Austin Vandegrift by throwing for 244 yards (17-of-24) and three touchdowns.
Brock Belcher, Windthorst: Belcher spent the better part of the season opener finding the end zone. The junior quarterback was nearly perfect passing the ball with 391 yards (35-of-41) with six touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 117 yards (9.8 per carry) and two touchdowns to lead the Trojans to a 60-42 win over Henrietta.
Marcus Brouse, Southlake Carroll: The senior linebacker helped lead the Dragons to a 49-0 shutout win against Midland. Brouse paced the Southlake Carroll defense with 11 tackles, eight of which were solo.
Hayes Cloutier, North Crowley: With the defending Class 6A Division I state champions trailing Lancaster in the fourth quarter, California transfer Cloutier found Pryce Demerson for a 49-yard touchdown with less than seven minutes to play to lift the Panthers to a 22-18 win. Cloutier finished with 203 yards (9-of-22) passing and three touchdowns.
Artavion Davis, Houston Milby: Davis answered the call when his team found itself in a shootout to open the season. He caught 13 passes for 352 yards and five touchdowns in a crazy 61-58 victory over North Forest.
Angel Dominguez, El Paso Bel Air: Although his team suffered a 70-50 loss to Eastlake, Dominguez was lights-out. The junior quarterback threw for 537 yards (28-of-45) and four touchdowns and added 102 yards and a score on the ground.
Gage Ersch, Ponder: The Lions roared past Venus, 77-0, as Ersch had a field day running the ball. The senior finished with 163 yards (11.6 per carry) and five touchdowns to lead the Ponder offense.
Vladamir Garcia, El Campo: The junior running back helped the Ricebirds take flight in the season opener with a 41-18 win over Wharton. Garcia tallied 270 yards on the ground (9.0 per carry) and four touchdowns.
Gabriel Gutierrez, Houston Milby: Gutierrez had himself a season’s worth of great stats in one game. The sophomore threw for an insane 525 yards (19-of-31) and eight touchdowns to help the Buffs escape North Forest with a wild 61-58 win. Somebody had to throw the ball to Davis, right?
Caidyn Hoover, Edinburg Vela: Hoover was on a different plane in his team’s 38-2 victory over Edinburg North last week. The junior intercepted five passes to lead the defense. Hoover added three tackles for the SaberCats.
Jaxxon Marie, Cuero: Marie showed why he is one of the top Class 4A dual-threat quarterbacks in the state with a dazzling performance to lead the Gobblers to a 28-21 win over defending Class 3A Division I state champion Columbus. He threw for 165 yards (16-of-22) and three touchdowns and ran for 151 yards (8.4 per carry) and another end-zone visit.
Jack Merryman, Montgomery: The Bears dropped a 47-41 decision to Kingwood Park, but Merryman pulled off a rare feat. The senior quarterback threw for 200 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 202 yards (10.6 per carry) and three more scores.
Rhys Moreno, Austin Bowie: Manor had no answer for Moreno in Bowie’s resounding 49-14 win over the Mustangs. Moreno rushed for 284 yards (21.8 per carry) and four touchdowns for the Bulldog offense.
Caleb Peagler, Smithson Valley: The junior two-way starter for the Rangers had a big night to open the 2025 season. Peagler tallied five rushing touchdowns, while the defense shut down Roosevelt in a 62-6 win for the defending Class 5A Division I state champs.
Jamarion Phillips, Dallas South Oak Cliff: Phillips came up big for the Golden Bears in a huge 41-31 victory over Galena Park North Shore. He threw for 283 yards (26-of-43) and two touchdowns and rushed for 129 yards on 11 attempts.
Dacorian Rubin, Richmond Randle: The defending Class 5A Division II state champs picked up where they left off by pummeling Richmond Foster, 55-0. Rubin hauled in six catches for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Jaden Simpson, Madisonville: Simpson had an electrifying season opener for the Mustangs, rushing for 274 yards (22.8 per carry) and five touchdowns in a 47-12 win over Diboll. One of Simpson’s runs was for 74 yards.
Christian Villarreal, Ozona: Villarreal’s senior season started off with a bang as the Lions ran roughshod over McCamey, 65-0. He tallied 371 rushing yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 20.6 yards per carry.
Errol West, Denton Ryan: West was a nightmare for Haslet Eaton’s offense in the season opener, logging 15 tackles, including nine solo with five for loss and one sack, in Ryan’s 26-20 win.
Zander Wills, Refugio: The speedy senior was all over the field for the Bobcats in a 48-6 win over Cotulla. He tallied 169 yards (10.6 per carry) and four touchdowns on the ground, along with one reception for 40 yards.
Cooper Witten, Argyle Liberty Christian: The son of former Dallas Cowboys tight end and Liberty head coach Jason Witten, the junior had a monster game in a 31-28 setback at the hands of UIL school Anna. Witten hauled in 17 catches for 175 yards. He also had three carries for 15 yards.
Trey Wright, Frisco Lone Star: Wright was electrifying in a huge 44-21 road victory over Argyle. The sophomore quarterback threw for 301 yards (17-of-27) and three touchdowns and rushed for 140 yards to lead a balanced Ranger attack.
Carter Zahm, Rockwall-Heath: The Hawks put up points in bunches in a stunning 52-49 road win at Highland Park. Zahm certainly did his part with 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. The junior added one reception for 15 yards.
Adrian Zavala, Crystal City: Zavalla hit the ground running for the 2025 season, leading his team to a 46-26 win over Ingram Moore. The senior racked up 318 yards (9.9 per carry) and five touchdowns on the ground.
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