All-CenTex football 2018: First, second and third teams

Westlake defensive lineman Dan Neil led a dominant Chap defense with 75 tackles and nine sacks. (John Gutierrez for American-Statesman)

By Thomas Jones and Rick Cantu
Published January 11, 2019

All Centex first team


OFFENSE

QB: Chase Griffin, sr., Hutto: A three-year starter, the UCLA pledge completed 71.8 percent of his passes for 4,051 yards and 51 TDs with just 5 INTs.

RB: Kyle Harrison, sr., Liberty Hill: Sparkplug for high-powered Class 4A DI state finalist set new Austin-area single-season record with 2,875 yards rushing and scored 44 total touchdowns.

RB: Chris “Deuce” Vaughn, jr., Cedar Ridge: Deuce ran wild in his first season as the full-time back for the 9-3 Raiders, compiling 2,196 yards from scrimmage and 21 TDs.

OL: Ayden Sharp, sr., Rouse: After starting two seasons at tackle, the 6-3, 300-pound veteran played every snap at center and graded out at 94.3 percent with 33 knockdowns and no sacks allowed.

OL: Matthew Sanders, sr., Vandegrift: The 6-1, 250-pound all-state center played every snap and graded out at 96 percent with 32 pancakes and 104 knockdowns for the District 13-6A champs.

OL: Blake Webster, sr., Westlake: A three-year starter at center who suffered a season-ending knee injury late in the regular season, the 6-foot, 245-pounder had a 99.6-percent grade with 48 pins, 41 knockdowns and one sack allowed for a state semifinalist team that averaging 47.6 points per game.

OL: Aaron Castro, sr., Hutto: The 6-3, 275-pund left tackle, a three-year starter, didn’t allow a sack and had 41 pancakes for the Hippos

OL: Juan Quezada, sr., Austin High: The 6-4, 275-pound left tackle graded out at 94 percent with 63 pancakes and 92 knockdowns and one sack allowed.

WR: Caleb Forrest, sr., Hutto: Leading receiver for high-powered Hippos had 87 receptions for 1,399 yards and 17 TDs and added two kick returns for scores.

WR: Garrett Wilson, sr., Lake Travis: Despite missing four regular-season games with nagging injuries, the Ohio State signee had 70 catches for 1,151 yards and 19 TDs for 6A DI state semifinalists.

WR: Carson Neel, sr., Cedar Park: Spearheaded Timberwolves’ transition to a passing team with 81 receptions, 1,207 yards and 11 TDs.

UTIL: Ryan O’Keefe, sr., Round Rock: Likely DB at Central Florida next season rushed for 1,844 yards and 28 TDs and passed for another 1,068 yards and 7 TDs while helping the Dragons return to the playoffs.

PK: Tim Barney, sr., Vandegrift: Consistent and clutch kicker made 51 of 53 PATs and all six of his field-goal attempts, including an OT game-winner against Cedar Ridge.

DEFENSE

DL: Edgerrin Williams, sr., Cedar Ridge: Disruptive force at DE forced six fumbles and had 66 tackles, including 20 behind the line of scrimmage and 13 QB sacks.

DL: David Neil, sr., Westlake: Emotional leader and three-year starter for dominant Chap defense had 75 tackles, including 12 for losses and nine sacks.

DL: Mason Meyer, sr., Georgetown: Hard-nosed DE, the District 11-5A DI defensive MVP, had 81.5 tackles and forced four fumbles for rugged unit that propelled Eagles to third round of playoffs.

DL: Tre’jon Lewis, sr., Manor: Hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker after tallying 81 tackles, including 26 for a loss and 12 sacks.

LB: Brian Creel, sr., Glenn: Diminutive by dynamic all-state ILB had 136 tackles, 22 stops for a loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four blocked kicks while helping Glenn win a district title in its first varsity season.

LB: Spencer Jones, sr., Vandegrift: Heart and soul of stingy Viper defense had 122 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and a pick despite missing four games.

LB: Cade Edwards, jr., Cedar Creek: District 13-5A DII’s defensive MVP had 126 tackles, including 20 for a loss and added two INTs and two fumble recoveries.

DB: Gage Leggett, sr., Georgetown: Safety that excelled in run support had 88.5 tackles and four tackles for a loss as well as nine pass breakups and a pair of interceptions.

DB: Sean Fresch, jr., LBJ: The defensive MVP of District 12-5ADI had 43 tackles with four interceptions and six pass breakups in first season with co-district champ Jags.

DB: Tyler Mongauzy, jr., Vandegrift: Safety showed nose for the ball with 128 tackles, including 94 solo stops and two forced fumbles.

DB: Koby Allen, jr., Lampasas: Hard-hitting safety had 152 tackles, four tackles for a loss, three pass breakups, two interceptions and three forced fumbles for second-round playoff team.

P: Xavier Martinez, Sr., Hays: Quarterback for playoff-qualifying Rebels excelled on special teams by averaging 46.8 yards a punt.

As the state's No. 1 high school recruit, Lake Travis wide receiver Garrett Wilson piled up 70 catches for 1,151 yards and 19 TDs despite missing four games with injuries. (John Gutierrez for American-Statesman)

All Centex second team


OFFENSE

QB: Hudson Card, jr., Lake Travis: Texas pledge completed 250 of 369 passes for 3,543 yards and 50 TDs and added 619 yards and nine TDs on the ground.

RB: Jhe'Quay Chretin, sr., Bastrop: Despite playing in just nine full games, speedster helped Bears reach playoffs with 1,600 yards and 22 TDs rushing.

RB: Zion Hester, sr., East View: Workhorse runner for playoff-qualifying Patriots had 1,443 yards rushing and 20 total TDs.

OL: Justin Montgomery, sr., Liberty Hill: Bulkier than most of his school’s OLs, the 5-10, 260-pound tackle helped the Panthers average 53 points and 540 yards per game.

OL: James Jarmon, sr., Westwood: One of four senior starters, the OT graded out at 93 percent and allowed just one sack in 299 attempts.

OL: Walker Riley, sr., Hendrickson: The 6-foot, 285-pound interior lineman graded out at 92 percent for a physical unit that paved the way for 445 yards a game.

OL: Cody Cyr, sr., Smithville: A 6-foot, 270-pound mauler had 47 pancakes for the top offense in District 12-4A DII.

OL: Corey Preusse, jr., Thorndale: Guard graded at 90 percent for physical, playoff-qualifying running team that averaged 328 yards on the ground per contest.

WR: Jaylen Ellis, sr., Cedar Ridge: Speedy Baylor signee had 14 TDs and a 24.6 yards-per-catch average on 48 receptions for playoff-qualifying Raiders.

WR: Jordan Kerley, sr., McNeil: Arizona State signee had 75 receptions for 1,185 yards and 12 TDs in 10 games.

WR: Cameron Everts, jr., Lampasas: Top target for dangerous Badger attack had 79 catches for 1,308 yards and 17 TDs as well as 342 yards and five TDs on the ground.

UTIL: Chux Nwabuko, sr., Hutto: Dynamic dual threat, a Texas Tech recruit, had 993 yards rushing, 56 catches for 626 yards and 22 total TDs.

PK: RJ Price, sr., Hutto: The Hippos spent plenty of time in the end zone, but Price made 8-of-9 FGs while scoring 75 points.

DEFENSE

DL: Ben Bell, jr., Cedar Park: Versatile defender lined up across the front and had 96 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles.

DL: Curley Young, sr., Hendrickson: Cal signee had 84 tackles with 15 for a loss and eight sacks while batting down six passes.

DL: Kory Schmidt, sr., Liberty Hill: Relentless pass rusher had 67 tackles, including 20 for a loss and four sacks while earning defensive MVP honors in District 14-4A DI.

DL: Alfred Collins, jr., Cedar Creek: Defensive lineman of the year in District 13-5A DII had 92 tackles, including 28 for a loss and six sacks.

LB: Jake Ehlinger, sr., Westlake: Leading tackler for Chaps had 97 tackles, seven stops for a loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries.

LB: Michael Mireles, sr., Hays: Ballhawking MLB had 131 tackles, eight sacks and seven tackles for a loss.

LB: Jacob Berry, sr., Hutto: Team captain led Hippos with 136 tackles and added three INTs and a pair of pass breakups.

DB: Tammer Alzer, jr., Cedar Park: Versatile safety compiled 64 tackles, recorded three fumbles and had five INTs for stingy “Black Rain” defense.

DB: Fayzion Madison, jr., Bastrop: Elite cover safety picked off four passes, broke up eight others and added 75 tackles.

DB: Gabe Williams, sr., McCallum: Veteran had 120 tackles including 63 solo stops, forced four fumbles, had three fumble recoveries and intercepted three passes for playoff qualifiers.

DB: Sage Luther, jr., Westlake: Safety showed nose for the ball with 80 tackles, including six for losses and four interceptions.

P: Alan Orona, sr., La Grange: Standout placekicker who has signed with Texas Tech also excelled at punter with a 37.3-yard average and a long of 71 yards.

Smithville flanker Kirt Hawkins was a do-it-all player for the Tigers in 2018, compiling 991 yards, 8 receiving TDs, 3 kick return TDs and 2 pick-sixes. (John Gutierrez for American-Statesman)

All Centex third team


OFFENSE

QB: Ace Whitehead, soph., Lampasas: The second-year starter and District 14-4A DI offensive MVP threw for 3,049 yards and 35 TDs on 71.5-percent passing while leading Badgers to area round for first time since 2010.

RB: Daequan Ellison, sr., Lockhart: The 5-4, 145-pound speedster ran for 1,784 yards and 20 TDs in 10 games.

RB: Tahj Brooks, jr., Manor: Workhorse tailback accumulated 1,201 yards rushing and 20 TDs for a team that reached second round of Class 5A DI playoffs.

OL: Lakota Lawrence, sr., Liberty Hill: The 5-11, 205-pound tackle was a key blocker for a slot-T offense that set school record for yards, points.

OL: Brandon Garcia, sr., Hays: The 6-1, 285-pound center, who graded out at 95 percent, anchored an offense that averaged 372 yards and 35.5 points per game while adapting to first-year coach Les Goad’s slot-T offense.

OL: Dawayne Brown, Sr., Cedar Ridge: The 6-2, 290-pound tackle had 19 pancakes and allowed just three sacks.

OL: Chad Wolf, sr., Lake Travis: The 6-4, 250-pound tackle served as OL bedrock for team that averaged 430 yards and 43 points a game.

OL: Trent Brown, sr., Glenn: Versatile 6-foot, 265-pounder graded out at 87 percent and had 32 pancake blocks.

WR: Diamante Francois, sr., Connally: Explosive playmaker had 87 receptions for 1,067 yards and eight TDs.

WR: Mason Mangum, jr., Westlake: Track standout became downfield threat for Chaps with 55 catches for 1,146 yards, 17 TDs and robust 20.8 yards-per-catch average.

WR: Kirt Hawkins, jr., Smithville: Explosive playmaker had 991 yards and 8 TDs receiving, three TDs on kick returns and another pair of TDs on interception returns.

UTIL: Ryan Pickett, sr., Granger: The 6-foot, 240-pound District 13-2A DII MVP ran for 1,253 yards and 20 TDs and played noseguard and punter for a team that reached the third round of the playoffs.

PK: Reed Honshtein, sr., East View: Steady veteran made eight of 10 field-goal attempts with a long of 40 yards as well as 43 of 45 PATs and also had 27 touchbacks.

DEFENSE

DL: M'Elijah Wesley, sr., Bowie: Three-year all-district performer had 52 total tackles with six sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception return for a score and a blocked kick.

DL: Alvino Carbajal, jr., McCallum: Defensive lineman of the year in District 12-5A DI and premier run-stuffer tallied 72 tackles and saw snaps on offensive front.

DL: Jacob Munoz, sr., Cedar Park: Undersized but disruptive end in 3-4 defense had 52 tackles, 36 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback pressures and 10 sacks.

DL: Princely Umanmielen, jr., Manor: Premier pass rusher racked up 58 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks.

LB: Jax McCauley, jr., Vandegrift: Leading tackler on one of state’s top defenses had 156 total tackles, 11 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, three sacks and three pass breakups.

LB: Tito Segura, sr., Giddings: Team captain paced rejuvenated Buffaloes with 132 tackles, six tackles for a loss, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

LB: Mauricio Trevino, jr., Lake Travis: Leading tackler for state semifinalist Cavs had 128 tackles, including 72 solo tackles and eight tackles for a loss.

DB: Noah Holmes, sr., Glenn: Massive 6-3, 205-pound safety racked up 14 stops behind the line of scrimmage among his 71 tackles, and he also had three interceptions and blocked four kicks.

DB: Reese Watson, sr., Vandegrift: Athletic and long CB added two TD receptions to his 70 total tackles, 13 pass breakups and five INTs.

DB: Wyatt Cheney, sr., Liberty Hill: Baseball pledge to Oklahoma State led state finalists with 102 tackles, including 62 solos stops.

DB: Jahdae Barron, jr., Connally: Skilled CB had two interceptions and eight pass breakups as well as 68 tackles, including six for a loss.

P: Luke Jasinski, jr., Vandegrift: Steady performer dropped 11 of his 45 punts inside the 20-yard line while averaging 36.6 yards a kick.