Texas high school football playoffs: 20 players to watch in 2023 regional semifinals

Taylor Tatum (Oklahoma commit), Caden Durham (LSU commit) headline top stars in Lone Star State

As the old high school football coaching saying goes, there are no turkeys left after Thanksgiving, meaning teams have to be pretty good to win two playoff games and earn another playoff game on Turkey Day weekend.

With two Texas high school football playoff rounds in the books, here are 20 standout players that have been crucial to the success of their teams throughout the regular season, and especially the postseason. 

11 Texas high school football games to watch in 2023 regional semifinal playoff round

Many of the state and country's top prospects will be playing across the Lone Star State. They will look to help their teams take the next step and keep playing into December.

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20 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN UIL REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

Lloyd Avant, RB, sr.

School: Humble Summer Creek

Avant has been a workhorse for the unbeaten Bulldogs, eclipsing the 1,500-yard and 20-touchdown milestones. He had 108 yards as part of a 320-yard rushing attack for Summer Creek in an area win over Clear Creek. Avant had 15 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns in one half of action in bi-district. The Bulldogs take on Houston Stratford on Saturday in Tomball.

Da’Shawn Burton, RB, jr.

School: Needville

Burton has been a force of nature for the Bluejays this season, racking up 2,350 yards and 35 touchdowns. He has reached the 100-yard mark in all but one game this season, including last week’s 52-28 area win over Lumberton in which he tallied 153 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Needville (12-1) takes on Kilgore on Friday in New Caney.

Terry Bussey, QB, sr.

School: Timpson

The five-star Texas A&M commit has been on a tear in the playoffs, leading undefeated Timpson to lopsided wins over Corrigan-Camden, 68-7, and Wolfe City, 58-20. In addition to throwing for 684 yards and nine touchdowns in the playoffs, he has four rushing touchdowns and an interception return for another score on defense. Timpson takes on Honey Grove on Friday afternoon in Athens.

Camren Cavalier, QB, sr.

School: Canadian

Cavalier looks like a man among boys against opposing defenses. He has put up video game-like numbers through the first two rounds of the playoffs. The son of head coach, Andy, has thrown for a combined 711 yards and 11 touchdowns in the playoffs, leading the Wildcats to dominant wins over Littlefield, 65-7, and Early, 77-22. Canadian takes on Idalou on Friday in Amarillo. 

Caden Durham, RB, sr.

School: Duncanville

Durham, a five-star LSU commit, is putting up dizzying statistics in the postseason. He was unstoppable in playoff wins over Hutto and Rockwall-Heath, scoring 10 total touchdowns. Durham rushed for 220 yards and five scores in last week’s victory over the Hawks. The Panthers (10-1) take on The Woodlands on Saturday in Hutto.

Ashten Emory, RB, sr.

School: Rockwall

Emory is living up to his “Hollywood” nickname by standing in the playoff spotlight for the Yellowjackets. In postseason wins over Wylie and Waxahachie, the uncommitted senior racked up 439 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, including 270 yards on 31 carries in a thrilling 46-43 area win over the Indians. Rockwall (11-1) battles Spring Westfield on Saturday afternoon in Pflugerville.

Colin Ernst, QB, sr.

School: San Antonio Alamo Heights

Ernst has taken his game to another level in the playoffs, leading the unbeaten Mules to blowout postseason wins over Lockhart, 69-21, and Gregory-Portland, 49-14. He has accounted for 751 yards and nine touchdowns in the postseason. Alamo Heights takes on San Antonio Pieper on Saturday night at the Alamodome.

Edward Griffin, QB, jr.

School: Coppell

Griffin is a big reason why the Cowboys are unbeaten and looking to extend their playoff run. He is coming off a monster game against Dallas Jesuit in the area round. The junior threw for 353 yards with five touchdowns and one interception to lead Coppell to a 42-23 win. He also threw for 162 yards and three scores in a bi-district win over Denton Guyer. The Cowboys take on undefeated Trophy Club Byron Nelson on Saturday at Arlington’s Choctaw Stadium.

Ethan Guerra, RB, so.

School: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo North

With leading rusher Jason Montez injured, Guerra made sure the undefeated Raiders didn’t miss a beat in a 42-7 area win over Victoria East. The sophomore rushed for four touchdowns and has more than 1,000 yards and 19 scores in 2023. PSJA North will take on Brownsville Veterans Memorial on Friday in Pharr.

D’Andre Hardeman, RB, jr.

School: Galena Park North Shore

Although star quarterback Kaleb Bailey left last week’s area playoff game against League City Clear Springs with an injury, Hardeman led the nationally-ranked Mustangs to a 49-21 victory. The junior rushed for three touchdowns for the defending Class 6A Division I state champions. North Shore (12-0) takes on Cy-Fair, which knocked off Katy, Friday at Houston’s NRG Stadium.

Braylon Henry, RB, sr.

School: Lorena

Henry eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark for the season with an impressive outing against Palestine Westwood in a 55-24 area win. The uncommitted senior standout rushed for 167 yards and five touchdowns on 27 carries. The Leopards (10-2) play Columbus on Friday night in Hutto.

Logan Jenkins, QB, sr.

School: Collinsville

One of the top statistical signal-callers at any level in Texas, Jenkins is on fire in the playoffs. After passing the 4,000-yard mark for the season in a 62-0 bi-district win over Archer City, the senior led his team to a 69-21 victory over Miles by throwing for 443 yards and six touchdowns and rushing for 62 yards and two more scores. The Pirates look to keep rolling against Roscoe in the regional semis on Friday in Springtown.

Damien Johnson, RB, Sr.

School: Midland Legacy

In one of the most exciting area-round playoff games in the state last week, Johnson carried the load with 26 attempts for 349 yards and four touchdowns, including an 80-yarder, to help the Rebels to a wild 57-55 double-overtime victory at Euless Trinity. Legacy (10-2) will battle the Allen Eagles on Saturday in Abilene.

Jack Kayser, RB, sr.

School: Austin Westlake

The Army West Point commit is making it look easy in the playoffs. In last week’s 45-28 area win over San Antonio Reagan, he rushed for 168 yards and three touchdowns on 34 attempts. Kayser also rushed for a pair of touchdowns in a 35-3 bi-district win over Round Rock. The nationally-ranked, undefeated Chaparrals take on Laredo United on Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

DJ Lagway, QB, sr.

School: Willis

One of the most electrifying players in Texas, Lagway has the unbeaten Wildkats rolling in the playoffs. In last week’s win over Tomball Memorial, the five-star Florida pledge threw for five touchdowns to lead Willis to its first regional semifinal since 1994. The Wildkats take on DeSoto on Friday night at San Antonio’s Alamaodome.

Jaydon Smith, WR, sr.

School: Ingleside

What a week for Smith. In his team’s 66-33 area win over Bandera, the three-star North Texas commit broke the national record for touchdown receptions in a season with his 39th of the year to go along with 1,794 yards. He finished the game with 130 yards and four scores. Ingleside (11-1) takes on unbeaten Wimberley on Friday in San Antonio.

Jett Surratt, QB, so.

College: Carthage

Another coach’s kid is at it again. The son of Bulldogs head coach Scott Surratt, the super sophomore threw for 280 yards and five touchdowns to lead Carthage to a 49-7 area win over Van Alstyne. He also threw five touchdowns in a bi-district win over Liberty-Eylau. The defending Class 4A Division II state champs will take on undefeated Texarkana Pleasant Grove Friday in Longview.

Taylor Tatum, RB, sr.

School: Longview

Tatum moved into elite territory in the first round of the playoffs by eclipsing 4,000 career rushing yards in a blowout win over New Caney Porter. The five-star Oklahoma football and baseball commit added 17 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 52-14 area win over Frisco Reedy. The Lobos (11-1) take on Lancaster on Friday in Forney. 

Michael Turner, RB, jr.

School: Richland

The four-star recruit’s stock is rising by the week. Turner tallied a whopping 308 yards and four touchdowns on 45 carries in a thrilling 48-47 area win over Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill last week. That came on the heels of rushing for 195 yards and a TD against Frisco in the first round. Turner and the undefeated Royals take on Forney on Friday in North Richland Hills.

Tom Von Grote, QB, sr.

School: Trophy Club Byron Nelson

Von Grote is getting the job done with his arm and legs for the unbeaten Bobcats. In playoff wins over Crowley and Midland, he combined to throw for 561 yards and six touchdowns and rush for 162 yards and three more scores. Byron Nelson plays undefeated Coppell on Saturday in Arlington.

-- Chuck Cox | @sblivetx

Lead file photo by Tommy Hays.

Texas high school football playoff brackets: 2023 UIL regional semifinal matchups, game times