All-West Texas high school football 2023 teams, awards

Sunray's Armando Lujan is MVP; Albany's Denney Faith is Coach of the Year

The Texas high school football season wrapped up Saturday night with the Class 6A title game at AT&T Stadium.

With each of the 12 state championship games in the books, SBLive is ready to reveal our regional awards.

We are recognizing standout players throughout the state from this past season by unveiling All-Region teams and awards for Central, East, North, South and West Texas.

The lone West Texas team to claim a state title this season was Albany, which made it back-to-back Class 2A Division II state titles to cap a 16-0 season.

Here’s a complete look at SBLive’s 2023 All-West Texas Football teams and awards:

SBLIVE'S ALL-WEST TEXAS AWARDS

Sunray's Armando Lujan avoids a tackle from New Home's Graham Keys in a Class 2A Division II area-round game Nov. 17, 2023, at Happy State Bank Stadium in Canyon :: Photo by Stephen Garcia, Avalanche-Journal/USA Today Network

MVP

Armando Lujan, QB, Sunray, Jr.

As if becoming the third quarterback to pass for 4,000 or more yards in a season isn’t impressive enough, Lujan did it as a sophomore, joining Kyler Murray (Allen) and Tyrick Rollison (Sulphur Springs) on that list. He followed up by throwing for 4,007 yards and 60 touchdowns with seven interceptions as a junior to lead the Bobcats to a 12-3 record this year.

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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Adam Hill, RB, Albany, Sr.

Hill wrapped up a silly-good high school career with a bang. He earned Offensive Most Valuable Players in the Class 2A Division II state title game after leading the Lions to back-to-back titles. The Texas Tech commit finished the season with 2,641 rushing yards and 51 total touchdowns. He had three scores in the championship game, a 28-10 victory over Mart.

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DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Wyatt Davis, LB, Canadian, Jr.

As part of a stellar defense loaded with talent, Davis was at the top of his game all season. He finished with 153 tackles (28 solo, 125 assists), including 22 for loss with four sacks to help the Wildcats finish 14-1 and earn a berth in the Class 3A Division II state semifinals. Davis earned District 3-2A Defensive Player of the Year accolades.

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NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

JaeSean DeBouse, RB, Andrews, So.

This gifted athlete wasted no time making his presence felt for the 6-6 Eagles this year, rushing for 2,236 yards (11.0 per carry) and 24 touchdowns. DeBouse, who also caught a 59-yard touchdown, earned District 2-4A Division I Newcomer of the Year honors for his efforts. He is also a star pitcher for the Andrews baseball team.

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FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Darius Jones, DB, Stratford, Fr.

Jones was one of the difference-makers for the Elk defense as part of a spectacular 14-1 season. In addition to making 53 tackles (13 solo, 40 assists), he had six interceptions. Stratford made it all the way to the Class 2A Division I state semifinals before falling to Tolar, 35-7.

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COACH OF THE YEAR

Denney Faith, Albany

The fifth-winningest coach in Texas high school football history, Faith guided the Lions to a perfect 16-0 season and their second-straight state title — and fourth overall — with a 28-10 over Mart in the Class 2A Division II championship. Now in his 41st year coaching at Albany, Faith is 347-110-4.

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FIRST TEAM ALL-WEST TEXAS

OFFENSE

QB — Camren Cavalier, Canadian, Sr.: Already one of the top signal-caller in West Texas, Cavalier added to his status by scoring nine touchdowns (six passing, three rushing) in the first round of the playoffs. The uncommitted senior finished the season by throwing for 3,705 yards and 57 touchdowns with three interceptions. He also rushed for 1,383 yards and 20 TD’s for the 14-1 Wildcats. Wow.

RB — Jordi Hernandez, Canyon West Plains, Sr.: Hernandez put together a monster senior season by rushing for 1,917 yards and 27 touchdowns on 254 carries to help the Wolves finish 12-2. Hernandez also caught 28 passes for 320 yards and four touchdowns. He has an offer from Division III Hardin-Simmons and Division II Eastern New Mexico.

RB — Damien Johnson, Midland Legacy, Sr.: A two-way starter for the Rebels, Johnson was a huge weapon on offense. He rushed for 1,817 yards and 28 touchdowns on 80 carries for Legacy. Johnson, who is also uncommitted, helped Legacy finish 10-3 with playoffs wins over El Paso Montwood and Euless Trinity. He had 349 rushing yards in the latter, a wild 57-55 double-overtime win. Johnson is the District 2-6A MVP.

FB — Anthony Kolb, Midland, Jr.: A talented one-two punch of runner and blocker, Kolb was instrumental in his team’s success this season. He rushed for 492 yards and seven touchdowns on 38 carries, while helping pave the way for teammate Elijah McCoy tally 1,548 yards and 22 touchdowns as the Bulldogs finished 9-3. Kolb is a First-Team 2-6A selection.

WR — Jude Blanco, El Paso Hanks, Sr.: The Knights finished 6-5, but Blanco put together a special final season of high school by hauling in 72 catches for 1,719 yards (23.8 yards per catch) and 18 touchdowns. He also had six carries for 76 yards and another score. Blanco, the District 1-5A Division I Co-Offensive MVP, is uncommitted.

WR — Josiah Groeneweg, Glen Rose, Jr.: The lightning-fast Groeneweg was a nightmare for opposing defenses. He helped the Tigers have a big 10-5 season by catching 89 passes for 1,669 yards and 19 touchdowns. Groeneweg also rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers made it to the Class 4A Division II state semifinals, where they fell to eventual state champion Gilmer.

WR — Leyton Stone, Wolfforth Frenship, Jr.: Following up a brilliant sophomore season, Stone was at it again for the Tigers. He finished with 94 receptions for 1,658 yards and 23 touchdowns to help Frenship go 9-3 with a playoff win over El Paso Eastwood. Stone, who had 1,177 receiving yards and 14 TDs as a sophomore, is a unanimous First-Team All-District 2-6A pick.

TE — Jordan Williams, Midland Legacy, Sr.: A stellar blocker and stellar athlete for the Rebels, Williams also contributed 30 catches for 394 yards and a touchdown to the high-scoring offense. The son of former NFL receiver Roy Williams, who is an Odessa Permian graduate, he is a First-Team All-2-6A selection. Williams is uncommitted.

OL — Dawson Hall, Canyon West Plains, Sr.: Hall helped the Wolves average 229 rushing yards and 240 passing yards per game. Teammate Jordi Hernandez rushed for nearly 2,000 yards with 22 touchdowns. Hall is the District 2-4A Division II Offensive Line Player of the Year. He has an offer from Division II Eastern New Mexico.

OL — Holton Hendrix, Lubbock-Cooper, Sr.: Hendrix helped pave the way for an offensive juggernaut that scored 31 more points in all 12 games this season, including a 48-31 loss to eventual Class 5A Division I state champion Aledo in the area round. Cooper finished 8-4 with a playoff win over El Paso Parkland. A First-Team All-2-5A DI tackle, Hendrix is a Texas Tech commit.

OL — Zane Waggoner, Albany, Sr.: With the help of Waggoner and his linemates, SBLive.com West Texas Region Offensive MVP Adam Hill eclipsed 2,000 yards and scored 42 touchdowns. Albany went 16-0 and won its second straight Class 2A Division II state title. Waggoner was named Defensive MVP of the championship game with nine tackles and 1.5 sacks. He is uncommitted.

OL — Quinten McCarty, Brownwood, Sr.: Offensive lineman. Defensive lineman. District 2-4 Division I Most Valuable Player. That sums up the huge season by McCarty for the Lions. Brownwood finished 12-2 with postseason wins over San Elizario, Canyon Randall and Springtown before falling to Decatur in the regional finals. He is uncommitted.

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DEFENSE

DL — Abraham Moreno, Canadian, Sr.: Another massive talent on the Wildcats’ defensive line, Moreno registered 16 sacks in 15 games to help Canadian finish 14-1. The defensive tackle finished with 108 tackles (12 solo, 98 assists). He is uncommitted.

DL — Keltyn Raymond, Glen Rose, Jr.: Raymond terrorized opposing quarterbacks from his defensive tackle position with 13.5 sacks in 15 games for the Tigers. He tallied 127 tackles (73 solo, 53 assists) with 28 for loss. Glen Rose has made it to the state semifinals the last two seasons.

DL — Jaylen Cottrell, Seminole, Sr.: One of four players for the Indians with more than 100 tackles, Cottrell had 10 sacks and an interception in 13 games. He finished with 109 tackles (50 solo, 43 assists), including 26 for loss, for 11-2 Seminole. The Indians beat Pecos and Wichita Falls Hirschi in the playoffs. He is a unanimous All-District 2-4A Division II First-Team pick.

DL — Jarrett Diggs, Canyon West Plains, Sr.: Diggs made the most of his final season with the Wolves, racking up 77 tackles (23 solo, 54 assists) with 12 for loss, including five sacks. For his efforts, he earned District 2-4A Division II Most Valuable Player accolades. He has an offer from Division II Eastern New Mexico.

DB — Gerry Diaz, Fort Stockton, So.: This super sophomore was a disruptive force in the secondary for opposing offenses. In 11 games, Diaz picked off seven passes for the 9-2 Panthers, who earned a playoffs berth. He also had 33 tackles (7 solo, 26 assists). Diaz is the Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year for District 1-4A Division II.

DB — Tre Sharp, Abilene, Sr.: Sharp was a ballhawk for the Eagles as they won 11 games. He had seven interceptions to go along with 59 tackles (35 solo, 24 assists) while manning the Abilene secondary. Sharp has an offer from Division III McMurry in his hometown.

DB — Athen Dominguez, Midland, Sr.: Dominguez capped his high school career by making 161 tackles (76 solo, 85 assists) and five interceptions in 12 games for the Bulldogs. The safety earned District 2-6A Defensive Most Valuable Player honors. He has offers from Division II CSU-Pueblo and UT Permian Basin.

DB — David Alvarado, Canutillo, Jr.: A solid play-maker for the Eagles, Alvarado tied for second on his team with 78 tackles (46 solo, 32 assists) with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Canutillo finished 9-3 with a playoff win over Amarillo Palo Duro. Alvarado is the District 1-5A Division II Defensive MVP.

LB — Juan Gomez, El Paso Parkland, Sr.: Gomez was a tackling machine for the Matadors, tallying 182 (118 solo, 64 assists), including 20 for loss with six sacks. Parkland finished 6-5. The District 1-5A Division I Defensive Player of the Year, Gomez is uncommitted.

LB — Bryce Braden, Stratford, Jr.: Braden was another key to Stratford’s success on the defensive side of the ball this season. In 15 games, he made 184 tackles (35 solo, 149 assists), including 20 for loss with 11 sacks to lead the 14-1 Elks in both categories. He was fourth in Texas at any level in total tackles.

LB — Hudson Butchee, Stephenville, So.: Another outstanding sophomore, Butchee was all over the place for the Yellow Jacket defense. He made 166 tackles (86 solo, 80 assists), including 12 for loss with 3.5 sacks. Stephenville finished 11-3 with playoff wins over Fort Worth Western Hills, Dallas Carter and Celina. Butchee is the District 5-4A Division I Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

LB — Brenden Guptill, Glen Rose, Sr.: Guptill was another playmaker for the Tigers on defense, racking up 166 tackles (92 solo, 74 assists) to lead the team. He is one of five Glen Rose players with 100 or more tackles in the 2023 season, along with one more with 95 tackles. Impressive. Guptill is uncommitted.

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SPECIAL TEAMS

ATH — Jadyn Forbes, Sweetwater, sr.: Forbes was a serious threat every time he touched the ball for the Mustangs. He tallied 834 total return yards, including 655 yards on 20 kickoff returns and 179 yards on four punt returns for 7-5 Sweetwater. He also led the team in receiving. He is the District 3-4A Division II Special Teams Player of the Year. He is uncommitted.

ATH — Ethan Cahill, Wink, jr.: Cahill amassed 683 total return yards with 14 kickoff returns for 355 yards and 14 punt returns for 283 yards. He also found the end zone twice for the 10-2 Wildcats. Wink notched a playoff victory over Cross Plains.

K — Diego Chavarria, Stephenville, sr.: Chavarria was nearly perfect on field goal attempts for the 11-3 Yellow Jackets, going 13-of-14 with a long of 45 yards. He is the District 5-4A Division I Special Teams Most Valuable Player. Chavarria is also uncommitted.

P — Paul Herrera, El Paso Eastlake, sr.: Herrerra was a serious weapon for the 5-5 Falcons, punting 23 times 1,130 yards (49.1 ypp). Four of his punts were inside the 20-yard line. He finished second in the state at any level in punt average. Herrerra is uncommitted.

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SECOND TEAM ALL-WEST TEXAS

OFFENSE

QB — Canyon Evans, Glen Rose, Jr. (305-of-485, 4,577 yards, 49 TDs, 21 INTs)

RB — Rylan Monsey, Graham, Jr. (60 carries, 1,721 yards, 24 TDs)

RB — Xavier Jiminez, Lockney, Jr. (61 carries, 1,778 yards, 20 TDs)

FB — Andrew Merrell, Amarillo Tascosa, Sr. (145 carries, 745 yards, 5 TDs)

WR — Edward Quinonez, McCamey, Jr. (77 catches, 1,630 yards, 22 TDs)

WR — Diontay Ramone, Hawley, Sr. (82 catches, 1,545 yards, 19 TDs)

WR — Tristian Gentry, Stephenville, Jr. (74 catches, 1,528 yards, 15 TDs)

TE — Trey Simpson, Abilene (First-Team District 2-5A Division I)

OL — Jayden Overton, Big Spring, Sr. (First Team District 2-5A Division I)

OL — Brandon Aiken, Canutillo, Sr. (First Team District 1-5A Division II)

OL — Zane Waggoner, Albany, Sr. (Class 2A Division II state champion)

OL — Christian Ashby, Colorado City, Sr. (First Team District 4-2A Division I)

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DEFENSE

DL — Blake Bergeson, Graham, Jr. (52 tackles — 44 solo, 8 assists, 11 sacks)

DL — Kevyn Guffey, Seminole, Sr. (97 tackles — 33 solo, 54 assists, 11 sacks)

DL — Rafael Jacquez, El Paso Pebble Hills, Sr. (46 tackles, 34 solo, 12 assists, 9 sacks)

DL — Creed Frerich, Wink, Sr. (102 tackles — 102 solo, 9 sacks)

DB — Deandre Jackson, El Paso Ysleta, Sr. (18 tackles, 18 solo, 6 INTs)

DB — Angel Zapata, Iraan, Sr. (34 tackles, 25 solo, 9 assists, 6 INTs)

DB — Tanner Gahr, Odessa Compass Academy, Sr. (27 tackles — 22 solo, 5 assists, 6 INTs)

DB — Joshua Rios, Forsan, Sr. (24 tackles — 11 solo, 13 assists, 6 INTs)

LB — Creed Carlisle, Seminole, Sr. (176 tackles — 78 solo, 75 assists)

LB — Bryce Neves, Abilene, Sr. (141 tackles — 93 solo, 48 assists)

LB — Bryan Hernandez, Seminole, Jr. (166 tackles — 69 solo, 78 assists)

LB Ali Hopson, Amarillo Palo Duro, Sr. (163 tackles — 110 solo, 53 assists)

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SPECIAL TEAMS

ATH — Kaleb Martinez, El Paso Parkland, Jr. (13 KOR, 482 yards. 3 PR, 57 yards.)

ATH — Diego Aguirre, El Paso Socorro, Sr. (15 KOR, 545 yards.)

K Diego Frausto, El Paso Del Valle, Jr. (10-of-11 FG. 42 long)

P — Christopher Valenzuela, El Paso, Jr. (21-1,027 yards, 48.9 ypp)

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HONORABLE MENTION

QB Mickey Cota, Odessa, Jr.

WR Cason Fairchild, Albany, Sr.

QB Jake Fette, El Paso Del Valle, So.

WR Tristian Gentry, Stephenville, Jr.

QB Hudson Hutcheson, Wolfforth Frenship, Sr.

LB TJ Locklin, Canutillo, Jr.

QB Brayden Loyd, Seymour, Jr.

RB Maximus Mancilla, El Paso Eastwood, Sr.

QB Cheno Navarrette, Monahans, Sr.

OL Bryson Newman, Canyon Randall, Jr.

DB Adrian Sanchez, Glen Rose, Jr.

QB Dylan Slack, Abilene, Sr.

QB Brady Thompson, Amarillo Highland Park, Sr.

QB Derek Vasquez, El Paso Riverside, Sr.

RB Andrew Velasco, Denver City, Jr.

-- Chuck Cox | @sblivetx