Players to Watch in 2017 D1 Edition
As we get ready to kick off the season, I have compiled a short list of 25 players that should be on your radar this season. There is no doubt more players out there deserving of inclusion on this list, so think of this as a jumping off point. Who else do we need to be watching and why?
Here’s the D1 list
Colton McCarley – Senior SB – Happy
McCarley is the heir apparent to All-Stater Karson Bryant in the Happy backfield. McCarley had a great season last year, but was that a product of people keying on Bryant? This season will tell the tale. Without a doubt, he is an explosive play maker who we all should keep an eye on.
2016 – 1st team All-State Utility Player
Kason Vigil – Junior RB – White Deer
White Deer as multiple players to watch, but running back Vigil plays a vital offensive role and may very well be on the verge of a break out season for the Bucks.
2016 – 2nd team All-Region Running Back; 217-1,850 yards, 32 TDs rushing; 141 tackles, 2 INTs
Brady Hawkins – Senior WR/DL – Knox City
Brady, at 6’4, 200 lbs, has excellent size, making him one of the hardest players to cover in 1A. His size and agility also make him tough to handle on the defensive line.
2016 – 2st team All-State Defensive Line; 52-907 yards, 16 TDs receiving
Trace Richey – Senior RB – Borden County
Trace Richey returns for his senior season to help Borden County defend their division I state tile. Trace has undoubtedly been a great defensive talent and will continue to be, but with the loss of Corbin Sumners and Hunter Jones, you should expect Richey’s offensive workload to increase. His main offensive threat last season was as a receiver, but don’t be surprised if that changes this season.
2016 - All-State Defensive MVP; 29-683 yards, 14 TDs receiving; 400 yards rushing; 235 yards, 5 TDs passing; 180 tackles, 8 sacks, 6 INTs
Trent McMillan – Senior QB/S – Garden City
Garden City always has well rounded, athletic players every season, regardless of who they lose to graduation. McMillian is that “next man up” for the Bearkats this season. He has a good arm and plays the safety position on defense as good as anyone. I expect him to almost double his numbers from last season, as Garden City will challenge for the Regional title.
2016 – 2nd team All-State Safety; 83-141-5 for 1,291 yards, 33 TDs passing; 113 tackles, 6 INTs
Arron Luna – Senior RB/S – Marfa
Luna’s speed makes him a threat to score on offense and special teams, and combined with his ball-hawking abilities gives him an excellent opportunity to turn turnovers into points on defense. He will play a key role for the Shorthorns in a battle for District 7 supremacy.
2016 – 2nd team All-Region Safety
Kason King – Senior QB – Zephyr
In a region loaded with great quarterbacks, King maybe rule them all. Zephyr is always a tough team and Kason will without a doubt be a driving force for the Bulldogs this season in their hunt for a district title, with one eye focused on Arlington.
2016 – 1st team All-State; 49-67-1 for 1,137 yards, 33 TD passing
Brandon Houser – Senior QB – Bryson
Houser might be the best lesser-known quarterback in class 1A. Last year he was incredibly efficient, throwing 44 touchdowns to just 2 INTs. He has his main target returning for the new season, and these gun-slinging Cowboys are looking to turn some heads in 2017.
2016 – 2nd team All-State Spread Back; 129-192-2 for 2,263 yards, 44 TDs passing
Trent Pardon – Senior SB – Gorman
Playmaker is the perfect word to describe how Trent Pardon plays. He is one of the best at turning routine plays into big gains. For example, last year, he returned one of his 8 INTs 80 yards for a touchdown. In a district that seems wide open this season, Pardon’s play on Fridays will have significant meaning in how the district plays out this season.
2016 – Honorable Mention All-State Safety; 62-112 for 978 yards, 12 TDs passing; 67-412 yards, 9 TDs rushing; 144 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 8 INTs – 3 INTs returned for TDs
Torrey Hoover – Sophomore RB – Coolidge
Torrey Hoover has maybe the biggest upside of any underclassman in class 1A, but don’t just believe me, look at what he did as a FRESHMAN last season! The future is bright for this one.
2016 - All-State Newcomer of the Year; 202-2,789 yards, 37 TDs rushing; 12-270 yards, 5 TDs receiving
Gabe Nelson – Junior RB – Union Hill
Nelson was explosive as a sophomore last season and he will be back to punish offenses again as a junior, as tries to help inch Union Hill closer to a state title this season.
2016 - 1st team All-State Running Back; 144-2,265 yards, 48 TDs rushing; 8 INTs on defense
Miguel Padron – Sophomore RB/LB – Avalon
Miguel is a bright, budding talent for the Eagles who was heavily involved in the offensive game plan last season as a freshman. He will likely keep getting more touches as time goes on. Keep an eye out for this kid.
2016 – 2nd team All-Region Running Back; 730 yards, 17 TDs rushing; 451 yards, 6 TDs receiving
Logan Scott – Senior C – Tioga
Not many linemen are on the “must watch list” in six-man. In fact, this is the ONLY Center I’ve listed here, but folks, this kid is one that you should watch out for! Listed at 5-10, 175, he plays like he is much bigger and is a key reason to why Tioga’s backfield is so successful, as he dominates the O-Line and opens up holes for his backfield to navigate.
2016 – Honorable Mention All-State Center
As we get ready to kick off the season, I have compiled a short list of 25 players that should be on your radar this season. There is no doubt more players out there deserving of inclusion on this list, so think of this as a jumping off point. Who else do we need to be watching and why?
Here’s the D1 list
Colton McCarley – Senior SB – Happy
McCarley is the heir apparent to All-Stater Karson Bryant in the Happy backfield. McCarley had a great season last year, but was that a product of people keying on Bryant? This season will tell the tale. Without a doubt, he is an explosive play maker who we all should keep an eye on.
2016 – 1st team All-State Utility Player
Kason Vigil – Junior RB – White Deer
White Deer as multiple players to watch, but running back Vigil plays a vital offensive role and may very well be on the verge of a break out season for the Bucks.
2016 – 2nd team All-Region Running Back; 217-1,850 yards, 32 TDs rushing; 141 tackles, 2 INTs
Brady Hawkins – Senior WR/DL – Knox City
Brady, at 6’4, 200 lbs, has excellent size, making him one of the hardest players to cover in 1A. His size and agility also make him tough to handle on the defensive line.
2016 – 2st team All-State Defensive Line; 52-907 yards, 16 TDs receiving
Trace Richey – Senior RB – Borden County
Trace Richey returns for his senior season to help Borden County defend their division I state tile. Trace has undoubtedly been a great defensive talent and will continue to be, but with the loss of Corbin Sumners and Hunter Jones, you should expect Richey’s offensive workload to increase. His main offensive threat last season was as a receiver, but don’t be surprised if that changes this season.
2016 - All-State Defensive MVP; 29-683 yards, 14 TDs receiving; 400 yards rushing; 235 yards, 5 TDs passing; 180 tackles, 8 sacks, 6 INTs
Trent McMillan – Senior QB/S – Garden City
Garden City always has well rounded, athletic players every season, regardless of who they lose to graduation. McMillian is that “next man up” for the Bearkats this season. He has a good arm and plays the safety position on defense as good as anyone. I expect him to almost double his numbers from last season, as Garden City will challenge for the Regional title.
2016 – 2nd team All-State Safety; 83-141-5 for 1,291 yards, 33 TDs passing; 113 tackles, 6 INTs
Arron Luna – Senior RB/S – Marfa
Luna’s speed makes him a threat to score on offense and special teams, and combined with his ball-hawking abilities gives him an excellent opportunity to turn turnovers into points on defense. He will play a key role for the Shorthorns in a battle for District 7 supremacy.
2016 – 2nd team All-Region Safety
Kason King – Senior QB – Zephyr
In a region loaded with great quarterbacks, King maybe rule them all. Zephyr is always a tough team and Kason will without a doubt be a driving force for the Bulldogs this season in their hunt for a district title, with one eye focused on Arlington.
2016 – 1st team All-State; 49-67-1 for 1,137 yards, 33 TD passing
Brandon Houser – Senior QB – Bryson
Houser might be the best lesser-known quarterback in class 1A. Last year he was incredibly efficient, throwing 44 touchdowns to just 2 INTs. He has his main target returning for the new season, and these gun-slinging Cowboys are looking to turn some heads in 2017.
2016 – 2nd team All-State Spread Back; 129-192-2 for 2,263 yards, 44 TDs passing
Trent Pardon – Senior SB – Gorman
Playmaker is the perfect word to describe how Trent Pardon plays. He is one of the best at turning routine plays into big gains. For example, last year, he returned one of his 8 INTs 80 yards for a touchdown. In a district that seems wide open this season, Pardon’s play on Fridays will have significant meaning in how the district plays out this season.
2016 – Honorable Mention All-State Safety; 62-112 for 978 yards, 12 TDs passing; 67-412 yards, 9 TDs rushing; 144 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 8 INTs – 3 INTs returned for TDs
Torrey Hoover – Sophomore RB – Coolidge
Torrey Hoover has maybe the biggest upside of any underclassman in class 1A, but don’t just believe me, look at what he did as a FRESHMAN last season! The future is bright for this one.
2016 - All-State Newcomer of the Year; 202-2,789 yards, 37 TDs rushing; 12-270 yards, 5 TDs receiving
Gabe Nelson – Junior RB – Union Hill
Nelson was explosive as a sophomore last season and he will be back to punish offenses again as a junior, as tries to help inch Union Hill closer to a state title this season.
2016 - 1st team All-State Running Back; 144-2,265 yards, 48 TDs rushing; 8 INTs on defense
Miguel Padron – Sophomore RB/LB – Avalon
Miguel is a bright, budding talent for the Eagles who was heavily involved in the offensive game plan last season as a freshman. He will likely keep getting more touches as time goes on. Keep an eye out for this kid.
2016 – 2nd team All-Region Running Back; 730 yards, 17 TDs rushing; 451 yards, 6 TDs receiving
Logan Scott – Senior C – Tioga
Not many linemen are on the “must watch list” in six-man. In fact, this is the ONLY Center I’ve listed here, but folks, this kid is one that you should watch out for! Listed at 5-10, 175, he plays like he is much bigger and is a key reason to why Tioga’s backfield is so successful, as he dominates the O-Line and opens up holes for his backfield to navigate.
2016 – Honorable Mention All-State Center
