LAST WEEK: Eighth-ranked Texas High bowed out of the 5A, Division I state playoffs with a heart-breaking 30-27 loss to West Mesquite.
OFFENSIVE STANDOUTS: Senior Quan Hampton caught 5 passes for 90 yards, giving him 71 receptions for the season and 1,229 yards receiving, both school records. Cobi Hamilton was previous record hold with 64 catches, and Joe Anderson had receiving record in 2006. Senior quarterback Cade Pearson completed 12 of 30 passes for 234 yards and a TD against the Wranglers. Pearson finished with 2,399 yards in 2016, second to Ryan Mallett's 3,354 in 2006. Pearson had 154 completions, third behind Mallett's marks in 2006 and 2004. Tevailance Hunt had two catches for 85 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown against the Wranglers. Markese Martin scored twice last Friday and led THS scoring for the season with 98 points.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS: LB Xzavier Hopkins led the Tigers with 103 tackles after adding 13 against West Mesquite. Javel Jones had 11 tackles, while Davon Williams and Tim Noble had 8 tackles each.
COACH BARRY NORTON'S COMMENTS: "The West Mesquite defense was by far the best we played all year. They were committed to stopping the run and they played man coverage on us all night, and they did a nice job of it. We made some nice plays, they just made a few more. The running back (Curtis Williams) was an excellent football player (36 carries, 201 yards, 4 TDs). They were really big up front on both sides of the ball. We couldn't handle their size.
"The blocked punt at the end of the second quarter was a momentum changer and it was an illegal block. The last thing we were concerned with was a blocked punt, we hadn't had one all year. In the shield punt you almost can't block a punt unless you run around the blockers. By rule you can't jump over the shield and that's exactly what they did. When the guy jumped over he was flipped and the block came with his foot. I don't blame West Mesquite, they just got away with it.
"It was a great season four our kids, who did a great job. I was real proud of their committment and hard work they put in each day, dating back to last off-season work. I think we got the most out of this bunch. Unless you win it all you're going to be disappointed and it's going to hurt. Our guys have a lot to be proud of and I'm really proud of them. I believe our district was down a little this year, and I'm not sure we played a real competitive four-quarter ball game until last Friday night. I do believe our kids were competitive and played hard, but it was an issue for us going into the game. We've had the same thing in years past. There's nothing you can do about it.
"This senior class did a tremendous job all the way through. They've been a good academic crew, a great group to coach, just fine young men who have done things the right way. They're super, super kids. We're losing some really good players and leaders. We'll just regroup like we do every year, and get started with the next group. There's some seniors who will get the opportunity to play at the next level. Texas High football players have high expectations and we'll continue to push on. I think we'll probably have another good football team next year."
