I’m picking one player from each team to highlight. This may be a player to strikes me for some reason. This may not be the best player on each team. This may not be the biggest recruit from each team. This is just one player that catches my attention for whatever reason. For some I will have a lot of stats as the teams update their stats on Maxpreps. For others I will have not stats as they are hard to find for those teams. Regardless, I give you one player for each team.

1AD1 Rankin Red Devils

Matthew Ramos has scored 36 of the Red Devils’ 93 TDs on the season. And he has done it rushing the ball, catching the ball, returning kickoffs and recovering fumbles. He is the team’s leading receiver, second leading rusher, second leading tackler, leader in tackles for loss and leader in sacks. If there is action on the field you will likely see Rankin’s #2 involved.

1AD1 Gordon Longhorns

Stryker Reed (and Gordon) will be playing is his third consecutive UIL 1AD1 Championship game and looking for their third consecutive title. Stryker was the Offensive in MVP in last year’s game. In 2023 Stryker rushed for 94 yards and 2 TDs He threw for 49 yards and 1 TD. He caught 1 pass for 28 yards. in 2024 Stryker rushed for 91 yards and 2 TDs. He threw for 86 yards and 2 TDs, Follow Gordon’s #3 and you’ll be near the action throughout the game.

1AD2 Jayton Jaybirds

Sean Stanaland passed for 102 yards with 2 TDs, rushed for 28 yards with 2 TDs and contributed two solo tackles in last year’s title game. Keep your eye on #13 on both sides of the ball.

1AD2 Richland Springs Coyotes

Cohen Ethridge was one of three throwers of the ball during the regular season for Richland Springs. He threw 8 TD passes. He was one of two primary ball carriers rushing for 6 TDs, He was the leading receiver on the team and had 4 receiving TDs. Defensively he had 50 tackles, 2 interceptions and 1 recovered fumbles. #0 will be a key player for the Coyotes.

2AD1 Hamilton Bulldogs

Look for #1 Devin Eanes on both sides of the ball. Eanes has 55 catches for 1179 yards with 14 TDs. Add 14 carries for 100 yards with 2 TDs. defensively Eanes has 78 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1 recovered fumble.

2AD1 Joaquin Rams

#1 Trenton Runnels did something very unexpected for the Rams last week versus Refugio. He completed 5 of 5 passes for 11 yards. Entering the game he was 21 for 45 on the season for 519 yards, Don’t expect Joaquin to suddenly become a passing team. But if they are forced to throw, Runnels has demonstrated he can rise to the occasion.