One of the best parts of any high school football season is seeing unproven players make a name for themselves under the Friday night lights.
There are sure to be plenty of Big Country athletes who become household names this fall. But the area also has plenty of proven talent ready for an encore.
Here are 13 of the best players in alphabetical order for the 2024 season, which begins in late August.
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QB Keegan Ables, Hawley – The veteran led the Bearcats to 10 wins as a first-year starter, throwing for 3,453 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2023. But perhaps most impressive was Ables throwing just three interceptions in 327 attempts.
RB Daniel Bray, Cooper – Shined as a junior in an expanded role last year (1,359 yards, 22 touchdowns) for the Cougars. He will be the centerpiece of an offense that returns eight starters.
LB Hudson Butchee, Stephenville – The leader of the Yellow Jackets’ defense, Butchee showed a flair for the football, racking up 177 tackles and earning first-team all-state honors as a sophomore.
QB Chip Chambers, Albany – Without Adam Hill on defense, Chambers will be asked to do more in his senior year as the Lions try to repeat in 2A Division II.
DE Dycin Davis, Cooper – The Cougars’ veteran defense is led by 6-foot-2 Davis, who recorded 85 tackles and six sacks as a sophomore.
WR Tristian Gentry, Stephenville – There may not be a Big Country athlete more electric with the ball in his hands. THE Texas Tech quick commitment caught 74 passes for 1,528 yards and 15 touchdowns last year.
QB Brayden Henry, Abilene – After doing a little bit of everything offensively as a sophomore, three-sport Henry is expected to take more snaps this season.
RB Ivan McCann, Roscoe – No returning running back rushed for more yards (1,469) than McCann, who helped lead the Plowboys’ resurgence after tearing his ACL as a sophomore.
RB Korda Moore, Sweetwater – The Mustangs’ leading rusher scored 24 touchdowns during his junior season and should only benefit from the drop to Class 3A. He is also an impact linebacker.
OL Shetonde Polepole, Abilene – At 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds, the veteran has the potential to play on Saturdays. He will return at tackle for an Eagles offense that should be prolific.
RB Riley Reed, Gordon – Last year’s Texas Six-Man Coaches Association Division I MVP averaged 14.6 yards per carry and rushed for 27 TDs as a sophomore. He is one of several Longhorns hoping to repeat.
LB Kaston Vega, Stamford – A key player for the Bulldogs, Vega made 123 tackles last season for a defense that allowed just 11 points per game.
SS Hayden Wright, Wylie – A three-year starter at safety, Wright has great instincts and ball skills. He earned first-team all-district honors during a 52-tackle junior campaign.
Honorable mentions: RB Jaidyn Vineyard, Coahoma; TE Camden Ables, Hawley; WR Ryland Bradford, Abilene; RB Grayson Jeffrey, Westbrook; QB Ryan Gafford, Stephenville.
This article originally appeared in the Abilene Reporter-News: Albany’s Chip Chambers and Stephenville’s Hudson Butchee highlight Abilene’s best players
