Preview: Players to Watch in Central Texas – Week 3
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This evening brings a lot of players and games to watch throughout Central Texas but these are just a few to keep an eye on. 1. Jalen Becerra (SR-WR) – Rouse High School (Leander, TX) A receiver that has emerged…
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Continue ReadingThis evening brings a lot of players and games to watch throughout Central Texas but these are just a few to keep an eye on.
1. Jalen Becerra (SR-WR) – Rouse High School (Leander, TX)
A receiver that has emerged as junior quarterback Mason Shorb Mason Shorb 6'3" | 175 lbs | QB Rouse | 2023 State TX ’s favorite target, Becerra is both fast, hard to tackle and all-around electric to watch. He had an excellent performance last week against Anderson, hauling in nine receptions for 229 yards and three touchdowns. Rouse barely escaped Anderson last week and arguably faces a tougher opponent in Weiss this week. Becerra will be one of the key players to watch in the game.
2. Travian McCoy-Gay (SR-RB) – Round Rock High School (Round Rock, TX)
Round Rock faces the tough challenge of facing Cedar Park this week, but one of the key players for the Dragons to get the win is McCoy-Gay, who has 396 rushing yards and five touchdowns so far this season. McCoy-Gay has become one of the prominent running backs in Central Texas and is incredibly hard to stop once he gets going. Cedar Park struggled to stop the Vandegrift offense to start the season and given Round Rock’s high-scoring nature, it could be a big day for McCoy-Gay.
3. Travien Brown (SR-DL) – Round Rock High School (Round Rock, TX)
On the opposite side of the ball, Brown comes off of a game against Belton in which he registered two sacks. Given Cedar Park’s offensive woes against a prominent Vandegrift defense, it is looking like a big day for Brown and the Dragon defense as well. However, Cedar Park does come off a win against Cedar Ridge in which the Timberwolves scored 29 points.
4. Noah Long Noah Long 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Liberty Hill | 2024 State TX (SO-RB) – Liberty Hill High School (Liberty Hill, TX)
Liberty Hill is known for its high-scoring rushing offense and the young sophomore Long is no different. He has already scored six touchdowns in the season. However, Liberty Hill now squares off against Georgetown after the Panthers demolished Del Valle last week. Georgetown also comes off of a high-scoring win against Copperas Cove, so it is shaping up to be a high-scoring affair between the two teams which bodes well for Long.
5. Drake Torno (SR-DL) – Liberty Hill High School (Liberty Hill, TX)
On the opposite side of the ball, Torno has registered four sacks already this season. He does face the challenge of defending against a high-scoring Georgetown offense this week but that is what makes him a player to watch to see if he can rise to the challenge and perform as he has been.
6. Reece Beauchamp (SR-WR) – Vandegrift High School (Austin, TX)
Vandegrift has been dominant so far and one of the reasons for that is Beauchamp. He has become junior quarterback Brayden Buchanan’s favorite target, with seven receptions for 227 yards and four touchdowns. More on the plus side, Vandegrift faces off against a team that has allowed 57 points in the first two games. That team is San Angelo Central and the Bobcats also like to score a lot of points as well. This shapes up to be another shootout which should make the Vandegrift lean heavily on the duo of Buchanan and Beauchamp.
7. Dylan Sanchez (JR-QB) – Lampasas High School (Lampasas, TX)
Last year the game between Lampasas and Wimberley turned into Lampasas scoring touchdown after touchdown. Sanchez has already thrown for 575 yards and 12 touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception. Given what happened last year, the odds are in Sanchez’s favor to completely blow Wimberley out of the water and have another big game.
8. Devonte Tezino (SR-DL) – Ellison High School (Killeen, TX)
Ellison faces the tough challenge of facing off against Steele but that is what makes Tezino a player to watch this week. Tezino has gotten a sack against two high-functioning offenses in Liberty Hill and Vandegrift and he had a 64-yard fumble recovery against Liberty Hill. Tezino is a talented defensive lineman and it will be interesting if he can keep up the pressure this week as well.
9. De’Traevion Medlock (SO-DB) – Mart High School (Mart, TX)
Mart has been a dominant force already this season but the player to watch will actually be on defense with Medlock already having two interceptions against Teague and McGregor.