Players Who Hit The Marc

As we head into the meat of the district schedule, which will determine who makes the Texas High School State Playoffs, there have been players who “Hit The Marc”. These players have stood out, made big plays, as well as help their teams be successful in winning games.     James Johnson Running back Class 2024 5'9 185 Mansfield High School   Johnson runs with power, keeps a great pad level when he hits the hole and breaks tackles with ease. He has a stout frame and powerful, piston-like leg drive when running between the tackles. What's most impressive about James is his ability to make one cut, get north quickly and explode to the second level to pay dirt. In eight games, Johnson has been a steady force in the Tigers running game on a 7-2 Mansfield team. James played well against the best defensive team in the state of Texas, the Duncanville Panthers, where he rushed for ninety two yards hard fought yards. James has rushed for 1,165 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is definitely a player who has “Hit The Marc” in the first half of the season. His skill set and running style make him an attractive recruit, who will no doubt began to get attention from colleges searching for quality running backs. Johnson and the Mansfield Tigers clinched a playoff birth after defeating Skyline 37-0 in week ten.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/James_Johnson_5/status/1569762037332426752?s=20&t=qLQaMRH33jHNEHGDTjvE9Q </div></figure>     Donte Lewis Quarterback Class of 2024 5'11 170 Houston St. Thomas High School   Lewis has spearheaded the Eagles attack, which has lead to a 8-0 start in their 2022 season. A field general, Lewis takes control of the huddle and gets the attention of his teammates. Starting back when the Eagles began fall practice in August, Lewis began to take on a leadership role early, as this grabbed my attention when I visited their practice. Donte has a strong arm, he has great touch on his deep ball, he navigates the pocket with quiet feet, which allows him to keep his eyes downfield looking for open targets. His nimble footwork allows him to set his feet and engage his lower half to make strong, sharp throws from multiple arm platforms. Lewis is lethal when the pocket breaks down or the Eagles run the RPO run game. A gifted athlete, he has great short area quickness and is an explosive runner, who can take a short run and make big plays turn into a house call for six. His stellar play has put him on the list of players who have "Hit The Marc" this season. Keep an eye on the Eagles and Lewis as they march to the playoffs. Through eight games Lewis has passed for 1,646 yards with 20 passing touchdowns. Donte shows the same explosion, next level athleticism and speed on the baseball diamond, as a star pitcher, shortstop and right handed batter who can hit for power and average.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DonteLewis18/status/1579303110509752321?s=20&t=qLQaMRH33jHNEHGDTjvE9Q </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='492558' first='Sterlin' last='Brooks']   Class of 2024   Defensive Line   6'5 315   North Crowley High School   Brooks is a space eater, uses his frame to bully his opponent and is stout at the point of attack. What is most impressive about Sterlin's game, is his ability to be nimble on his feet and run down plays from the back side. Within the North Crowley defense, Brooks shows his versatility by lining up at multiple spots along the line, from three technique, to nose guard and can rush the passer at defensive end. He is stout against the run, he has violent hands and his short area explosion, presses the pocket on passing downs. There is no doubt after watching him play vs Saginaw Boswell, that Brooks "Hit The Marc" as a force on the Panthers defense. Brooks is key contributor in a stingy North Crowley defense that has only allowed one hundred seventeen points through eight games.     Nick Hawthorne   Class of 2023   Defensive Back   6'3 185   Saginaw Boswell High School   Offers: Boise State, Colorado State, Oregon State, Utah State, Miami(OH)   Hawthorne has a long, athletic frame, and his superb footwork allows him to blanket receivers that he covers. Nick is a versatile defender who plays both cornerback and safety. From his safety position, his long stride and speed shows off his range to cover ground on the back end. Nick has fluid hips, transitions smoothly into his backpedal and has the reach to reroute wideouts when he plays press coverage. Hawthorne has excellent ball skills. His ballhawk mentality, combined with his disciplined eyes, puts him in position to make plays on the ball. Hawthorne comes up in run support under control but ready to lay the wood. He has the speed to run down players who breakaway downfield and tackles well in the open field. Colleges who are looking for a complete defensive back who could come on campus and have an immediate impact early, Nick fits that mold. His skill set compliments his frame, which will allow him to add bulk when he gets in a college program. These attributes have made Hawthorne a sought after recruit. As Boswell hits the later part of their district schedule, look for Nick to continue to "Hit the Marc" in the Pioneers secondary.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NickHawthorne18/status/1465713156626419712?s=20&t=qLQaMRH33jHNEHGDTjvE9Q </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NickHawthorne18/status/1583958822443700224?s=20&t=qLQaMRH33jHNEHGDTjvE9Q </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NickHawthorne18/status/1563377627788099586?s=20&t=qLQaMRH33jHNEHGDTjvE9Q </div></figure>

As we head into the meat of the district schedule, which will determine who makes the Texas High School State Playoffs, there have been players who “Hit The Marc”. These players have stood out, made big plays, as well as help their teams be successful in winning games.