Top Performers of the Week 4: Houston Area

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Week 4 provided us with some playmakers taking over games in timely manners, and sealing games for their teams in the clutch. We have both offensive and defensive players who put matters into their own hands to help deliver the dub. The players listed had plays and numbers that cannot be ignored. This is just a stepping stone for all of them as they begin to hit their grooves for the season.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Cooks | Manvel | LB | 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooks stepped up when it mattered the most when the game was coming to an end Friday night vs Friendswood. Cooks was firing off the edge, looking like he was shot out of a cannon, and finding his way to the quarterback. He was living in the backfield, recording 4 TFLs and 3 sacks, including two back to back game sealing sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1020693' first='Owen' last='Cossette'] | Cy Ranch | QB | 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cossette put up video game numbers in the contest vs Cy Woods. He navigated through the pocket, showed accuracy on his throws down the middle, and put his athleticism on display extending plays with his legs. Cossette threw for 479 yards and 8 touchdowns on 28/35 passing, and added 81 yards rushing and a touchdown on 12 rushes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson Bolender | The Woodlands | WR | 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a back and forth game between The Woodlands and New Caney, and Bolender played a big role in the win for the Highlanders. He was dynamic in his role, lining up in the backfield as well as out wide, and made key plays when the team needed them. Bolender had a highlight touchdown catch in between two defenders, and had 2 rushing touchdowns including the game winner with 10 seconds left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ladainian Hunter | Cy Ranch | LB | 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunter was holding down the middle of the field, playing the run very well and shooting the gaps to make stops in the backfield. He did not hesitate on his blitzes and showed to be a sure tackler in tight windows. Hunter tallied 8 tackles and a sack in the win over Cy Woods.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dillion Boone | Manvel | RB | 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boone's play was key in the Maverick's victory. He showed off his vision, quickness, and elusiveness on big runs. Boone was slashing through running lanes and kept drives alive with his ability to locate space and break tackles. Boone finished the night with 148 yards and 2 touchdowns on 24 carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Scott Eckel | Cinco Ranch | WR | 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eckel was a favorite target for the night, hauling in 11 receptions for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns. He showed his reliability, strong hands, and ability to keep the chains moving on key possessions. Eckel will be a name to keep track off as the season continues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> Wayne Shanks | Cy Woods | RB | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shanks will be a name to be know for the next couple of years. He is a problem out of the backfield! The freshman knows how to read blocks and accelerate out of the backfield into open space. Once he hits the edge, he hits another gear. Shanks is a physical runner and has a bright future ahead of him. He finished the game with 14 carries for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns including a 68 yard house call.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tracy James | Cy Ranch | WR | 2024 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James took advantage of all of his targets vs Cy Woods and went crazy in the yards department. He was a YAC machine, racking up big gains after catches. James was unstoppable down the seam and out ran the secondary for majority of the night. James showed to be a true playmaker with the ball in his hands. He finished the night with 232 yards and 3 touchdowns on 9 catches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->