Fort Bend Ridge Point Panthers: Poised for a State Title Push

<p>The Fort Bend Ridge Point Panthers enter the 2025 Texas high school football season with one thing on their mind, playing in Arlington in December.</p>   <p>After posting a 10-2 record in 2024 and dominating District 21-6A with a perfect 7-0 mark, head coach Rick LaFavers has assembled one of the most talented and well-rounded rosters in the state. They aren't just big, they're battle-tested, fast, and college-ready across the board.</p>   <p>With a combination of elite offensive linemen, explosive skill players, and a quarterback who can make every throw in the book, Ridge Point is set to be a matchup nightmare for opponents in 2025.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Schedule</h3>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Clear Springs <strong>8/29</strong></li>   <li>@ Fulshear <strong>9/04</strong></li>   <li>Cypress Bridgeland <strong>9/11</strong></li>   <li>@ Fort Bend Elkins <strong>9/20</strong></li>   <li>Fort Bend Travis <strong>9/26</strong></li>   <li>@ Fort Bend Bush <strong>10/02</strong></li>   <li>Fort Bend Dulles <strong>10/11</strong></li>   <li>@ Fort Bend Clements <strong>10/23</strong></li>   <li>Fort Bend Hightower <strong>10/30</strong></li>   <li>@ Fort Bend Austin <strong>11/06</strong></li> </ul>    <p class="text-gray-700">Murcho is a prototype Power Four left tackle prospect, long, athletic, and technically sound. He uses his length to lock out defenders early, forcing pass rushers wide and neutralizing speed off the edge. Murcho's bend and pad level are exceptional for his size, allowing him to win leverage battles against smaller, quicker defenders. His agility shines on outside zone runs, where he can climb to the second level and seal linebackers. The Texas A&M commit will be one the leaders upfront for the Panthers this season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AveryMorch0_26/status/1864772671898034561 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Smith is a road-grader with a nasty streak. Built like a guard but with tackle-like arm length, he excels in power run schemes. His initial punch is violent, often stunning defenders at the point of attack. Smith plays with a wide base and excellent balance, making it nearly impossible for rushers to get him off his spot. He has the skill set that will allow him to blossom when he gets to Arkansas.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HughSmith_2026/status/1864294961581076734 </div></figure>   <p class="text-gray-700"><br></p>    <p></p>    <p class="text-gray-700">One of the smartest defenders in the Houston area, Santana-Diaz plays with his eyes as much as his feet. He reads and diagnoses quarterbacks well, breaks on routes aggressively, and is not afraid to stick his nose in against the run. He is a wrap up tackler who rarely whiffs, he has fluid hips that enable him to make plays on the ball in the passing game and his ability to create turnovers allows him to be a playmaker defensively. The Colorado State commit has all the tools that college coaches covet in elite safeties.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Js8ntana/status/1855667699264757860 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Haynes IV is a big-bodied, smooth receiver who excels in contested catch situations. He uses his length and strong hands to snatch the ball away from defenders. His route running is polished and he creates separation with subtle body fakes and timing. Haynes IV can stretch the field vertically but is equally dangerous on intermediate routes.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_RobertHaynes/status/1852382403710382394 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Burnett plays with a mean streak and sets the tone physically. His violent hand usage and quick first step allow him to take control of reps early. In the run game, he can pull and lead block with ease, showing surprising agility for his size. He finishes blocks with violence and plays through the whistle. Burnett plays with excellent leverage and has the foot speed to reach linebackers at the second level.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jordanburnett72/status/1863963370430325098 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Seymour has the frame and mechanics of a next-level quarterback. He throws a tight spiral with great touch on deep balls and he has the arm strength to hit deep outs on the far hash. He is calm under pressure and shows great pocket awareness to avoid the rush. Seymour is mobile enough to extend plays without sacrificing vision downfield. He has the tools to lead the Panthers on a state title run in 2025.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RominSeymour9/status/1866508662061007316 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Vessel is the ultimate utility weapon, an elite athlete who can flip the field in all three phases. At DB, he plays with aggressive hands and mirrors receivers well. On offense, his acceleration and vision make him a home run threat. He has elite straight line speed combined with quick twitch change of direction that enables him to excel in the open field. Special teams could be his ticket to early college playing time.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/theadamvessel/status/1868058477521703263 </div></figure>   <p class="text-gray-700"><br></p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Hall is a modern linebacker, big enough to fill against the run, fast enough to cover in space. He reads plays quickly and takes sharp angles to the football. Hall is a sure tackler with strong fundamentals combined with speed and sideline to sideline range.He blitzes effectively off the edge and disengages from blockers at the point of attack with power. He is one the top defenders in the class of 2026 coming out of the Houston area.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PresHall2/status/1893432550506246395 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Long and fluid, Washington is a press coverage specialist who forces receivers off their routes early. He has the speed to recover and the discipline to avoid unnecessary penalties. His ball skills are solid, with the ability to high-point passes. A true cover corner who has the skill set that college coaches covet in elite cornerbacks, Washington will be one of the key defenders on the Panthers defense this fall. He recently committed to Yale.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EthanWash07/status/1869767624814682585 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">A burst of energy on offense, Darling Jr. is a quick-twitch receiver who excels in space. His ability to change direction without losing speed makes him dangerous after the catch. He can take the top off a defense with deep speed and create separation on quick slants. Darling Jr. will give the Panthers a sure fire weapon in their offense.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DevardDarlingJr/status/1921741783400091744 </div></figure>

The Fort Bend Ridge Point Panthers enter the 2025 Texas high school football season with one thing on their mind, playing in Arlington in December.