Central Texas high school football midseason player of the year watch list

15 finalists through the fist half of the 2023 season, led by Connally's Kiefer Sibley and Hutto's Will Hammond

The 2023 season is half way over and district season is ramping up.

As the Texas high school football season keeps roaring on throughout the Lone Star State, SBLive is taking a look at the long list of breakout performers through Central Texas in the first half of the season. 

>> Texas high school football scoreboard (10/5/2023)

From the quarterback position, running back, wide receiver, or defensive standouts, look to see who has made a big impact on their team's overall record with great individual performances, dive into the list of some of the best overall players. 

After the season, SBLive will release all-Central Texas teams and awards.

Here are 15 nominees for Central Texas player of the year, spanning schools of all sizes from Waco, Austin, San Antonio and the rest of the central part of the state.

For questions, feedback and gripes, drop a note to andy@scorebooklive.com or @SBLiveTX on Twitter and Instagram.

Deuce Adams, quarterback, 2024

Austin-Vandegrift | 6'2, 175

The 2024 future Louisville commit has led No. 6 Vandegrift to a 5-0 record to start the season and is leading the Vipers' state championship pursuit in TX-6A, Divsion-2. Adams, who is in his first year in the Viper program has already passed for 1,098 yards, 14 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Adams has also shown the ability to escape the pocket with his feet, adding four touchdowns on the ground. 

Lance Beeghley, wide receiver, 2024

New Braunfels | 6'2, 183

The star Unicorn receiver has cemented himself as one of the best offensive weapons in Central Texas. Beeghley has hauled in 37 receptions with 504 receiving yards and five touchdowns during non-district play. The uncommitted wideout will look to have an even stronger second half of the season amid New Braunfels' District 27 championship search. Beeghley currently holds offers from the service academies.

Miles Coleman, wide receiver, 2024

Austin-Vandegrift | 5-6, 155

After hauling in nearly 100 receptions last season, the 2024 three-star North Texas commit picked up where he left off — only this time with new Viper quarterback Deuce Adams. Coleman has established himself as a threat to take a short catch the distance with his route running skills and then also as a deep threat target for his QB1. According to Viper wide receiver coach, Mike Adams, the future Mean Green star has Tyreek Hill explosiveness and technicality in his route running. In five games, Coleman has hauled in 22 catches for over 500 yards and five touchdowns. 

Jalen Cooper, wide receiver, 2025

Cibolo-Steele | 6-2, 163

Through five games, the 2025 deep threat has already surpassed his numbers from last season as he and quarterback Chad Warner have developed a strong connection. Cooper has hauled in 22 catches, for 552 yards, and 10 touchdowns while leading the Knights to a 4-1 overall record. He is averaging 26 yards per reception and currently has nine Division I offers. 

Will Hammond, quarterback, 2024

Hutto | 6-2, 195

The Texas Tech commit leads the state in total yards with 2,343, throwing for 1,880 yards through the air to go along with 15 touchdown passes. Despite Hutto's 1-4 overall record, Hammond has been showing why he is a top signal caller in the state and was highly-sought after in the recruiting process.  Hammond's ability to lead and spread the ball to his playmakers will be a big reason why the Hippos are hopeful for a strong second half of the season as they battle for a top-four playoff spot.

Ty Hawkins, quarterback, 2025

San Antonio Johnson | 6'0, 195

Through the first five games, Hawkins has proven himself to be one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in Texas. The future Horned Frog has led his Jaguars to a 5-0 record while completing 63 percent of his passes for 745 yards and 19 total touchdowns. The 2025 dual-threat star has also added 375 rushing yards. Hawkins will look to have a stronger second half of the season as he is hopeful to lead his Jaguars to a district championship and a deep run in the playoffs.

Micah Hudson, wide receiver, 2024

Lake Belton | 6-0, 188

One of the most electrifying wide receivers in the state and across the country, Texas Tech's most highly touted prospect ever has hauled in 33 receptions for 677 yards, and caught eight touchdowns through six games while helping pace the Broncos to a 5-1 record through the first half of the season. 

Tyree Johnson, running back, 2024

New Braunfels | 5-9, 185

Coming into the season, the 2024 Unicorn running back was off the radar of a lot of people across the state. However, through five games the lead back for Unicorns has announced himself as a real threat to take over a ball game rushing for 633 yards and eight touchdowns in the first half of the season. Johnson is averaging 127 yards per contest with district play starting this week for TX-6A, District 27.

Cole Pryor, running back, 2025

San Antonio Reagan | 5-9, 175

The Rattler 2025 running back burst onto the scene last year, and has solidified himself this year as the workhorse back for the undefeated program in 2023. In five games, Pryor has already rushed for 715 yards and 11 touchdowns, while adding a receiving touchdown. The junior lead back for No. 20 Reagan currently holds offers from Texas State and UTSA. 

Chad Warner, quarterback, 2025

Cibolo-Steele | 6-3, 180

One of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 class, Warner has led the Knights to a 4-1 non-district record to start the season as they head into district play. The uncommitted junior has thrown for 1,288-yards  and 16 touchdowns competing for 70 percent of his passes through five games. Steele begins district play this week as the Knights look to repeat as district champions. Warner currently holds an offer from Grambling State. 

Jax Brown, quarterback, 2025

Pflugerville Weiss | 6-2, 185

The 2025 gunslinger is off to great star in the first half of the 2023 season as he is leading TX-6A, District in touchdown passes with 18 while connecting on 69 percent of his passes for 1,567 yards. Brown has been a steady force in the Wolves' lineup this fall leading them to a undefeated non-conference season and a 2-0 start in district play. Brown's ability to extend plays with his feet and get the ball downfield to his playmakers will set Weiss up for a deep playoff run this season. 

Brian Bacon, defensive end, 2024

Pflugerville Weiss | 6-0, 200

The 2024 edge rusher has shown that he has the ability to shutdown any offense , and contain opponents' offenses each week. In six games this season, Bacon has 10.5 sacks and pressured the quarterback 12 times this season. Bacon is a force coming off the edge in the Wolves' defense that creates a lot of havoc for opposing offenses.

Dontae Carter, defensive back, 2024

Cibolo-Steele | 6-2, 170

The 2024 four-star Vanderbilt commit is putting together a great senior season for his Steele Knights. On the season, Carter has 32 tackles, three interceptions, five pass breakups, and one touchdown on the year as he is one of the anchors of the Knight defense. Last year, the future SEC star had seven interceptions for the Steele defense and now has 10 for his career, tying him for the school record. 

Walker Diharce, linebacker, 2024

San Antonio Johnson | 6-2, 220

The 2024 linebacker is the leader of the Jaguar defense and is having a stellar final season for the Johnson. Through five games, Diharce has 71 tackles, nine tackles for loss to go along with one sack. According to Jaguar defensive coordinator Matt Garcia, "having Walker out on the field is like having a second defensive coordinator with his ability to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of offensive numbers on each snap." 

Kiefer Sibley, running back, 2024

Waco-Connally | 5-10, 185

The 2024 running back is currently the leading rusher in the Lone Star State with 1,268 yards, 18 touchdowns, and is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. Sibley is averaging 253 yards per game and is listed as a three-star recruit as he has surpassed over 3,000 yards rushing over the last two year with six more games remaining. Despite the Cadets 3-3 non-district record, Sibley will continue his tremendous senior season looking to get over the 2,000 yard mark for the second straight season. 

-- Ryan Childers | ryanchilders0455@gmail.com | @sblivetx