Vote: Who is midseason North Texas high school football MVP?
If the Texas high school football season ended today, who would be the North Texas MVP for 2023?
SBLive took a look at 19 high school football player of the year candidates in North Texas for 2023 more than half way through the regular season.
Now, we want to hear from you.
Who is the midseason North Texas high school football MVP?
Scroll down and read up on the 19 nominees and cast your vote in the poll below. The poll remains open through Monday, October 30 at 11:59 p.m. Central time.
NORTH TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL MIDSEASON MVP CANDIDATES
Triston Airy, Frisco Reedy junior running back.
Photo by Brian McLean
Keylan Abrams, defensive end, junior
High school: DeSoto
The junior Purdue commit played a big role last year for 6A-Division II state champions and this year he has 8 sacks, 32 tackles and 8 TFLs in 5 games for the Eagles. In three of the five games, DeSoto has given up two scores or less.
Triston Airy, running back, junior
High school: Frisco Reedy
The 5-foot-8 junior is a big reason why the Lions are 6-1, rushing for more than 10 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns on 100 carries. He’s run for 100 yards or more in five games.
Luke Carney, quarterback, junior
High school: Dallas Christian
The junior had more than 3,000 yards last year and he’s well on his way to surpassing that this season. He has thrown for 2,323 with 23 touchdowns with a 77% completion rate for the Chargers (6-1). He’s also ran for 5 touchdowns and 512 yards — a 10.9 yards per carry average.
Deonte Dean, running back, senior
High school: Richardson Lake Highlands
The 5-2 Wildcats have gotten a big showing from the uncommitted running back, who is averaging 8 yards per carry. He has 1,372 yards and 13 touchdowns after seven games.
Michael Hawkins, quarterback, senior
High school: Frisco Emerson
In his first year at the school, the Oklahoma pledge has thrown 25 touchdowns without any interceptions. He’s completed 83 of 113 passes for 1,424 and has played in about two quarters per game for the Mavericks, now 7-0.
Tucker James, running back, junior
High school: Trophy Club Byron Nelson
The junior moved into a starting role this year and has three different games where he’s scored four touchdowns for the Bobcats (6-0). James had 613 yards on 67 carries and 16 scores.
Chris Jimerson Jr., quarterback, junior
High school: North Crowley
The recent TCU pledge has helped the Panthers get off to a 6-0 start. Jimerson has completed 88 of 136 passes for 1,563 yards with 19 touchdowns and one interception. The dual-threat quarterback has also run for 546 yards and six touchdowns.
Kaliq Lockett, wide receiver, junior
High school: Sachse
An uncommitted four-star recruit, he’s hauled in 34 catches for 844 yards and seven scores in six games. The Mustangs’ top target has had at least four catches in every game and had 277 yards in a win against Lakeview Centennial.
Cooper Massey, linebacker, senior
High school: Brock
A returning all-stater, Massey has 84 tackles with 15 tackles and one sack for the Eagles, which followed up back-to-back shutouts with a 63-3 win over Whitesboro.
Hunter McCoy, quarterback, senior
High school: Dallas First Baptist Academy
A dual-threat quarterback for the Saints, he’s put up video-game-like numbers in seven games for the undefeated TAPPS squad. He’s thrown for 2,313 yards, 37 touchdowns — with two interceptions — and completed 120 of 167 passes. Holy Cross pledge Alijah Cason has 20 touchdown catches and more than a third of the catches (43).
Daylan McCutcheon, wide receiver, junior
High school: Lucas Lovejoy
The uncommitted four-star recruit has been one of the top targets for quarterback Honda Franklin. McCutcheon has 39 catches for 663 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Leopard (5-1) in his first six games.
Dakorien Moore, wide receiver, junior
High school: Duncanville
One of many Division I recruits for the Panthers, the LSU pledge has been a big part of the success of the offense. The junior opened the year with seven catches for 281 yards and three touchdowns against defending 5A champ South Oak Cliff. He has 24 catches for 702 yards and nine touchdowns this year on an impressive 19 yards per catch.
Brennan Myer, quarterback, senior
High school: Frisco Wakeland
The Bryant pledge the 2,000 passing yard mark in seven games, with 2,052 yards during the Wolverines’ 5-2 start. He is completing 70% of his passes — 130 for 185 — and has 27 touchdowns to only two interceptions.
Armstrong Nnodim, defensive end, senior
High school: Mesquite Horn
The future Oklahoma State lineman has been a monster for the Jaguars. In seven games, he has 11 sacks, 52 tackles and 26 1/2 of those are for losses.
Braxton Roberts, quarterback, senior
High school: Frisco Panther Creek
The senior is putting up big numbers for the second-year program. He’s completed 69% of his passes — 151 of 220 — and has thrown for 2,195 yards for the 6-1 Panthers. He’s thrown 23 touchdowns — with four picks — and six of those came in Week 7 vs. Dallas Carter. Cristian Trickett is the top target with 17 receiving touchdowns.
Collin Simmons, defensive end, senior
High school: Duncanville
The Texas recruit hasn’t played a ton of second halves due to his team's dominance, but he’s put up good numbers. He had 19 tackles, 7 TFLs, 2 1/2 sacks, 12 quarterback hurries and one pass breakup for the Panthers.
Cole Welliver, quarterback, senior
High school: Argyle Liberty Christian
The senior and UCONN pledge has put up big-time numbers in his first season with the Warriors. He’s completed 72% of his passes — 113 for 161 — and has thrown for 1,720 yards. He’s thrown 28 touchdowns compared to only two interceptions for Jason Witten’s undefeated squad (7-0).
Bryant Wesco, wide receiver, senior
High school: Midlothian
The top wide receiver in the state has been what you would expect for the Panthers. He has 40 catches for 638 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also adding a punt return for a score. Has multiple touchdowns in four of six games — and his play has been impacted by Duncanville's lopsided leads.
Caleb Williams, quarterback, junior
High school: Crowley
The undefeated Eagles (6-0) have gotten a total of 23 touchdowns, with 19 passing and four on the ground, from Williams. He’s thrown for 1,606 yards — completing 71% of his passes — while his 6.84 yards per carry and 349 yards on the ground leads the team in that category.
-- Cody Thorn | @sblivetx
