Vote: Who was best Central Texas high school football player in 2023 bi-district round?
As the opening round of the Texas high school football playoffs continued across the Lone Star State, SBLive Texas is keeping tabs on the latest scores, top storylines and best performances throughout the bi-district round.
Who was the star of round one?
After looking at the most compelling results in the Class 6A, Class 5A and small school (1A through 4A) brackets, we examined the top performers in the state. Now, we're zooming in closer at Central Texas, from Waco, to Austin, to San Antonio.
Here are the top performances across Texas in the first round to the playoffs, spanning all corners of the state and schools all shapes and sizes.
Have a case about an individual performance? A bone to pick? Reach the Texas editor at andy@scorebooklive.com.
TOP STARS FROM TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL BI-DISTRICT PLAYOFFS
Cameron Anderson, sr., Blanco
Anderson rushed the ball 12 times for 141 yards and three scores to help lead the Panthers to a 47-0 opening round win over Lytle.
Jeter Battles, sr., Reagan
Battles had a standout performance last week, hauling in eight catches for 148 yards and four touchdowns.
McCoy Bruce, sr., Boerne
The senior defensive back wreaked havoc all over the field for the Taylor Ducks quarterback. Bruce added two interceptions to his season total, along with three pass deflections and three tackles.
Noah Booras, sr., Georgetown
The 2024 dual threat quarterback fought to the very end in the Eagles' attempt at a come from a behind victory passing for three touchdowns in the air.
Andrew Buck, sr., Cibolo-Steele
The senior outside linebacker led the Knights on the defensive side with nine tackles and three tackles for a loss.
Ben Carter, sr., Liberty Hill
Carter propelled the Panthers to a first round win racking up 152 rushing yards and three scores.
Jalen Cooper, jr., Cibolo-Steele
The Knights' deep threat target continued his stellar junior season, hauling in six catches for 142 yards with one touchdown.
Braydon Doane, so., Lake Travis
The sophomore place kicker connected on two field goals in last week's opening round playoff win — the second a 34 yard game winning field goal to upset Austin-Vandegrift.
Collin Ernest, sr., Alamo Heights
The senior dual threat quarterback and the Mules continued their winning ways as he led had 273 total yards with five total touchdowns (four rushing, one passing).
Hutson Hendrix, jr., Boerne
The two-way standout was all over the place in the Greyhounds' opening round win. Hendrix rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns while racking up 11 tackles and three tackles for loss on defense.
Lorenn 'Bubba' Johnson, jr., San Antonio Johnson
The 2025 running back hauled in the go-ahead, game winning touchdown reception to put his Jaguars into the area round this week. Johnson finished with 182 total yards and three scores (two rushing, one receiving).
Ty Hawkins, jr., San Antonio Johnson
The junior TCU commit continued to show why he is one of the most exciting players in the central region. Hawkins, threw for 191 yards on 62 percent passing with one touchdown and added 81 yards rushing with two scores.
Brad Jackson, sr., Reagan
The 2024 three-star quarterback led his Rattlers to an opening round playoff win in impressive fashion. Jackson completed 78 percent of his passes for 266 yards in the air and tossed five touchdown passes.
Kadyn Leon, sr., Lake Travis
The senior was a difference-maker in Lake Travis' upset of previously unbeaten Vandegrift. Leon hauled in 12 catches for 175 yards with one touchdown.
James Peoples, sr., San Antonio Veterans Memorial
The 2024 Ohio State commit showed that he and the Patriots are a true threat in the region with their 56-0 bi-district victory. Peoples finished with 217 yards rushing on just 11 carries and three touchdowns and averaged nearly 20 yards a carry.
Jake South, sr., San Antonio Pieper
The dream season for the Warriors continues on into the area round this week after South's offensive performance last week as he threw for 240 yards and three scores.
-- Ryan Childers | ryanchilders0455@gmail.com | @sblivetx
Lead file photo by Blake Purcell
