All-North Texas high school football teams, awards: Caden Durham is MVP
The 2023 Texas high school football season is in the books, and after a fall filled with breakout performances and historic runs, SBLive is taking a look at the best of the best out of North Texas.
We're going region-by-region to honor the most impactful players on the stage in one of the nation's top high school football regions pound-for-pound, with our individual postseason awards, then first team, season team and honorable mention.
We started with all-East Texas, all-West Texas and all-South Texas teams and awards. Who made the cut in North Texas? Dive into the top individual performers across the region this fall.
The all-North Texas team was compiled by correspondent Cody Thorn.
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ALL-NORTH TEXAS AWARDS
MVP
Caden Durham, Duncanville, running back, sr.
Duncanville's Caden Durham caps a decorated high school career with dominant state title performance.
Photo by Tommy Hays
The No. 8 ranked running back in the country, he is headed to LSU next year after a banner career at Duncanville. The Panthers won another Class 6A Division I title his year and Durham finished No. 3 in the DFW area among all classes with 2,027 yards and finished with 35 touchdowns.
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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Darius ‘DJ’ Bailey, DeSoto, quarterback, sr.
Photo by Tommy Hays
The Eagles offense had weapons all over the field and Bailey was the one that made that offense churn out more than 8,000 yards this fall. He threw for 3,366 yards and 44 touchdowns with only two interceptions and ran for 5 touchdowns for the Class 6A Division II champs.
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DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Colin Simmons, OLB/DE, Duncanville, sr.
Photo by Tommy Hays
Call it a Duncanville sweep. A five-star recruit, Simmons was one of the best edge rushers in the state and the No. 3 prospect in the state in the 2024 class. He was the MVP of the Class 6A Division I title game. He had 18 TFL, 7 sacks, 29 quarterback hurries and broke up two passes.
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FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Ethan Feaster, WR, DeSoto
Ethan Feaster races to a touchdown during DeSoto's non-district win over South Oak Cliff in September.
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
He has the speed and size (6-foot-2) that colleges covet and already had 33 offers. He had 32 catches for 634 yards and 9 touchdowns this year.
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NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Ziondre Williams, Anna, quarterback, so.
Ziondre Williams powers Anna to a momentous first UIL state title in a stunning shutout of Chapel Hill at AT&T Stadium.
Photo by Michael Horbovetz
The first-year starter guided the Coyotes to a state championship. He threw for 2,930 yards, 39 touchdowns and added another 844 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground.
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COACH OF THE YEAR
Claude Mathis, DeSoto
DeSoto coach Claude Mathis talks to his team after a 2023 Class 6A Division II state semifinal win over Southlake Carroll at Allen ISD.
Photo by Michael Horbovetz
The Eagles capped off a perfect season — 15-0 — by winning the Class 6A Division II finals for the second year in a row. In the process, DeSoto set a state record for most points school in the championship game and finished ranked No. 2 in the country (SBLive/SI Power 25).
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ALL-REGION TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
Photo by Cody Thorn
OFFENSE
QB — Michael Hawkins, Frisco Emerson, sr.
The Oklahoma signee put up big numbers across the board. He threw for 3,039 yards and 41 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He added 1,174 yards rushing the ball and his 14 touchdowns were second among ball-carriers for the Mavericks.
RB — Ray Guillory, Aledo, so.
In his first year at Aledo, after playing for Mansfield Lake Ridge in 2022, Guillory was a standout back for the Class 5A Division I champions. He ran for 1,236 yards and 17 touchdowns and even missed five games — including the title game.
RB —Taylor Tatum, Longview, sr.
He was ranked as the top running back in the state of Texas by 247Sports. The Oklahoma signee ran for 1,463 yards and 20 touchdowns for the Lobos. An injury kept him out of a three-point loss against Lancaster in round three.
RB — Deonte Dean, Lake Highland, sr.
The uncommitted recruit was a workhorse this fall for the Wildcats. He had 287 carries for 2,347 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. His yards were the most in not only 6A but across the DFW metroplex.
WR — Dakorien Moore, Duncanville, jr.
The 6-foot receiver is the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the 2025 class. The LSU pledge had 61 catches for 1,243 yards and 14 touchdowns. He had five games with 100 yards or more receiving and four multi-touchdown contests.
WR —Daylan McCutcheon, Lucas Lovejoy, jr.
He has more than 25 offers to play at the next level and even picked up an offer from USC this month. He was the top target for Hondo Franklin, grabbing 92 passes for 1,423 yards and 19 touchdowns.
WR — Bryant Wesco, Midlothian, sr.
The No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the country, he had 36 catches for 619 yards and 13 touchdowns before an injury ended his season after 7 games. He signed with Clemson.
TE — Karson Maynard, Melissa, sr.
The 6-foot-4 receiver had the size of a tight end and the speed of a wide receiver. He had 56 catches for 991 yards and 20 touchdowns, including a bobbling catch and score against Dallas South Oak Cliff in the playoffs.
OL — Daniel Cruz, North Richland Hills Richland, sr.
The center for the Royals, he was part of an offensive line that rolled up more than 5,600 yards of total offense. The Texas signee was ranked No. 9 nationally as an interior offensive lineman.
OL — Byron Washington, DeSoto, jr.
If you haven’t seen the photo of the guard blocking a Summer Creek defender you are missing out on how massive he is. They say a photo is worth 1,000 words, so my work here is done.
OL — Ellis Davis, Prosper, sr.
The Texas Tech signee is 6-foot-7 and 275 pounds. The Red Raiders are getting the No. 15-ranked tackle in the country and a top-40 recruit in the state this year.
OL — Max Anderson, Frisco Reedy, sr.
He was ranked as the 40th recruit in the state by 247Sports. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound guard had more than 20 offers. He will head to the SEC, signing with Tennessee — bypassing a chance to play with his brother, Nate, at Oklahoma.
DEFENSE
DL— Nigel Smith II, Melissa, sr.
A four-star recruit, he announced his intention to play at Oklahoma on a Jumbotron at the Cardinals' new football stadium this year. The 6-foot-5 lineman was a force up front this fall for Melissa, a team ranked No. 1 throughout most of the season.
DL — Keylan Abram, DeSoto, jr.
He was a force up front for the state champions. He racked up 87 tackles, 21 TFL and 21 1/2 sacks. The edge rusher has committed to Purdue.
DL — Alex January, Duncanville, sr.
The three-star recruit was another standout on the line with Colin Simmons. Another Texas signee, January had 45 tackles, 7 TFL and 4 sacks.
LB — Brandon Jones, Dallas South Oak Cliff, sr.
The only returning starter from a state championship defense last year, he was still a monster in the middle for the Golden Bears. The Louisaiana-Monroe pledge had 82 tackles, 14 TFL and 5 sacks.
LB — Cooper Massey, Brock, sr.
A first-team Class 3A all-state pick last year, he finished with 238 tackles, 40 TFL and 5 sacks for the Eagles.
LB — Davhon Keys, Aledo, sr.
A four-star recruit who is headed to LSU, he won three titles at Aledo. He had 169 tackles with 23 1/2 TFL, 5 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries.
LB — CJ Miller, Anna, sr.
The defensive MVP of the Class 4A Division I finals, he was also the District 8-4A defensive MVP. The Lamar signee had 204 tackles, 23 TFL and 8 sacks.
DB — Xavier Filsaime, McKinney, sr.
The No. 2-ranked safety in the country, he was a late flip to Texas. He had 64 tackles, 2 interceptions, 6 pass breakups and 2 forced fumbles.
DB — Eli Bowen, Denton Guyer, sr.
The three-star recruit is headed to Oklahoma to play with his brother Peyton, a four-star recruit who was a freshman this year in Norman. A three-year starter at safety, he had six pass breakups and three interceptions this fall.
DB — Jaden Allen, Aledo, sr.
The four-year starter for the Bearcats, he won three state titles in high school. The Arkansas signee had two interceptions, two pass breakups and blocked a punt for the Class 5A Division I champs.
DB — Corian Gipson, Lancaster, sr.
The four-star prospect had 40 offers before signing with Clemson. He had two interceptions and 16 pass breakups as a senior for the Tigers.
ATH — Hawk Patrick-Daniels, Aledo, sr.
He filled in at running back late in the season and after playing slot receiver most of the season. He ran for 186 yards and 3 scores in the finals, finishing with more than 1,000 yards rushing and 393 yards receiving. The one-time Incarnate Word pledge is headed to Tyler Junior College next year.
ATH — Hauss Hejny, Aledo, sr.
He was the second-leading rusher for the Bearcats, tallying 1,041 yards and 13 touchdowns — rushing for more than 100 yards in five games. Passing the ball, the TCU signee threw for 2,773 yards and 27 touchdowns but usually played only one half in most games.
K — Kyle Lemmerman, Southlake Carroll, sr.
He was almost automatic this year for the Dragons when kicking. The TCU signee made 8 field goals and booted a 50-yarder in a Class 6A Division I semifinals.
P — Greyson Steele, Justin Northwest, sr.
A kicker/punter combination, Steele averaged 39.8 yards per punt this year. He had a long of 56 yards and pinned eight of his punts inside the 20-yard line.
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SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
QB — Sawyer Anderson, Dallas Parish Episcopal, sr. (212 for 320 passing, 3,459 yards, 40 touchdowns) (Purdue signee)
RB — Nate Palmer, Decatur, sr. (280 carries, 2,040 yards, 25 touchdowns) (TCU signee)
RB — Kewan Lacy, Lancaster, sr. (223 carries, 1,513 yards, 19 touchdowns) (Missouri signee)
RB — Javian Osborne, Forney, so. (290 carries, 2,231 yards, 39 touchdowns)
WR — Kaliq Lockett, Sasche, jr. (59 catches, 1,299 yards, 13 touchdowns)
WR — Alijah Cason, Dallas First Baptist, sr. (81 catches, 1,752 yards, 35 touchdowns) (Holy Cross signee)
WR — Daylon Singleton, DeSoto, jr. (55 catches, 1,210 yards, 17 touchdowns)
TE — Trey Jackson, Dallas South Oak Cliff, sr. (21 catches, 469 yards, 9 touchdowns) (Texas Tech signee)
OL — Hayden Gunter, Denton, sr. (Team ran for 2,066 yards) (Stanford signee)
OL — Makai Saina, Arlington Martin, sr. (Team averaged 8.2 yards per carry, 2,344 yard rushing) (USC signee)
OL — Harrison Moore, Southlake Carroll, sr. (Team ran for 3,877 yards, passed for 3,395 yards) (Georgia Tech signee)
OL — Tyler Mercer, Prosper, sr. (Team ran for 2,557 yards, passed for 1,602 yards) (North Texas signee)
DL — Armstrong Nnodim, Mesquite Horn, sr. (66 tackles, 34 TFL, 13 sacks, 15 QB hurries) (Oklahoma State signee)
DL — Cheta Offili, Sachse, sr. (53 tackles, 11 TFL, 6 sacks, 27 QB hurries) (Texas Tech signee)
DL — Caleb Mitchell-Irving Dallas Parish Episcopal, sr. (52 tackles, 10 TFL, 5 sacks, 14 QB hurries) (Purdue signee)
DL — Zina Umeozulu, Allen, sr. (64 tackles, 4 sacks, 14 QB hurries) (Texas signee)
LB — Cam Harris, Brock, sr. (118 tackles, 22 TFL, 10 sacks, 36 QB hurries) (Houston baseball signee)
LB — Hudson Butchee, Stephenville, so. (166 tackles, 12 TFL, 3 1/2 sacks, 15 QB hurries)
LB — Brandon Booker, DeSoto, sr. (117 tackles, 16 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions) (SMU signee)
LB — Payton Pierce, Lucas Lovejoy, sr. (181 tackles, 40 TFL, 8 sacks, 2 blocked kicks) (Ohio State signee)
DB — Ivy Kelley, Wichita Falls, sr. (151 tackles, 9 TFL, 3 interceptions, 10 pass breakups)
DB — Reed Patterson, Collinsville, sr. (130 tackles, 5 TFL, 9 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles)
DB — Aaron Flowers, Prosper, sr. (73 tackles, 3 TFL, 7 interceptions, 4 pass breakups) (Oregon signee)
DB — Juan Aguilar, Dallas Kimball, jr. (59 tackles, 9 interceptions, 171 return yards)
ATH — Logan Jenkins, Collinsville, sr. (378 of 538 passing, 5,060 yards, 67 touchdowns, 458 yards rushing, 8 touchdowns)
ATH — Chris Jimerson, North Crowley (169 for 306 passing, 3,031 yards, 40 touchdowns, 1,089 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns)
K — Roman Hernandez, Fort Worth Chisholm Trail, jr. (7 for 8 FG, 39 for 39 PAT, long of 48 yards)
P — Roberto Alvarez, Grand Prairie, jr. (36 punts, 1,422 yards, 39.5 yards per punt, long of 58 yards)
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HONORABLE MENTION
QB — Hunter McCoy, Dallas First Baptist, jr.
QB — Luke Carney Dallas Christian, jr.
QB — Alexander ‘Hondo’ Franklin, Lucas Lovejoy, sr.
QB — Keelon Russell, Duncanville, jr.
QB — Graham Knowles, Southlake Carroll, sr.
QB — Brennan Myer, Frisco Wakeland, sr,
RB — Chase Bingmon, Terrell, sr.
RB — Ashton Searl, North Crowley, sr.
RB — Michael Turner, North Richland Hills Richland, jr.,
RB — Landon Thigpen, Godley, sr.
RB — Deondrae Riden, DeSoto, jr.
RB — Danny Green Jr, Dallas South Oak Cliff, sr.
RB — Khalil Ewell, Dallas South Oak Cliff, sr.
RB — Davis Penn, Southlake Carroll, so.
WR — Demetrius Troupe, Dallas W.T. White, sr.
WR — Brady Janusek, Argyle Liberty Christian, jr.
WR — Brayden Robinson, Red Oak, so.
WR — Triston Gooch, Rockwall, jr.
WR — Landon Farco, Trophy Club Byron Nelson, sr.
WR — Stetson Sarratt, Midlothian Heritage, sr.
WR — Gracen Harris, Ennis, jr.
ATH — Major McBride, Pottsboro, sr.
DE — Chima Chineke Plano East, sr.
DE — Tristan Johnson, Hurst LD Bell, sr.
LB — CJ Witten, Argyle Liberty Christian, jr.
LB — Zach Smith, Red Oak, sr.
LB — Amari’a Wiley, Coppell, sr.
LB — Brenden Gutpil Glen Rose, sr.
LB — Grayson Womacher, Dallas Jesuit, sr.
LB — Mehki Williams, Red Oak, sr.
LB — Agape Lawrence, Frisco Emerson, jr.
DB — Tony Louis-Nkuba, Lewisville, sr.
DB — David Kabongo, Trophy Club Byron Nelson, sr.
DB — Willie Nelson, Longview, sr.
DB — Landyn Cleveland, Mansfield Legacy, sr.
DB — Kenyan Kelly, Denison, sr.
DB — Ka’Davion Dotson, Duncanville, sr.
DB — Chris Johnson Jr., Aledo, sr.
DB — Mario Buford, DeSoto, sr.
DB — Zadian Gentry, McKinney, jr.
-- Cody Thorn | @sblivetx
