Meet the 2023 Amarillo Globe-News preseason football Super Team
It's time for the 2023 high school football season. With that in mind, the Amarillo Globe-News has put together its preseason Super Team, complete with an MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
Let's see who all made the list.
MVP: Armando Lujan, QB, Junior, Sunray
Lujan was one of the top passers in the country last season in terms of statistics. The 2022 AGN Player of the Year passed for 4,476 yards, 51 touchdowns and tossed nine interceptions, while adding 783 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns last season. His top two receivers and offensive line are back, so there's no reason to believe he won't be every bit as successful as last year.
Offensive Player of the Year: Camren Cavalier, QB, Senior, Canadian
Cavalier was special enough in the regular season, but the playoff run he had was simply absurd. After passing for 2,095 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in the regular season, he tossed another 1,000 yards, 12 touchdowns and no interceptions in four playoff games. He had 894 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns in the regular season, but ran for 643 yards and 12 scores in the playoffs. With his top target in Preston Miller coming back, expect more big things from the head coach's son.
Defensive Player of the Year: Charley Pitt, DT, Senior Bushland
There were several good candidates for this award, but doing what Pitt did at the interior defensive line position was enough to earn him the nod. He tallied 86 tackles, 13 for a loss, seven sacks and two blocked kicks as a defensive tackle. Other players may put up more gaudy numbers, but look for Pitt to be one of the premiere defenders in the Panhandle this season.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Dawson Jaco, Senior, Bushland
The 2022 AGN Super Team second team selection completed 64% of his passes for 3,360 yards, 41 touchdowns and threw seven interceptions, while running for seven more scores.
RB: Max Neff, Sophomore, Pampa
The 2022 AGN Newcomer of the Year led the Panhandle in rushing with 2,033 yards and 11 touchdowns.
RB: Jordi Hernandez, Junior, West Plains
The 2022 AGN Super Team second team selection finished with 1,476 yards and 18 touchdowns.
WR: Damian Barragan, Senior, Sunray
The 2022 AGN Super Team first team selection finished with 79 catches for 1,339 yards and 13 touchdowns.
WR: Braylen Norman, Senior, Palo Duro
Norman led the Panhandle in receiving for the regular season with 55 catches for 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns when he was at Highland Park. The 2022 AGN Super Team first team selection is now with the Dons.
WR: Preston Miller, Senior, Canadian
The 2022 AGN Super Team second team selection finished with 69 catches for 1,319 yards and 15 touchdowns.
OL: Duke Blaser, Senior, West Plains
Graded out at 92% with 30 pancakes last year. Made the 2022 AGN Super Team as a second team selection.
OL: Luis Calderon, Senior, Sunray
Top offensive linemen for one of the top passing attacks in the country, per MaxPreps, and was a 2022 AGN Super Team second team selection.
OL: Gatlin Green, Junior, Vega
Graded out at 92% last year in five games.
OL: Tucker Bruce, Senior, Pampa
Lead center for the top rusher in the Panhandle.
OL: Colton Flores, Senior, Amarillo High
All-District performer in 2022.
FLEX: Corey Stancell, Senior, Farwell
The 2022 AGN Super Team selection led the Panhandle in rushing two years ago, had 1,600 yards and 22 touchdowns last year while tying for the Panhandle lead in interceptions with seven.
K: Emiliano Hernandez, Senior, Canadian
One of the top kickers over the past two seasons in the area.
More: Staying healthy will be key for Valley football during 2023 season
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Dawson Hall, Senior, West Plains
The 2022 AGN Super Team first team selection with 90 tackles, 15 for a loss, 17 hurries, two sacks and three forced fumbles. Dave Campbell's All-State selection as an offensive linemen.
DL: Nathan Wagner, Senior, Canadian
Recorded 107 tackles last year, 29 for a loss, 10 sacks and a forced fumble.
DL: Jay Sully, Senior, Boys Ranch
Finished last season with 94 tackles, 16 for a loss, en route to an all-District selection and 2022 AGN Super Team honorable mention.
LB: Bensin Martinez, Senior, Pampa
A legitimate contender for preseason DPOY, the 2022 AGN Super Team selection had 128 tackles, 26 for a loss, and seven sacks last year.
LB: Ethan Nevarez, Senior, Wellington
The 2022 AGN Super Team honorable mention recorded 135 tackles, 16 for a loss, four sacks and two interceptions.
LB: Brayson Choate, Senior, Panhandle
The 2022 AGN Super Team honorable mention notched 117 tackles and three forced fumbles.
LB: Austin Rider, Senior, Bushland
The 2022 AGN Super Team honorable mention. Recorded 77 tackles, 11 for a loss, seven sacks and forced three fumbles.
DB: Rylan Leathers, Senior, Amarillo High
Led the Sandies with 94 tackles, three interceptions and three pass deflections on the way to earning a 2022 AGN Super Team first team selection.
DB: Nixon Folk, Senior, Wellington
The 2022 AGN Super Team selection had 68 tackles, 11 pass deflections and seven interceptions.
DB: Pratt McClain, Senior, Gruver
Recorded 109 tackles with nine pass breakups en route to being a 2022 AGN Super Team selection.
DB: Imanol Marquez, Junior, Dumas
District 3-4A Newcomer of the Year had 40 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions.
ATH: Bryce Braden, Junior, Stratford
As a linebacker, had 102 tackles and three sacks. At quarterback, threw 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions and tossed for 1,364 yards in just 103 attempts. Ran for 960 yards and 15 scores. Was a 2022 AGN Super Team honorable mention.
P: Pius Vokes, Senior, Amarillo High
Holds offers from Dartmouth and Yale.
More: 2023 Amarillo Globe News High School Football Previews
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Brady Thompson, Senior, Highland Park
The 2022 AGN Super Team honorable mention threw for 2,798 yards and 32 touchdowns while rushing for another four.
RB: Treshun Wilson, Senior, Tascosa
Ran for 1,038 yards and 11 touchdowns and was honorable mention on the 2022 AGN Super Team.
RB: Sam Johnson, Senior, Canyon
Ran for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns en route to 2022 AGN Super Team honorable mention.
RB: Jose Silerio, Senior, Vega
Finished 2022 with 1,000 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.
WR: Kagan Davis, Junior, Sunray
The 2022 AGN honorable mention caught 81 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns.
WR: T.J. Tillman, Junior, Tasocsa
The 2022 AGN honorable mention made 13 catches for 317 yards and four touchdowns in a Flexbone offense. Could be one of the top Panhandle recruit in class of 2025.
OL: Alex Kilgore, Senior, Canyon
Best returning blocker on what was one of the best offenses in the Panhandle last year.
OL: Jose Luevano, Senior, Tulia
Graded out at 91% with 24 pancakes last year.
OL: Sammy Santos, Senior, Palo Duro
Second team All-District selection last year.
OL: Miles Matthews, Senior, Spearman
First team All-District performer last season.
OL: Cole Blasingame, Senior, Vega
Graded out at 92% up front last season.
FLEX: Sebastian Kirven, Senior, Muleshoe
Ran for 738 yards, caught 16 passes for 258 yards and combined for a total of 1,738 yards of total offense including QB numbers.
K: Joseph Estrada, Senior, West Plains
Made five-of-seven field goals and 48 out of 50 extra points last season.
More: Here's how Gruver football plans for a district title run under new coach Kurt Haberthur
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Ramon Rodriguez, Senior, Wellington
Had 67 tackles, 19 for a loss, and eight sacks last season.
DL: Noel Orozco, Senior, Sunray
The 2022 AGN Honorable mention finished with eight sacks.
DL: Eddy M'Pela, Senior, Amarillo High
The 2022 AGN Super Team honorable mention, who played linebacker last season, will move to defensive end this year.
LB: Johnny Marquez, Senior, Olton
Led the Panhandle in tackles with 169, including 12 for a loss.
LB: Cassen Bice, Senior, Canyon
Recorded 111 tackles last year with 13 for a loss and three sacks.
LB: Quentin Elam, Senior, West Plains
Recorded 93 tackles, 17 for a loss, three sacks and one forced fumble.
DB: Ramzee Martinez, Senior, Muleshoe
Hauled in five interceptions last season.
DB: Brody Tupin, Junior, West Plains
Finished last year with 42 tackles and three interceptions.
DB: Dakota Marshall, Senior, Wellington
Recorded five interceptions, six pass breakups and 37 tackles despite tearing his ACL midway through the year.
DB: Johnny Gonzalez, Senior, Friona
Lockdown corner had 19 tackles and an interception last season.
ATH: Bryce Lynn, Senior, Pampa
Tallied 19 catches for 296 yards and four touchdowns on offense. Had 10 pass deflections and three interceptions on defense.
P: Lleyton Brown, Senior, Caprock
Starting quarterback and point guard for the basketball team as well.
HONORABLE MENTION
RB Dylan Ray, Randall
Util JQ Ervin, Amarillo High
DB Darion Cash, Canyon
TE Tripp Wright, Canyon
DL Caden Tucker, Canyon
DL Easton Fausto, Bushland
RB Lyric Smith, Clarendon
LB Cooper Smith, Pampa
QB Carson Seaman, Friona
LB Abram Rocha, Friona
RB Luke Flowers, Canadian
LB Quentin Elam, West Plains
QB Reid Macon, West Plains
RB Avery Adame, Borger
LB Scout Smith, Childress
RB Darion Mathis, Childress
LB Ali Hopson, Palo Duro
QB Kyler Read, Dalhart
LB Alex Penton, Dalhart
RB Daniel Sianez, Muleshoe
LB Noah Cantu, Muleshoe
QB Julian Cervantes, Perryton
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Meet the 2023 Amarillo Globe-News preseason football Super Team
