It starts with the annual Taco Shack Bowl, matching old rivals Anderson and McCallum, and is followed by four months that will bring us the best of high school football in the Austin area. Westlake, Lake Travis, Weiss and Wimberley are expected to retain their status as elite teams. But which players will step up? The American-Statesman offers a glimpse of the ones who are expected to make a difference in 2024.
Players are listed alphabetically:
Braeton Anderson, sr., Hutto wide receiver: Expected to be the team’s biggest offensive threat after gaining 415 yards receiving and 220 on the ground in 2023.
Utah Anderson, sr., St. Michael’s defensive back: The TAPPS all-state strong safety finished with 115 tackles last season.
Trey Atchley, jr., Blanco running back/defensive back: Contributed 647 yards and four touchdowns last year and will run behind an experienced offensive line.
Diego Aviles, jr., Manor offensive/defensive lineman: On a team known for its physicality, he’ll be a force on both sides of the line.
Wyatt Barnes, sr., Bowie linebacker: One of the leaders of the Bulldogs’ defense, he registered 62 tackles and three sacks last year.
Jaydus Bell, sr., Connally defensive lineman: One of the area’s top linemen returns after contributing 80 tackles and six sacks last season.
Ty Blair, sr., East View quarterback: The Patriots’ offense will be in good hands with Blair, who passed for 2,411 yards and 24 TDs as a junior.
Romelo Boykin, sr., Hendrickson running back/defensive back: Provides experience and leadership for a young team trying to improve after a 3-7 season.
Jack Braddock, sr., Hyde Park wide receiver: Had 495 receiving yards and four TDs for the TAPPS playoff team last year.
Cam Brooks, sr., Lake Travis defensive back: An All-Central Texas second-team safety, Brooks had 66 tackles and three interceptions and broke up three passes.
Jax Brown, sr., Weiss quarterback: One of the state’s top returning passers, he finished with 3,014 yards and 33 TDs in 11 games; the Wolves were 9-2.
Johnny Buhendwa, sr., Manor wide receiver: Had 254 receiving yards last year and will be counted on heavily as the Mustangs return only four offensive starters.
Gary Cantu, jr., Luling quarterback/defensive lineman: Making his starting debut after splitting time in nine games last season.
Jamarion Carter, sr., Akins offensive lineman: One of the Austin area’s top offensive linemen, he didn’t allow a sack last year.
Keilan Chavies, jr., Hutto running back: The Hippos’ workhorse rushed for 520 yards, had 634 receiving yards and scored 12 TDs as a sophomore.
Jackson Clowdus, sr., Elgin linebacker: The anchor of the Wildcats’ defense had 67 tackles last year.
Jonah Collis, sr., Cedar Ridge edge rusher: The Raiders’ defensive leader contributed 42 tackles and four sacks last fall.
Kaden Cook, sr., Stony Point defensive back: The Cal pledge was a unanimous All-District 25-6A cornerback and sets the tone for the Tigers’ defense.
Reagan Cooper, sr., Bowie linebacker: One of the area’s best returning linebackers had 80 tackles and three sacks last season.
Gus Cordova, sr., Lake Travis edge rusher: The USC pledge had 57 tackles and four sacks his junior year.
Caius Coy, sr., Westwood defensive lineman: One of seven returning starters on defense, Coy contributed 57 tackles and four sacks.
Caleb Crenshaw, jr., LBJ running back: As a sophomore, the Jaguars’ workhorse rushed for 1,205 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.
Jordan Davis, sr., Travis quarterback: The Rebels’ dual threat combined for 1,642 yards and 25 TDs for a team that reached the playoffs.
Trip Davis, jr., Smithville quarterback/defensive back: After gaining valuable experience as a passer and runner in his sophomore year, Davis returns to the lead the offense.
Caleb Dickey, sr., Crockett defensive lineman: Finished his junior year with 146 tackles, 39 behind the line of scrimmage, and three sacks for a playoff team.
Chaston Ditta, sr., Lake Travis quarterback: The recent East Carolina pledge leads the Cavaliers’ offense after passing for 1,285 yards and 17 TDs.
Armando DonJuan, soph., Glenn place-kicker: One of the state’s best kickers. He was 12-for-13 on field-goal attempts last year and made all 30 of his extra-point kicks.
DJ Dugar, sr., Glenn running back: Earned all-district honors as a junior after rushing for 1,510 yards, averaging 7.6 yards per carry.
Luke Dunham, sr., McCallum quarterback: The leader of the Knights’ offense had 2,651 total yards from scrimmage and 32 touchdowns last year.
Maddox Flynt, jr., Westlake defensive lineman: The anchor of the Chaparrals’ line earned All-Central Texas honors after posting 47 tackles for a team that went 14-1.
Austin American-Statesman
