Just like that, the regular season is over. Over half the Texas high school football programs are making preparations for 2024. But the few and the proud programs are ramping up for a six-week gauntlet to Jerry World. Here are the guys who captained thier teams through the first 10 weeks.

Savvy Signal Callers

Name: Noah Lugo | School: Haslet Eaton | Class: 2024 | Pos: QB | HT: 6'2" | WT: 180

The BYU commit nearly lead Eaton to a big upset over unbeaten Byron Nelson on Friday, Lugo took good care of the ball and wasn't asked to do much in the passing game. He did show off underrated ability with his legs topping 100 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. - Matt Stepp

Name: Chris Jimerson | School: North Crowley | Class: 2025 | Pos: ATH | HT: 5'10" | WT: 170

The TCU wide receiver commit is one of those players who makes you hold your breath when he has the ball. Playing quarterback at North Crowley, he is very dangerous as a runner, possessing the burst and shiftiness to duck and dodge defenders seamlessly. - Greg Powers

Name: Reggie Moody | School: Red Oak | Class: 2024 | Pos: QB | HT:  | WT: 

Statistically, Moody was perfect in Red Oak's district championship win over Midlothian on Thursday night, completing all 13 of his passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. He looked like he was playing playground football, easily scrambling away from linemen and making off-plaform throws. He unfortunately sustained a foot injury in the third quarter, and Red Oak's offense went into neutral without him. He's got offers from East Texas Baptist and Austin College. - Carter Yates

Offensive skill players that shined

Name: Kewan Lacy | School: Lancaster | Class: 2024 | Pos: RB | HT: 6'0" | WT: 205

The former Nebraska commit is having a remarkable senior season. Despite tweaking his ankle early in the contest, he returned to the field to lead Lancaster to a win, racking up 181 yards and a touchdown. Now that Lacy is back on the market, the four-star is looking at schools like SMU, Alabama, Ole Miss and more. - Greg Powers

Name: Daylan McCutcheon | School: Lovejoy | Class: 2025 | Pos: WR | HT: 6'0" | WT: 175

McCutcheon had seven catches for 110 yards and a touchdown as Lovejoy knocked off Melissa 28-7 on Thursday. He was consistently getting open against press-man coverage and was able to get behind the Melissa safeties a couple of times on deep shots. - Matt Stepp

Name: Antayvious Ellis | School: Crowley | Class: 2027 | Pos: WR | HT: 6'0" | WT: 170

Despite a couple of early miscues, it is easy to see why Ellis is considered one of the top prospects in the state in the 2027 cycle. He showed tremendous hands and concentration climbing the ladder to pull in a deep ball in double coverage, and his team already depends on him in big situations. He already has offers from TCU, Texas Tech and UTSA. - Greg Powers

Name: Emmanuel Choice | School: Lancaster | Class: 2025 | Pos: WR | HT: 6'4" | WT: 190

Choice is a massive outside receiver with a colossal catch-radius. His ability to high-point the ball gives him a set of weapons that makes him extremely valuable in red zone situations. In a narrow win over Lufkin, he made one of the game's biggest plays, climbing the ladder and scoring a touchdown on a jump ball in the corner of the end zone. He has offers from Houston, Nebraska, Oklahoma and more. - Greg Powers

Name: Krisean Preston | School: Lufkin | Class: 2025 | Pos: WR | HT: 6'1" | WT: 185

This young receiver had a gutsy performance, showing the ability to get open and make plays on the ball. Preston understands how to use his body to position himself to outmaneuver defensive backs. Preston is not reporting any D1 offers yet, but he is a prospect who will be on D1 radars. - Greg Powers

Name: Taz Williams Jr. | School: Red Oak | Class: 2025 | Pos: WR | HT: 6'0" | WT: 180

Williams Jr. can run any route on the tree. His cuts are explosive and his hands sure, just see his concentration catch below. He also shows high football IQ finding the open space as his QB Moody scrambles around the field. He has a whopping 44 offers right now spanning the entire country. - Carter Yates

Name: Brayden Robinson | School: Red Oak | Class: 2026 | Pos: WR | HT: 5'8" | WT: 160

Robinson forms a lethal combo as a slot receiver to Williams's outside. The four-star sophomore, son of Red Oak head coach Melvin Robinson, made his triumphant return Thursday night from a high-ankle sprain and showed off the blazing speed that's garned him 27 offers to date. He opened the game up with a critical third down grab and a touchdown reception. - Carter Yates

Name: Bryant Wesco | School: Midlothian | Class: 2024 | Pos: WR | HT: 6'2" | WT: 170

Midlothian completed 13 passes against Red Oak. Wesco caught ten of them. The Clemson commit was the security blanket all night as Midlothian started their backup quarterback. He never popped one for a score, but he displayed fundamental route running and never got tackled by the first guy. - Carter Yates 

The Big Boys Up Front

Name: John Turntine | School: North Crowley | Class: 2026 | Pos: OT | HT: 6'5" | WT: 275

A consistent and reliable offensive lineman who plays under control and is dependable as both a run and pass blocker. It's easy to see why he has eight early offers, including Baylor, Miami (FL), Oklahoma, TCU, Texas and Texas Tech. - Greg Powers

Name: Zion Williams | School: Lufkin | Class: 2025 | Pos: DT | HT: 6'4" | WT: 295

The four-star is already nationally rated and boasts offers from schools like TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, LSU, USC and more. He is an absolute rock in the middle of the Lufkin defensive front. He showcased his ability to dominate up front on a goalline play where he stuffed the running back for a loss. - Greg Powers

Name: Nigel Smith | School: Melissa | Class: 2024 | Pos: DT | HT: 6'5" | WT: 260

The Oklahoma commit led a strong effort from the defensive line Thursday. Smith set the edge well, and when asked to rush the passer he was dynamic. He also played smart, recognizing developing screen passes early and disrupting the timing. - Matt Stepp

Name: Alijah Lash | School: Haslet Eaton | Class: 2026 | Pos: DE | HT: 6'3" | WT: 220

The sophomore DE looked like he belonged Friday against a good Byron Nelson OL. Lash is a solid 6'3 220 as a sophomore and is extremely quick off the ball, he displayed multiple pass rush moves and tallied three sacks Friday. As he matures he'll add to his tool kit and will improve in a run support, keep an eye on this fast rising sophomore. - Matt Stepp

Defensive stalwarts

Name: DJ Jackson | School: Red Oak | Class: 2024 | Pos: LB | HT: 5'9" | WT: 200

Red Oak's defense is chock-full of Division I recruits, but the guy who most impressed me Thursday night was senior LB DJ Jackson. Jackson was in on almost every tackle with a relentless sideline-to-sideline motor. He snuffed out Midlothian's triple-option esque run game numerous times and played with infectious energy. His size will prevent a Division I offer, but Jackson's got what it takes to be a highly productive non-FBS ballplayer. - Carter Yates

Name: Ny'Tori Burnett | School: Midlothian | Class: 2024 | Pos: LB | HT: 6'0" | WT: 215

Greg Powers told me before I went to this game I'd love Burnett, and I wasn't disappointed. He looks like he was born to be a linebacker. He's got the old-school neck pad. He's working on run fits on the sidelines in between drives. He's the most intense member of Midlothian's defense. Oh, and he's a thumper when he gets to the ball carrier. - Carter Yates

Name: Gunnar Wilson | School: Melissa | Class: 2024 | Pos: LB | HT: 6'2" | WT: 210

Despite his team's loss on Thursday, Wilson played a great game for Melissa. The Oklahoma State commit looked athletic in space and undercut a route for a great interception in the second quarter. He moved well sideline to sideline and was a sure tackler in space. - Matt Stepp

Name: Payton Pierce | School: Lovejoy | Class: 2024 | Pos: LB | HT: 6'1" | WT: 225

Finally healthy, the Ohio State commit was a wrecking machine for the Lovejoy defense Thursday constantly being in the middle of disruptive plays. He was outstanding in blitz packages and he showed off great athleticism in coverage. He was clearly the best player on the field Thursday night. - Matt Stepp

Name: David Kabongo | School: Byron Nelson | Class: 2024 | Pos: DB | HT: 6'0" | WT: 175

The Oklahoma State commit didn't spend much time in coverage with Eaton throwing just ten passes, but Kabongo displayed a willingness to punish running backs in supporting the run and he was dangerous in the return game. Look for him to be in some short-yardage packages during the playoffs. - Matt Stepp

Name: Kam Robinson | School: Lancaster | Class: 2024 | Pos: ATH | HT: 6'0" | WT: 175

The Tulsa commit took over in the second half of this game, securing an interception and making several big plays on both sides of the football, including securing a game-changing block in a critical moment. After starring primarily as a wide receiver, Robinson moved to safety this season, and he has grown as a defensive enforcer. - Greg Powers