First-Time TXHSFB Starters that Showed Out in Week 1

The athletes are listed in order from the largest classification to the smallest.

El Paso Eastlake QB Julian Williams

Williams, a junior, moved in to 6A El Paso Eastlake in the second week of July and won the starting quarterback job. In a 70-50 shootout over El Paso Bel Air, he showed the TXHSFB world how he secured the job in such a short time. Williams completed 8-of-14 passes for 343 yards and 5 touchdowns, all to different receivers. He also added a rushing touchdown.

Coach Ruben Rodriguez described Williams's 60-yard touchdown pass to Junior Trotman as "one of those slow-motion moments where the ball looks perfect coming out of his hands. You're looking at the rotations in the air, and it hits Junior in stride."

Williams's athleticism allows him to extend plays. But he runs to buy time and throw to Eastlake's talent at the skill positions, including Trotman, wide receiver Ethan Rivera and running back Zeke Herrera.

The debut provides momentum for a tough non-district slate that includes trips to Odessa Permian in Week Two and Liberty Hill in Week Three.

"We're a program that's trying to be amongst the elite in West Texas," Rodriguez said.

Austin Westlake RB Jarren Lopez

Lopez was called up to Varsity as a freshman last season for Austin Westlake's run to the state championship. But the now sophomore made his debut in Week One against Prosper as the running back, punt returner and kick returner. 

Lopez totaled 213 all-purpose yards, including 104 yards and a score on the ground, and earned Westlake Nation's Player of the Game honors. Not bad for a guy who couldn't legally drive until his birthday the following Sunday. Lopez will look for a belated birthday present against San Benito in Week Two.

Lake Travis QB Luke McBride

Lake Travis is a quarterback factory, but senior McBride's story is not a carbon copy. The lefty began his career on the Freshman B team. He was on the JV B team as a sophomore. As a junior, he threw for 22 touchdowns and zero interceptions as the JV A team starter. McBride starred on the baseball diamond, where he was named 2025 Lake Travis Pitcher of the Year, but bided his time for his first Varsity football action.

His first start against Arlington Martin showcased to the world all the work he'd put in behind the scenes. McBride completed 24-of-37 passes for 381 yards and 4 touchdowns in a convincing 48-21 win. 

Frisco Lone Star QB Trey Wright

Argyle had won 50 consecutive home games before Frisco Lone Star walked into Eagle Stadium with a sophomore quarterback named Trey Wright. The first-time starter completed 17-of-27 passes for 301 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also led Lone Star with 15 carries for 140 yards. 

Frisco Heritage LB Ruben Egharevba 

Egharevba, a senior linebacker, was a defensive force for Frisco Heritage in their Week One 49-27 win over Greenville. He racked up 10 total tackles, three quarterback hurries and two sacks in his Varsity debut. Coach John Fish describes Egharevba as a positive force for the program who wants to be great. 

San Antonio Jay RB Brennan Oliver

Oliver is only a sophomore, but after Week One, he'll play a big part in Jay's push for a school-record third consecutive playoff appearance. Oliver totaled 193 all-purpose yards, including a 49-yard touchdown run and a 91-yard kickoff return, in a 28-14 win over San Antonio Holmes.

San Antonio Jay ATH Jayden Casiano

Casiano was Jay's second super sophomore that emerged in a 28-14 win over San Antonio Holmes. Casiano played 131 snaps as a wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner. He notched a receiving toucdown and a fumble recovery. 

Edinburg Vela LB Caidyn Hoover

In his first Varsity game, junior safety Hoover broke the Edinburg Vela stadium record with five interceptions in a 38-2 rivalry win over Edinburg North. The all-around athlete plays quarterback, wide receiver and free safety. 

Rosenberg Terry RB Everett Gary 

Gary, a senior, ran wild in his first-ever start at running back with 20 carries for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Rosenberg Terry beat Houston Worthing 41-13.

Brenham RB Anthony Washington

Brenham had one of the biggest preseason question marks of any state championship contender after star running back Jakoby Dixon left the program in August. But sophomore Anthony Washington emerged as a possible solution in a 34-13 win over Huntsville. He totaled 149 rushing yards on 20 carries and added a touchdown catch. 

Midland Greenwood CB Andrick Rodriguez

In his first Varsity start, sophomore Rodriguez totaled seven tackles, a pass breakup and a 79-yard pick six in Greenwood's 42-21 win over Childress. The Greenwood coaches knew he'd be ready for the moment after watching him compete in track, basketball and baseball. He twice broke the school's 400m dash record as a freshman, which had stood for over two decades. 

Hamshire-Fannett QB Blake Broussard  

Broussard played like a seasoned veteran as a 15-year-old sophomore. The signal-caller earned Beaumont Enterprise's Game Ball after leading Hamshire-Fannett to a 37-13 win over Little Cypress-Mauriceville. Broussard finished with 165 passing yards and 168 rushing yards.

Sulphur Springs QB Deuce Timmons

Timmons earned District 7-4A DI Newcomer of the Year after rushing for 774 yards and 20 touchdowns at running back last year, but shone at quarterback in a 48-6 win over Mesquite Poteet. The junior completed a perfect 10-for-10 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns and added 131 yards and two scores on the ground. 

Dallas Life Oak Cliff WR Sukora Cooper Jr.

Cooper reeled in offers from Penn State, SMU and Baylor before his first Varsity game after running a verified 4.40 40-yard dash at a Rivals camp in eighth grade. The freshman lived up to the hype in his debut. He finished with six receptions for 191 yards and five touchdowns. Cooper and Life Oak Cliff sophomore quarterback Camren Phillips (3,012 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2024) looked like they had mid-season chemistry in their first time playing together because they have trained together since middle school.

Coach Welton Johnson says Cooper puts in more work than just about any kid he's seen. 

"He's been preparing for this moment since he was in seventh grade," Johnson said. "I knew he would be that type of kid, as a freshman, since then. He's always been special."

For Johnson, the only thing more impressive than Cooper scoring five touchdowns in his Varsity debut was how the freshman handled scoring five touchdowns in his Varsity debut, keeping a next-play mentality. The TXHSFB world might've been surprised by his output, but Cooper wasn't. 

Gunter QB Knox Gage

Gage had multiple pairs of massive shoes (Walker Overman, Preston Tarpley) to step into as a sophomore starter for the three-time defending state champions. It looked like a perfect fit after one week. Gage rushed for 223 yards and four touchdowns and completed 7-of-11 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown as Gunter beat defending SPC Champs Houston Kinkaid 49-45 on the road. 

Premont QB Jayden Chapa

Chapa was surgical in Premont's 50-6 win over Monte Alto. The sophomore completed 10-of-14 passes for 191 yards and 4 touchdowns and also added 50 yards and a score on the ground. He'll lead a team that returns 15 starters and seeks its first playoff berth since 2021. 

Somerville QB Andrew Espinoza

Espinoza took the reins of a Somerville program coming off a historic 11–2 district championship season, and his first start has the Yeguas thinking about a repeat. The junior completed 21-of-32 passes for 311 yards and 4 total touchdowns. 

Colleyville Covenant Christian Academy QB Peyton Jankowski

Jankowski made the big play every time Colleyville Covenant Christian had to have it, scoring all five touchdowns in a 40-34 win over Atlas. The senior completed 24-of-37 for 441 yards and five scores.