PLANO, TEXAS, October 22nd, 2025 - Ford is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the prestigious Built Ford Tough Player of the Week and Year Awards, one of the most celebrated honors in Texas high school sports that recognizes student-athletes for their performance, leadership, and commitment to excellence. During each week of the 2025 regular season, fans, coaches, and media are asked to nominate players at FordPlayeroftheWeek.com.

To mark the milestone, Ford is partnering with Texas’ most iconic media brand, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, to honor past recipients and showcase their achievements both on and off the field. Throughout the season, Dave Campbell’s will produce the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week Show each Thursday at 10:30 p.m. on Texan Live and across Dave Campbell’s social platforms, inviting fans to tune in weekly and follow along for highlights, stories, and exclusive content.

The campaign will also be celebrated through Dave Campbell’s statewide media channels and UIL postseason broadcasts, with special recognition leading into the Built Ford Tough Player of the Year Banquet in January. At the banquet, one honoree from each classification, will be recognized with the Dave Campbell’s Mr. Texas Football Award, an honor that celebrates the state’s most outstanding high school football player as part of this season-long celebration.

This week’s winning athletes join a long list of remarkable players recognized for their exceptional efforts.  

Class 6A: Parker Almanza, Senior, QB, Byron Nelson High School

Mascot: Bobcats

Opponent: Eaton High School

Senior quarterback Parker Almanza of Byron Nelson High School exemplifies leadership, selflessness, and versatility. Committed to play tight end at Baylor University, Parker made the selfless decision to switch to quarterback for his senior year — simply because that’s what his team needed. He has embraced the role wholeheartedly, earning the respect of his teammates, who unanimously selected him as team captain. On the field, Parker delivered impressive results in a 48-26 victory over Eaton High School racking up 416 all-purpose yards and 7 total touchdowns. His passing stats include 359 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 28 completions on 43 attempts with just one interception. He also added 57 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Almanza is a true team first athlete, stepping up wherever he's needed most.

“Parker has sacrificed so much for our team, moving from his natural position to QB without thinking twice. He has improved so much each game because of hard work and commitment to his teammates and community. I couldn't be prouder of how he performed last week and how he led others with showing how perseverance will pay off.”

• BYRON NELSON HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH ZACHARY WOODWARD

Class 5A: Jake Fette, Senior, QB, Del Valle High School

Mascot: Conquistadores

Opponent: Horizon High School

Del Valle senior quarterback Jake Fette turned in another surgical performance on Friday night. In a 52-22 win over Horizon, Fette completed 20 of his 32 passes on the night for 326 yards and four touchdowns. He also called his own number to the tune of another 32 yards on the ground. The Arizona State commit has thrown for over 1900 yards and 19 touchdowns this season, while adding another 634 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Fette, one of the top quarterback prospects in the state, will join the ASU football program in the spring, after racking up 16 Division I offers from programs like Auburn, Baylor, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, TCU and Texas Tech, just to name a few. He will go down as one of the best to ever play the position in El Paso.

"Jake Fette is an outstanding student athlete for us here at Del Valle High School. He has earned numerous prestigious awards, including several academic honors, yet he continues to remain humble and grounded. Jake has delivered exceptional performances game-after-game, always giving his all on the field. His work ethic extends beyond the field, as he continues to push himself in the classroom, the weight room, and in the film room. Jake has truly made our school and community proud."

• DEL VALLE HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH RUDY CONTRERAS

Class 4A: Jaxxon Marie, Senior, QB, Cuero High School

Mascot: Gobblers

Opponent: Sinton High School

Cuero’s prospects looked bleak when No. 5 Sinton scored to take a 55-35 lead with 4:57 left in the fourth quarter of the District 15-4A, Division I game at Cuero’s Gobbler Stadium.

But the Gobblers didn’t panic and rallied for a 56-55 win that kept them in the hunt for the district championship.

The comeback was engineered by quarterback Jaxxon Marie, who completed 23 of 39 passes for 322 yards and seven touchdowns, and rushed 14 times for 100 yards and one touchdown.

Marie’s performance led to his selection as the Class 4A Built Ford Tough Player of the Week. Marie also won the award last year. Marie missed much of his junior season because of an injury but has come back strong as a senior.

“He’s done everything. He stepped right in and played like we thought he could play. He takes care of the football. One thing he does is his eyes always stay downfield. He can escape a rush and throw the ball downfield and find some playmakers. I imagine a teenager in that type of atmosphere with his heart racing and pumping, but he’s just a cool, calm collective kid and that’s kind of the way he plays. He plays emotionally, but he doesn’t act on his emotions. He’s always calm. As a quarterback, that’s how you’ve got to be.”

•  CUERO HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH JEROD FIKAC

Class 3A: Lamont Franklin, Senior, RB/DB, Goliad High School

Mascot: Tigers

Opponent: Orange Grove High School

Goliad knew who to turn to with the District 15-3A, Division I lead at stake. Lamont Franklin’s first three touches resulted in touchdowns, and the Tigers went on to a 40-17 road win over previously undefeated Orange Grove. Franklin had three rushes for 100 yards, a touchdown, caught two passes for 145 yards, and a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. 

The offense didn’t run a whole lot of plays (25) because every time Lamont touched the ball, he was scoring according to his coach. Franklin touched the ball six times, scored four touchdowns and compiled 339 all-purpose yards and was selected as the Class 3A Built Ford Tough Player of the Week.

“Lamont is a hard-working kid. He doesn’t say a whole lot. He’s very quiet and does everything you ask of him. Anytime he touches the football something positive or special is going to happen. The potential for him to score is always there.”

• GOLIAD HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH KEVIN SALAZAR

Class 2A: Cayde Winters, Senior, QB, West Texas High School

Mascot: Comanches

Opponent: Panhandle High School

Senior quarterback Cayde Winters of West Texas High School in Stinnett, Texas, delivered a legendary performance in a thrilling 50-49 victory over the #3-ranked Panhandle. Despite suffering a thumb injury in the second quarter — believed to be a stretched or partially torn ligament — Cayde showed incredible toughness and determination, refusing to come off the field. He carried the team on his back, literally and figuratively, rushing 41 times for 369 yards, scoring all 50 of West Texas’s points with 7 touchdowns and 4 two-point conversions. In a game marked by nine lead changes and two ties, Cayde’s relentless drive and leadership willed his team to victory. His performance was not only heroic but one of the most remarkable individual efforts in Texas high school football this season.

“Cayde is the leader of our football team. He is the ultimate team player. He is more interested in his teammates’ success than he is with his accomplishments. He is one of the most competitive players that I have coached. Cayde is the kind of player that elevates everyone else play because they want to play for him.”

• WEST TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH JEFF SMITH

Private School: George Anagnostis, Junior, RB/LB, First Baptist Academy

Mascot: Saints

Opponent: Holy Cross San Antonio

Junior running back and linebacker George Anagnostis was a force on both sides of the ball in First Baptist Academy’s commanding 34-7 win over San Antonio Holy Cross, the 2024 TAPPS Division III runner-up and the only team to defeat FBA last season. George delivered a dominant all-around performance, racking up 18 tackles (9 solo, 9 assisted) on defense while powering the offense with 137 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. He also added 50 receiving yards and a touchdown on three catches and even threw for 60 yards, completing 3 of 4 passes. A true multi-sport athlete who also excels in basketball and track, George balances his athletic excellence with academic achievement as a proud member of the National Honor Society. He has already drawn interest from several Ivy League programs, a testament to both his intellect and talent. George continues to prove he's one of the most versatile and impactful players in TAPPS football.

“George delivered an incredible all-around performance against San Antonio Holy Cross in a huge game. He did it all for us, scoring multiple touchdowns and contributing at five positions. He shined on defense, ran for over 100 yards, made big catches, and threw for key yards. He is a complete player and a dominant force on the field.”

• FIRST BAPTIST ACADEMY HEAD COACH JASON LOVVORN

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Ford F-Series: The best-selling truck for over 48 years 
Ford is the undisputed truck leader in Texas. Ford F-Series sets the standard for full-size pickups with leading payload, towing, interior roominess, strength, and reliability. Ford is proud to recognize the Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Players of the Week.  

About Ford Motor Company 

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 182,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Credit is available at corporate.ford.com. 

About Dave Campbell’s Texas Football

For over 65 years, the iconic Dave Campbell’s Texas Football media brand has been “The Bible” for millions of football fans across Texas. Its annual summer edition is essential reading for rabid football fans, previewing every high school and college team in the state. Known for its comprehensive coverage, TexasFootball.com offers extensive digital content, including team and recruit rankings, scores, exclusive interviews, podcasts, and daily shows. Additionally, Dave Campbell’s Texan Live streams over 1,900 live sporting events each year, bringing fans closer to the action.