2024 All-Cover 1 Football Team (Six-Man)

Here's the 2024 All-Cover 1 Football Team, which recognizes the best six-man players in West Texas and the Concho Valley:

2024 All-Cover 1 Football Team

SIX-MAN

MVP — Brenner Sherwood, Robert Lee, Jr.

Sherwood put up spectacular numbers through the air and on the ground as the Steers’ spread back. He threw for 2,186 yards and 32 touchdowns with only one interception, while completing 64% of his passes. He also had 2,013 rushing yards and 41 TDs, averaging 11.4 yards per carry. He did all of that in 11 games and was named second-team all-state. On defense, he had 88 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two INTs and a fumble recovery. He led Robert Lee to a 7-4 season, which ended with the sixth-highest scoring football game in Texas history, a 116-110 loss to Westbrook in the first round of the playoffs.

Offensive MVP — Landon Lacy, Water Valley, Jr.

Lacy led Water Valley to its best playoff run in program history with an 11-3 record and a trip to the state semifinals. He threw for 1,803 yards and 41 touchdowns with three interceptions, completing 62% of his passes. He also had 91 carries for 792 rushing yards and 19 TDs. On defense, he was a first-team all-state safety, where he had 89 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, three INTs, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Defensive MVP — Boston Wiese, Water Valley, Jr.

Wiese, a first-team all-state linebacker, anchored Water Valley’s stout defense with 198 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, one sack, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three INTs. He was also a big contributor as a fullback with 79 carries for 599 rushing yards and 16 TDs, along with 24 catches for 346 yards and five TDs.

Newcomer of the Year — Cado Bannowsky, Menard, Jr.

Bannowsky helped lead Menard’s breakout season, which included a 9-2 record, a district title and the program’s first six-man playoff victory. He was honorable mention all-state and the Defensive MVP of District 15-1A Division I with 62 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. On offense, he had 52 pancake blocks, along with 10 catches for 187 yards and four TDs.

Coach of the Year — Aaron Whitmire, Water Valley

In the Wildcats’ first season back in six-man after a two-year layoff, Whitmire led Water Valley to its best season in program history. The Wildcats went 11-3 and won their first regional title with a 70-38 win over Westbrook. Their run came to an end in the state semifinals with a 74-54 loss to Whiteface.

The Team

OFFENSE

SB Merek Howell, Rochelle, Sr.

Howell was a dangerous offensive player with 1,192 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, along with 1,224 rushing yards and 16 TDs. He also added 36 tackles and three INTs as a safety, helping lead Rochelle to the playoffs.

RB Jayden Payton, Menard, Jr.

Payton powered Menard to the best season in its brief six-man history. He rushed for 1,750 yards and 26 TDs, averaging 11.8 yards per carry. He also threw five TD passes, had a TD catch and two kick returns for TDs. As a safety, he recorded 63 tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was honorable mention all-state and the MVP of District 15-1A Division I.

RB Cole Knight, Bronte, Sr.

Knight was one of the area's top running backs and put up impressive numbers for a 4-6 Bronte team. He piled up 1,552 rushing yards to lead the Longhorns’ offense.

RB Bryce Martin, Veribest, Jr.

Martin was a steady force for the Falcons’ offense. He rushed for 1,161 yards and 27 TDs, averaging 10.7 yards per carry. He also completed 68 of 95 passes for 757 yards and 16 TDs.

RB Brody Walts, Garden City, Soph.

Walts emerged as one of the area’s best young players. In 10 games, he had 818 rushing yards and 13 TDs, 19 catches for 355 yards and 10 TDs, and he completed 14 of 19 passes for 217 yards and four TDs. On defense, he had 92 tackles and three INTs, one of which was returned for a score.

RB Colton Lawdermilk, Irion County, Sr.

Lawdermilk shouldered the load for much of Irion County’s offense. He had 122 carries for 969 rushing yards and 13 TDs. He accounted for 1,168 yards of total offense.

RB Rennder Gardenhire, Blackwell, Soph.

Gardenhire had a breakout sophomore season for the Hornets, rushing for 900 yards and 19 TDs on 108 carries. He helped the team bounce back from an 0-5 start to win a district title and a playoff game.

WR Nate Samaniego, Robert Lee, Jr.

The 5-foot-6, 120-pound Samaniego played bigger than his size. He was a first-team all-state wide receiver with 34 catches for 727 yards and 16 TDs. He averaged 21.4 yards per catch.

WR Gunnar Brooks, Water Valley, Sr.

Brooks was one of the best offensive players in the area. He was named second-team all-state as a wide receiver with 39 catches for 682 yards and 14 TDs. He was a ballhawk on defense with nine interceptions, earning first-team all-region honors as a linebacker, where he also had 52 tackles, a safety and two defensive TDs.

TE Preston Dehlinger, Garden City, Sr.

Dehlinger returned after missing all of last season due to injury to earn first-team all-district honors. In addition to his strong blocking, he had 28 catches for 575 yards and 12 TDs.

OL Hayden Kolster, Water Valley, Jr.

The 6-foot-2, 165-pound Kolster earned first-team all-region honors as an offensive lineman, where he had eight catches for 99 yards and four TDs. He was also a first-team all-district nose guard with 67 tackles, one INT, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.

OL Cade Manley, Water Valley, Jr.

The 5-foot-8, 195-pound Manley was a second-team all-region center for the Wildcats’ high-powered offense. In addition to his blocking, he had seven catches for 89 yards and five TDs.

OL Tate Wagner, Menard, Jr.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Wagner was a second-team all-region center for the Yellowjackets. He delivered 41 pancake blocks. He also had 10 carries for 61 yards and two TDs, and five catches for 62 yards and a TD.

OL Aidan Ramon, Menard, Soph.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Ramon paved the way for Menard’s offense. He earned first-team all-district honors with 58 pancake blocks. He also had one TD catch.

OL Kadin Reeves, Lohn, Jr.

The 5-foot-7, 185-pound Reeves graded out at 85% for his blocking as the Eagles’ center. He helped Lohn to its most successful season in 17 years.

OL Gunner King, Rochelle, Sr.

In addition to his blocking, the 6-foot, 180-pound King had an impact in Rochelle’s passing game with 328 receiving yards and nine TD catches. On defense, he had 75 tackles and four forced fumbles.

DEFENSE

DL Billy Perry, Richland Springs, Jr.

Perry put up monster numbers on the defensive line with 24 sacks. He also had 80 tackles, three forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, a safety, an INT and three defensive TDs. On offense, he had 724 rushing yards and 17 TDs, averaging 11.3 yards per carry. He also had 479 passing yards and a punt return for a TD.

DL Anthony Quintana, Water Valley, Sr.

Quintana wreaked havoc on the defensive line, where he was named first-team all-state. He had 114 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, three INTs and one defensive TD. He was also a dynamic playmaker on offense with 935 rushing yards and 19 TDs, and 28 catches for 478 yards and 10 TDs.

DL Brylan Naylor, Water Valley, Jr.

Naylor was a first-team all-state selection as a spread rusher. He had 122 tackles, five sacks, eight tackles for loss, one safety, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

DL Colby Powell, Menard, Sr.

Powell earned second-team all-region honors on Menard’s defensive line, where he had 47 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two INTs, a fumble recovery and two defensive TDs. He was also a first-team all-district wide receiver with 16 catches for 304 yards and 12 TDs.

DL Coen Hoelscher, Eden, Jr.

Hoelscher was first-team all-district on both sides of the line for the Bulldogs. He was in on 107 tackles to lead Eden’s defense.

DL Cooper Claborn, Blackwell, Sr.

Claborn was the Defensive MVP of District 6-1A Division II and was named honorable mention all-state. He had 79 tackles on the defensive line and was also first-team all-district on the offensive line.

LB Gage Behrens, Richland Springs, Sr.

Behrens was named honorable mention all-state as a spread rusher. He recorded 52 tackles, 11 sacks, four fumble recoveries, a safety and an interception, and he scored three defensive TDs.

LB Cole Estes, Rochelle, Sr.

Estes was a leader on both sides of the ball for Rochelle. As a linebacker, he had 81 tackles and forced five fumbles. As a tight end, he had 533 receiving yards and 11 TDs.

LB AC Natividad, Veribest, Sr.

Natividad made plenty of plays for Veribest with 75 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, three INTs, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and three defensive TDs. He lined up wherever needed due to injuries and also played as an offensive lineman, fullback and quarterback.

DB Hutton Rogers, Richland Springs, Sr.

Rogers was a first-team all-state safety for the Coyotes. He had 46 tackles and four interceptions, one of which was returned for a TD. He also had 299 receiving yards and six TDs in Richland Springs’ run-heavy offense.

DB EJ Aviles, Richland Springs, Sr.

Aviles was a second-team all-region cornerback with 84 tackles, four INTs, two sacks, two forced fumbles and three defensive TDs.

DB Kreed Cummings, Blackwell, Jr.

Cummings had 114 tackles to lead the Hornets’ defense in the secondary, where he earned honorable mention all-state recognition. He also had 12 catches for 302 yards and five TDs.

SPECIAL TEAMS/UTILITY

K Lucas Martinez, Robert Lee, Sr.

Martinez was a reliable kicker for the Steers. He converted 13 of 14 PATs in the team’s 116-110 loss to Westbrook. He was named first-team all-region and honorable mention all-state.

P Parker Posey, Irion County, Sr.

Posey was named first-team all-region and honorable mention all-state as a punter. He also had 70 tackles as a defensive lineman and 15 pancake blocks on the offensive line.

KR Cohen Ethridge, Richland Springs, Soph.

Ethridge was the Offensive MVP of District 15-1A Division II. Despite often playing only one half, he had 713 rushing yards and 16 TDs with an average of 13.2 yards per carry. He also had four kick returns for TDs to earn first-team all-state honors as a special teams player. On defense, he had 87 tackles, a sack, an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

UB Blake Teeple, Eden, Jr.

Teeple was a first-team all-district running back and spread rusher for the Bulldogs. He rushed for 802 yards and 12 TDs, and he had 19 catches for 302 yards and five TDs.

UB Barrett Brock, Lohn, Sr.

Brock was a leader for Lohn during its best season in 17 years. As the team’s quarterback, he threw for 880 yards and 14 TDs. He also had four INTs on defense.

UB Jaxon Tavarez, Robert Lee, Sr.

Tavarez was a versatile player for the Steers. He had 55 carries for 297 yards and 12 TDs, and he added 29 catches for 346 yards and five TDs. He was also second-team all-region as a spread rusher.

UB Hunter Tucker, Veribest, Sr.

Tucker had 528 rushing yards and 11 TDs, but he also played on the offensive line due to injuries. As a linebacker, he tallied 76 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an INT and a defensive TD.

UB Aidan Taylor, Irion County, Sr.

Taylor led the Hornets' defense with 76 tackles in nine games. He also had one sack, two INTs and a fumble recovery. On offense, he had five TD runs and a TD catch, and he saw time at quarterback in a rebuilding year for Irion County.

UB Kelton Williams, Rochelle, Sr.

Williams did a little bit of everything for Rochelle. He had 732 rushing yards and 12 TDs, 387 passing yards and nine TDs, and 179 receiving yards and three TDs to help the Hornets reach the playoffs.