Stand Out Players of Round Two: Hightower vs Heights
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Round Two had some amazing games, with great players! I was not able to go to my primary game of The Woodlands vs Klein Cain (which turned out to be pretty one sided in The Woodlands favor, the score was…
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Continue ReadingRound Two had some amazing games, with great players! I was not able to go to my primary game of The Woodlands vs Klein Cain (which turned out to be pretty one sided in The Woodlands favor, the score was 62-21). It’s a good thing I always map out backup plans, very Batman-esque if I do say so myself. I decided to go see Fort Bend Hightower take on Heights High school.
This game interested me in particular because I wanted to see if Heights wasn’t still in the playoffs by a freak mistake! Last week, they won the game in the last 5 seconds. Some would call luck, others would say the better team won. Regardless, I wanted to see them follow up Round One’s performance with an even tougher opponent in Hightower. Here are the Stand out Players of Round Two: Hightower vs Heights.
Khaleb Davis
Khaleb Davis
Hightower has a receiver on its team that is highly ranked, junior Zion Kearney. And rightfully so, he is a very dynamic receiver. On Friday night, Davis was the go-to receiver! This kid could RUN! Very explosive with the ball in his hands. He scored on a hitch route on the first drive of the 2nd half. Davis might have been the shortest player on the field, but that did not stop him from making plays. He is a perfect complement to Kearney and that offense and they use him in a variety of ways. The senior wideout had himself a very solid game.
Payne being mentioned as a standout player is nothing out of the ordinary. He is highly ranked in his class. You guys know I don’t care about stars or stats, only what I see with my own two eyes. Well ladies and gentlemen, the hype is real! Payne is borderline the perfect back, other than needing to add muscle (which will come soon enough, I’m sure of it). A patient runner with good vision and impressive burst. Payne is very much a one cut, North and South runner. He actually scored a few seconds before halftime. What made that run impressive was that the team was just running the clock out, not truly expecting to score. Payne took it upon himself to plants a foot in the ground, turn up field, and outrun the defense into the endzone. I truly believe that was the play at demoralized Heights the remained of the game. Payne helped him team advance in the playoffs.
Highlights
Chisom Onwuzurigbo Chisom Onwuzurigbo 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Hightower HighSchool | 2023 TX
Chisom Onwuzurigbo Chisom Onwuzurigbo 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Hightower HighSchool | 2023 TX
Onwuzurigbo was all over the field Friday night. He lined up in the slot and on the outside, showing off his versatility and being effective at both positions. He was around the ball all night and managed to secure the team’s lone interception! Onwuzurigbo has nice size and length, and was a natural in zone coverage, where he could react and attack. Onwuzurigbo has been a ball magnet all season, and it continued in the playoffs. It would not surprise me if he ever moves to safety at the next level. That is not a slight or a knock on his cornerback play, but his knack for being around the ball may be best served at safety. He senior DB was a certified dog last week!
Joseph Stewart Jr.
Joseph Stewart Jr.
I really like Stewart’s potential. He already has good pocket presents and the ability to correctly read defenses. His arm is good, but not great, and he knows when to run. A lot of young QBs run just because a speck of turf touched their face. I like the confidence he has in his throwing abilities and his receivers. I believe he has the arm power, but an adjustment of his throwing technique/motion can take him over the top. He was accurate with the football, showing good anticipation. I think the coaching staff did a wonderful job utilizing Stewart’s athletic ability, mixing in roll outs and designed runs. Just the threat of his legs made the defense respect the possibility of him running. He forces the edge defender to stay in place, keeping one less defender around the ball and opening up a cut back lane for the running back (which is bad news if Payne is the ball carrier). Only a sophomore, Stewart is already a leader of his team and he is more than capable of taking Hightower to the championship!