One of the best parts of any high school football season is watching unproven players make a name for themselves under the Friday night lights.
There will certainly be many Big Country athletes who become household names this fall. But the area also has many proven talents ready for an encore.
Here’s a look at 13 of the top players in alphabetical order for the 2024 season that starts at the end of August.
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QB Keegan Ables, Hawley – The senior led the Bearcats to 10 victories as a first-year starter, throwing for 3,453 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2023. But maybe most impressive was Ables tossing only three interceptions in 327 attempts.
RB Daniel Bray, Cooper – Shined as a junior in an expanded role last year (1,359 yards, 22 touchdowns) for the Cougars. He’ll be the centerpiece for an offense that returns eight starters.
LB Hudson Butchee, Stephenville – The leader of the Yellow Jackets’ defense, Butchee showed a nose for the football, racking up 177 tackles and earning first-team all-state as a sophomore.
QB Chip Chambers, Albany – Without Adam Hill in the backfield, Chambers will be asked to do more his senior year as the Lions look to repeat in 2A Division II.
DE Dycin Davis, Cooper – The Cougars’ veteran defense is spearheaded by the 6-foot-3 Davis, who registered 85 tackles and six sacks as a sophomore.
WR Tristian Gentry, Stephenville – There may not be a more electric Big Country athlete with the ball in his hands. The speedy Texas Tech commit hauled in 74 passes for 1,528 yards and 15 touchdowns last year.
QB Brayden Henry, Abilene – After doing a little bit of everything offensively as a sophomore, the three-sport Henry is expected to take more snaps this season.
RB Ivan McCann, Roscoe – No returning area running back rushed for more yards (1,469) than McCann, who helped lead the Plowboys’ resurgence after tearing his ACL as a sophomore.
RB Korda Moore, Sweetwater – The Mustangs’ leader scored 24 touchdowns during his junior season and should only benefit from the drop to Class 3A. He’s also an impact linebacker.
OL Shetonde Polepole, Abilene – At 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, the senior has the potential to play on Saturdays. He’ll return at tackle for an Eagles’ offense that’s expected to be prolific.
RB Riley Reed, Gordon – Last year’s Texas Six-Man Coaches Association Division I MVP averaged 14.6 yards per carry and rushed for 27 TDs as a sophomore. He’s one of several Longhorns looking to repeat.
LB Kaston Vega, Stamford – A key two-way player for the Bulldogs, Vega made 123 tackles last season for a defense that allowed only 11 points per game.
SS Hayden Wright, Wylie – A three-year starter at safety, Wright has great instincts and ball skills. He earned first-team all-district during a 52-tackle junior campaign.
Honorable mentions: RB Jaidyn Vineyard, Coahoma; TE Camden Ables, Hawley; WR Ryland Bradford, Abilene; RB Grayson Jeffrey, Westbrook; QB Ryan Gafford, Stephenville.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Albany’s Chip Chambers, Stephenville’s Hudson Butchee highlight top players around Abilene
