One underrated player from each 2A region to watch in 2017

With over 1,400 high schools in the great state of Texas that play football in some form or fashion, there’s no way that every deserving player can be recognized properly with all-state honors or a scholarship to play at the next level. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some under-the-radar guys who could make a big impact in the 2017 season. Region I: Quay Stokes, QB Hawley It’s hard to believe a player who has been a starter since his freshman year can fly under the radar, but despite the incredible career numbers, Hawley’s Quay Stokes rarely gets the credit he deserves. He’s been a big part of the Bearcats success in the past three years as HHS has posted a 25-11 mark. Stokes accounted for over 4,000 yards of total offense a year ago and 51 total touchdowns and is nearing the career 10,000 yard mark. He’s a true dual-threat weapon and with seven starters back on both sides of the ball, he’s got the supporting cast to make Hawley to be a real sleeper in Region I in 2017. Region II: Wade Rolen, LB Bells When you are a defensive player on a team that has one of the state’s most high flying attacks, you tend to get your work done in relative obscurity, but for Bells LB Wade Rolen that might be the preferred route. Rolen returns to lead what should be a vastly improved Bells defense and he’s the unquestioned leader of that group after a sensational junior campaign in which he tallied 120 tackles and 11 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. “Wade is a lot like a coach's kid, his uncle is our DC and he’s a future coach for sure. Great kid to coach and a leader, he’s one of our team captains." Bells head coach Scott Ponder said."He’s a rangy kid who runs well, he’s worked real hard in the weight room and has gotten much stronger and we think he has a chance to be an even better player for us." Region III: Gage Jones, QB/LB Maud Region III in 2A Division II is full of headliners (namely three-time state champion Bremond) and state title favorite Tenaha, so a team like Maud (that did go three rounds deep) has to fly under the radar. But make no mistake, QB/LB Gage Jones is a player who deserves accolades after a junior season in which he accounted for over 2,100 yards of offense, 28 total touchdowns AND notched 53 tackles on the defensive side of the ball. There’s no doubt “iron man” football is alive and well in Northeast Texas and Jones is the unquestioned catalyst for a Maud team that should be a factor once again in 2017. Region IV: DeMonderick Winters, WR/LB Burton After a run to the semifinals a year ago, Burton brings back plenty of firepower to once again be in the title mix. Most of the attention centers on junior QB Caleb Hamel, who put up monster numbers with 53 total touchdowns as a sophomore. However, his partner in crime — DeMonderick Winters — might be the best two-way player in all of Class 2A. At 6’1, 205 pounds and with a sub-4.6 forty time, Winters checks all the boxes as an elite athlete and his production matches it as he had over 1,100 receiving yards, 22 total touchdowns and — for good measure — he had 156 tackles. He also posted a .492 batting average in the spring while playing baseball for BHS, not too shabby!!

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