Senior, OL - Chris Owens, Arlington Lamar
After redshirting his freshman year, Owens has made his impact felt on the offensive line. Owens found himself filling in at center for the Tide after All-American Landon Dickerson suffered a torn ACL against Florida in the SEC Championship game. Owens helped the Tide complete their season with a Championship title playing Monday night against Ohio State.
At Arlington Lamar, Owens was a four-star guard and rated as the No. 10 guard Nationally according to a 247Sports composite and the No. 2 Guard in Texas. Owens earned an All-State selection by the Texas Associated Press and chose Alabama over Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M.
Freshman, PK - Chase Allen, Colleyville Heritage
Allen joined Alabama as a walk-on addition this season. Allen has served the Crimson Tide by kicking off in various instances to include the starting kickoff duties in the first four games of the 2020 season, against LSU, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Auburn. Although Allen didn't play during the National Championship game, he totaled 2,029 yards on kickoffs for the Crimson Tide.
At Colleyville Heritage, Allen was ranked as the No. 1 kicker and punter in Texas 5A Division 1. He earned an All-District 4-5A Special Teams Player of the Year honor his senior season and recorded a touchback on 30 of his 46 kicks during his senior season. Allen chose Alabama over Ole Miss and Villanova.
Freshman, RB - Jase McClellan, Aledo
McClellan has shown his ability more than once on Alabama's offense and special teams. He got his first collegiate playing time against Missouri early in the season where he played on special teams before doing the same against Texas A&M in the Tide's home opener. McClellan even earned special teams player of the week recognition from the Alabama coaching staff against Mississippi State where he helped limit MSU to zero yards on punt returns. McClellan totaled 245 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and one receiving yard during the 2020-2021 season with Alabama. McClellan joined on special teams during the National Championship game.
At Aledo, McClellan was a highly sought-after recruit. As a four-star prospect, he was ranked as the No. 6 running back and the No. 6 player in the state of Texas according to a 247Sports composite. McClellan was selected to play in the Under Armor All-American Game and competed in Nike's "The Opening". McClellan helped lead Aledo to a State Title in the 2019-2020 season with a 45-42 win over Fort Bend Marshall. McClellan totaled over 6,800 yards and 842 carries with 125 touchdowns. He chose Alabama over Oklahoma after first pledging his loyalty to the Sooners two years prior to his Tide commitment.
Freshman, OL - Drew Sanders, Denton Ryan
Drew Sanders came out of Denton ready to show his strength to his SEC opponents. Sanders saw consistent play on special teams throughout the entire season as an outside linebacker. In his collegiate debut, Sanders recorded an unassisted tackle against Missouri early in the season. Sanders earned special teams player of the week from the Alabama coaching staff for his play against Tennessee and Arkansas. Sanders recorded four solo tackles and five assisted tackles prior to the National Championship game. Sanders saw playing time against Ohio State during the Championship showdown.
At Denton Ryan, Sanders made a name for himself and quickly became a five-star recruit. Rated as the No. 1 player in Texas according to a 247Sports composite, Sanders played on both ends of the ball where he completed over 10 passes and scored over 45 touchdowns in his career. Sanders was also named as a finalist for the 2019 Landry Player of the Year. Sanders chose Alabama over Oklahoma, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon, and more.
WHERE: Birkelbach Field -- Georgetown, TX
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KELLER INDIANS
After dispatching Coppell in last week’s Region I Final—defeating the defending 6A Division 1 champions 2–1 to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2017—Keller continued its monumental run by setting a new benchmark for the club.
With another 2–1 victory, this time over Sachse, the Jeff Simpson-led Indians advanced to the UIL title game for the first time in program history, carrying an impressive 22-4-1 record into Georgetown.
Headlining Keller’s remarkably composed squad is a core of first-team all-district selections from last winter—namely senior forwards Ella Gutierrez and Claire Garritson (UTSA signee), along with senior defender Riley Hewitt (Houston) and sophomore midfielder Billie Davis.
Meanwhile, senior Ava Johnston has emerged as a true difference-maker between the posts, stepping up brilliantly following the graduation of last year’s District 4-6A Goalkeeper of the Year, Lennox Kauchak.
ROUND ROCK DRAGONS
Matching Keller in the magnitude of the moment, Round Rock (21-2-4) punched the program’s first-ever ticket to the state championship last Friday—albeit in dramatic fashion.
After a 1–1 draw with Summer Creek in the semifinal, the Dragons proved their mettle by prevailing 4–3 in the ensuing penalty shootout, keeping their hopes of capturing an inaugural UIL title alive and well.
Under head coach Chad Aldrich, Round Rock has allowed just 12 goals all winter, with only three coming in the postseason.
On the attacking end, the Dragons have relied on a host of standout performers, including Grace El-Deir (Texas State signee), Audrey Redus (Texas State), Carlee Deegan (Texas A&M–Corpus Christi), Montse Hernandez Soto, and Aidan Hernandez—all of whom earned first-team all-district honors last year.
GAMES
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