Having covered high school sports for over 20 years, you know when you see “special”.
On the VYPE Thursday Night Game of the Week call for the Space City Home Network, two players simply jumped off the screen.
The much-anticipated rematch between No. 1 Randle vs No. 2 Iowa Colony, 49-42, would become an instant classic, and a look into the future of Texas high school football.
Both juniors and national recruits, Randle running back Landen Williams-Callis and Iowa Colony QB Carson White were playing at a different level.
Williams-Callis fumbled twice in the first two Lion drives and White directed his aerial attack going up 21-0 in the first quarter.
The upset alert was heard statewide.
White’s arm talent was elite. The ball jumps out of his hand with power. A flick of the wrist for a 40-yard rope into a tight window to UH-commit Jayden Warren for a score had college recruiters on hand taking notice.
The little things, like how he stepped into the pocket buying himself for his receivers to run to open space or his ability to run off tackle for chunk yardage showed how bright his future will be. Because of his baseball ability, he can make every throw from several arm angles.
…
Williams-Callis, however, calmly came to the sideline after two early fumbles in the first quarter, seemingly ensuring his coach that things would be just fine. His five touchdowns and over 200 yards on the ground by game’s end would make it so.
Yes, he is one of the most coveted prospects in the 2027 class, but sometimes kids can be overhyped… not Williams-Callis.
One small play definines him. On an imporant 4th and 5 with the game in the balance, he goes off the right side. He seems to be bottled up before a nimble spin-move before lowering his pads through contact for the first down. It just showed his football IQ and determination in one five-yard gain.
His comboniation of spins, jab-steps, acceleration, speed and power is unmatched in Texas… unmatched. Up the middle for a 40 yard score… bouncing off three trackles and out-racing the secondary for a 50-plus yard score… back up the middle for another 30-yard score for the game-winner. As the game got tighter, he got better. The later the game got, he got stronger and faster. He simply wouldn’t be denied.
…
Every time Williams-Callis was dishing out scores, here came Carsen White doing his thing. Long passes to the sideline, darts in the middle of the field, slashing runs, driving the pile to move the chains… it was a battle of wills.
In the end, the Class 5A, DII defending State Champs would win out, but these two powerhouses should meet again deep in the playoffs, just like last year in the Regional Finals. The Randle Lions are 3-0 in the series, but things are tightening up.
We can only hope as these pair of stars continue to build their resumes on the way to becoming household names at the next level.