GAMES
RANKINGS
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Second Baptist Football
THE GRAND FINALE: Examining the 2024 TAPPS Football State Championships
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Liberty Christian-Argyle vs. Parish Episcopal-Dallas (TAPPS-D1)
The Liberty Christian Warriors
Just as it was detailed a week ago, in the TAPPS State Semis Preview, Liberty Christian has been an absolute juggernaut on the private school football scene over the span of the past three seasons.
This team already conquered TAPPS-D2 in 2023 (14-0), and now has its sights on taking the D1-crown, following their 63-0 trouncing of St. Thomas last Saturday to improve to 11-1 on the year.
Naturally, it stands to reason that the Jason Witten-led Warriors is loaded with talent, as they feature a laundry list of imminent collegiate athletes.
They had a lengthy Signing Day, with running back Chase Garnett (South Florida), WR Jaylon Hawkins (San Diego State), LB C.J. Witten (Rice), WR Quinton Brown (Boise State), and DB Nick Blevins (Army-West Point) all putting pen to paper Thursday morning.
Of course, Liberty Christian's star-power isn't limited to those who have already signed.
Junior QB Quinn Murphy (Baylor-commit) has been an architect behind-center, to the tune of 2,779 passing yards and 39 touchdowns through the air, while adding on 196 more yards and 4 scores on the ground.
Liberty Christian's defense (14.7 points allowed/game) is further-bolstered by the likes of Madox Sekyere (Sr. LB), Cade Violi (Jr. LB), Andrew Michaels (Sr. DL), and Cooper Witten (So. DB), among others.
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While the Warriors did defeat them earlier in the season (35-27), that won't stop the five-time reigning TAPPS Champs, Parish Episcopal, from putting up a fight in the ultimate rematch.
The Panthers (9-4), under the direction of coach Daniel Novakov, have climbed their way to the top by way of high-scoring affairs -- defeating St. Pius X (76-27), Prestonwood Christian (61-55), and most recently Legacy Christian (42-7) to reach this point.
Purdue-signee Sawyer Anderson (Sr. QB) has performed brilliantly as the team's signal-caller.
Having thrown for 4,830 yards with a whopping 47 touchdowns, and rushing for 415 more with 6 TDs, Anderson has been a genuine difference-maker in Parish Episcopal's hot-streak this Fall.
Of course, he has trio of studs in the receiving corps -- namely Michigan-commit Jaylen Pile (59 rec, 1,312 yards, 19 TDs), Ouachita Baptist-commit Carson Darby (72 receptions, 1,556 yds, 16 TDs), and 2023 first-team, all-state recipient Bryson Fields (67 rec, 1,052 yds, 6 TDs).
While the run-game isn't always the primary focal point of the offense, junior tailback Marcus Hanish (1,284 all-purpose yards, 15 total scores) has a more than dependable weapon for coach Novakov to utilize.
Defensively, senior DBs Drayson "DC" Crane (120 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks) and Nick Wheeler (116 tackles, 11 TFL, 2 INTs, 2 sacks) have proven their versatility as athletes and leaders for the group.
Additional key figures for Parish's defense include Guy Stern (Sr. DB), Adam Roth (Sr. LB), Landry Sattler (Sr. DL), Juju Mayfield (Jr. DB), and Jesse Richardson (Jr. LB).
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These battle between these two TAPPS heavy-weights will take place at Waco ISD Stadium, this Saturday at 7:00 pm.
The Parish Episcopal Panthers
Second Baptist vs. All Saints Episcopal (TAPPS-D2)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
They're back!
After being denied entry to the big game over the past few seasons, Second Baptist is returning the TAPPS State Final for the first time since 2021, on the heels of their 35-16 win against district rival FBCA last weekend.
Now, can they win it all, just as they did back in 1999 when the Eagles won their first-ever title?
Don't put it past coach Beck Brydon and company to do so.
In his second year with the team, former Regents HC Brydon has turned a traditional state power into something more.
Their resiliency throughout the Fall has been palpable, as SBS has battled through injuries, criticisms, and doubters in order to advance to this stage.
We discussed who the stars of this group were in last week's preview, and it's time to reiterate the impact they've had.
Houston-signee RJ Lee (Sr. LT) bulks up the integral foundation that is the offensive line, which also features the talents of Mac Northup (Jr. C), Lucas Mensing (Sr. RG), TJ Walker (Sr. RT), and sophomore H-Back Cash Franz.
This has allowed junior QB Canon Toon to work his magic, whether that be with his arm or his legs.
On the defensive side, juniors Kelvin Baptiste and Isaiah Broughton, as well as senior Gray Gilbert form a solid trio on the D-Line, while Bryce Butler (Sr. LB), Cash Harris (Sr. LB), Ethan Dishman (Sr. DB), and Adam Vessel (Jr. DB) take care of the rest.
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Meanwhile, All Saints has yet to face defeat in 2024.
With coach Aaron Beck at the helm, the Saints have routed Brook Hill (49-21), Fort Worth Christian (49-20), and Regents (42-26) throughout the postseason, bringing their record to 13-0 entering the state championship.
Their offense, which is averaging 44 points a game, can hurt you from any angle.
Senior signal-caller Gavin Parkhurst (Texas State-signee) has been incredibly efficient, both through the air and on the ground, evidenced by his exceptional stat-line (3,203 passing yards--46 TDs, 787 rushing yards--11 TDs).
Joining him in the back-field, behind an imposing O-Line, is senior RB Cole Palfreeman, who has toted the rock 159 times for 771 yards (4.8 ypc) and 11 scores.
Furthermore, Parkhurst has dished the ball to a number of capable hands throughout the Fall -- primarily, Boise State-signee Qumonte Williams (63 receptions, 1,227 yards, 24 TDs), Connor McCurdy (28 rec, 548 yds, 3 TDs), Hudson Reasor (27 rec, 535 yds, 5 TDs), and Bryce Anderson (28 rec, 431 yds, 7 TDs).
The All Saints defense is just as remarkable.
While they've held opponents to just under 20 points per contest, the unit has also registered 33.5 sacks, 24 forced turnovers, and 3 defensive scores this year.
Edge rusher Dalton Knapp (Kansas State) is the rock of the group, with 75 tackles (29.5 for loss) and 12 sacks to his name.
Senior linebacker and Army-West Point-signee Jacob Mainord (100 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 3 sacks) has been equally crucial, alongside TCU-signee Blake Robinett (63 tackles, 17 TFL, 7.5 sacks), Keyon Adkins (96 tackles), and Dean Watkins (67 tackles).
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SBS and All Saints will meet this Saturday (12:00 pm) at Waco ISD Stadium.
The All Saints Episcopal Saints
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2023-24 Houston Episcopal Knights Football
THE CONTENDERS: VYPE's 2023 Preseason Private School Football Rankings; No. 1-5
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THE CONTENDERS (No. 1-5)
VYPE Private School Photo Feature: J.D. Crisp (Second Baptist School)
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
No. 5--Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The reigning TAPPS-II champs return to the gridiron with their sights set on a repeat. Despite several key pieces having graduated over the offseason, the Eagles are still a force to be reckoned with.
Coach Jordan Black will look to 6-foot-7 Tennessee-commit Bennett Warren (Sr. OL) to anchor the trenches on offense, while game-wrecker Max Granville (Jr. Edge) and Ivan Jimmy-Ducksworth (Sr. DL) wreak havoc on defense.
While the FBCA offense is going to be youthful in 2023, expect senior RB Jordan Montanez to provide the experience in the run-game.
No.4--Second Baptist School Eagles
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Coach Beck Brydon enters his first season as the Second Baptist School head coach after spending nearly two decades building Austin Regents. He’ll have plenty of talent to work with as the majority of the SBS squad that advanced to the TAPPS-II State Semis in 2022 returns to the field.
First-team, all-state recipient J.D. Crisp (Sr.) is going to be the do-it-all man for the Eagles, given that he will play RB/WR and FS this Fall. Sr. QB Turner Murdock will also be a key figure on offense as the signal-caller behind a battle-tested offensive line.
Others to watch for include Jackson Powers (Sr. DB) and junior RB/LB Bryce Butler. Canon Toon (So. ATH) could be an interesting offensive weapon stretching defenses on the outside.
No. 3--St. Thomas Eagles
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
St. Thomas is coming off a 2022 campaign which saw them reach the second round of the TAPPS-I postseason and finish with an overall record of 10-2. If the rapid progression of this program is any indication, the Eagles are due for an even greater outcome this time around.
Coach Richard McGuire will have the luxury of having senior Johann Cardenas back in the fold. The versatile running back went off once again a year ago, combining for north of 1,300 all-purpose yards, which earned Cardenas first-team all-state honors.
If the run-game doesn’t scare a defense, the passing game between Donte Lewis (Sr. QB) and Luke Edgecomb (Sr. WR) will. On defense, look for senior DL Michael-Anthony Okwura to lead the charge in the trenches.
No. 2--Episcopal Knights
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Knights fell into some bad luck a year ago, narrowly falling to rival Kinkaid (the eventual SPC-4A champs) in the 2022 postseason. But, don’t let that fool you – this team is raw.
The seniors make Episcopal one of the best private school programs in the Houston-area. Dual-threat QB Karson Gordon (UNLV-commit) returns to power the offense behind a premier O-Line that features the likes of Billy Wheless and Cullen Witt.
On defense, look for DB Breylan Thompson (Yale) to continue his ball-hawking prowess, while sophomore LB “Mad Dog” Madden Morgan seeks to build upon his electric freshman year performance.
Will this be the year Episcopal dethrones their rival?
No. 1--Cypress Christian Warriors
Lorin Cook (VYPE)
In recent years, Cypress Christian football has become a dynasty in TAPPS-III. Having been to the State Championship each of the last four years, and winning three of them (2020-22), it stands to reason that 2023 should be no different.
Coach Kris Hogan enters year No. 4 with the program, and while some weapons were lost to graduation, the Warriors will be as strong as ever in the trenches. Senior OL/DL Jacob Rauch should once again be a beast on both sides of the ball and will be joined by fellow senior Zeke Hogan on the O-Line.
Cy-Fair transfer John Kelly (Jr. RB) has numerous Power-5 offers and will be the catalyst to the Warriors’ offense. He could rush for over 2,000 yards this season. According to Hogan, the Warriors are going to emphasize a culture of “ownership” and “unity” this Fall.