GAMES
RANKINGS
The stars of 2024-25 FBCA Football
PRIME-TIME: Previewing Key Match-Ups in the 2024 TAPPS Football State Semis
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St. Thomas-Houston vs. Liberty Christian-Argyle (TAPPS-I)
The St. Thomas Eagles
Despite going through a series of ups and downs this Fall, St. Thomas (7-5) now finds itself with the opportunity to make a State Final-return.
With coach Rich McGuire at the helm, the Eagles have triumphed over Trinity Christian (31-19) and, most recently, St. Michael's, in a revenge game that saw STH defeat their district opponent by the score of 21-7.
Senior Roy Thomas Jenkins has been efficient as the team's signal-caller, with over 1,500 passing yards and 12 TDs this season.
The one-two punch in the backfield of junior RBs Javaughn Waldron (417 rushing yards, 8 TDs) and Wells Granger (513 yards, 4 TDs) have been a handful for opponents to key in on, as they have split touches for the majority of 2024.
However, one of the biggest difference-makers on this offense has easily been Nate Tidwell. As it stands the junior receiver has tallied 55 receptions, for 967 yards and 7 scores through the air.
Of course, Derek Stevenson (Jr. WR // 33 rec, 543 yds, 6 TDs) and Logan Branting (Sr. WR // 41 rec, 521 yds, 4 TDs) have been reliable options for Jenkins as well.
Defensively, junior linebacker Liam McCarthy (111 tackles, 25 TFL, 3.5 sacks) is the rock of the group, while Jacob Quinlan (Jr. LB // 67 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 INT), Obinna Umeh (Jr. DL // 57 tackles, 19 TFL, 5.5 sacks), Berhane Linbeck (Sr. DB // 50 tackles, 2 INT), and Damarcus Batiste (Sr. DB // 42 tackles, INT) round out a scary good Eagles D.
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On the other sideline, we have Liberty Christian, who has been a dominant force throughout the Fall, just as they were a year ago when they claimed the TAPPS-II State Title.
The Warriors, led by Dallas Cowboys legend and, now, head coach Jason Witten, have steam-rolled past just about every opponent they've faced.
Most recently, they trounced Bishop Lynch 63-19, marking their 8th-straight win and improving their record to 10-1.
LC's offense is remarkably well-balanced, beginning with the ground attack, led by senior South Florida-commit Chase Garnett (1,244 rushing yards, 21 total TDs).
They're just as effective through the air, with junior gun-slinger and Baylor-commit Quinn Murphy (2,555 yards, 34 TDs) dispatching the ball to seniors such as San Diego State-commit Jaylon Hawkins (61 receptions, 970 yards, 16 TDs), Quinton Brown (52 rec, 716 yds, 9 TDs), and Brady Janusek (36 rec, 528 yds, 6 TDs).
Senior tailback Blake Brisker (523 yards, 7 TDs) has played a pivotal role as well.
Meanwhile, the Warriors defense -- which has allowed a mere 16 points per game -- features the talents of C.J. Witten (Sr. LB // 98 tackles, 13 TFL, 3 sacks, INT), Cade Violi (Jr. LB // 62 tackles, 2 TFL, INT), Madox Sekyere (Sr. LB // 59 tackles, 9 TFL, 4 sacks), Andrew Michaels (Sr. DL // 50 tackles, 5 TFL), and sophomore DB Cooper Witten (39 tackles, 4 INTs, 1 sack), just to name a few.
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This match-up goes down on Liberty Christian's home turf in Argyle, TX, this Saturday (11/30) at 5:00 pm.
The Liberty Christian Warriors
Second Baptist School vs. Fort Bend Christian Academy (TAPPS-II)
2024-25 Second Baptist Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
More often that not, it always seems to come down to these familiar rivals in the playoffs.
In a rematch of the 2022 TAPPS Semis -- a year in which FBCA won it all -- tensions will certainly be high this weekend.
Additionally, Second Baptist seeks to avenge their district loss (34-28) from earlier this Fall, which definitely makes this a must-see contest.
The Beck Brydon-led Eagles have been rolling this postseason, as they flexed against St. Joseph (42-7) and St. Joseph Academy (29-10) to reach this point.
Quarterback Canon Toon provides a dual-threat capability that opens up the entire play-book for the offense. He's joined in the back-field by speedy junior Langston Davis, behind a stout O-Line, anchored by Houston-commit RJ Lee.
Senior linebacker Bryce Butler continues to live up to the accolades he received in 2023 (first-team, all-state), as he commands a relentless SBS defense that's averaging just under 17 points allowed a game.
Fellow seniors Cash Harris and Max Bagwell are also ones to watch, considering the notable contributions they've made in 2024.
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Meanwhile, FBCA, under the direction of Jordan Black, claimed an undefeated district title prior to defeating St. Anthony (79-7) and TWCA (45-38) through the first two rounds of the playoffs.
As mentioned earlier, the Eagles (8-4) won their first match-up against SBS earlier this season, and now look to go 2-for-2 to punch their ticket to the Final.
Kole Whiddon (Jr. QB) has stepped up in a major way this Fall, as he has passed for 881 yards and 8 touchdowns, while adding 565 more yards and 11 scores with his legs.
Senior tailbacks Colton Popovich (601 yards, 4 TDs) and Darnell Smith (284 yards, 5 TDs) compose a scary duo in the rushing department, with Tompkins-transfer Blake Hamilton (Jr. WR/DB) making his presence felt on both offense (660 receiving yards, 8 TDs) and defense (28 tackles, 7 INTs).
On the other side of the ball, senior linebacker Nico Lara has been an absolute game-wrecker, having registered 129 tackles (15 for loss), 4 sacks, and 4 interceptions.
Trace Holster (So. DL // 9 sacks) and Jonah Kalu (Jr. DL // 8 sacks) keep the QBs in check, while Cannon Kampwerth (Sr. LB // 69 tackles, 5 TFL) and Tyler Currie (Sr. DB // 42 tackles, 5 INTs) have provided the palpable veteran leadership that has propelled the team thus far.
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In a heated rematch, SBS and FBCA will go head-to-head this Saturday (1:00 pm) at Sheldon ISD Stadium.
2024-25 FBCA Football
Doug Brown (VYPE)
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THE RECAP: TAPPS State Cross Country Meet Results; Antonian Prep, SACS, LPCA shine
By the end of the 6A race, Antonian College Prep (Boys) -- led by John Boland (2nd), Jonavan Lott (8th), and Luke Wurzbach (10th) -- would ultimately claim first prize, with Houston St. Thomas trailing just behind in the overall standings.
Out of Dallas, the Ursuline Academy Bears went on to secure the girls' state title, thanks to the efforts of Presley Andras (3rd) and Marit Beckman (7th). However, the Antonian Prep Apaches featured the top-two finishers in Micaela Villarreal and Alexandra Johnson, resulting in a second-place team score.
In the TAPPS-5A competition, the San Antonio Christian School (SACS) boys team took gold by a land-slide, with Adrian Rule (1st), Nathan Womack (4th), Christian Tarver (8th), and Collin Vines (14th) headlining the group.
Meanwhile, Legacy Prep Christian Academy (LPCA) edged out Grace Community for the distinction of 5A Girls champions, after Emily Kacher (4th), Charlotte Freeman (8th), and Evelyn Griffin (12th) wound up in the Top-15.
More from Houston, the St. John XXIII Lions featured numerous runners who excelled -- particularly Chris Pietrak who finished fourth overall in the Boys 6A race (16:32.27), and Averi Garrity who took the No. 9 spot (12:25.19) in the 2-mile Girls 6A run.
Individually, other the stand-outs include TMI Episcopal's Wells Peterson (1st in 6A Boys), Brentwood Christian's Harper Counts (1st in 5A Girls), Fort Worth Christian's Hunter Hinrichsen (2nd in 5A Boys), Austin Regents' Amelia Weenig (2nd in 5A Boys), FBCA's Elijah Savage (3rd in 5A Boys), Grace Community's Emma Goetz (3rd in 5A Girls), Liberty Christian-Argyle's Madeleine Hollan (4th in 6A Girls).
All that being said, here is the composite list of results from this past week's competition.
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TAPPS-6A (BOYS)
TEAM RESULTS (5K):
1st Place -- Antonian College Prep Apaches (Total Score: 48)
2nd Place -- St. Thomas Eagles (50)
3rd Place -- TMI Episcopal Panthers (118)
4th Place -- St. John XXIII Lions (132)
5th Place -- Central Catholic Buttons (135)
Individual Results:
1. Wells Peterson - TMI Episcopal (16:06.25)
2. John Boland - Antonian CP (16:15.61)
3. Ethan Garza - TMI Episcopal (16:22.56)
4. Chris Pietrak - St. John XXIII (16:32.27)
5. Isaac Knape - St. Thomas (16:42.90)
6. Mason Collete - St. Pius X (16:43.96)
7. Jaden Stephenson - St. Thomas (16:47.68)
8. Jonavon Lott - Antonian CP (16:52.41)
9. Caleb Kyburz - St. Dominic Savio (16:59.33)
10. Luke Wurzbach - Antonian CP (17:02.88)
11. Bryce Farrell - St. Thomas (17:11.19)
12. Channing Shaeffer - Antonian CP (17:11.72)
13. James Glenn - St. Thomas (17:15.95)
14. Shaun Benesch - St. Thomas (17:16.91)
15. Graham Lively - St. Pius X (17:20.42)
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TAPPS-6A (GIRLS)
TEAM RESULTS (2 MILES):
1st Place -- Ursuline Academy Bears (Total Score: 80)
2nd Place -- Antonian College Prep Apaches (98)
3rd Place -- Liberty Christian-Argyle Warriors (128)
4th Place -- FW Nolan Catholic Vikings (143)
5th Place -- St. John XXIII Lions (164)
Individual Results:
1. Micaela Villarreal - Antonian CP (11:35.70)
2. Alexandra Johnson - Antonian CP (11:37.85)
3. Presley Andras - Ursuline Academy (11:56.33)
4. Madeleine Hollan - Liberty Christian-Argyle (11:58.68)
5. Georgia Geisinger - FW Nolan Catholic (12:05.71)
6. Abby Spiars - Plano John Paul II (12:07.51)
7. Marit Beckman - Ursuline Academy (12:18.09)
8. Lucy Lamy - Austin St. Michaels (12:21.09)
9. Averi Garrity - St. John XXIII (12:25.19)
10. Simone Edwards - Frisco Legacy Christian (12:26.36)
11. Avery Frank - St. Dominic Savio (12:30.67)
12. Linda Smith - Austin St. Michaels (12:33.20)
13. Sophie De Silva - St. Agnes Academy (12:35.06)
14. Emma Cordova - FW Nolan Catholic (12:36.16)
15. Summer Morrissey - Concordia Lutheran (12:44.31)
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Fort Bend Christian Academy's Elijah Savage Jamey Wright (VYPE)
TAPPS-5A (BOYS)
TEAM RESULTS (5K):
1st Place -- San Antonio Christian School (SACS) Lions (Total Score: 50)
2nd Place -- Fort Worth Christian Cardinals (154)
3rd Place -- Midland Christian School Mustangs (181)
4th Place -- Lutheran South Academy Pioneers (184)
5th Place -- SA Saint Mary's Hall Barons (213)
Individual Results:
1. Adrian Rule -- SACS (16:17.00)
2. Hunter Hinrichsen - FW Christian (16:29.40)
3. Elijah Savage - Fort Bend Christian Academy (16:57.96)***
4. Nathan Womack - SACS (16:59.88)
5. Jeremy Gaitan - Lutheran South Academy (17:03.63)
6. Monroe Gaddis - Tyler Grace Community (17:30.57)
7. Braden Belew - Midland Christian (17:33.56)
8. Christian Tarver - SACS (17:41.34)
9. Diego Rivera - Bay Area Christian (17:42.50)
10. Diego Sanchez - Cristo Rey CP (17:51.49)
11. Josh Endler - The Woodlands Christian (17:52.31)
12. Emerson Aiken - FW Southwest Christian (17:56.65)
13. Noah Pasuquin - Logos Prep Academy (17:58.27)
14. Collin Vines - SACS (18:02.86)
15. Layne Bautz - Legacy Prep (18:11.00)
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TAPPS-5A (GIRLS)
TEAM RESULTS (2 MILES):
1st Place -- Legacy Prep Christian Academy (LPCA) Lions (Total Score: 80)
2nd Place -- Grace Community School Cougars (90)
3rd Place -- San Antonio Christian School (SACS) Lions (153)
4th Place -- Austin Regents School Knights (192)
5th Place -- Midland Christian School Mustangs (196)
Individual Results:
1. Harper Counts - Brentwood Christian (11:57.11)
2. Amelia Weenig - Austin Regents (12:01.38)
3. Emma Goetz - Grace Community (12:27.53)
4. Emily Kacher - LPCA (12:37.59)
5. Sophia Belcher - Grapevine Faith (12:44.70)
6. Casey Goetz - Grace Community (12:49.65)
7. Elaina Formica - The Woodlands Christian (12:56.03)
8. Kinsley Williams - Lubbock Trinity Christian (12:56.42)
9. Charlotte Freeman - LPCA (12:58.75)
10. Margaret Hunter - SACS (13:10.95)
11. Addison Matthews - Grace Community (13:11.42)
12. Evelyn Griffin - LPCA (13:22.56)
13. Madeline Hellen - Frassati Catholic (13:23.71)
14. Hailyn Counts - Brentwood Christian (13:28.12)
15. Jill Hilliard - SACS (13:33.36)
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