Ryan Class of 2014 defensive end J.T. Williams, seen here scoring against Cedar Hill in the the playoffs last year, has picked up two offers so far from North Texas and Houston. (Mike Mezuel II/For the Denton Record-Chronicle)
Despite the the carnival-like activities going around Ryan today during “Raider Day” (where was this when I was in high school?), there was some notable events that occurred today off East McKinney Street.
I confirmed with defensive coordinator David Thomas that Class of 2014 defensive tackle J.T. Williams currently has two offers from North Texas and Houston.
Argyle junior defensive back Connor Wilson wrapped his college search when he orally committed to Kansas State. Wilson was an AP first-team selection last fall. (Al Key/Denton Record-Chronicle)
A day after Argyle junior linebacker Sam Sizelove orally committed to Kansas State, teammate and junior defensive back Connor Wilson quickly followed suit.
Argyle head coach Todd Rodgers confirmed on Sunday that Wilson has orally committed to become a member of the Wildcats’ 2014 signing class.
Of course, oral commitments are non-binding. The first day a member of the class of 2014 can sign with a school is Feb. 5, 2014.
We had figured for at least a week that Wilson and Sizelove were planning on committing to K-State. Wilson, 6-2, moved to Argyle from Coppell last year and he put up big numbers in the Eagles’ secondary.
He had 126 tackles, eight interceptions, five pass break-ups, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries. He was huge for the Argyle secondary last year and missed the team’s playoff loss against Gilmer because of a hip-related injury.
He was also an Associated Press first-team all-state selection, further solidifying his status as one of Class 3A’s best defensive backs.
Sizelove was another highly sought-after recruit. Sizelove compiled a team-high 140 tackles and had three forced fumbles last season.
He’s a very impressive linebacker and held offers from places like Baylor, Iowa State, and North Texas, his dad’s alma mater.
His power can be seen below, when he wiped out former Celina senior and current Texas center Jake Raulerson last season on a punt return (the sideline reaction toward the end of the video is outstanding).
Argyle's Ian Sadler (5) orally committed to Texas Tech today. The junior wide receiver was a big threat for the Eagles all season. (Mike Mezuel II/For the Denton Record-Chronicle)
National Signing Day isn’t coming up anytime soon, but Argyle wide reciever/punter/running back/insert position here Ian Sadler already knows where he’s going to sign next February.
If you need a refresher on his stats, here’s what they were after last season.
51 carries for 404 yards, 15 TDs, 1 fumble lost; 50 catches for 1,050 yards and 12 TDs; 3-for-5 for 100 yards and 1 TD passing; 9 kickoff returns, 35.6 yards per return, 2 TDs; 15 punt returns, 31.1 yards per return, 4 TDs; 40.4 yards per punt with eight inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
That’s right. He’s also not a bad punter. And you know you’ve done something right when you have one of the top current Texas Country artists give you an unsolicited shout-out.
@isssadler really excited to have you on board! Wreck ‘Em!
Today, Major League Baseball commemorates the 66th anniversary of former Brooklyn Dodgers great Jackie Robinson, the first player to break the color barrier 66 years ago on this date.
Around the league, everybody will wear the No. 42 on their jerseys as those around the league pay their respects to a man who changed baseball and professional sports.
Ryan alumnus and Detroit Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson spoke on Robinson’s impact on the game.
Jackson’s also tearing it up through the team’s first 12 games of the season. Detroit’s lead-off batter is currently batting .386 with a home run and 5 RBIs.
Guyer junior wide receiver Tripp Reed (left) holds the state title trophy as senior wide receiver Ellis Jefferson kisses the trophy, celebrating Guyer's 48-37 win over Georgetown. (David Minton/Denton Record-Chronicle)
To countdown the final four days of 2012 and to remind everybody and myself of some of the year’s highlights, I’ll close out December with the top four games I witnessed in2012. The only criteria is I had to have been there and the game must have been relevant (a nondistrict basketball game in November doesn’t really mean much).
Break out the party hats. Let’s get the festivities started.
The Guyer Wildcats (13-2) face the Georgetown Eagles (15-0) today at Cowboys Stadium in the Class 4A Division I state championship game. Join Adam Boedeker and Ben Baby as they bring you the action from Arlington.
When I woke up yesterday morning and saw that Ryan junior defensive lineman Nolan Robinson made the Associated Press Class 5A All-State Team, I was half-way surprised.
Now the story ran in today’s paper and it’s online, if anybody’s inclined to check it out.
Robinson finished the regular season with 55 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, and a defensive touchdown. Those numbers showed he had a good season, but I don’t know if they were enough to merit an all-state selection.
Guyer senior linebacker Terence Belton (24) made the interception that secured Guyer's win over Tyler John Tyler (David Minton/Denton Record-Chronicle)
Now if you’re reading that headline and thinking that it’s completely ridiculous, you’re right. It’s completely ridiculous. It’s also true.
The fourth quarter of the Class 4A Division I state semifinal between Guyer and Tyler John Tyler produced 63 points and one of the most dramatic endings you could have wanted to watch.
Guyer defensive end Thomas Ferguson (17) celebrates with linebacker Terence Belton (24) after sacking the Birdville quarterback on Saturday at Dragon Stadium in Southlake. This week, the Guyer defense must prepare for one of the fastest offensive units its seen all year. (David Minton/Denton Record-Chronicle)
There are several key matchups and aspects of Friday’s state semifinal game between Guyer (12-2) and Tyler John Tyler (13-1), but the biggest, most broad one has to be the contrast of the teams’ style of play.
Guyer, as always, is huge up front on the offensive line, averaging well over 260 pounds per guy on the offensive line. John Tyler, as typical for an East Texas team, is speedy all over the field, particularly on offense. They’re a passing offense but QB Greg Ward basically just throws 5-10 yard passes and lets his receivers break tackles and go to the house.
Message board talk suggests Guyer is in trouble because of the way the Wildcats played against Cedar Hill in the season opener and because John Tyler beat Guyer, 42-7, in a 7-on-7 game this summer.
