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Here are 10 Dallas-area footballers to watch in the UIL semifinals.
Kevin Henry-Jennings, QB, South Oak Cliff
Lubbock Cooper (13-1) v South Oak Cliff (13-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene
Henry-Jennings, a Missouri state engagement, posted another flawless performance against Lovejoy in the 5A-II Region II final on Saturday, with 250 yards on 18-25 passes, a pass touchdown and two touchdowns on the ground. He has 34 touchdowns this season with two interceptions and has South Oak Cliff on a 13-game winning streak.
Billy Walton, DE, South Oak Cliff
Lubbock Cooper (13-1) v South Oak Cliff (13-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene
South Oak Cliff’s defense is packed with Division I rookies, and Walton’s play on the defensive line can be a game-changer. Junior with offers from TCU, Arizona and SMU, Walton leads South Oak Cliff with eight sacks, by MaxPreps, and had two against Lovejoy in the 5A-II Region II final.
Peyton Bowen, DC, Denton Guyer
Denton Guyer (13-1) vs Tomball (11-3), 7 p.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium in Waco
One of the best rookies in the defensive back in the country, Bowen caught two passes for 88 yards and a touchdown in Guyer’s victory over Prosper in the Region I 6A-II final. A four-star junior with offers from Notre Dame, Alabama and Auburn, Bowen and Guyer’s defense will be tasked with slowing down Tomball Cale Hellums quarterback, an Army engagement that totals over 3,400 yards of attack and 33 affected in total.
Jackson Arnold, QB, Denton Guyer
Denton Guyer (13-1) vs Tomball (11-3), 7 p.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium in Waco
Guyer’s coach Rodney Webb called Arnold one of Texas’ best quarterbacks in October, and his junior caller play confirmed it. A four-star rookie, Arnold has 3,601 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and just five interceptions this season, and had 305 yards and two touchdowns in Guyer’s 6A-II Region I final victory over Prosper.
Malachie Medlock, RB, Duncanville
Southlake Carroll (14-0) vs. Duncanville (12-1), 4 p.m. Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium
A commitment from Toledo, Medlock ran all over DeSoto in the Region II 6A-I final with over 300 yards of attacking and three TDs in total. He leads Duncanville with 1,556 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, and will be needed to help the Panthers match Southlake Carroll’s offense who has scored 42 or more points in each of his first four playoff games.
Jordan Crook, LB, Duncanville
Southlake Carroll (14-0) vs. Duncanville (12-1), 4 p.m. Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium
Crook, n ° 7 on The Dallas Morning News’ The Top 100 Rookies list is the region’s highest-ranked linebacker and helps lead a Duncanville defense that allows 12 points and 44.6 rushing yards per game – the two highest scores among teams in Zone 6A. A touchdown threat on the goal line as well, Crook scored a meter against DeSoto in the 6A-I Region II final. It will be needed to help slow a Carroll rushing offense for more than 246 yards per game.
Landon Samson, WR, Southlake Carroll
Southlake Carroll (14-0) vs. Duncanville (12-1), 4 p.m. Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium
Samson, a South Carolina player, has three touchdowns in Carroll’s last two games and has 13 this season. The 6-1, 180-pound wide receiver has missed the last four games of the regular season with injury, but appears to be regaining his rhythm. He caught four passes for 88 yards and a touchdown in Carroll’s win over Duncanville in the state semifinals last year.
Avyonne Jones, CB, Southlake Carroll
Southlake Carroll (14-0) vs. Duncanville (12-1), 4 p.m. Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium
Jones returned an interception for a touchdown in Carroll’s final Region I 6A-I win over Allen on Saturday. Wisconsin’s three-star commitment helps anchor a Carroll defense that allows just a shade of over 13 points per game. Jones will need to be at his best against Duncanville, averaging 51.23 points per game, the second-highest scoring among the Dallas-area 6A teams.
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Gabe Gayton, RB, Célina
Celina (12-1) vs. Gilmer (13-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Prosper’s Children’s Health Stadium
Gayton only needed 12 carries to rush for 182 yards and three touchdowns in Celina’s victory over Aubrey in the 4A-II Region II final. The junior has 1,512 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns this season for the eight-time state champions.
Bryan Spotwood Jr., WR, Mansfield Summit
Mansfield Summit (11-3) vs College Station (14-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Hewitt’s Panther Stadium
Spotwood Jr. is tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns with 10, and shot two against Colleyville Heritage in Summit 5A-I’s win in Region I. He had 41 catches for 659 yards over the course. of the season and will be needed to keep up with the attacking pace of College Station, which is averaging better than 50 points per game.
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Find more high school coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
