In order for a football team to maximize its success on the field, it takes a total team effort—11 players on each side of the ball working in perfect harmony. That being said, there are always some exceptional standouts, without whom the team’s foray into district play—as well as the playoffs—would be all but impossible. This article celebrates those players without whose impact success would be futile. We bring you the first-annual Lifestyle Frisco MVP edition. Enjoy!
DISTRICT 9-4A
Frisco High School Raccoons—RB Max Steitle
Was there any coincidence that the last game that senior running back Max Steitle played for the Frisco Raccoons was their last win?
Second on the depth chart preseason, Steitle put together a fantastic year that could only be derailed by a broken leg suffered in the Area Round of the UIL State Playoffs.
Steitle was the central piece of the Raccoons’ Wing-T offense, and rushed for 1,276 yards on 168 carries (7.60 avg) with 10 rushing TDs. His rushing total was good for third in District 9-4A behind only The Colony’s Bryan Hammond and Little Elm’s Caleb Chapman.
Frisco Liberty RedHawks—ATH Rodray Perkins
Rodray Perkins is the prototypical game-changing athlete. He combines speed, quickness and a preternatural knack for precise route running.
The rare player that can do as much out of the backfield as he can in a passing scheme, Perkins combined for 840 total yards of offense in 2013 for the Liberty RedHawks.
On the ground, Perkins was third on the team in yards (270) but was the easy leader in yds/att (6.14). That’s right, give him the ball on two consecutive plays and you would be hard pressed to NOT get a first down. Despite his proficiency at the ground game, Perkins really shines as a wide receiver.
Perkins caught 43 passes for 570 yards and two touchdowns. In District 9-4A he trailed only Centennial’s Devin McCord and Wakeland’s Justice Williams in yards receiving.
Frisco Centennial Titans—QB Kelly Cordova
When evaluating the Centennial Titans’ star QB Kelly Cordova, it’s easy to run out of adjectives in a hurry. Perhaps the best descriptor of Cordova’s over-spilling cup of talent is “dominant.”
So dominant was Cordova as a passer that he racked up 2,641 passing yards with 23 TDs and just 7 INTs. Cordova’s passing yardage was tops in District 9-4A, and fourth in the area.
Yet, to talk solely about Cordova’s strong arm solely would be a grave injustice, as he can work wonders when running the rock too. The ideal signal-caller for the popular option read package, Cordova uses his sub-4.8 40 yd dash speed to explode out of the backfield.
All told, he rushed for 695 yards on 124 carries, and found the end zone on 13 of those runs. Impressive, considering he trailed the Titans’ primary runner, Kamari Burnett in rushing yards by just 164 and touchdowns by only 2.
Frisco Wakeland—RB Brent Altieri
Frisco Wakeland’s top running back, Brent Altieri is an old-fashioned smash-mouth style of runner, one that makes coaches—old school and modern—sing the sounds of praise.
So important was Altieri to the Wolverines’ offense that when he was shutdown in the playoffs by Mesquite Poteet, Wakeland could do little to put points on the board. On the year, Altieri rushed for 873 yards on 155 carries and tied for the team lead with 10 TDs.
Frisco Heritage—QB Malik Walker
The Frisco Heritage Coyotes were coming off a tough 2012 that saw them finish 1-9 overall and 0-7 in district. However, Heritage was a young team that had a ton of talent returning. And one of their perceived strengths coming into the 2013 season was at quarterback.
Twayne Blackwell is an excellent option QB who can hurt you with his legs and his arm. When Blackwell transferred to Plano Prestonwood, many wondered if Heritage wasn’t setting themselves up for another tough season. After all, losing a QB can oftentimes be terminal to a offense. But thanks to the emergence of Malik Walker, the Coyotes found an elite QB just as good as the aforementioned Blackwell.
Under Walker’s watch, the Coyotes averaged 200.5 passing yards per game—good for second in the district—which helped keep Heritage in the playoff hunt until the final weeks of the season. Walker’s 1,968 passing yards ranked 14th in the area and trailed only fellow MVP Kelly Cordova in District 9-4A. His 23 passing TDs tied him for sixth in the area, and he added an additional 8 TDs on 390 yards rushing. And perhaps the best news of all: Walker will be back at Heritage for his senior season next fall.
DISTRICT 9-3A
Frisco Lone Star—RB Ramon Harris
Frisco Lone Star’s stud running back, Ramon Harris has such a profound set of game-changing skills, that the decision to pick him as MVP was somewhat simple.
Harris was fourth in the area in rushing yards with 1,621, and his 19 rushing TDs were good for a share of tenth best in the area. Harris was also excellent in a pinch, as he was used on occasion out of the slot, catching 14 passes for 208 yards and three scores.
Although there were many talented players on this year’s Rangers roster, it is difficult if not impossible to imagine their run through the playoffs and onto their eventual area championship without the notable contributions of Harris.
TAPPS II D-III
Frisco Legacy Christian—QB Ryan Davis
Ryan Davis was the key clog necessary for the Frisco Legacy Christian’s offensive machine to operate at full speed. An option quarterback in the mold of fellow Lifestyle Frisco MVP, Kelly Cordova, Davis led the Eagles in both passing yards and rushing yards—and he did it all as just a sophomore.
Davis displayed a diversity that made him as much a threat running as he was passing. In the air, he managed 992 yards with 13 TDs, whereas on the ground he was just as lethal, with 788 yards rushing and 14 TDs. Fans of Frisco Legacy will have two more years to watch Davis carry their Eagles deep into the playoffs.
We’d like to thank you for making Lifestyle Frisco your go-to source for Frisco High School football! Now that football season has come to a close, be sure to check back here for the Frisco High School Basketball Preview, available right here in just a few short weeks…
