2022 Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week

Once again, Ford and Texas Ford Dealers are recognizing the very best high school football stars in Texas in week 4 of the 2022 Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week program. Since 2006, the program has recognized outstanding student-athletes throughout the regular season. For 17 years now, the program has celebrated many future college and professional standouts during their Texas high school football careers.

This week’s winning athletes join a long list of remarkable players recognized for their exceptional efforts.

2022 Built Ford Tough Player of the Week 4 Winners:

Class 6A: Shay Smith, Junior, QB, Franklin High School

Mascot: Cougars

Opponent: Americas High School

Franklin junior quarterback Shay Smith was nearly perfect in the Cougars’ 56-29 win over Americas in Week 4 of the Texas high school football season. Smith led Franklin to a 3-1 (2-0 District 1-6A) start to the season, completed 24 of his 26 passes and totaled nearly 400 yards with 5 touchdowns (3 pass, 2 rush) in the win. Smith currently holds Division I offers from Texas Tech and UTEP. He has already thrown for over 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, in addition to 320 yards on the ground and 3 touchdowns. He has the Cougars in the hunt for another district championship in 2022.

Class 5A: Kody Fuentes, Junior QB, Barbers Hill High School

Mascot: Eagles

Opponent: Crosby High School

Kody accounted for all but 1 touchdown in the Eagles’ 28-27 overtime win over Crosby, throwing for 3 touchdowns (22 of 40 for 383 yards with 3 interceptions, 2 of them on tipped balls) and running for a score. He continues to impress Coach Carl Abseck in his first year as a starter. Kody is a three-sport athlete, contributing to the varsity basketball team as a sophomore last year and qualifying for the regional track meet.

“He can throw any pass we need, and his accuracy and decision-making has been good this year.”

  • BARBERS HILL HEAD COACH CARL ABSECK

Class 4A: Shastin Golden, Senior RB, Davenport High School

Mascot: Wolves

Opponent: Lockhart High School

Two undefeated teams took the field Friday as the Davenport Wolves hosted the Lockhart Lions and the teams didn’t disappoint with a combined 104 points tallied.

The game was filled with great offensive performances, but none greater than that of senior running back Shastin Golden who amassed 372 yards on 30 carries.  Golden also found the endzone 7 times and helped the Wolves remain undefeated with a 62-42 victory.

“Shastin is all business all the time. He shows up every day on the field and in the classroom ready to work. Shastin is determined to always give his best in everything he does. He was named team captain this year and does an excellent job leading by example. We are truly blessed that Shastin is the leader of our pack!”

  • DAVENPORT HEAD COACH JD ZIMMERHANZEL

Class 3A: Dawson Pendergrass, Senior RB, Mineola High School

Mascot: Yellowjackets

Opponent: Bullard High School

When the Mineola Yellowjackets needed a big play on offense, defense or special teams, Dawson Pendergrass delivered during a Week 4, 44-43 overtime victory against Bullard.

Friday night’s game with Bullard was maybe the single best game I’ve ever witnessed by a high school player. Pendergrass rushed for 311 yards, scored 3 touchdowns, catching 4 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown and threw a touchdown pass and scored the game-winning two-point conversion in OT.  That two-pointer came after Pendergrass blocked an extra point to send the game into extra time. Pendergrass also recorded 5 tackles, broke up 3 passes and returned an interception for a touchdown on the defensive side.

“Dawson’s stat line was unreal.  The thing people don’t realize if they didn’t see the game was his determination to do whatever had to be done to help the team. When we had to block an extra point to give us a chance to go to OT, he got it done, and when we had to have the 2-point conversion to win, he wasn’t going to be stopped.  He is a leader for us in the classroom, on the field and in the variety of ways he represents our program. We are all so proud of Dawson’s accomplishments and excited for his future.”

  • MINEOLA HEAD COACH LUKE BLACKWELL

Class 2A:  Armando Lujan, Sophomore QB/DB, Sunray High School

Mascot: Bobcats

Opponent: West Texas High School

Lujan has already emerged as one of the Panhandle’s top signal callers even though he still has 2.5 years of high school football ahead of him. He completed 24 of 36 passes for 373 yards, 4 touchdown passes and 1 interception during the Bobcats’ 43-12 win over Stinnett West Texas last Friday. He also rushed four times for 18 yards and a score, while returning an interception for a 43-yard touchdown.

Lujan picked up the quarterback position as a freshman and through hard work has made considerable strides under the guidance of Sunray offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Caleb Harley. Lujan along with an improved Bobcats offensive line have grown together, which has helped Sunray to a 3-1 start after the Bobcats went 4-7 last season. Last season the Sunray coaching staff just wanted Lujan to focus on the offensive side of the ball but he’s now an iron man player and has become one of the Bobcats’ best defenders.

“The remarkable thing about him is that he never played quarterback until last year. He’s a natural athlete. I think a lot of people would say before last year, ‘well, this kid is going to be a really good basketball player for you, coach. He won’t be a bad football player, but basketball is kind of his thing.’ He has just blossomed. He took to the position and don’t get me wrong, it has taken a lot of work on his part and his position coach. Like I said, he’s blossomed, and it’s been a process that has been fun to watch because he is still improving. To think about where his ceiling could be is exciting.”

  • SUNRAY HEAD COACH WES BOATMUN

Private Schools: Stephen Gill, Junior QB, St. John’s School

Mascot: Mavericks

Opponent: Second Baptist School

First year, junior quarterback Stephen Gill helped lead the St. John Mavericks to a 49-21over non-district opponent Second Baptist Eagles.

Gill, who is like an extension of the coach on the field, was near perfect as he completed 14 of 16 passes for 328 yards and 6 touchdowns.  The passing game was full of big plays with the longest being an 84-yard touchdown to sophomore Cole Allen.

Gill and the Mavericks (3-1) now get set to take on Lutheran South Academy.

Stephen is one of the hardest working players I have ever coached. His dedication during the off season is showing this fall. He has a talented roster around him that helps him be successful. The best is yet to come for Stephen.”

  • JOHN’S HEAD COACH KEVIN VELTRI

Nominate your elite student-athlete at FordPlayeroftheWeek.com

During each week of the 2022 regular season, fans, coaches, and media are asked to nominate players at FordPlayeroftheWeek.com, as well as catch up with winners, view video clips of players in action and get the latest program details. Fans will be able to follow the conversation on social media by using #FordPOTW and share the recognition of these outstanding individuals each week.

Additionally, fans are encouraged to catch all the action on Bally Sports Southwest. The network is teaming with Ford and Texas Ford dealers to keep honor award winners through its weekly television show. Each week, television crews will travel to communities across Texas, spotlighting players who excel on the field, in the classroom and in their communities. The half-hour Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week program will air on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00AM.

How the program works
The Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week program recognizes one high school student-athlete in six of the state’s athletic classifications each week of the regular season.

Nominees must excel in three categories:

  • Individual performance on the field, including significant statistics from that week’s game
  • Contribution to the team’s success through individual leadership abilities
  • Performance off the field, including academic success and good community citizenship

At the end of the regular season, Ford and its advisory board will select one student-athlete from the 11 weekly winners to be the Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Year in each classification. Following the championship games, honorees will be recognized at a banquet next year.

Ford F-Series: The best-selling truck for 45 years
Ford is the undisputed truck leader in Texas. Ford F-Series sets the standard for full-size pickups with leading payload, towing, interior roominess, strength, and reliability. Ford is proud to recognize the Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Players of the Week.