Kanon Gibson, a junior/quarter back (Class A) of Wink High School was among six winners named for the 2021 Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Year award.
These outstanding Built Ford Tough gridiron heroes were honored for their performance on the field and their leadership off the field in the 2021 football season at a ceremony at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco – the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters on Jan. 15.
During week 9 junior quarterback Kanon put in a full game’s worth of work in one half during Wink’s 76-13 rout of Morton High School. He completed 16 of 25 passes for 405 yards and six touchdown passes, while rushing four times for 47 yards and a TD. He also had four tackles, a pass break up, and boomed a 40-yard punt. As a junior, he is uncommitted for college.
Others recognized are:
- Class 5A: Billy Ryan High School Junior linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., delivered a high-powered win against Frisco Lone Star during week 11. Hill made 18 tackles and added three quarterback pressures in Ryan’s 7-6 win. Also a junior, Anthony remains uncommitted.
- Class 4A: During week 8, El Campo High School junior running back Rueben Owens rushed for 342 yards and five touchdowns to lead the El Campo Ricebirds to a 69-47 win over Brazosport. Rueben carried 20 times and scored on runs of 20, 43, 6, and 32 yards in the first half. He added a 92-yard TD in the fourth quarter. Rueben is looking forward to his senior year on the team this fall and is uncommitted currently.
- Class 3A: Jim Ned High School senior running back/linebacker Xavier Wishert accounted for 80% of the Jim Ned Indians’ total offense in their 37-20 win over District 3-3A Division I rival Wall in week 8. Xavier carried the ball 20 times for 313 rushing yards and three touchdowns, leading No. 1-ranked Jim Ned to their 21st consecutive victory. Xavier is unsure on commitment.
- Private Schools: Dallas Parish Episcopal rode senior running back Andrew Paul to a blowout victory over Fort Worth Nolan and the district championship during week 10. Paul totaled a career-high 396 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries in a 63-35 win. Andrew Episcopal won a third consecutive state title in TAPPS Division I in December. Paul remains uncommitted.
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