November 3, 2016 - Six Outstanding Student Athletes Selected in Week Ten of Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week Program
• Class 6-A – Mitchell Jonke, Sr., Quarterback, Allen
• Class 5-A – Trevor Hatton, Jr., Quarterback, Lancaster
• Class 4-A – Kyle Parks, Sr., Quarterback, Center
• Class 3-A – Michael Everett, Sr., Quarterback, Odem
• Class 2-A – Daryel Lozoya, Sr., Running Back/Linebacker/Kicker, Iraan
• Private Schools – Christopher Wilhelmi, Sr., Quarterback, Tyler Grace Community
PLANO, Texas, Nov. 2, 2016 – Six Texas high school football stars have been recognized in the tenth week of the 2016 Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week program.
In its eleventh consecutive year, Ford Motor Company’s Player of the Week program is again honoring six outstanding student-athletes each week of the 2016 regular season, recognizing one player in each of the state’s six athletic classifications. The winners are chosen for athletic achievements on the field, as well as for outstanding scholarship and community involvement. These players are the embodiment of Ford’s Go Further commitment.
This week’s winning athletes join a long list of remarkable players recognized for their exceptional efforts.
Week 10 Winners
Class 4-A: Kyle Parks, Sr., Quarterback, Center
In a game that featured 11 lead changes, it was only fitting that Center quarterback Kyle Parks had the last word. Trailing by six points (39-33) in the waning seconds last Friday, Parks tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass, his second of the game, to preferred target Octavious Evans in a stunning 40-39 win over Kilgore in a key District 9-4A Division I contest. The victory clinched a postseason berth for the Roughriders, who improved to 6-4 overall and 4-2 in district play before heading into their bye week. The 6-1, 180-pound signal caller accounted for all six of Center’s TDs, clicking on 26 of 34 passes for 309 and two scores and rushing for 74 yards and four TDs. Parks’ effort was a welcome sight after Center had lost its previous game 56-0 to Henderson.
With the regular season in the books, Parks has thrown for 1,872 yards and 13 TDs and had 290 yards and 13 scores on the ground. The holder of an A/B average, Parks is an all-district point guard on the hardwood and qualified for the regional track and field meet in the 400 meters. Among his numerous service projects are peer mentoring with the Uncommon Men program and reading to the elementary school kids in Center.
“We were missing four starters on defense, and Kyle knew he’s have to shoulder more of the load that night,” says Coach Barry Bowman. “Kyle stepped up like a real team leader and led us on the winning drive in the final minute. When it counted most, he executed.”
Class 6-A: Mitchell Jonke, Sr., Quarterback, Allen
The great coaches know that when the game is on the line, that’s when you hope your big-time players will step up. That’s exactly what Allen senior quarterback Mitchell Jonke did last Friday, when the district championship was up for grabs and Allen trailed by seven points in the final period. “Leaders put themselves in position to be successful in big games,” says Allen first-year Head Coach Terry Gambill. Jonke tied the game with a touchdown throw and then won it with 3:48 left on a 10-yard sprint in Allen’s thrilling 38-31 win at Plano East. The victory pushed Allen, no. 1 in this week’s Associated Press Class 6A rankings, to 9-0 overall and the champions of District 6-6A. Jonke hit on 13 of 20 passes for 231 yards and two TDs and ran for 100 yards and another score on eight carries (12.5 yards a pop!). The Eagles conclude the regular season Friday with Wylie before embarking a hopefully deep playoff run.
Jonke (6-0, 180 pounds), a winner on the field, carries the same attitude into the classroom where he holds a straight-A average and ranks near the top of his class. That bodes well for next fall when he’s off to Brown University. Additionally, Jonke stays busy at Allen High and in the local community with several projects and activities.
“Mitchell is a smart player and has shown the ability to make great decisions,” says Coach Gambill. “He’s faster than you think and does all the little things that a quarterback needs to do in managing the game. He’s a team leader and has the intelligence to be a tremendous future Ivy League student-athlete.”
Class 5-A: Trevor Hatton, Jr., Quarterback, Lancaster
Trevor Hatton, the junior quarterback at Lancaster, may be the coolest customer in town. Falling behind traditional powerhouse Waxahachie 14-0 early in a crucial District 10-5A game last week? “No sweat,” was Hatton’s response. By halftime, the 6-0, 175-pound signal-caller had run for a pair of scores and thrown for another, and the Tigers had the lead, 28-21. That’s all the edge they needed. In the second half, Hatton clicked on a 34-yard TD pass, keying Lancaster’s 42-35 victory, increasing his team’s record to 8-1 and 6-0 in the district, guaranteeing at least a share of the title when the sixth-ranked (AP) Tigers visit Midlothian on Friday night. For the evening, Trevor completed 16 of 26 pass attempts for 277 yards and two scores and carried 16 times for 96 yards and two more TDs. That performance padded his season passing totals to 116 completions on 198 throws for 1,983 yards and 22 touchdowns. “Trevor is a long way from making a college decision,” says Lancaster Head Coach Chris Gilbert, “but whoever eventually gets him is getting a heckuva kid!”
College may have to wait for Trevor. A solid A/B student, he’s a tremendous shortstop whose name may come up in the Major League Baseball draft in 2018. Since this is his first season at quarterback, he hasn’t generated the kind of attention on the gridiron that he has on the diamond—yet!
“If you were starting to design a quarterback from scratch,” says Coach Gilbert, “you’d probably start with Trevor. He’s an outstanding player and kid. He has all the tools and the intangibles. He always puts himself second and he’s a great teammate. Trevor is easy to trust, and we’re trusting him with our most important position. His parents are both educators and so he really gets it. He doesn’t mind being disciplined and he just has a way with people. That may be his most impressive feature.”
Class 3-A – Michael Everett, Sr., Quarterback, Odem
Odem quarterback Michael Everett continues to put up numbers that are sure to land him in the all-time Texas high school record book. His performance in a 51-21 win over Hebbronville last week, with the district title on the line, was typical. The 6-0, 185-pound QB hit on 15 of 30 passes for 340 yards and five touchdowns and rushed 15 times for 148 yards and another pair of scores. He also threw for three two-point conversions. The victory raised the Owls’ season mark to 8-1 and 4-0 in District 16-3A, Division II, which sewed up the title. With at least two more games to go in 2016, Everett has thrown for 2,955 yards and 43 TDs. His career totals may be even more impressive. He has thrown for 11,224 yards, which ranks him among the all-time top ten in Texas history, and his 144 career touchdown passes supplants former Lake Travis star and Built Ford Tough Player of the Year Garrett Gilbert at number five on the all-time touchdown pass list. The Owls wrap up the regular season this Friday night at Banquete.
Everett is like a one-man athletic department at Odem. A two-time district MVP in baseball, he also stars in basketball, track and golf. None of his on-field accomplishments are done at the expense of his academics. His 3.76 GPA offers perfect proof. Additionally, he’s involved in a regular program of reading to elementary school youngsters, the Nurse Club, Spanish Club, Toys for Tots and coaching at football and volleyball youth camps.
“Michael has absolutely taken our program to the next level,” says Odem Head Coach Andres Martinez, “with both his on-field skills and his leadership ability. He took over as our starting quarterback midway through his freshman year and he owns the position. Michael is amazingly humble and involves everyone in his success. He has obviously been the face of our program, and he has blazed a path for future Owl quarterbacks to follow.”
Class 2-A: Daryel Lozoya, Sr., Running Back/Linebacker/Kicker, Iraan
Here’s a strong candidate for Understatement of the Year: Iraan’s Daryel Lozoya is involved in every aspect of the game! Take last Friday, when Iraan kept its record perfect through nine games with a 53-6 pasting of Menard in a District 5-2A Division II contest. In just over two quarters, Daryel carried six times for a whopping 179 yards (30 yards a pop!) and three touchdowns from 60, 49 and 51 yards as the primary ball carrier in the flexbone offense. “Daryel usually grinds out his yards, but in this game he broke the game open with long runs that kept our drives short,” explains Iraan Head Coach Mark Kirchhoff. He also kicked three extra points, made five tackles and one tackle for loss. The Braves, currently no. 2 in both the Campbell and Associated Press rankings, close out the regular season on Friday at Merton Irion County looking to put finishing touches on a perfect 10-0 mark.
The holder of a solid A/B average, Lozoya is a two-time all-district and 2015 third-team all-state running back. So far he’s attracted interest from smaller colleges. Additionally, he’s a member of the golf team, runs a leg on the sprint relays and stays involved in FFA and the agriculture program at school.
“Daryel has elevated his game from the beginning of the season when he came into camp in the best shape of his life,” says Coach Kirchhoff. “You’d expect this from a team leader and he has really seized the moment.”
Private Schools: Christopher Wilhelmi, Sr., Quarterback, Tyler Grace Community
It’s like this all of the time whenever neighborhood rivals get together. When Tyler Grace Community and Tyler Bishop T. K. Gorman hooked up last week, much more than just bragging rights were on the line. Grace Community’s senior QB, Christopher Wilhelmi knew what was at stake—sole possession of second place in TAPPS Division II-2 and a guaranteed home playoff game. For Wilhelmi, Grace’s 56-27 victory was redemption of a sort; he wrecked his MCL in the Cougars’ final pre-season scrimmage and missed half the regular season. Even when he returned, Coach Mike Maddox never allowed him to play much more than a half. Finally turned loose against Gorman, Wilhelmi enjoyed a great night, hitting on 13 of 19 passes for 311 yards and four touchdowns and rushing 13 times for 134 yards and two more scores. “It was the first time we let him run,” says Maddox. “He really did the job. But what we really missed most during his absence was his leadership.”
Wilhelmi doesn’t miss too many steps in the classroom, either. He sports a nifty 3.6 GPA. He volunteers with a group that collected bug spray and sun lotion for the Salvation Army and is involved with a Methodist Church group that paints houses, with Toys for Tots and with a golf project for needy youngsters. He’s an excellent golfer and a regional qualifier for the Cougars’ track team in the hurdles and sprint relays. He wants to continue to play on Saturdays and his future could include an Ivy League school.
“Christopher is one of those terrific kids who makes everyone around him better—on and off the field,” says Coach Maddox. “He’s a young man with tremendous integrity and character. He’s highly competitive but really sensitive to the needs of those around him.”
Nominate your elite student-athlete at PlayeroftheWeek.com
Students recognized by Ford Motor Company, Texas Ford dealers and the Built Ford Tough media advisory board as Players of the Week excel in three categories:
• Individual performance on the field, including significant game statistics
• Contribution to the team’s success through individual leadership abilities
• Performance off the field, including academic success and good community citizenship
Fans, coaches and media can nominate athletes at PlayeroftheWeek.com, as well as catch up with winners, view video clips of players in action and get the latest program details.
Additionally, fans can catch all the action on Fox Sports Southwest. The network is again teaming with Ford and Texas Ford dealers to keep up with award winners through its weekly television show. Each week, television crews will travel to communities across Texas, spotlighting these 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 airs Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. for 12 weeks.
Ford F-Series: Best-selling truck for 39 years
Ford is the undisputed truck leader in Texas. F-Series sets the standard for full-size pickups with its leading payload, towing, interior roominess, strength and reliability. Ford is proud to recognize outstanding student-athletes in the Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Players of the Week program.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com
