From staff Reports
The Austin Sports Journal has partnered with Covert Ford to honor the top high school athletes in the Austin-San Antonio region each week during the high school sports season,
The Austin Sports Journal will gather the top performances across our 13-county coverage area with the help of readers, coaches and staff. Then let our readers decide the top athlete for the week.
Voting is open from 1 p.m., Mondays through noon, Wednesdays. The Austin Sports journal will announce the winner each week on our website and present the athlete of the week with a certificate.
Coaches are encouraged to nominate athletes no later than 5 p.m., Sundays each week. Nominate players by emailing Michael Adams at madams@austinsportsjournal.com.
Here are this week’s nominees:
Hayes Paddock, St. Andrew’s football: The sophomore running back delivered a breakout performance, scoring five total touchdowns while rushing for 300 yards on 24 carries (12.5 yards per carry) and catching three passes for 98 yards to lead the Highlanders past Greenhill.
Ke’Marion Gordon, Leander football: The senior was unstoppable on the ground, piling up 236 rushing yards on 18 carries (13.1 yards per carry) and scoring four touchdowns in Leander’s big win over Killeen Chaparral.
Jarell Gary Jr., McNeil football: The Mavericks’ senior playmaker did it all, totaling 244 yards (139 rushing and 105 receiving) and scoring three touchdowns to help McNeil roll past Vista Ridge.
Griffin Hummel, Bowie cross country: Hummel blazed to a 15:15.8 to win the individual district championship, one of the fastest times in the region. His performance anchored a dominant showing for Bowie in a highly competitive 26-6A district.
Caroline Strong, Westlake cross country: Strong captured the District 26-6A individual championship with a time of 18:26.8, leading the way against one of the toughest fields in South Central Texas.
Keyaira Limuel, Bastrop volleyball: The senior middle blocker had back-to-back double doubles, notching 12 kills and 14 digs against cross-town rival Cedar Creek and then matched that performance with 12 kills and 15 digs against Navarro. She also had eight service aces and three blocks.
