By Michael Adams  
Austin Sports Journal  

Playoff races heat up as several Austin-area teams can clinch playoff berths this week. Here are this week’s Austin Sprots Journal Friday Night Stars of the Week and helmet sticker recipients. 

Friday Night Star of the Week  

Luke McBride, Lake Travis  

The senior quarterback delivered in the biggest moment of the season. He completed 23 of 34 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers to lead Lake Travis to a 31-10 rivalry win over Westlake, the Cavaliers’ first road win in the series since 2015. Big game, big stakes and a big performance. 

Small Town Friday Night Star of the Week  

Hudson Thigpen, Thorndale 

The running back was simply unstoppable, rushing for 310 yards on 26 carries (11.9 YPC) with four touchdowns in Thorndale’s win over Johnson City.  

Helmet stickers 

Kale Meadors, Thorndale: The junior had 11 tackles, including one sack and rushed for 31 yards on four carries (7.8 ypc) and scored two touchdowns against Johnson City.  

Caleb Crenshaw, Anderson: The senior rushed for 234 yards on 28 carries (8.4 ypc) and scored one touchdown in the Trojans’ win over Hays.  

Rhys Moreno, Bowie: The junior running back rushed for 149 yards on 12 carries (12.4 ypc) and scored two touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ win over Akins.  

Julius Silva, Bowie: The senior rushed for 116 yards on nine carries (12.9 ypc) and scored three touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ win over Akins.  

Eric Walker II, Taylor: The junior ran for 202 yards on 14 carries (14.4 ypc) and scored two touchdowns in the Ducks’ win over Eastside.  

Jack Devine, Regents: The junior quarterback threw for 293 yards and ran for 78 while scoring five touchdowns in the Knights’ win over Grace Prep.  

Blake Smith, Regents: The senior caught five passes for 104 yards and scored three touchdowns against Grace Prep.  

Jayvion Carter, East View: The junior ran for 121 yards on 15 carries (8.1 ypc) and scored two touchdowns in the Patriots’ win over Killeen Chaparral.  

Sam Brown, Vandegrift: The senior ran for 116 yards on 14 carries (8.3 ypc) and scored two touchdowns in the Vipers’ win over Hutto.  

Hugo DeLaVara Vazquez, Vandegrift: The senior defensive lineman had six tackles, including two sacks against Hutto.  

Hayes Paddock, St. Andrew’s: The sophomore ran for 251 yards on 23 carries (10.9 ypc) and scored three touchdowns in the Highlanders’ win over Cathedral. 

Marcos Erlanson, St. Andrew’s: The junior caught three passes for 114 yards and scored two touchdowns against Cathedral.  

Anthony Reyes, Rouse: The senior ran for 171 yards on 30 carries (5.7 ypc) and scored two touchdowns in the Raiders’ win over Leander.  

Wade Allen, Westwood: The senior rushed for 229 yards on 35 carries and scored four touchdowns in the Warriors’ win over Stony Point.  

Nico Anderson, St. Michael’s: The junior threw for 243 yards and ran for 23 more, scoring four total touchdowns (2 passing, 2 rushing) in the Warriors’ win over St. Dominic Savio.  

Trae Hill, Cedar Park: The senior rushed for 229 yards on 30 carries (7.5 ypc) and scored three touchdowns in the Timberwolves’ win over Lake Belton.  

Brodrick Siwecki, Blanco: The senior rushed for 242 yards on 18 carries (13.4 ypc) and scored two touchdowns in the Panthers’ win over Lexington.  

Aaron Cantu, Fredericksburg: The senior rushed for 184 yards on 22 carries (8.4 ypc) and scored four touchdowns in the Battlin’ Billies’ win over San Antonio Kennedy.  

Eli Gillum, La Grange: The junior ran for 273 yards on 22 carries (12.4 ypc) and scored three touchdowns in the Leopards’ win over Caldwell.  

Westin Smith, Lake Travis: The senior caught five passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns against Westlake.  

Braden Lott, Lake Travis: The senior linebacker had a team-high 13 tackles, including two tackles for a loss and an assisted sack against Westlake.  

Jaylen House, LBJ: The senior threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns and was near perfect (10 of 13 passing with no interceptions) in the Jaguars’ win over Northeast.  

Marquis Murry II, LBJ: The junior ran for 100 yards on seven carries (143 ypc) and scored four touchdowns against Northeast.

Preston Benefield, Liberty Hill: The senior ran for 171 yards on nine carries (19.0 ypc) and scored three touchdowns in the Panthers’ win over McCallum.  

Gary Jefferson Jr., Bastrop: The senior ran for 151 yards on 11 carries (13.7 ypc) and scored four touchdowns in the Bears’ win over Elgin.  

Cole Taylor, Pflugerville: the senior threw for 344 yards and six touchdowns in the Panthers’ win over Crockett, completing 15 of 23 pass attempts without an interception.  

Breland Hill, Pflugerville: The junior caught six passes for 182 yards and scored four touchdowns against Crockett.