TPI’s Week 1 Top Performers: 18-5A

With action going on all across the state, TPI’s Ahmard Vital will highlight some of the top player performances from Week 1 in the District of 18-5A.

RB Cullen Pabody, Katy Taylor
Pabody, the Mustangs' workhorse, had a great showing Thursday night against Fort Bend Austin. He rushed for 187 yards on 28 carries and four touchdowns in a 28-27 2OT win. Look for Pabody to keep on grinding out the yards as the season continues.

QB Donte Elliott, Alief Taylor
The Lions’ Elliott played a big role in Taylor’s 27-10 win over Fort Bend Kempner. Elliott was 4-of-6 for 89 yards passing with two touchdowns. On the ground, he had 16 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown. Elliott, a Boston College commit, is one of the Lions’ primary playmakers.

RB Aundre Dean, Katy
Dean makes this list for the second week in a row and for good reason. Against the Woodlands, he had 203 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns in a 48-7 victory. Katy, after that win, is now ranked No. 1 in the area on Texas Prep Insider.

RB Jeremy Hills, Alief Elsik
Hills, a Texas pledge, was key in the Rams’ running game last Saturday against Houston Stratford. He had 113 yards on 12 carries and two first-half touchdowns. The Rams fell to the Spartans 35-28.

RB Michael Venson, Katy Morton Ranch
The Maverick running back had 16 carries for 134 yards and a touchdown in a losing effort against Woodlands College Park (33-13). Venson also caught a 24-yard touchdown pass. Look for Venson and the Morton Ranch team to progressively improve as the season goes on.

WR Sheriff Thomas, Katy Mayde Creek
Thomas is more than a capable target for QB Will Handlin. Thomas caught five passes for 115 yards and a score against Langham Creek. But the Rams lost 44-20.