b'Beau Perez School Spotlight: Hawley High School (Hawley, Texas)Quarterback H awley High School, located in Hawley, Texas, plays at theby John IV White2A classification of Texas high school football. They are the defending 2A state champions, going 16-0 last year de-jesuit High feating Refugio 54-28. The Bearcats, whose colors are maroon and white, are led by Coach Mitch Ables, who has been the head coach New Orleans, LA there since 2014. Talking to Coach Ables this week, we talked about many things that revolve around the Hawley program.Coach Ables has led the turnaround of the Hawley football pro-gram. Before he arrived in 2014, the Bearcats had suffered a lot of HT: 65 not enjoyable seasons. In the 46 years before 2014, Hawley has only O ur next Diamond in the Rough athlete is 2024 Jesuit HighWT: 220 been to the state playoffs 3 times. When Coach Ables arrived, he School (NOLA) QB Beau Perez. At 65, 220 pounds, Beauinstantly turned this program around into a 2A powerhouse. Av-towers many of his fellow opponents, which can be a majoreraging around 12.6 wins per season, Coach Ables has completely advantage at the quarterback position. His 3.2 GPA showsturned the Bearcats around and led them to winning the 2A state that he is focused in the classroom as well. Beau attended our latestClass of 2024 championship last season against powerhouse Refugio.Elite Camp at Northshore High School, and he showed us the kind ofTalking to Coach Ables, he talked about how their motto is that quarterback he really is. His arm talent and height are the things thatthey expect to win. Taking it one day at a time, they try to get a little can really set him apart from his competition. He received an invite toGridiron Football Grade:8.6 of 10 bit better every day of the year. This approach has contributed to the Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game with his performancethe success on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Bearcats run a at the camp. For this coming season, it will be his second year as a start- multiple spread where they like to incorporate either a single or 2 er, so he is looking to look better than he did last season and help theback. They love to get the TE involved in order to create mismatch-Blue Jays win by any means necessary. Our Beat Writer, Jace LeJeunees. Defensively, the Bearcats run a 4 man front but they switch it up had the chance to interview him, and he gave some very interestingevery game in order to match up with their opponents.insight on himself and this coming season for the Jesuit Blue Jays. by Will StrotherGranville Anderson School Spotlight: Gordo Greenwave (Gordo, AL)Athlete by Brandt RebertClass of 2024 G ordo High School is a public secondary school located in Gordo, Alabama. It was established in 1898. The teams nickname is the Greenwave and their school colors are U-High green and gold. Gordo participates in the 3A level of the AHSAA. Some notable alumni are Wayne Davis (all-time leading tackler at Baton Rouge, La Alabama), his son Ben Davis who now plays in the XFL, Tanner W hether it is catching passes or making field goals, Gran- Bailey (current South Carolina backup QB), and Donte Knox (DB ville Anderson II has done a little bit of everything forfor Alabama in the 80s). Gordo has won 4 state championships in the U-High Cubs. Playing for one of the biggest pow- football in 1968, 1980, and 2001 in 2A, and a 3A championship erhouse programs in the Baton Rouge area, Granville has certainlyin 1985. Since 2000, Gordo has been the winningest football pro-played a big part in their success. In fact, last year, the versatilegram in Alabama, going 211-55. The Greenwave are currently led playmaker was a dependable receiver by grabbing a single seasonby Head Coach Gus Smith. school record 60 catches for 611 yards and nine touchdowns inIn Coach Smiths first year as head coach this past year, their re-2022. Not to mention, the 1st Team All-District receiver also madecord was 11-2, losing in the quarterfinals to Piedmont. In the past 53 of his 55 combined kicks (field goals/extra points) as a 2ndHT: 510 Coach Smith was an assistant with Daphne, in 2010, being a part of Team All-District kicker while also averaging 40 yards per punt asWT: 175 a state championship. From 2015-2020 Coach Smith was at Mobileonships yearly and this is the type of culture that Coach Smith is the teams punter. His versatility has helped him earn offers fromChristian, going 55-9 in 7 years and playing for 2 state champi- bringing. Last year Gordo knew that they could have won it all, Carleton College, Louisiana Christian, Rose-Hulman, Northwest- onships. In 2021, Coach Smith was the Defensive Coordinator forhowever Coach Smith acknowledged the recent emphasis on fin-ernState,andGramblingplusapreferredwalk-onofferfromJackson High, making it to the state semifinals in his first year. ishing games stronger. Lastly, even with good players graduating, South Alabama. In the classroom, Granville is also an exceptionalGridiron Football Grade:8.1 of 10 Gordos tradition of greatness will stay strong. Coach Smith spoke student athlete posting a 4.3 GPA and a 27 on his ACT. Because ofGordo does not shy away from their goals at the beginning of theabout some prospects he expects to lead his team to state next year.his ability, versatility, and work ethic, Granville has been invitedyear. They are here to win a state championship, and if they do not to play in the 2023 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game atwin then its a bust. Gordo should be competing for state champithe end of the season. by Jace LeJeune26 27'