Texas high school football is officially underway with defending state champion Denton Ryan dismantling No. 5-ranked Longview at the Star in Frisco on Saturday afternoon for the inaugural Jerry Jones Classic. The game pitted two of the state’s top 5A teams against one another with the promise of a tough match-up. Denton won by a final score of 40-7, logging 37 unanswered points and effectively ending the game before half-time.
Denton Ryan Head Coach Dave Henigan led his team to a 15-0 record last year while winning the school’s third state championship. With a new quarterback this season, the Raiders appear to be firing on all cylinders and ready to make another championship run.
The Raiders showed promise in the running game and on defense. The Raiders D scored 16 points by recovering a blocked punt in the endzone — a spectacular interception return that went for 6 points, and a fumble recovery on the goal line that resulted in a safety.
Raider Running Back Kalib Hicks was the star of the game, putting up 139 yards on the ground and three touchdowns including one from 69-yards out. His three touchdowns came in the first half, helping Denton Ryan to a 33-7 lead.
The lone Longview touchdown came on the first series of the game for the Lobos, but turnovers doomed any chance the team had of staying in the game. Five-star recruit Anthony Hill Jr. recovered a fumble on defense and also scored the final points of the game with a 6-yard scamper into the end zone.
“It’s a great honor to have these two very proud and successful Texas high school football programs compete at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco to open the football season,” said Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones. “High school football is the bloodline of our sport, and we appreciate the opportunity to host high school games of this magnitude here in Frisco. The tradition and spirit of high school football is alive and well in the State of Texas, and the Cowboys are thrilled to be a part of it.”
The annual game is sponsored by Whataburger. The company announced the partnership back in September 2020. Whataburger got its start as a roadside burger stand in 1950’s Corpus Christi. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio and has 830 restaurants in 10 states.
“Football is serious business in the Lone Star State, and for the past 60 years, the Dallas Cowboys have built a legendary culture,” said Ed Nelson, Whataburger President and CEO. “Texans also take great pride in their burgers. Since 1950, Whataburger has been serving customers hot, fresh burgers, just the way they like it. Together, the Cowboys and Whataburger bring 130 years of experience in winning Texans’ hearts. It’s a partnership with the greatest home-field advantage of all — our fans and communities.”
Denton Ryan will take on 6A powerhouse Denton Guyer while Longview will face off against Marshall under the Friday night lights.