For the first time in 18 years,
Denton Ryan can call itself state champs. The Raiders cruised to a dominant 59-14 win over Cedar Park to win the Texas 5A Division I championship Friday night at AT&T Stadium.
Senior quarterback
Seth Henigan changed his number to nine before the season because that was the number James Battle wore in 2002 when the Raiders won their last state title.
It worked.
The Memphis signee capped his stellar season completing 15 of 23 passes for 270 yards and four touchdowns. He was named the Offensive MVP of the game.
Quarterback Seth Henigan helped Denton Ryan win its first state title since 2002 in dominant fashion.
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
Five-star Texas signee
Ja'Tavion Sanders hauled in five receptions for 82 yards and a score while four-star Oklahoma signee
Billy Bowman added 63 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Senior running back
Ke'Ori Hicks rushed for 128 yards and two scores.
After Cedar Park cut the deficit to 10-8 in the second quarter, the Raiders turned it up a notch. They scored three touchdowns in a four minute span to take a 31-8 lead by halftime.
The Raiders' defense was one of the nation's best this season and held an offense that was averaging 54.2 points per game to 14. Ryan forced three turnovers and turned one of those into a defensive touchdown.
Ja'Tavion Sanders, Ryan receiver
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
Senior defensive back
Ty Marsh was all over the field, recording an interception, a key forced fumble and recovery in the second quarter that negated a would-be touchdown right before halftime. He was named the Defensive MVP.
Cedar Park's
Ryder Hernandez completed 24 of 44 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns. He threw two interceptions, which matched his season total.
Hernandez finished his senior season throwing for 4,525 yards and 60 touchdowns.
Ranked No. 9 nationally this week by MaxPreps, the win secured Ryan's third state championship in school history and a spot in the top 10.
Ryan coaches and players celebrate while displaying the state championship trophy.
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
Running back Ke'Ori Hicks scores the game's first touchdown on a run during the opening quarter for Ryan.
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
Billy Bowman, Ryan athlete
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
Ryder Hernandez, Cedar Park quarterback
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
Ryan receiver Keagan Cunningham races along the sideline for a 48-yard touchdown reception during the first half.
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
Ryan defensive back Ty Marsh was selected the game's Defensive MVP after recording an interception and forcing a fumble which he recovered.
Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
