Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2020 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence, in addition to local and state accolades.
Dematrius Davis of
North Shore (Houston, Texas) is the 2020 MaxPreps Texas High School Football Player of the Year. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound senior quarterback put together one of the most successful individual careers in state history, leading the Mustangs to a 51-3 record as a starter while winning Texas 6A Division I championship in 2018 and 2019.
Davis had North Shore on the verge of a third straight title after beginning the season 14-0. But the Mustangs were upset 24-21 in the semifinals by eventual champion Westlake (Austin). North Shore finished No. 7 nationally in the
MaxPreps Top 25.
The Auburn-bound quarterback did his part this season by throwing for 3,553 yards and 38 touchdowns while adding 875 yards rushing and 22 more scores. He finished with 13,583 total yards during his his four years at North Shore, three as a starter.
His best game as a senior might have been against his future college nemesis as he outplayed Alabama signee Jalen Milroe while winning a 47-22 third-round playoff game.
As he seemed to do in all big games, Davis was the game's star by accounting for 386 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the Mustangs to the lopsided win. He completed 18 of 22 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed 12 times for 84 yards, scoring on runs of 9, 23, 4 and 6 yards.
Davis pulled off one of the most famous plays in state history as a sophomore. Trailing by a point in the 2018 state title game against Duncanville, he evaded pressure on the game's final play, stepped up in the pocket and heaved a 45-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to A.J. Carter, giving the Mustangs a 41-36 victory. It capped a 422-yard, five-touchdown performance for Davis to help propel him to MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year honors.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released Jan. 29.
Dematrius Davis will continue his playing career next season at Auburn.
File photo by Dave Sanders
