This weekend, I once again decided to watch Del Valle 2023 four-star wide receiver Braylon James in action as the regular season approaches its finale. James, a Texas target, would look to lead the Cardinals past the Hays Hawks, a team that made it all the way to the state semifinal round of the playoffs last year.
Week 10:
Due to Del Valle’s position in the District 26-6A standings, I figured that I should watch the Cardinals for one last time in 2021. I was looking forward to seeing more of Braylon James and LJ Martin, who both made big plays
I was expecting to see a close game, however the Hays Hawks were determined to step on the gas pedal early. Furthermore, Hays junior athlete Chris Bruce was a player that stood out as he made big plays on both sides of the ball. On offense, Bruce opened the scoring flood by mossing a Del Valle defender on a touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Tyler McInvale. On defense, Bruce came away with a second quarter interception when Del Valle was on the doorstep of a touchdown drive themselves. Additionally, Bruce was consistent in picking up chunk yardage via the ground all night. By the time it was all said and done, Bruce scored a total of three touchdowns for the Hawks.
For Del Valle, Braylon James and senior athlete LJ Martin made an impact on special teams, where both were able to score kick return touchdowns. Furthermore, James also had a couple of catches that resulted in first downs for the Cardinals on offense.
Along with Braylon, Del Valle senior Damien Jones and junior Amare Johnson both had tremendous nights on offense. For Johnson, the junior finished the night with 2 touchdown receptions and proved to be an active blocker on the outside. Meanwhile, Jones also was able to find the end zone on two occasions, showcasing a mixture of quick jukes and speed.
Back to Hays, senior athlete Marcus Taylor was on the receiving end of 4 touchdown passes from McInvale. Moreover, Taylor ended the game with 124 receiving yards, most of which came off of contested catches.
Extra Point:
To begin, I think that Bruce is an overlooked recruit in the 2023 recruiting class. To the best of my knowledge, Bruce is without a scholarship offer at this point in time. However, the 6’2″ athlete provides solid size and flexibility, starring at both running back and safety. As a result, I believe that Bruce is a player that recruiters should take a flyer on.
On the Del Valle sideline, Amare Johnson is a player to watch in the 2023 recruiting class as well. The junior athlete showcased his playmaking ability in Friday’s contest and has a big frame, standing in at 6’3″.
Lastly, I have enjoyed watching Braylon James’ last two games. Rightfully so, James receives a good deal of attention from opposing defenses yet still finds a way to make an impact on the game. There’s a reason why he currently has 38 college offers from all of the powerhouse programs in the country. Over the next couple of months, as Texas’s 2023 recruiting class becomes the focus, it will be important for the coaching staff to further develop their relationship with the Austin-area product.
Miles Logged:
52 (Total)
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