Sports > Schools
Making a name: Texada nabs MVP honors at Reliant Stadium
BY Chris O’Dell, codell@starlocalnews.com
Centennial senior cornerback Ranthony Texada wasn’t one of the top recruits at the recent Offense-Defense All-American Bowl at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
In fact, the TCU commit was the lowest-ranked defensive back (45th on Rivals.com) in the game.
That didn’t stop Texada from shining the brightest, as the Titan intercepted two passes and led the National Conference team to a 20-9 victory en route to nabbing defensive player of the game honors.
“I wanted to go out there and perform well,” Texada said. “I played as hard as I could and luckily came away with an MVP.”
The MVP performance was just the latest accomplishment for a cornerback that has shot up recruiting boards over the past two seasons. Texada’s rise comes after a stint on the eighth grade B team during his middle school years.
“I’ve really come a long ways since middle school,” he said. “The coaches weren’t afraid to let me make some mistakes and let me grow as a player.”
That past has allowed Texada to play with a grudge, something that has helped the cornerback consistently outshine other top players in the state.
“I feel like I’m just as good as any player out there,” Texada said. “I play with a chip on my shoulder because of that.”
The senior cornerback helped Centennial advance to the regional finals before a 38-24 loss to Tyler John Tyler spelled the end of the Titans’ season. Texada said his team’s 12-2 finish wasn’t a bad way to end his high school career though.
“We would have liked to win at least one more game and make it to the state tournament,” he said. “But overall, we had a really successful year.”
Texada was part of a key group of seniors that finished the last two seasons at Centennial with a 24-3 mark. That success has left an indelible stamp on the program.
“I think in the past two or three years, we’ve built a winning tradition at Centennial,” Texada said.
Texada will now join several of his Centennial teammates in a Feb. 6 ceremony to officially ink his letter of intent with TCU.
Following the ceremony, the senior will prepare for his arrival with the Horned Frogs in June.
“I’m just going to keep working out and continue to get better,” he said.
In fact, the TCU commit was the lowest-ranked defensive back (45th on Rivals.com) in the game.
That didn’t stop Texada from shining the brightest, as the Titan intercepted two passes and led the National Conference team to a 20-9 victory en route to nabbing defensive player of the game honors.
“I wanted to go out there and perform well,” Texada said. “I played as hard as I could and luckily came away with an MVP.”
The MVP performance was just the latest accomplishment for a cornerback that has shot up recruiting boards over the past two seasons. Texada’s rise comes after a stint on the eighth grade B team during his middle school years.
“I’ve really come a long ways since middle school,” he said. “The coaches weren’t afraid to let me make some mistakes and let me grow as a player.”
That past has allowed Texada to play with a grudge, something that has helped the cornerback consistently outshine other top players in the state.
“I feel like I’m just as good as any player out there,” Texada said. “I play with a chip on my shoulder because of that.”
The senior cornerback helped Centennial advance to the regional finals before a 38-24 loss to Tyler John Tyler spelled the end of the Titans’ season. Texada said his team’s 12-2 finish wasn’t a bad way to end his high school career though.
“We would have liked to win at least one more game and make it to the state tournament,” he said. “But overall, we had a really successful year.”
Texada was part of a key group of seniors that finished the last two seasons at Centennial with a 24-3 mark. That success has left an indelible stamp on the program.
“I think in the past two or three years, we’ve built a winning tradition at Centennial,” Texada said.
Texada will now join several of his Centennial teammates in a Feb. 6 ceremony to officially ink his letter of intent with TCU.
Following the ceremony, the senior will prepare for his arrival with the Horned Frogs in June.
“I’m just going to keep working out and continue to get better,” he said.
Copyright © 2013 - Star Local News