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Image Courtesy of Bandera ISD/Photo by Nicole Flowers
October 4, 2023
Bandera QB Cardenas nominated for statewide player of the week honor
By Brady Keane
BISD Assistant Football Coach
The Bandera Prophet
Bandera senior quarterback/defensive back Jesse Cardenas was nominated for the prestigious Mr. Texas Football Player of the Week award early this week for his performance in Friday night’s 42-35 win over Robstown.
Cardenas posted an eye-popping stat line that included 7-of-11 passing for 202 yards and four touchdowns through the air, 22 carries for 155 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, and two tackles and an interception on defense.
“I think it’s a great honor to be included with some of the great players across the state,” Cardenas said. “It is a reflection of the hard work our whole team put in throughout the off-season to get to this point.”
Mr. Texas Football presented by Kroger annually recognizes the most outstanding high school football player in the state of Texas. Each week, fans are given a chance to vote for the player of the week on TexasFootball.com. At the end of the high school football season, 10 finalists will be named. Fans can then cast their vote as to who should be named Mr. Texas Football.
The winner of the final Mr. Texas Football Award will be announced prior to the TaxAct Texas Bowl.
Cardenas is up for the Week 6 Mr. Texas Football Player of the Week award alongside nine other candidates from across the state. Keith Tyler (Killeen Chaparral), Trey Owens (Cy-Fair), Triston Airy (Frisco Reedy), Cooper Reynolds (Ponder), Braylon Henry (Lorena), Kody Fuentes (Barbers Hill), Jaydon Smith (Ingleside), Armando Lujan (Sunray) and Noah Moreno (El Paso Bel Air) join Cardenas as this week’s nominees.
Cardenas’ effort Friday night highlighted what has been an explosive offensive season overall for the entire Bulldogs’ offense. The offensive line, including Gavin Spruell, Roger McCrobie, Noah Sizemore, Isaiah Coloney and Logan Harman have helped the Bulldogs rush for 1,679 yards through six games.
A talented receiving corps has also led to an increase in productivity in the passing game, where the Bulldogs have thrown for 745 yards already this year. Senior Corben Gonzales leads the way with 26 catches for 391 yards and seven touchdowns while sophomore Jeffry Thomas has nine catches for 263 yards and seven touchdowns.
Sophomore Benton Cloudt (four catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns), sophomore West Cloudt (two catches for 24 yards) and sophomore Juan Cabrera (114 carries for 697 yards and six touchdowns) have also contributed offensively.
Overall, Cardenas has posted eye-popping numbers through six games, tallying 117 carries for 938 yards and seven touchdowns alongside 40-of-68 passing for 721 yards and 16 touchdowns. Cardenas also has a punt return for a touchdown and two interceptions this year.
Cardenas has been recognized by the San Antonio Express-News with a ‘Game Ball’ on three occasions this season as his performances continue to stand out both in the San Antonio area and statewide.
Bulldog fans can vote for Cardenas in the Mr. Texas Football Player of the Week competition here: https://www.texasfootball.com/player-of-the-week-award/?ref=subnav
This week’s award winner will be announced Friday afternoon.
“Jesse is definitely deserving because of his performance last week to be Mr. Texas Football Player of the Week,” Bandera Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Joel Fontenot-Amedee said. “But more than Jesse’s performance last week, I want to take a minute and appreciate his entire high school career. This guy has recorded over 200 tackles, 2,500 yards rushing and 42 touchdowns. He has started for us in some shape, form, or fashion since he was a freshman.
“He made a position change for us this year and has 24 touchdowns and almost 1,700 yards in six games. I really can’t quantify in words what Jesse has meant to our program. So why is he deserving of this award? He embodies what makes us all love the community of Bandera: he is tough, hardworking, loyal, and proud to be a Bulldog. Lastly, Jesse is a winner! Congrats to Jesse on his nomination.”
Cardenas posted an eye-popping stat line that included 7-of-11 passing for 202 yards and four touchdowns through the air, 22 carries for 155 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, and two tackles and an interception on defense.
“I think it’s a great honor to be included with some of the great players across the state,” Cardenas said. “It is a reflection of the hard work our whole team put in throughout the off-season to get to this point.”
Mr. Texas Football presented by Kroger annually recognizes the most outstanding high school football player in the state of Texas. Each week, fans are given a chance to vote for the player of the week on TexasFootball.com. At the end of the high school football season, 10 finalists will be named. Fans can then cast their vote as to who should be named Mr. Texas Football.
The winner of the final Mr. Texas Football Award will be announced prior to the TaxAct Texas Bowl.
Cardenas is up for the Week 6 Mr. Texas Football Player of the Week award alongside nine other candidates from across the state. Keith Tyler (Killeen Chaparral), Trey Owens (Cy-Fair), Triston Airy (Frisco Reedy), Cooper Reynolds (Ponder), Braylon Henry (Lorena), Kody Fuentes (Barbers Hill), Jaydon Smith (Ingleside), Armando Lujan (Sunray) and Noah Moreno (El Paso Bel Air) join Cardenas as this week’s nominees.
Cardenas’ effort Friday night highlighted what has been an explosive offensive season overall for the entire Bulldogs’ offense. The offensive line, including Gavin Spruell, Roger McCrobie, Noah Sizemore, Isaiah Coloney and Logan Harman have helped the Bulldogs rush for 1,679 yards through six games.
A talented receiving corps has also led to an increase in productivity in the passing game, where the Bulldogs have thrown for 745 yards already this year. Senior Corben Gonzales leads the way with 26 catches for 391 yards and seven touchdowns while sophomore Jeffry Thomas has nine catches for 263 yards and seven touchdowns.
Sophomore Benton Cloudt (four catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns), sophomore West Cloudt (two catches for 24 yards) and sophomore Juan Cabrera (114 carries for 697 yards and six touchdowns) have also contributed offensively.
Overall, Cardenas has posted eye-popping numbers through six games, tallying 117 carries for 938 yards and seven touchdowns alongside 40-of-68 passing for 721 yards and 16 touchdowns. Cardenas also has a punt return for a touchdown and two interceptions this year.
Cardenas has been recognized by the San Antonio Express-News with a ‘Game Ball’ on three occasions this season as his performances continue to stand out both in the San Antonio area and statewide.
Bulldog fans can vote for Cardenas in the Mr. Texas Football Player of the Week competition here: https://www.texasfootball.com/player-of-the-week-award/?ref=subnav
This week’s award winner will be announced Friday afternoon.
“Jesse is definitely deserving because of his performance last week to be Mr. Texas Football Player of the Week,” Bandera Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Joel Fontenot-Amedee said. “But more than Jesse’s performance last week, I want to take a minute and appreciate his entire high school career. This guy has recorded over 200 tackles, 2,500 yards rushing and 42 touchdowns. He has started for us in some shape, form, or fashion since he was a freshman.
“He made a position change for us this year and has 24 touchdowns and almost 1,700 yards in six games. I really can’t quantify in words what Jesse has meant to our program. So why is he deserving of this award? He embodies what makes us all love the community of Bandera: he is tough, hardworking, loyal, and proud to be a Bulldog. Lastly, Jesse is a winner! Congrats to Jesse on his nomination.”