Sophomore of the Year: Demariyon Houston

When one of Oklahoma's most tradition-rich, and talent-producing, programs suddenly finds it's way back to top of prep football you usually don't have to look far to find why. And with a wildly talented roster, Oklahoma City Millwood's 14-0 state championship team has more than one player to thank, but it doesn't take long watching the Falcons to realize just how special class of 2019 slot receiver Demariyon Houston is.

Following his 32 reception, 942-yard (29.4 yards per catch) and 13 touchdown sophomore season Houston has been named SoonerScoop.com's Sophomore of the Year.

Houston starred all over the field for the Falcons as a freshman in 2015 but according to his head coach, Darwin Franklin, Houston took things to another level in 2016. And according to Franklin that's always been the way of his prize pupil.

"It's never been a situation of 'maybe I've got something'. I think it was honestly one of those scenarios where he is returning kicks and his sheer athletic ability," Franklin said. "Last year when he ran against Elijiah Johnson and they were neck and neck. He either came in first or second and I thought 'man he's got some real jets on him'. The way he grasped everything from last year to this year, that was huge for us.

"This year we're going to put some more on his plate and see how he grasps it."

To say that Franklin feels safe about the 6-foot, 165-pound Houston's ability to handle what is being thrown at him would be a mild understatement. Though Franklin is quick to admit that his young star still has growing to do he also says Houston knows just what has taken him to his early successes.

"He is the most energetic, fun-filled (kid), just great attitude. He is still a kid he still does some things that don't make any sense and you wonder 'what in the world were you thinking?'. He is just one of those guys that he is always enjoying the moment, like against Adair. You have to rein him in and you say 'man if you don't get it together!'. He comes by my room every day and gives me a 'hey coach'. He just always has pep in his step and he loves the game. He is a fun-loving kid," he said.

"He enjoys working, and that's one of the biggest things I can say about him. He also embraces the hard-working nature. After the state championship game he came to me and said 'coach we did this because of the weight room, I can't wait to get back in there'. And I find that rewarding in working with him."

What Franklin isn't sure of? Just how good Houston can be.

"Who knows? I mean that's honestly my response is 'who knows?' I think right now he is exercising and is just playing off of instincts and natural ability. He can do this so he just does it," the Falcons head man admitted.

"I think when he really works hard at what he does and we saw it as the season went on - he started understanding what was going on and why we were calling what we were calling. Even on Sepcial teams when you have teams that kick to you and we think 'they won't kick to this guy' and then they do and you think 'let's see what he does here'. I think the Adair game really summed it up, just how he changed direction and then ran away from everyone."

Honorable Mention: Grayson Boomer, DE/TE, Collinsville, Daxton Hill, S, Booker T. Washington, Cole Mashburn, DE, Norman North, Will Phillips, RB, Enid