Lake Dallas DB Xinjin (Zen-jun) Gomez
What he did: Tied 48-48 in overtime with Frisco Memorial, Gomez blocked what would have been a go-ahead field goal. Memorial’s kicker had made several field goals, including a 50-yard kick, on the night. A Memorial interception that Lake Dallas returned for a game-winning touchdown followed that play. The senior also made 11 tackles, nine of them solo.
The stats: Gomez has made 27 solo tackles and nine assisted tackles this season. Along with three interceptions, Gomez has posted two pass break ups and a blocked kick. As a junior last season, Gomez made 58 solo tackles and 29 assisted tackles with two interceptions, six pass breakups and one blocked punt.
Who he is: A 5-foot-10, 155-pound team captain for Lake Dallas this season. The senior from Denton has played football since he was in kindergarten and is a three-year letterman.
He said it: It was probably the best game I’ve ever played in, in my life. ... My coach told me to go block that kick and as soon as I got off the line, I had a good start. And I saw the kicker kind of go in a little slow, so I was like ‘Oh yeah, I’m gonna block this.’ ... I just dove and it hit my arm, and that was it. ... This group is really fun to play with.
Coach said it: “He is as tough as nails (physically and emotionally) and refuses to step down from any situation on the field. I mean whether it is taking on the opposing team’s running back in an open field situation or scooping up a fumble recovery knowing he now has to take on those would-be tacklers as well, he really enjoys those types of underappreciated moments that at times go by unseen,” Lake Dallas assistant football coach Samuel Garrison said.
Did you know? Gomez grew up playing quarterback, but started transitioning to defense in middle school. He enjoys playing Madden.
| Player | School | Pos. | Class | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tosta Emory | Rockwall | CB | Sr. | 31-yard INT return for a TD in 37-34 win over Mesquite Horn |
| Enow Etta | Colleyville Covenant Christian | DL | Sr. | 13 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 TFL, 57-yard fumble recovery for a TD in 38-14 win over McKinney Christian |
| Devin Hardy | Frisco Reedy | CB | Jr. | INT returned for 46-yard TD in 38-7 win over Frisco Centennial |
| Justus Henry | Frisco Reedy | DE | Jr. | Blocked FG returned for 70 yards in 38-7 win over Frisco Centennial |
| Wesley Huber | Aubrey | LB | Sr. | 8 tackles (5 solo), TFL, INT in 63-6 win over Gainesville |
| Garcia Johnson | Lewisville | LB | Sr. | 7 tackles (6 solo), TFL in 38-3 win over Coppell |
| Mason Johnson | Lewisville | DT | Sr. | 5 tackles (4 solo), TFL, sack, 5 pressures in 38-3 win over Coppell |
| Elijah Knott | Frisco Independence | S | Jr. | 8 tackles, PBU in 44-10 win over Denton |
| Eli Koch | Lake Dallas | CB | Sr. | Returned a 49-yard INT for a game-winning TD in 54-48 overtime win over Frisco Memorial |
| Sylvester Lopez | Bishop Dunne | S | Sr. | 6 tackles (5 solo), TFL, sack, PBU, INT, TD in 72-12 win over DasCHE |
| Alex Mann | Fort Worth Christian | OLB | Sr. | 17 tackles (9 solo) 4 TFL, sack in 35-24 win over Dallas Christian |
| Tamaje Maxie | Seagoville | S | So. | Ended Hillcrest’s last scoring attempt with an INT in 34-28 win |
| MJ Moses | For Worth Temple Christian | DT | Jr. | Safety, sack, FF, fumble return for a TD in 44-7 win over Fort Worth Mercy Culture Prep |
| Jayrn Parks | Wilmer-Hutchins | LB | Sr. | 19 tackles (16 solo), 3 TFL in 27-21 win over Frisco Panther Creek |
| Ivan Peña | Denton Guyer | DE | Sr. | 7 tackles (5 solo), 2 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 pressures, FF resulting in a defensive TD in 56-7 win over McKinney Boyd |
| Tommy Rossley | Highland Park | ILB | Sr. | 15 tackles (13 solo), 3 TFL, sack, pressure in 35-28 win over Jesuit |
| Wesley Scott | Lake Highlands | S | Sr. | 63-yard pick-six in 57-14 win over Irving Nimitz |
| Erik Spring | Royse City | S | Sr. | Game-sealing INT with 1:13 left in game in 28-14 win over North Forney |
| Josh Thornhill | Bishop Lynch | CB | Sr. | INT with 3:37 to go in game in 41-38 win over Fort Worth Nolan |
| Colin Wanek | Plano | LB | Sr. | 15 tackles (12 solo), TFL in 30-17 win over Plano West |
On Twitter: @t_myah
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