Shortly after Frisco Lone Star football coach Jeff Rayburn met Karece Hoyt he knew he had ‘it’ when it came to being successful in his program. He just has a hard time putting into words what ‘it’ is.
Rayburn got to know Hoyt before the 2023 season in which Hoyt solid year as a receiver and running back. Playing as a rare freshman at the varsity level made enough of an impression that Hoyt was named the starting quarterback as a sophomore.
This fall Hoyt has been outstanding in that role, accounting for 2,832 yards and 38 touchdowns. More important, he has led Lone Star to an 8-1 record, 6-1 in District 5-5A-I. Lone Star, ranked No. 3 in The Dallas Morning News’ Class 5A area poll, takes on rival and No. 11-ranked Frisco Reedy (8-1, 7-0) with the 5-5A-I title on the line Thursday at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco.
Rayburn said Hoyt made such an impression as a freshman that he had no hesitation letting him follow in the footsteps of successful signal-callers such as M.J. Rivers, Garret Rangel and Collin Blackstock at a young age.
“There are certain players that have the ‘its.’ They have an intangible quality about them,” Rayburn said. “Karece has a maturity you can’t coach. He has ‘it,’ whatever ‘it’ is.”
Hoyt started playing football when he was four years old and living in Wichita, Kan. His family moved to North Texas five years ago.
Hoyt primarily played running back growing up, but three years ago he moved to quarterback. He said his background as a running back made him comfortable as a dual-threat quarterback right away.
Hoyt credits his mother Katie for teaching him maturity, driving it home through faith.
“My mother always tells me to stay focused and give God the glory,” Hoyt said. “My favorite Bible verse is John 3:16.”
Hoyt rushed for 196 yards and three touchdowns while adding 20 receptions for 178 yards a touchdown last year while helping Lone Star to a 10-2 season. He said work in the spring built up trust with the coaching staff and made for a relatively smooth transition to quarterback.
Hoyt’s debut was a smash as he passed for 307 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 75 yards and a touchdown as Lone Star edged No. 7-ranked Argyle 24-17 on Aug. 30. Hoyt – who is 6-foot-2 and weighs 200 pounds -- has led Lone Star in passing and rushing in a game eight times this season. He accounted for 532 total yards and seven touchdowns in Lone Star’s lone loss, a 65-59 overtime decision to Frisco Wakeland on Oct. 24.
Hoyt said he draws inspiration from past Lone Star standouts such as receiver Marvin Mims, running back Ashton Jeanty, cornerback Jaylon Braxton and Rangel. Mims currently plays in the NFL for the Denver Broncos while Jeanty is a Heisman Trophy candidate at Boise State. Braxton currently plays for Arkansas while Rangel is at Oklahoma State
Rayburn, who has coached at Lone Star since 2013, said Hoyt reminds him most of Rivers, who led Lone Star to a 12-2 record and the Class 5A Division II Region II final in 2017.
“Karece is similar to M.J. in they are both big, strong quarterbacks that can throw and run,” Rayburn said. “Karece is a different beast in the way has bought into what we do. It sets him apart from a lot of people.”
Hoyt credits Blackstock, his predecessor as Lone Star’s starting quarterback, for inspiration in knowing when to be serious and when to have some laughs with the game.
Hoyt also draws inspiration from one of the most difficult times in Lone Star history.
Hoyt was teammates with defensive end Luke Miller for the 2023 season. Miller signed with UT Permian Basin, but he died on July 8 after suffering a stroke on July 3. This season Lone Star breaks out of huddles with the battle cry, “Luke Strong.”
“I knew Luke very well. He showed me the ropes about playing football for Lone Star and all the things that came with it,” Hoyt said. “I think about him often, and I always think about him before every game.”
Rayburn said Hoyt is already receiving interest from around 30 college football programs. Among the schools that have made him offers are Texas Tech, North Texas, SMU, Baylor, TCU Texas A&M, Arkansas, Penn State, Michigan and Oregon.
Rayburn said having ‘it’ will help him for the rest of his time at Lone Star and in college recruiting.
“We’ve never had a sophomore elected captain before Karece,” Rayburn said. “It’s what he brings as a person that makes him stand out. It’s what he brings on a daily basis.”
Hoyt said he doesn’t pay attention to individual statistics. He said his focus is winning district titles, then hopefully playing for a state championship at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Along the way however, he hopes to have fun and simply enjoy the excitement of the game. In the midst of intense competition at Lone Star, and possibly big-time college football in the future, he leans on his faith.
“My second favorite Bible verse is Matthews 6:34. It basically says don’t worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will take care of itself,” Hoyt said. “I try not to worry.”
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