North Texas is home to a considerable number of former pro athletes, whose children tend to show up the playing fields of Texas high school sports.
Here are several you’ll see under the lights during the 2024 high school football playoffs.
Patrick Crayton Jr.
The son of former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton Sr. led Hebron to its first playoff appearance in four seasons last week with a 59-21 win against Flower Mound. Crayton Jr. has completed 110 of 177 passes for 1,572 yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. He is also second on the team in rushing yards (448) and rushing touchdowns (eight).
Crayton Jr. will try to extend his senior season against Prosper Rock Hill on Thursday.
CJ and Cooper Witten
The sons of former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, CJ and Cooper Witten, have carved out their own path at Argyle Liberty Christian, where their dad is the coach. Both play defense for the TAPPS powerhouse.
CJ, a senior Rice commit, tallied 108 tackles last season, including 12 for loss, along with four fumble recoveries and a forced fumble, according to Sports Illustrated. His younger brother, Cooper, is a sophomore and the No. 1 safety in Texas for the Class of 2027. He was a key player on Argyle Liberty Christian’s 14-0 championship team in TAPPS Division II in 2023.
Argyle Liberty Christian has a bye this week and will start its state title defense next week in the TAPPS state quarterfinals.
Maliek Hawkins
Frisco Emerson’s Maliek Hawkins, an Oklahoma commit, is the son of former NFL cornerback Mike Hawkins Sr., who played for the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns for two seasons. Hawkins’ other son, Mike Hawkins Jr., is a quarterback at Oklahoma.
The younger Hawkins brother helped Emerson secure the fourth seed in 4-5A Division II, one of the most competitive districts in the area. He played a key role in the school’s run to the 5A Division II state semifinals last season and will look to advance again this year Friday against Argyle in the first round of the playoffs.
On Twitter/X: @ronharrodjr
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