Stephenville's Ryder Lambert named SBLive's Texas High School Football Offensive Player of the Year
Stephenville’s Ryder Lambert was another gunslinging quarterback who shined while also leading his team to a perfect finish and a 2021 Texas high school football state championship.
Lambert’s explosive junior season made him one of the state’s most prolific passers throughout the regular season and during the Yellow Jackets’ postseason run to the Class 4A Division I state title, earning him SBLive’s 2021 Texas High School Football Offensive Player of the Year award.
“Starting in the spring and during summer 7-on-7, we didn't really know what the offense was going to look like or who was going to be where,” Stephenville senior wide receiver Coy Eakin said. “I was fighting for the quarterback job. Ryder upended me on that and then it all ended up for the best because of our guys. Everybody just fell into place.”
Lambert and Eakin, his leading receiver, took the reins of the Jackets’ offense making it one of the most high-scoring units throughout the state, averaging 40.7 points per game.
- SBLIVE’S ALL-REGION TEAMS:
- CENTRAL TEXAS | EAST TEXAS | NORTH TEXAS | SOUTH TEXAS | WEST TEXAS
Lambert finished his junior campaign with 4,275 yards and 52 touchdowns through the air on 249-of-384 passing. He also rushed 117 times for 831 yards and 11 scores on the ground in 16 games behind center.
Eakin, meanwhile, ended the year as the state’s leading receiver in yardage (2,140) and touchdowns (31) on 93 receptions en route to Stephenville’s sixth football state title in school history.
“I mean, me and (Ryder) have always been good friends throughout grade school, so it wasn't really a shock,” Eakin said. “We started in flag football when we were about 6 years old and we all met each other. This has been our goal since then and it finally came through. … But I mean, it's really been a team effort. We had two great running backs, we have a really good receiving corps, a great quarterback and our offensive line did amazing all year.”
Eakin recently signed to play college football at Texas Tech, while Lambert earned an Elite 11 invite in early February.
MORE AWARDS:
Westlake’s Klubnik, Dodge named SBLive’s Texas Football Player and Coach of the Year
Lambert named SBLive’s Texas Football Offensive Player of the Year
Holmes named SBLive’s Texas Football Defensive Player of the Year
Bailey named SBLive's Texas Football Newcomer of the Year
(Feature photo by Brian McLean)
