SportsDayHS 2018 awards: Coach, Utility Player and Newcomer of the Year

Below are SportsDayHS' choices for Coach of the Year, Utility Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year! Selections made by the SportsDayHS staff.

Coach of the Year: Reginald Samples, Duncanville

Samples made three trips to the state semifinal game as a head coach inside DISD and nearly won the 2004 title at Lincoln. That success led many to believe he would succeed, quickly, if he ever left DISD for a single-school district. In his fourth year at Duncanville he delivered, turning a 3-7 program into a dominant force that was one, odds-defying Hail Mary throw away from winning a 6A-I state championship. What makes this coaching season more impressive was its difficulty. "Excruciating" pain from Samples' left hip down his leg forced him to coach from a stool through October. After a medical procedure to fix it, he had to spent much of the next month coaching from upstairs before finally returning to the sideline.

What's next? Maybe Samples captures the very thing that's narrowly eluded him since 2004: a state title. Duncanville, as well as its state championship opponent, Galena Park North Shore, returns the majority of its talent next season, including first-team all-area quarterback Ja'Quinden Jackson and defensive back Chris Thompson Jr.

RELATED: If you really want to know 'The Godfather' Reginald Samples, you need to go behind the scenes as he tries to win that elusive state title

RELATED: Samples nominated for NFL's Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award

RELATED: 'I don't have anything to hold my head down for': Title-game heartbreak finds Reginald Samples again in North Shore's miraculous win over Duncanville

Recent Coach of the Year winners

Utility Player of the Year: Drew Sanders, Denton Ryan Jr. LB/QB/WR

Height: 6-5

Weight: 211

About Sanders: After transferring from Colleyville Heritage to Denton Ryan, Sanders was arguably the most versatile player in the state. As a linebacker, Wildcat quarterback and wide receiver he accounted for 21 touchdowns, running for 13, throwing for three, catching three and returning two interceptions for scores. He scored all three touchdowns for Denton Ryan in its state semifinal loss to Highland Park, running for two scores and catching a TD pass. Sanders was named the District 4-5A Division I co-MVP, and as a linebacker he had 119 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three interceptions for a 14-1 team.

What's next? The four-star recruit is committed to Oklahoma. He is rated the third-best athlete in the nation and the No. 8 recruit in Texas in the Class of 2020.

Newcomer of the Year: Trysten Smith, Duncanville Jr. RB

Height: 5-10

Weight: 198

About Smith: The biggest stage is the best time for a breakout performance. In the state semifinal and final, against two of the best teams in the country, Smith took full advantage. On the first play against Allen he ran for a 73-yard touchdown. Against North Shore, he finished with 152 yards and three touchdowns. AT&T Stadium was hardly the only playing field where Smith succeeded. In his first full varsity season - he was a postseason call-up as a sophomore -- had 1,421 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, averaging nearly eight yards per carry.

What's next? During the state final, a similar refrain came from the press box: a Division I school should offer Smith. He doesn't have an offer yet, but if he keeps playing like he did this season it wouldn't be a surprise to see a scholarship with his name on it.

Recent Newcomer of the Year winners

More 2018 awards!

Defensive PoY: Bishop Dunne S Brian Williams
Offensive PoY: Highland Park QB Chandler Morris
More awards: Coach, Utility Player and Newcomer of the Year
All-area football teams: See full first- and second-teams
All-district football teams: See MVPs and more here
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