Brauny's Best: Highlighting top high school performances from Week 2
This week's edition of Brauny's Best will have a similar theme. That's because the game I covered on Friday night between Port Arthur Memorial and Houston Legacy was an absolute barn burner that featured some of the best performances of any game I've ever seen in a decade of doing this job.
Without further ado, let's hand out the most prestigious honors in high school football each week.
Texas A&M's 2026 Class
Bellflower (CA) St. John Bosco WR Madden Williams
- 8 catches, 193 yards, 1 touchdown
With a nod to Aaron Gregory (and others, see below), who went for 210 yards on 11 grabs, I went with Williams because his outing came against one of the top high school secondaries in the country, and his massive fourth quarter helped propel St. John Bosco to a victory in a one-score game. If you haven't been paying attention, this kid's stock has exploded since about the middle of the summer when word started to travel about his exploits in the 7-on-7 and camp circuit. To me, he has made noticeable improvements in his overall speed profile and how it translates to the football field. Couple that with his already physical nature and sure hands, and it's easy to see Williams’ upward trajectory in the rankings.
State of Texas
Houston Legacy QB Keisean Henderson
- 30-38 passing, 537 yards, 5 touchdowns
- 6 rushes, 116 yards, 1 touchdown
Simply put, this was the best performance by a quarterback I've ever seen. The Houston commit was other-worldly with both his arms and his legs. First, his decision-making was impeccable from start to finish. Going against a defense that has two Power Four commits and a few other college prospects, he never put the ball or his team in harm's way. Second, his pocket awareness and feel looked like a guy in his fourth season in the NFL. Sometimes, the movements were subtle to slide away from pressure, then make a throw. Other times, he utilized his elite athleticism to escape defenders and pick up huge chunks of yards on scrambles. Of his 116 yards on the ground, less than 10 came on designed runs. Through the air, his touch and timing shined brightest. He hit throws to every quadrant of the field and was putting the football in excellent spots for his receivers. Lastly, his demeanor and leadership characteristics were on full display as the game seesawed all night. It was cool to be in attendance for such a performance.
My Coverage
Houston Legacy WR Mike Brown
- 11 catches, 216 yards, 4 touchdowns
Speaking of getting better, I told Brown after the game that he might be the most improved player that I've ever covered. It's no surprise, given the kid's bloodlines, work ethic and standard that's been set for him by his inner circle. He was also a bit of a late bloomer to begin with in terms of physical maturation — an important factor to consider when evaluating prospects. On Friday night, all the work he did in the weight room, with his speed coach, at the dinner table and everywhere else was on full display. He was exceptional with his route running — the one area where I think he has made the most noticeable jumps — and also made a couple of impressive contested catches against the best defense he's going to face on paper this season.
