Sulphur Springs’ Willy Ivery + Carthage’s Blake Bogenschutz Claim Statewide Honor

Two East Texas players were honored as the Built Ford Texas High School Football Players of the Week for their respective classifications.

Sulphur Spring senior running back Willy Ivery took home the honor for Class 4A, while Carthage senior quarterback Blake Bogenschutz was the recipient from 3A.

Sulphur Springs RB Willy Ivery. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)

Ivery, who was also the ETSN.fm/Dairy Queen Offensive Player of the Week, led Sulphur Springs to an impressive 63-28 district-opening win over 14-4A rival Mount Pleasant. Bogenschutz, Carthage's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, was key in the Bulldogs' rout of Huntington in the 20-3A opener.

The Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week award honors one player in each of the state’s six athletic classifications. The winners are chosen for athletic achievements on the field, as well as for outstanding scholarship and community involvement.

Ivery ran for 243 yards and six touchdowns and caught three passes for 69 yards and another score last Friday. The 5-8, 180-pound all-purpose back, who scored four TD's in the first quarter alone, scored on runs of 1, 49, 5, 23, 67 and 55 yards in addition to hauling in a 46-yard touchdown reception. Ivery currently holds FBS offers from Colorado State, New Mexico, North Texas, Texas State and Toledo.

Bogenschutz, a 6-1, 180-pound UTSA commit, threw for 271 yards and five touchdowns -- all in the first half of Carthage's 55-6 win over Huntington -- on 19 of 27 passing. The three-year starter is ranked No. 1 in his graduating class.

“Blake is the greatest kid I’ve ever coached,” Carthage head coach Scott Surratt said. “He’s a high character young man and a perfectionist in everything he does. He’s the first one to practice and the last to leave. That’s what makes him great. On the field, he makes a lot of the calls. Blake is the complete package.”