High School Football

Rutherford named Ford Tough Player of the Week

By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor
Posted 10/16/22

“He really is the perfect example of buying into the culture that we came in and set four years ago. We always say ‘I am because we are,’ and it’s all about understanding that your individual success is largely dependent on the others around you. He understands that and he’s selfless."

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High School Football

Rutherford named Ford Tough Player of the Week

Posted

Gavin Rutherford has surpassed anyones expectations in his senior season.

The Cinco Ranch quarterback, who entered the season already holding virtually every school passing record has continued to improve and find ways to help the Cougars win, week in and week out.

Rutherford’s efforts have earned him praise this season, and none was higher than the honor he earned for his performance against Jordan in week seven, as Rutherford was named the Class 6A Ford Tough Player of the Week for his efforts in leading the Cougars to a 53-41 win.

“I was really appreciative to get the award, and when I learned I had won it I truly was kind of in shock,” Rutherford said. “But I really look at this as a team award. You have to have an offensive line that’s doing its job, you have to have receivers that are catching the ball and making plays, running backs doing their job and the defense has to be getting the ball back for you. It was really a team award in my eyes for a whole group effort.”

Rutherford had one of his best games of the season in the win and Cinco Ranch needed it, as he completed 16 of 22 passes for 448 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 57 yards and another score. And the win was an important one for Cinco as it moved the Cougars into second in the district standings.

“We just went out there and did our job and when we execute well, we can have days like that consistently,” Rutherford said. “We went out there knowing that it was going to be a big game. We knew they were making some noise coming into 6A and we just wanted to prove ourselves too. But we just went out and execute, they had some athletes but we were able to have a really good day.”

While Rutherford was quick to defer praise to his teammates, Cinco Ranch Chris Dudley knows how integral the signal caller has been for the team and he praised his quarterback and what he has done for the team.

“It’s a prestigious things, you look at 6A in Texas and all of the schools that are out there and the great players, it’s a huge accomplishment to be named the best player of the bunch in any given week,” Dudley said. “That was his third 400 yard passing game this year and it’s just great that people are noticing his talent, because he doesn’t seek it, but when those honors come in it makes him proud, it makes the coaches and team proud and it makes our school proud.”

Rutherford already owns the Katy ISD career records for passing yards, completions and touchdown passes, but for Dudley and company the best part about Rutherofrd is his ability to lead and how he continues to get better. And the coaching staff can’t wait to see how far Rutherford can lead them the rest of the way.

“Our kids just gravitate toward him,” Dudley said. “He really is the perfect example of buying into the culture that we came in and set four years ago. We always say ‘I am because we are,’ and it’s all about understanding that your individual success is largely dependent on the others around you. He understands that and he’s selfless and that’s such a rare thing. He’s just so grounded and he really is the alpha and the leader for us.”

Katy ISD, Cinco Ranch, sports, football, Gavin Rutherford, player of the week