Star transfer QB ignites Fort Worth All Saints football’s hot start to the season

It’s been nearly eight years since Fort Worth All Saints High School football last won a state title.

This year, the Saints are among the elite squads in Texas private school football. Ranked as Dave Campbell’s No. 4 overall private school, All Saints is a serious contender in TAPPS Division II.

Transfer quarterback Gavin Parkhurst , a senior Rice commit who led Trinity Valley to a 2023 SPC 3A State Championship, is leading the charge.

“At my previous school, I felt I’d done all I could,” Parkhurst said. “I wanted to come here, play some better teams and prepare myself for the next level.”

He replaces three-star Virginia Tech commit Kelden Ryan , who transferred to DeSoto, the defending UIL Class 6A Division II State Champion.

“Kelden Ryan is an unbelievable talent,” All Saints head coach Aaron Beck said. “Unbelievable athlete. Gavin Parkhurst has allowed us to do a few things in the screen game. He’s been real exciting. He doesn’t want to run, but he will run to get a first down. He is a quarterback on the field, in the film room, in the locker room, in the classroom, off campus -- and he has provided such great leadership.”

On Thursday at All Saints Episcopal High School, Parkhurst continued his elite play, leading the Saints to a 43-22 win over Lift for Life Academy, a St. Louis school. He threw for 225 yards while completing 25 of 43 passes for a 58% completion rate.

Beck said he was a bit worried about the game, considering the level of challenge Lift for Life would bring was unclear. Lift for Life showcased competitiveness in the first quarter, but the Saints were rightfully prepared.

“I’m proud of our guys for not letting this be a a trap game,” Beck said. “We came out, and we played well. ... Most importantly, we got through these three ball games healthy.”

The offense was effective with Parkhurst’s quick passes to get the ball in the hands of playmakers, which includes wide receiver Qumonte Willams, who totaled 73 yards on eight receptions, mainly in the first half.

“Williams is a definite talent,” Beck said. “Hand-eye coordination is unbelievable. Boise State was here tonight to recruit him as a defensive back. The kid is such an athlete. He plays above the rim in the red zone. A great student of the game and in the classroom too.”

Expectations are high for All Saints football, a clear title contender. Beck has emphasized that his squad will take things one game at a time, electing to focus on the present moment.

“Your opponent is yourself,” Beck said. “We focus on that here. We don’t get caught up in the rankings and all that stuff. One game at a time, right? This is a real special group. It would be disappointing to get too far over our skiis and worry about anything besides the next week. Ultimately, we want to be playing December seventh.”

Forced turnovers, consistent offense power All Saints to victory

At first, things were competitive with Lift for Life and All Saints going back and forth. The Saints struck first with a 23-yard pass from Parkhurst to Williams; it looked as if Williams dropped the ball, but the referees doubled down on their original touchdown call.

A fumble recovery by three-star Kansas State commit Dalton Knapp , a senior, set up the score. Knapp was a driving force for an ultra-effective Saints defensive line and Blake Robinett, a TCU commit, was also a key contributor.

“We’ve got some depth this year that we haven’t had the past two to three years,” Beck said.

Lift for Life responded with a breakaway touchdown, the Hawks’ sole first-half score.

All Saints’ special teams made things hard on Lift for Life with phenomenal pressure, which led to a few botched punts. On the scoring side of special teams, Saint kicker Sutton Figley was effective with field goals of 34 and 30 yards.

“Sutton (Figley) has really good range anywhere inside 40,” Beck said. “And he can place the ball on kickoff pretty well too.”

All Saints added to its first-half lead with two-yard touchdowns from Cole Palfreeman and Jake Powers and a pick-six from Keyon Adkins. Ryan Powers added another takeaway, hauling in another interception on a fake punt attempt.

At the half, All Saints held a commanding 35-6 lead.

Special teams added fuel to the fire with a punt to the five-yard line followed by a safety. Parkhurst and the offense slowed down slightly, but Figley continued his scoring spree with 24 and 39-yard field goals.

Lift for Life’s offense scored twice in the second half, but the Saints lead was insurmountable.

All Saints next game is against Episcopal School of Dallas at the Ford Center at The Star on Sept. 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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