During the special run this season, they got off to their best start in school history at 7-0, making it the furthest they ever had without a loss, nearly doubling that with a 13-0 start before dropping the semifinal matchup to Bayside.
Moody’s success and leadership as an eighth grader was key in that, reading defenses, making the right play and getting all of his teammates involved.
He ultimately finished the season with $5,350 yards and 60 touchdowns, setting a new single-season passing record for the Panthers, setting a single-game passing record and a new touchdown record.
That success also led to a new team record of 701 points offensively this season, while Southside also set a team record for points in a game with 76, wins at 13 and margin of victory at 74.
Offensively, the Panthers scored 44 or more points in eight of their 14 games this season, including 60 or more in six games, which played a part in 50.1 points per game.
Remarkably, the passing statistics, while tough to gauge across the country at the high school level, are currently listed as the highest of anyone in the country, making Moody one of the top quarterbacks in the country as an eighth grader.
Scarily enough, he still has four years of high school to compete and should continue to grow from a height and strength standpoint, while also seeing his game reach new heights.
All of that combined was more than enough to make Moody this year’s Player of the Year in Dallas County.