2023 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, 12-16-23: Photo Gallery

Texas Tech Red Raiders football went to the Texas high school football ranks for one of its best all-time coaches. After a five-year stint at Baylor (three as associate head coach), Joey McGuire has led the Red Raiders to back-to-back bowl victories.

Does it come as any surprise?

McGuire led the Cedar Hill Longhorns to three state championships in a 14-year period. Along the way, he finished with a .772 winning percentage over 184 games. Even in preparation for the team’s contest, McGuire couldn’t keep his eyes off of the state championship games in Texas.

“Today, during the break, it was a long day having a late game and so I just followed, between social media and I got to see Port Neches-Groves beat SOC (Dallas South Oak Cliff) in a heck of a game 20-17,” McGuire said. “I got to see Duncanville, following that score. It’s just some really great storylines. Didn’t get to see yet the score of the last game.”

McGuire’s appreciation for many of Texas’ high school football coaches is a direct correlation back to Texas Tech’s recent success. He was effusive in his praise of Duncanville head coach Reginald Samples and former Katy high school coaching legend Gary Joseph.

“For Coach Samples, he’s an absolute legend in Texas high school football to win back-to-back titles. And then Gary Joseph’s son (Jeff) -who’s an absolute legend- for him to win his first state title. Coach Joseph -at Port Neches-Grove- and then seeing Coach Joseph (Gary) hug his son,” McGuire offered. “I actually sent the video to my son and told him, ‘this is going to be us someday.’ Really great moments. I followed every minute of it until we kicked off.”

The Red Raiders are building a program capable of winning in the Big 12 and beyond. 247Sports recently ranked its 2024 recruiting class 24th nationally.

McGuire’s passion for Texas high school football is reflected in its most recent 2024 class. 20 of the Red Raiders 21 signees hailed from the state of Texas.

No player better represents the team’s recruiting emphasis in the state better than freshman defensive lineman Amier Washington. Washington posted four tackles, three quarterback sacks, four tackles for losses and one forced fumble in the 2023 Independence Bowl. A shot put and discus champion at Little Cypress Maruiceville High School (Tex.), he logged minimal snaps during the regular season.

“We kind of saw it in bowl prep, you know how hard he (Washington) was playing,” McGuire said of the Orange, Texas native. “Really proud of Amier. He was one of those guys who really took advantage of the opportunity.”

We go inside his performance in our photo gallery of last night’s action.

The Texas Tech band kept everyone in the stadium entertained prior to the team's respective entrances onto the field.

After starting its season 3-6, the Cal Bears make its entrance into the Independence Bowl by winning three straight games to close the season.

Washington (No. 96 pictured) posts a tackle for loss in the first quarter of the Independence Bowl. A former area and district shot put and discus champion at Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Washington dominated throughout the game.

Texas Tech's Amier Washington (No. 96 pictured) bends the corner to close in on one of two quarterback sacks on the night versus Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza completed 67-percent of his 33 passes for 261 yards and one touchdown, but also threw three interceptions.

Cal junior CB Lu-Magia Hearns III (No. 15 pictured) defends Red Raiders wide receiver Brady Boyd on a pass thrown outside the numbers.

Texas Tech freshman DL Amier Washington (No. 96 pictured) forces a fumble against Cal QB Fernando Mendoza. Washington finished with four tackles, two quarterback sacks, four tackles for losses and one forced fumble.

Cal freshman WR Jaiven Plummer lines up at gunner against the double press technique of Texas Tech hold-up players Coy Eakin (No. 8 pictured) and Maurion Horn (No. 22 pictured).

Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks (No. 28 pictured) finds a lane by turning his body sideways as Cal safety Patrick McMorris (No. 9 pictured) pursues the ball. Brooks who rushed for 95 yards and one TD in the Independence Bowl, finished the season with 1,538 yards rushing and 10 TDs.

Texas Tech bowl game MVPs Behren Morton and Jacob Rodriguez hold up the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl trophy as the fireworks spark in the background.

Texas Tech QB Behren Morton was named the 2023 Independence Bowl MVP and LB Jacob Rodriguez earned Defensive MVP honors.

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Corey Chavous

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