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4 East Texas Players Still Reaching for That Super Bowl Ring

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With the NFL playoffs in full swing, four East Texans are finding themselves just that much closer to their dreams of earning a Super Bowl win. Over this past weekend, wins by the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC and NFC Divisional Round allow these four natives of Pineywoods the opportunity to get one step closer to playing at Super Bowl LII.

With the Philadelphia Eagles beating out the Atlanta Falcons at a score of 15-10 on Saturday, January 13, and the Jacksonville Jaguars winning against the Pittsburg Steelers at a score of 45-42 on Sunday, January 14, these 4 young Texas athletes are still vying for Superbowl stardom:

1. Chris Ivory, Jacksonville Jaguars

4 East Texas Players Still Reaching for That Super Bowl Ring

Photo: Facebook/FanRag Sports NFL

At the age of 29, this eighth-year running back had originally been signed by the New Orleans Saints in 2010. He was then picked up by the New York Jets in 2013, and later, signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015 as an undrafted free agent. Ivory was a three-year letterman in high school football for coach John King and the Longview High School Lobos, leading them to district titles for all three. For the Jaguars, this year Chris Ivory accounts for 382 rushing yards as well as one rushing touchdown, has 21 receptions equaling 175 yards, as well as a receiving touchdown.

2. Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

4 East Texas Players Still Reaching for That Super Bowl Ring

Photo: Facebook/Matty’s Sports News

Lane Johnson’s Groveton High School graduating class consisted of 35 students. He played quarterback and safety there, where he became all-region and honorable mention all-state selection. He lettered in track and field and was also a team member of their basketball and baseball teams. Johnson was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013 and made his NFL debut as the first Eagles rookie since John Welbourne (1999) to start at tackle for opening day. Just before the 2016 season, he signed a six-year contract and was named to the Pro Bowl (his first) for a stellar 2017 season.

3. Jason Peters, Philadelphia Eagles

4 East Texas Players Still Reaching for That Super Bowl Ring

Photo: Facebook/Philly Bleed Green Nation

This six-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle is working his way towards making football history. Regarded by his peers and game experts as the best, left tackle in the league, now 35-year-old Peters was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles from the Buffalo Bills in 2009. He earned All-District and All-Area honors at Queen City High School as a defensive end and also lettered in basketball. Currently, on the injured/reserve list, Peters is suffering from a torn ACL/MCL that happened in October 2017.

4. Greg Ward, Philadelphia Eagles

4 East Texas Players Still Reaching for That Super Bowl Ring

Photo: Facebook/Miami Dolphins vs Philadelphia Eagles

Greg Ward joined the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2017 offseason as an undrafted free agent. He played QB for the University of Houston, registering the most rushing yards by a QB in the school’s history and tying for the most rushing touchdowns. Ward originally played high school football for John Tyler under coach Ricklan Holmes. His senior and junior throwing, rushing, and touchdown achievements are amazing, and Ward (now 22 years of age) was rated a three-star recruit for his talents. He is currently on the practice squad for the Philadelphia Eagles.

5. NFL Championship Sunday, January 21

4 East Texas Players Still Reaching for That Super Bowl Ring

Photo: Facebook/NFL

The Jaguars are set to play the New England Patriots on Sunday, January 21, in the AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium, at 2:05 p.m., in Foxborough, Massachusetts. After that, the NFC Championship will feature the Minnesota Vikings at the Philadelphia Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field, at 5:40 p.m., in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The winners from both of these games will go on to play in Super Bowl LII, at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 4, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.