FB Ridge Point senior QB Emanuel Jr. looks to 'run in back' with the Panthers

For Fort Bend Ridge Point and Panthers senior quarterback Bert Emanuel, Jr., 2020 was not that terrible of a year.

Emanuel, a dual-threat signal-caller just like his legendary Rice quarterback father, helmed Ridge Point to an 8-3 finish and an appearance in the regional final, which is the school’s best Class 6A playoff run, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The feat wasn’t lost on the Touchdown Club of Houston, which selected Emanuel and five other Fort Bend area players to its UIL and private high school preseason teams earlier this month.

"It was a fun night and an honor to support our QB @BertEmanuel3 at tonight’s @HoustonTDClub pre-season dinner," second-year Ridge Point head football coach Rick LaFavers tweeted.

Emanuel threw for 1,437 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions plus a 60% completion rate as a junior, as well as ran for six touchdowns and 504 yards, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Buoyed by a prolific offense, Ridge Point reeled off playoff victories over Katy Seven Lakes, Houston Jersey Village and Humble Atascocita before bowing to perennial state power Galena Park North Shore.

Not bad for a program that not only had to get acclimated with a new coach but proceeded without the benefit of spring football and traditional summer workouts.

Coming so close to qualifying for state, Emanuel seeks to "run it back" with the Panthers and add to an impressive resume that includes District 20-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year and a 20-6A First Team selection.

He’ll have up-and-comer Andre Davis to target downfield while the Panthers defense will be led by DK Kalu, VYPE Houston reported.

The website 247Sports reported that Emanuel had received offers from hometown Texas Southern and the Army.