Axtell QB suffers season-ending injury during deep playoff run
AXTELL, Texas (KWTX) - The quarterback of the Axtell Longhorns leading his team into a deep run in the state playoffs is home recovering after having surgery Tuesday morning for a broken fibula.
Junior Levi Leathers, who is also a baseball University of Arkansas commit, suffered the season-ending injury during the Region II-2A Division 1 semifinals against DeLeon at Wildcat Stadium in Godley November 28.
His mom, Melissa, told KWTX, the injury happened in the fourth quarter as her son was tackled while running with the ball.
“A kid fell on it,” Melissa said. “Just a freak deal.”
Levi came out of the game when the Longhorns were up 21-6 around the same time as a long weather delay, which gave the offense time to regroup.
AJ Fetsch went in at quarterback and the Longhorns held onto the lead defeating DeLeon 27-18.
Leathers also left a void on defense as the signal caller has been playing on both sides of the ball.
The three-sport star athlete was seen at Scottish Rite in Frisco where doctors determined Leathers had suffered a severe break near the ankle.
He had a successful surgery Tuesday morning in Frisco.
“He’s in good spirits,” his mom said.
Leathers has thrown for 2300 yards and had over 500 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns this season alone.
And it’s not just football where the junior shines.
The Arkansas commit and short stop and third baseman was the district defensive MVP last year.
He was named newcomer of the year in football, basketball, and baseball his freshman year.
Leathers is ranked in the top 60 in the nation for the class of 2027 in baseball.
He is ranked with Perfect Game in the top 10 of his graduating class in Texas.
His mom says Levi will rehab and be back in time for high school baseball season.
Meanwhile, Axtell will play Hamilton in the state quarterfinals Friday in Robinson with kickoff at 7 p.m.
It’s a rematch for the Longhorns who lost to Hamilton last year in the same round, which is the farthest the program has ever gone.
Leathers will have to keep his foot elevated for the next three days, but the QB says nothing will keep him from being there Friday to cheer on his teammates.
“I’m ready to watch Axtell beat those Hamilton Bulldogs,” Leathers said.
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