As the old saying goes ... Defense Wins Championships.
Having a solid defense paired with an unstoppable offense can be the recipe for a state title. Look at North Shore and Shadow Creek for instance. In their title games there were crucial moments - a 4th and goal from the three for Duncanville and a Hail Mary by Denton Ryan - were the defenses stood tall.
So, who were the best defensive players in Houston in 2019?
Start with the MVP - Shadow Creek's Alec Bryant.
Bryant, a Virginia Tech signee, had a big year and was a major disruption on the defensive line finishing the season with six sacks, 25 hurries, 45 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He is a big get for Virginia Tech.
Check out the rest of the 2019 All-VYPE Houston Football Defensive Team.
Defensive MVP: Alec Bryant, Shadow Creek
DEFENSIVE LINE
First Team
Tunmise Adeleye, Tompkins
Nick Booker-Brown, Westfield
Elijah Champaigne, Tomball Memorial
Chidozie Nwankwo, Foster
Second Team
Brandon Brown, Morton Ranch
Caleb Fox, The Woodlands
Warren Robinson, FB Marshall
Asyrus Simon, Atascocita
Honorable Mentions
Vernon Broughton, Cy Ridge
J'Mani Gibson, Travis, DT
Tim Hardimon, Westfield
Bryson Stewart, Ridge Point
Tiago Sumbo, Seven Lakes
Ronald Triplette, Shadow Creek
Cameron Whitfield, Dawson
Robert Wooten, Stafford
…
LINEBACKERS
First Team
Corey Flagg, North Shore
Christian Hood, Hightower
Jaylen Phillips, Katy
Josh White, Cy Creek
Second Team
Ty Cana, Katy
Jeremiah Harris, Shadow Creek
Dyllon Peavy, Westfield
Derrick Harris, New Caney
Honorable Mentions
Cavin Branin, Barbers Hill
Rodney Dansby, Bellaire
Will Garner, Klein
Nick Haas, Memorial
Derick Mourning, Paetow
Mycah Sesay, Manvel
Warren Shankle, Shadow Creek
…
DEFENSIVE BACKS
First Team
Bryan Massey, Katy
Cameron Oliver, FB Travis
Upton Stout, North Shore
Trevor Woods, Katy Taylor
Second Team
Savien Arnett, Dickinson
Joshua Eaton, MacArthur
Robin Neely, Cy Ranch
Jarrett Pleasant, Magnolia
Honorable Mentions
Denzel Blackwell, Strake Jesuit
Devyn Brooks, Atascocita
Jayden Goodwin, Cy Falls
Dakerric Hobbs, Conroe
Sylvester Labome, FB Marshall
Anthony Odums, Westfield
Christian Richards, Cy Ranch