PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Bridgeland Bears
Cypress Ranch Mustangs
Cypress Springs Panthers
Cypress Woods Wildcats
Langham Creek Lobos
Waller Bulldogs
Cypress Lakes Spartans
Cypress Park Tigers
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE's PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Jett Lewis, Bridgeland
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Braden Baker, Cypress Ranch
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ryan Lynch, Cypress Springs
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Austen Matthews, Cypress Springs
ON THE CUSP: Langham Creek Lobos
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Cypress Ranch Mustangs
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
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Cypress Springs Panthers
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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Langham Creek's Cole Molina
Doug Brown (VYPE)
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This past season was a banner year for Bridgeland, as they went 9-2 to claim their first undefeated district championship since 2020. While they were ultimately eliminated by Klein Cain, in a 50-49 nail-biter to open the playoffs, the Bears are unlikely to see a similar result this time around. District 16-6A Coach of the Year Lonnie Madison will look to guide his team back to the postseason, with several of his weapons back on the gridiron. Senior QB Jett Lewis should build on his 2023 performance, which saw him throw for nearly 2,200 yards with 24 TDs, earning himself second-team, all-district honors. Lewis will be buoyed by a relentless O-Line that features Ryan Fodje (Oklahoma) and Jonte Newman (Texas A&M), and a new sequence of skill-position players. Defensively, Bridgeland is stacked with district first-teamers Andre Roy (Sr. LB) and Karson Krause (Sr. LB), as well as second-teamers Edward Nelson (Sr. DB) and Jacob Tucker (Sr. LB). As usual, this district will be tough to compete in, but Bridgeland has proven to be up to the challenge as recent memory indicates.
The fourth-place spot in the district was claimed by Cypress Ranch in 2023, and were bounced at the hands of Klein Collins to end the year with a record of 6-5. While that might not have been the outcome they would have hoped for, the Mustangs still bring back a good chunk of their star-power. Former Lubbock Estacado HC William Blaylock enters to right the ship of a program that has seen 10-consecutive playoff appearances, which should only work to improve the organization. QB Braden Baker looks to breakout in his sophomore year with fellow first-teamer Peyton Thomas (Jr. RB) joining him in the backfield, making for a dangerous offensive duo. Junior linebacker Ayden Combs will provide the spark on defense, after being named the district’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year and will be efficiently complemented by the talents of first-teamers Gabriel Ikechukwu (Sr. DL) and RJ Reedus (Sr. DB), in addition to Niklas Fisher (Sr. DL) and Shamar Cotton (Sr. LB). Watch out for super-sophomore Amari Vickerson on the defensive line, who has all the makings of the program’s next big thing.
Cypress Springs was a welcome surprise to emerge a year ago. After enduring a six-year playoff drought, coach Oji Fagan and the Panthers wound up claiming the No. 3 spot in the district prior to punching their ticket to the postseason. Although their Cinderella story was cut short in the Bi-District round by a formidable Tomball Memorial opponent (30-29), the new precedent should have them emboldened for a similar run in 2024. The reigning Co-District 16-6A Defensive MVP Ryan Lynch (Sr. DL) returns to anchor a relentless Cy Springs defense that will also feature first-team ATH Paris Melvin as well as second-teamers Isaiah Marshall (Sr. DL) and Phillip Hagger (Sr. DB). Meanwhile, there will be a new QB1 with Harrison Mass gone to graduation, but there are still a bevy of weapons to utilize on offense. The senior receiver-duo of first-team, all-district selection Rashod Richardson and Jamon Richardson (second-team) should keep the opposing defensive backs honest, while junior RB Austen Mathews comes into his own as the potential lead-horse. Also, expect senior Preston Johnson to split touches given his experience in the program.
Cy Woods finished last Fall with an even 5-5 record, but just narrowly missed out on reaching the playoffs. However, we predict that the Wildcats make a swift return under the direction of Cody Simper. He’ll have plenty to work with on offense, which averaged 35 points a game in 2023. Someone will need to step up in the running back spot, after last year’s star Wayne Shanks Jr. transferred to Kinkaid, but expect second-team WRs Brandon Brown and Kyler Singletary to play pivotal roles in the team’s production. While there isn’t a definitive starting QB for the Wildcats just yet, there’s a good chance junior Darien Rogers could step into that position. On defense, there are some question marks that might need to be addressed, but seniors Harris Ranney (second-team) and John Jacobs (second-team) should provide the veteran-leadership needed to boost the front.
Langham Creek was another team who was just on the outside of the playoff seedings a year ago, as they ended up going 4-6. The Lobos haven’t seen the postseason since 2018, but that could easily change this time around. The offensive line won’t be a major liability, given that Cole Molina (first-team, all-district selection) and Micah Reed (second-team) are back in the trenches to block for RB Daymond Ruiz, who is also coming off a second-team, all-district showing. What is cause for some concern, however, is the fact that nearly all of last year’s defensive stars for Langham Creek have since graduated. Regardless, the Lobos should still be a contender for a potential playoff spot come November.
Waller moves over from District 15-6A, in which they went 2-8 to finish seventh overall last season. Things won’t get any easier for the Bulldogs, given the level of talent 16-6A is composed of. But, that won’t stop coach Marcus Mendoza from making their presence felt among the new competition. He brings back the co-District Utility Player of the Year Brandon Stewart (Sr. WR) to lead the offensive attack, in addition to a respectable O-Line that’s anchored by first-teamer Ty Tryon. Defensively, the major returning starter will be senior DL Thony Tshitenge, who earned second-team, all-district honors in 2023.
It was another year of varied success for Cypress Lakes in 2023, ending it with a record of 3-7 and claiming just one district win. Former Cy Woods assistant coach Tyrone Carter will look to turn things around as the new HC. Fortunately for Carter, he does have some talent to work with in his new role, primarily Theodis Fields (Jr. RB), who contributed nearly 600 all-purpose yards and five scores for the Spartans last Fall. Meanwhile, Dekendrick Minor (Sr. WR), Julius Malone (Sr. WR) and Courtney Lewis (Jr. WR) make a respectable trio for junior QB Joaquin Escobar to throw to. The relatively young Cy Lakes defense will likely be headlined by Khalil Costello (Jr. LB), Gavyn Barnes (Jr. LB) and Justin Dugar (Sr. DB).
Since reaching the postseason in 2021, Cypress Park has had some difficulty getting back in the district conversation, evidenced by their 0-14 record against their counterparts over the last two years. However, that could potentially change this Fall. Names to remember for coach Greg Rogers’ Tigers include second-team, all-district TE Jordan Boyd, Tomi Kafaru (Sr. DB), Tadarion Mosley (Sr. RB), Joseph Salvador (Sr. LB), Kevin Cadorette (Sr. WR), Abraham Dadzie (Sr. LB) and Franklyn Odor (Sr. DB).