DISTRICT 13-6A
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS (Playoff teams in bold)
The Woodlands Highlanders
Oak Ridge War Eagles
Willis Wildkats
Conroe Tigers
New Caney Eagles
College Park Cavaliers
Grand Oak Grizzlies
Cleveland Indians
Caney Creek Panthers
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MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Mabrey Mettauer, The Woodlands
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
DJ Lagway, Willis, QB
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Justin Williams, Oak Ridge, LB
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Cole Snodgrass, College Park, TE
ON THE CUSP
Grand Oaks Grizzlies
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Oak Ridge War Eagles
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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Willis Wildkats
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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Conroe Tigers
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
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New Caney Eagles
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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The Woodlands Highlanders reached the Class 6A DI Regional Quarters before falling to Duncanville. So, the Highlanders lost to Duncanville and North Shore, who both played in the State Title Game. And New Caney, who won district. This season, it’s district title or bust… and beyond. Wisconsin-commit Mabry Mettauer is the undisputed leader as he directs the offense for the third year. He has the luxury of an all-star offensive line, led by Koltin Sieracki (Baylor-commit), Ryan Hughes (TCU) and Everett Champlin (Army). The skill position is loaded with first-teamer Quanell Farrakhan Jr. and Shane Walker. Aden Self and Patrick Rabel (second-team) are also tremendous playmakers. The rich get richer as Kiandrea Barker (Penn State) moved in from Arkansas to run the ball. The defense will be a work in progress. The headliners will include Tyler Honeyman (safety), Cayden Clayton (ILB), Caleb Phillips (OLB), Nolan Burris (DE), Caden Villaver (DB) and Andy Orr (DB). The secret weapon? Kicker Scott Starzyk is a college level talent.
Coming off the bus, Oak Ridge looks like a college team. Let’s start up front with Defensive POY Justin Williams at LB and DT Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (Georgia), both who are Under Armour All-Americans. DE Favour Awodoyin is a 6-foot-5 rangy defender with huge upside. On the back end, first-teamer Arinzechukwu Ejeckem will be back to patrol the secondary. With the defense as a strength, coach Mark Schmid will put his offensive scheme to the test. Co-Offensive POY Frankie Arthur (1,400 yards) is back in the backfield to take the load off of new QB's Adam Trosclair and Jack Emerson, who will get his shot running the offense. The top target will be WR Tevian Jefferson and spelling Arthur running the ball will be Larry DeBose IV. The OL will be the focus as several big-men graduated in 2023.
The Willis Wildkats are blessed with the one of the top QB recruits in the country in DJ Lagway (Florida), who participated in the Elite 11 camp this summer. Lagway is a dual-threat, and if healthy, he can put a team on his back and get a postseason spot and beyond. The WR corps is loaded with first-teamers Jalen Mickens and Debraun Hampton. Look for two-way players Imauree Holmes and Jermaine Bishop Jr. to contribute heavily on offense this season. Offensive Newcomer of the Year Daylion Robinson will be a key to the Wildkats’ success. OLs Mason Isbel (first-teamer) and Allen HS move-in Day’jon Moore (6-foot-4, 305-pounds) will anchor the line. The defense is fast but not deep. Bishop, Holmes and Robinson will all play in the secondary, while Klein Forest move-in Carter Jenkins will play everywhere on defense. The front seven will be led by first-teamer Josiah Stephens, Zach Lang and Isaac Stafford (Air Force) on the line, while first-team LB Brock Perry and Christian Hall will handle the middle.
Conroe was once one of the top programs in Houston back in the 1980s and now coach Cedric Hardeman has the Tigers back in the conversation. The Tigers graduated a ton of talent in 2023. Grand Oaks move-in Christian Nunley will be the signal-caller in 2023 and will be complemented by junior RB Dramekco Green (second-teamer) in the backfield. Nigel Leday will be the top target along with Braylon Reece. The defense will play fast and is led by Boise State-commit Tice Williams, who will be joined by highly-touted corner Devondre McGee and Isaiah Pruitt, who will need to stop their high-flying opponents. Tyler Tates will lead the OL. On defense, second-team LB Mitch Melton will get everyone in position along with Tate Trantham.
Also vying for a postseason spot will be New Caney,College Park and Grand Oaks – all who have new coaches. New Caney’s new head man is Mike DeWitt, who is coming over from McKinney Boyd HS. The Eagles won district last season but say goodbye to the District MVP. Utility POY Dravon Wilson will play WR and DB, while other returners include first-team OL Johnnie Bailey, first-team WR Eric Sanchez, safety Kayden Cooper, DE Andrew Wilkinson, LB Daylen Wilson and DB Dijon Lewis.
College Park is under the direction of Kyle Coats, who is coming over from State Champ Desoto. Coats will lean on WR Conner Dunphy, TE Cole Snodgrass (TCU), RB Eugene Burnett and junior QB Kam Montgomery. On defense, James Cui, Aidan Collado, Colin Bundy and Marco Beltran will slow down opponents in 2023. Shaun McDowell comes over from Foster HS, where he built a solid Class 5A power in the west side of town. He has “the juice” and will breathe life into a sleepy giant. QB Grant Smith will take the reins of the offense and will target Ty Rupp, a four-star TE, and Preston Cloud. First-teamer Christian Ramos and Garett Garrison are tough up front on defense and will help Ikenna Agoh in the secondary.
Cleveland and Caney Creek will continue to build their numbers and their culture in 2023. The Indians’ notable includes first-teamer Ivion Jordan and Caney Creek will rely on first-team RB Jaiden Graves.