DISTRICT 14-6A
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS (Playoff teams in bold)
Westfield Mustangs
Dekaney Wildcats
Nimitz Cougars
Spring Lions
Eisenhower Eagles
Davis Falcons
MacArthur Generals
Aldine Mustangs
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MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Taji Atkins, Westfield
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tanook Hines, Dekaney
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Bryson Balka, Westfield
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dominic Rue, Nimitz
ON THE CUSP
Davis Falcons
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Dekaney Wildcats
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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Nimitz Cougars
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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Eisenhower Eagles
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
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Davis Falcons
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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MacArthur Generals
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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Aldine Mustangs
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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One of the big “Brands” in Greater Houston football are the Westfield Mustangs. The ‘Stangs ran through District 14-6A last season and all the way to the Regional Finals, eventually losing to State Champ Duncanville. Gone is star QB Preston Hatter to Texas State, so coach Matt Meekins will likely lean on the running game and a nasty defense… per usual. RB Taji Atkins (Rice-commit) will follow the blocking of Houston-commit Ray’Quan Bell, who is a punishing OL. Ryan Anderson and Joseph Peters will also make holes for Atkins (1,200 yards in 2022) this season.
The QB spot is a question mark but the top offensive target on the outside is Austin Abram. The Mustang defense will be nasty… again. If you wear No. 10 at Westfield on defense, you are that dude. Co-defensive MVP Bryson Balka is that dude at defensive end. His explosiveness makes up for his lack of height and he is unblockable coming from the edge. Xavier McCray anchors the middle of the D-line to let backers Breylon Wyatt and Keshawn Monroe run free. The backfield is legit with Carson Williams, Jordan James and Eisenhower move-in Joseph Albright. Albright is a rising national recruit. Jonathan Dimas is a weapon as a kicker.
The Dekaney Wildcats had a tremendous 2022, finishing 6-1 in district and advancing to the Regional Semis for the first time under coach Anthony Williams. The Wildcats are loaded with college talent, who are interchangeable, literally. Several stars play both ways. The QB spot is a little unsettled but Tanook Hines, Markie Grant, Deshawn Bradley, Demetri Taylor and Terance Doakes are skills who can all play WR and DB. Hines and Grant are high-level recruits. Nick Townsend is a physical piece at TE and LB, while Keshawn Williams is a stud at OL and DL. The freak of the team is Jamal Frilot, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound hybrid who is athletic enough to play anywhere on the field. He’s coming off an injury but is being heavily recruited. The ‘Cats are primed for another playoff spot and have the physicality and athleticism to be a matchup nightmare for postseason matchups.
The Cornelius Harmon-era at Nimitz got off to a great start as the Cougars reached the postseason in year one. The QB spot will need to be settled as Jaylen Jackson and Albert Jones will compete for QB1. Don’t sleep on Ke’lyn Washom, who could be called on to be that guy if he’s not starring at WR. The RB room will be solid with Landon Jenkins, Brashard Miles and Omar Thomas vying for carries. The OL will be anchored by Jacoby Burns as a senior leader, while the defensive line will be a little deeper with Jaylin Bradley and Kedrick Johnson stopping the run. The headliner on defense is Dominic Rue, a 6-foot-2 DB with several BCS offers. He will be joined by Jackson, Jevohn Hicks and Gavin Carney. Frederick Johnson will be linebacker to watch out for.
Spring is hoping to get their roar back. The Lions missed the postseason in year one of Antonio Singleton’s regime. Clourid Johnson is a dual-threat, who threw for over 1,000 yards last year and Ahran Ogbor is talented offensive weapon coming out of the backfield or through the air. Robert Loera, Sky’lawn Feletoa and Blake Musella will be the studs on the offensive line, while Caleb Williams and Floyd Guidry are beasts up front on defense. Williams was the Defensive Newcomer of the Year. In the back end of the defense will be Chris Ross, while LBs Dayshawn McClure and Merrico Phillips will run sideline-to-sideline.
Eisenhower and Davis are under new direction. Former MacArthur legend Odell James hopes to bring the Swoop back to Ike. James was the QB coach for State Champ Duncanville last season. The headliners for the Eagles will be Zaccury Harris, Jeremiah Swain and Jacorey Carter this season as James tries to rebuild the culture. Davis’ head man will be Kelvin Chatham, who comes over from Booker T. Washington where he won the district. The big birds in the nest for Davis will be Trevon Bossier (WR), Anthony Perry (LB) and Terrell Byrd (DT).
MacArthur could be a team to watch as coach Wayne Crawford’s bunch will be physical up front. Ian Polk, Tavion Atkinson, Richard Woodworth and Carlton Tobin are the bigs that will do battle. Aldine will try to get in the win column this season as second-year coach Cirilo Ojeda looks to flip the mentality.