PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Dickinson Gators
Deer Park Deer
Clear Springs Chargers
Clear Falls Knights
Clear Creek Wildcats
Clear Brook Wolverines
Clear Lake Falcons
Brazoswood Buccaneers
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE'S PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Julian Salazar, Clear Springs
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Mason Peterson , Dickinson
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Andre Jackson , Deer Park
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Dylan Proctor, Clear Falls
ON THE CUSP: Clear Creek Wildcats
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Deer Park Deer
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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Clear Springs Chargers
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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Clear Falls Knights
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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For the 10th consecutive season, Dickinson finished within the top-four of district seeding last Fall. Only, in 2023, they went undefeated against their district counterparts to claim the championship, prior to making an appearance in the playoffs. Coach John Snelson is back at the helm for the Gators, who will look to make it two titles in a row. With do-it-all District 24-6A MVP John Solomon now gone, the role of starting signal-caller could well be taken on by senior Joshua Arthur. Senior Mason Peterson (TCU-commit) is coming off a first-team, all-district nod and provides an intimidating presence with his 6-foot-4 frame. With the departure of Leonard Browne, look to Jamal Mason (Jr. RB) to be a difference-maker from the lead-back spot, while first-team TE/WR Jeremiah Scoby (Bowling Green-commit) is also back in the fold. On defense, first-teamer Jaycyn Mason (Sr. DT) and Newcomer of the Year Chase Lewis (So. DE) will be a force in the trenches, while some new faces step up for the rest of the Gators’ D.
Deer Park moves over from District 22-6A in the realignment, in which they most recently took second and finished with a final record of 9-2. Coach Austin Flynn has turned his offense into a well-oiled machine, evidenced by their 45-point scoring average this past Fall. Landon Kieselhorst is back behind-center, following an impressive junior campaign that saw him combine for 24 scores to earn first-team honors. While some of the other pieces on offense have since graduated, there are some weapons remaining, including second-team WR Tre Martinez. Additionally, the O-Line should still be solid, with North Texas-commit Roberto Rodriguez (first-team) and Manuel Bustamante (second-team) also returning. With the absence of Defensive Player of the Year Luke Webb (Oklahoma State), there will be some fire-power missing. However, first-teamers Andre Jackson (Sr. DB) and Cameron Colquitt (Sr. DL), as well as second-team selections Adam White (Sr. LB) and Ethan Chavez (Sr. DB) should put those concerns to rest.
After placing third in the district a year ago, Clear Springs proceeded to advance two rounds deep into the playoffs. While they may have been eliminated in the Area Round, you can’t necessarily fault the Chargers for losing against perennial state-contender North Shore. Despite that, there is a plethora of talent coming back, which should keep fans optimistic about their team’s chances. The reigning District 24-6A Offensive MVP Julian Salazar returns to direct coach Anthony Renfro’s offense. The senior quarterback will undoubtedly have the ambition of securing the overall MVP honor, while elevating his surrounding teammates. In terms of skill-players, the likely headliners for Clear Springs will be Arizona-commit Muizz Tounkara (Sr. WR), and second-teamer Adam Hawkins (Sr. RB/FB), while D.J. Anderson (SR. ATH) and Sean Carter (Jr. WR) play bigger roles. First-team, all-district selection and state wrestling champion Za’Qwuan Nunn (Jr. DT) will anchor an imposing Chargers’ defensive line, after combining for 61 tackles a year ago. Furthermore, second-teamers Brody McGee (Sr. DL) and Dylan Cervantez (Sr. LB) round out what should be one of the district’s top defenses.
The Knights of Clear Falls claimed the No. 2 spot in District 24-6A, before subsequently advancing to the Area Round of the 2023 postseason, capping off the year with a record of 7-5. Coach Zach Head and company might endure some growing pains, following the graduation of several of last year’s heavy-hitters, but they’re still more than capable of reaching the playoffs again. Second-team, all-district honoree Dylan Proctor will remain a threat from both the slot-back and wide receiver positions, after registering over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns this past season. Another dependable option in the RB-spot could be incoming junior Cameron Kern, whoput up some solid numbers(364 all-purpose yards, 3 TDs) during his sophomore year. Someone will need to fill the now-departed Landon Vessel’s shoes at quarterback. Although, whoever that might be should feel protected behind an adequate O-Line, led by senior Jacob Lockstein (second-team). Defensively, first-team DE John Hurst-Daniels will be a headliner, while Preston Pitts (Jr. LB) and Tanner Crockett(Sr. DE) serve as excellent complementary pieces in Clear Falls’ front-seven.
Clear Creek returned to the spotlight a year ago, in a season that saw the Wildcats go 7-5 and reach the second round of the playoffs, which earned Dwayne Lane the District 24-6A Coach of the Year award. They’ll now look to repeat that effort with a handful of stars returning to the gridiron. Senior Javian Taylor should be the top target in Clear Creek’s receiving corps after earning second-team honors last Fall, with fellow second-teamer Wyatt Patterson (Jr. OL) shoring up the trenches. Garrett Carleton is a multifaceted talent for the Wildcats, as he was named the district’s Ironman in 2023 for his efforts as a defensive back, wide receiver, kicker and punter. On defense, expect Ke’Shawn Jones (Jr. DL) to have a big year after getting a second-team nod, while players such as Christien Hunter (Sr. DB/RB), Wyatt Smith (Sr. LB) and Najee Bolivar (Sr. DL) are others to watch.
Clear Brook finished just outside of playoff contention last Fall, ending up with a record of 3-7. Some maturing will be needed if the Wolverines wish to avoid missing out on the postseason for the sixth-consecutive year, which head coach Patrick Sanders will see to. However, there should still be some bright spots on this roster, especially with senior linebacker Jayveon Johnson (Sam Houston State-commit) back, after mustering 55 tackles and 6.5 sacks to garner a first-team, all-district nod in 2023. Steven Craft (Sr. RB) and Jayden Price (Sr. WR) will also be useful assets, as the Wolverines continue to find their identity on offense.
Last season was one of ups and downs for Clear Lake, as they finished sixth in the district despite going 4-6 overall. While the Falcons have yet to reach the playoffs since 2018, that could potentially change in coach Donald Lawrence’s second year with the program. Junior WR Talandis Cotton put up a performance worthy of a second-team, all-district selection, in which he caught 29 passes for 350 yards and five touchdowns. Fellow junior Caleb Benjamin (second-team) will be utilized in special teams, as Clear Lake’s go-to kick returner, while also stepping into the role of the team’s RB1. Other names to remember for the Falcons include second-teamers Camerson Nelson (Sr. DB) and Aden Scruggs (Sr. DB).
Brazoswood went 3-7 a year ago but failed to claim a single victory within the district. Former North Forney HC Eric Luster takes the reins of the program, in hopes that he can steer the ship back in the right direction. Fortunately for the Bucs, first-team, all-district running back Jose Treviño is back for his senior year, after accumulating 1,239 all-purpose yards and 20 total scores. Treviño will undoubtedly be the catalyst for the Brazoswood, while Kelan Pullen (Sr. QB) looks to build on his solid performance from 2023. In terms of remaining potential stars, coach Luster will expect big years from the likes of Jackson DeAtley (Jr. DL), Shaydon Coulter (Sr. WR), Caleb Jefferson (Sr. DB), Israel Williams (Jr. WR) and senior Ethan Gaston.