La Porte looks to become top-dog in DISTRICT 11-5A-DI; K-Park, Friendswood, Crosby ready to respond
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
La Porte Bulldogs
Kingwood Park Panthers
Friendswood Mustangs
Crosby Cougars
Porter Spartans
Pasadena Eagles
Fort Bend Kempner Cougars
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE's PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Tyresse Barnes, La Porte
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Wesley Yarbrough, Crosby
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Caleb Allen, Friendswood
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Malachi Gamble, Pasadena
ON THE CUSP: Porter Spartans
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Following the UIL realignment, La Porte moves over from District 8-5A-DI, alongside familiar opponents Porter, Kingwood Park and Crosby. Coach Kevin Berneathy will see to it that the Bulldogs make a statement this Fall, after they claimed the district title before making a playoff appearance a year ago. La Porte brings back several pieces of the offense that averaged over 36 points per game in 2023,and none will be more vital than the district’s Co-Offensive MVP Tyresse Barnes. The senior RBis coming off a year in which he rushed for over 1,200 yards, which further strengthens his credibility as a legitimate D1 college prospect. What’s even scarier is the fact that the Bulldogs also have fellow senior RB Ricky Sandolph to turn to, after he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark as well, to earn first-team honors. First-teamers Kylin Manning (Sr. OL) and Jake Hayman (Jr. OL) bulk up a stalwart La Porte offensive line, while sophomore TE Ryker Reynolds is another weapon to utilize. On defense, expect Eyasu Walling (Sr. LB) and Tryston Oaks (Jr. DB) to improve on their second-team performances, while Defensive Newcomer of the Year Ashton Ruffin’s (Jr. LB) value escalates.
Despite going 7-3 on the year, and winning five divisional matchups, Kingwood Park was just barely outside of the playoff picture in 2023. However, that is unlikely to be the case this time around, as the Panthers make their debut in District 11-5A-DI. Coach Clayton Maple has fostered a resilient mentality within his program, which should be made perfectly in the coming months. With the graduationof several headliners from the previous season, some individuals from the incoming class will need to step up. However, the return of second-teamer Alex Hartnett (Sr. WR/P) and Ethan Elliot (Sr. LB/TE) should serve as some key pieces for KPHS to build around heading into the Fall. Additionally, Aaron Andrews (Sr. DB/WR), Ryder Grabner (Sr. WR/LB), and Landon Morrison (Sr. OL) should provide further veteran leadership to keep opposing teams in check.
Friendswood moves over from District 10-5A-DI, in which they went 5-5 and narrowly missed out on the postseason a year ago. Fortunately for coach Jordan Johnson and his staff, a plethora of their main-stays return to the gridiron, with the intention of igniting the spark that guides the Mustangs back to the playoffs. Senior WR Garrett Muecke is back, after registering 1,030 all-purpose yards and 11 scores, which earned him first-team, all-district honors. Second-teamers Walker Winters (Sr. RB) and William Guse (Sr. OL) also make their return, while junior TE Noah Abebe (first-team) adds another weapon for senior QB Mikey Butler, who should take the starting role, following the departure of Brock Foster. Defensively, first-team LB Caleb Allen will be the rock of the group, as he takes on the role of captain in 2024. Allen racked up 100 tackles, with 20 of those for loss this past season, on top of 6 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Joining him will be fellow first-teamer Nick Ruffeno (Sr. DB), as well as second-team selection Mason Sindelar (Sr. DB) who round out an effective Friendswood secondary.
Crosby went through a series of ups and downs last Fall, which is to be expected for a team that’s been chasing their 2020 mark of reaching the UIL-5A-DII State Championship. The Cougars will aim to put any doubts to rest as they face some newer district competition, with coach Joe Willis back at the helm for his second year with the program. Arizona-commit Wesley Yarbrough (Sr. RB) will be the focal point of the offense, after putting up a second-team, all-district performance that included 1,068 all-purpose yards and 12 combined touchdowns. With Kade Eudy gone (TCU-Baseball), someone will need to step up as the new QB1. Evan Egans (Jr. WR) and Landen Hammer (Jr. WR) should be reliable targets for whoever assumes the role. The linebacking duo of Copelin Windfont (UTEP) and his brother, Malik, amounts to one scary defense, following their respective first-team selections in 2023. Johnnie Carter (Sr. LB), Wyatt Brady (Jr. LB) and Javien Powell (Jr. DB) should also be serviceable weapons on the defensive side of the ball for Crosby.
Porter finished third overall (7-4) in their previous district, prior to reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2019, under the direction of head coach Billy Russell. While the Spartans say goodbye to versatile star Payton Evans-Pickens (Harding University), there is still a bevy of talent for the team to work around. First-team, all-district DB Darville Allen should be a force in the secondary, while also making some key contributions on offense as one of Porter’s top receivers. Senior Marco Guerra anchors the O-Line after also getting a first-team nod in 2023. Second-teamer Aaron Gilliam (Sr. WR) should also be another reliable target for whoever steps up as the team’s signal-caller. Although there may be a few gaps to fill for this year’s roster, anticipate Porter punching their ticket to the postseason come November.
After going 4-6 in 2023 and finishing sixth overall in District 22-6A, Pasadena moves down to match up against a whole new set of opponents. Former Oregon State safety Ron Jones takes over as the new head coach for the Eagles, hoping to breathe new life into the team. In terms of talent coming back, Jones will turn to junior RB Malachi Gamble, who is coming off a year in which he rushed for over 700 yards with 10 total scores, despite only playing in four games. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Gamble (So. QB/WR) should expect a bigger year, following his second-team, all-district selection last Fall. On defense, second-teamer Allen Garcia (Jr. LB) will be a name to remember, alongside William Cruz (Sr. LB), Tony Conchas (Sr. DL) and Jonathan Ticas (Sr. DB).
Fort Bend Kempner finished at the bottom of the District 10-5A-DI standings this past season, but still show some promise heading into this Fall. Grayson Green is back for his senior year behind-center, following a second-team, all-district nod. Junior RB Makai Jenkins (second-team) will join Green in the backfield, with first-team WR Luke Maxson and Mario James (second-team) serving as additional weapons. The defense still has some work to do, but second-teamers Ellis Sanusi (Sr. LB) and Trung Le (Sr. DB) should be nice pieces to work with for coach Troy DeGar.