PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Port Neches-Groves Indians
Lake Creek Lions
Huntsville Hornets
Nederland Bulldogs
Dayton Broncos
Montgomery Bears
West Fork Gators
Splendora Wildcats
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE's PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Eli Morcos, Lake Creek
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tyvonn Byars, Lake Creek
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jonathan Hernandez, Port Neches -Groves
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Shiloh Jones, Huntsville
ON THE CUSP: Nederland Bulldogs
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For the first time since 1975, the Port Neches-Groves Indiansbrought home the state’s top prize at the end of the season in 2023. PN-G went 15-1 and upended the defending Class 5A Division II State Champions South Oak Cliff, 20-17, to claim the crown. It was the fourth State Title in program history. Now, under third-year coach Jeff Joseph (28-4) can PN-G go back-to-back? Thirteen starters return, including three-star offensive tackle Jackson Christian, who is committed to Texas. The All-State offensive tackle is 6-foot-5, 315-pounds up front for the Indians. District Defensive MVP Jonathan Hernandez (DT) and District Newcomer of the Year Connor Bailey (QB) are also back for the Indians. Linebacker Mason Wuenschel is also getting some college looks (Lamar and North Texas) after registering 84 tackles and four interceptions a year ago. Running back Blair Chetagnier will be one to watch as he’s coming off a 1,206-yard rushing year with 17 touchdowns on 142 carries. Others to watch include Parker Farris (OG), London Nunley (WR - 764 yards, 11 TD) and Aaron Wolford (OT).
Pat Kennedy and staff are building something special at Lake Creek. The Lions are coming off their second-straight 12-1 season. In both years, Lake Creek went undefeated in the regular season. After back-to-back Regional Quarterfinal appearances, the Lions are eyeing history in 2024 and have 14 starters, including eight on offense, back to try and do that. Rice-commit Tyvonn Byars leads the charge on offense after rushing for more than 1,400 yards a year ago. Quarterback Eli Marcos (Tulsa-commit) can also spin it, passing for more than 1,500 yards and 18 scores a year ago. Hunter McKinney will anchor the offensive line. Cornerback Tyraun Pier will hold down the back end of the defense. Keys to success for Kennedy, include building a team, staying injury free and gelling at the right time.
After starting the season 1-3 overall, the Huntsville Hornets won four of their next five games and took care of business in district play to make the playoffs. Huntsville advanced to the Regional Semifinals and fell short to the eventual Class 5A Division II State Champions, 24-14. A whopping 14 starters return for Rodney Southern’s squad. Southern enters his 11th year (72-42) of leading Huntsville. Tight end Jarious Singletary is a rising recruit in the Class of 2026 with six Division I offers, including Houston and Washington State, to his name. Running back Trae’Shawn Brown is coming off a 1,025-yard season with 12 scores. Defensively, Shiloh Jones will lead the unit at linebacker after racking up 115 tackles in 2023 and earning a first-team, all-district nod. Keys to success include solid quarterback play, staying healthy on the OL/DL and winning those close games.
The Nederland Bulldogs will have a new head coach for the first time since 2017 as Katy High School quarterback coach Scott Rich comes over to the SETX to take over the Nederland program. Seventeen starters return for Rich off a team that went 4-7 and reached the Bi-District round. First-team, all-district picks Albert Simon (LB), Hubert Thomas (RB) and KJ Tezeno (WR) are set to return. Simon was a unanimous selection by the coaches. Ellis Walker (LB) was an all-district pick as well. Keys to success according to Rich include playing complementary football, executing at a high level every play and playing unselfish team football.
A familiar coach returns to the Houston-area in 2024 as Jerry Prieto takes over Dayton. Prieto led Crosby for four seasons (2019-2023) and led the Cougars to the Class 5A Division II State Championship game in 2020. Last year, Prieto led Lake Worth High School and now takes over Dayton, which went 4-6 a year ago. The Broncos return nine starters, four on offense and five on defense. On the defense, Ashanti Allen (Safety) and Andrew Soliz (LB) will be four-year starters and lead that unit. Donahvan Thibodeaux will anchor the offensive and defensive line. Jerry Prieto Jr. started last season as a freshman at Lake Worth and now will lead Crosby’s offense. Dayton has a lot of talented two-way players including Denim Foster (ATH), Braeden White (WR/Defense), Jeleel Kendrick (LB/RB) and Aaron Wright (CB/WR). Watch out for Dayton as Prieto brings his winning formula to town.
The Montgomery Bears are coming off a 2-8 season and look to right the ship and get back into the playoff picture with 15 starters returning. Head coach Grant Cooper (3rd season) will have nine of those on the defensive side of the ball for his Bears. First-team, all-district safety Keilan Carver enters this year with 126 career tackles, while second-team linebacker Zach Hayden has 53 tackles and two defensive touchdowns. Offensively, QB/ATH Reggie WIlliams had 24 touchdowns last year and will run the offense along with running back Damion Taylor, who has more than 1,000 career rushing yards. Wide receiver Talan Shavers will be one of Williams’ top targets coming off a first-team, all-district season and has 51 career catches. For Cooper, keys to success include developing a new OL, taking the next step in year two of a new defensive scheme and taking better care of the football on offense.
Welcome to the big show West Fork. The Gators embark on their first varsity season in 2024 as the third New Caney ISD program, joining New Caney (1955 first season) and Porter (2010 first season) to represent the district. The Gators are led by veteran coach Dougald McDougald, who coached at Huffman from 2000-2002 and then Kingwood from 2003-2011. Patience, process-driven and teamwork will be the keys to success for McDougald’s team as they embark on this journey of competing in the same district as the reigning Class 5A Division II State Champions.
There will be a few new things for Splendora when it takes the field in 2024. The WIldcats will be playing in Class 5A Division II, a move up from Class 4A, and have first-year head coach Brandon Craus patrolling the sidelines. Previously, Craus had been at Groveton and Bloomington (6 years, 31-33 overall coaching record). Splendora went 1-9 and winless in district play a year ago. Fourteen starters return off that squad, eight on offense and six on defense, including UTEP-commit Issac Shumate at linebacker. Wide receiver KT Bowen (Arkansas State), defensive lineman Emmanel Riveros (Howard Payne) and receiver TJ Burch (Savana State) are all set to return as well. Others to watch include Caleb Cash (LB), Aiden Miranda (DL), Jonathan Daniels (Secondary), Kevin Fontenot (OL), Wyatt Sepanio (RB), Logan Dunn (QB) and Carter Green (QB).