Worthing, Furr, North Forest battling for HISD crown in DISTRICT 11-4A-DI; Yates, Wheatley on the cusp
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Worthing Colts
Furr Brahmas
North Forest Bulldogs
Yates Lions
Wheatley Wildcats
Kashmere Rams
Washington Eagles
Northside Panthers
Scarborough Spartans
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE's PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Ernest Brisco, WorthingOFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Chris Brown, Yates
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kendrick Hines, North Forest
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nick Harris Jr., Yates
ON THE CUSP: Wheatley Wildcats
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The Worthing Colts return 18 starters in 2024 under the direction of coach Brandon Ellis.The Colts swept the district and now have a playoff win in their sights. Va’Shawn Smith and RB Kwame Roy propel the offense,while the defensive line is loaded with Ernest Brisco and Jacory Thurman bullying opponents. Brisco was the MVP of the district a year ago. Winning district is great, but what they do in the postseason is the next step?
Cornell Gray is one of the best in HISD, building Furr High into a perennial playoff team. The Brahmas return QB Nick Harris Jr., and a pair of slick skill players in Avery Lazard and Javaris Scott.The back end of the defense is a strength with the likes of Trey Harris and Trevon Johnson. Scott is also a ball-hawk in the secondary.
North Forest High was a playoff team in 2023 and with QB Landon Robinson back behind center, the Bulldogs should be back in the postseason. Michael Dean can tote the rock on the ground and Daveon Perkins can pluck balls from the sky and turnaround and cover on defense. Kendrick Hines is a physical beast at LB and running back and sets the tone for the Bulldogs.
The Yates Lions went 8-3 overall and 6-1 in district play under coach Rafael Thomas in 2023. What will they do for an encore? Hand the ball off to 1,000-yard rusher Chris Brown and let him go to work behind Tristen Gadison. The defense is solid with Elijah Wooten, De’Shon Scott and Jordan Andrus, who doubles as a tight end. Andrus is Mr. Yates on the football field and basketball court.
Can Wheatley bring back the magic under coach Cornelius McFarland? The Wildcats have skill players for days in Jacoris Parish, Joseph Andrews, Jacory Bonner and Larry Dorsey, but it’s the trenches that are little wobbly. Thomas Johnson and Malik Edwards are solid on the OL and may have to turn around and play defense as well. It will come down to making stops and slowing down the opposing team’s running game to collect W’s this season.
Coach Josh Harris will need to reboot his offense in 2024 for the Kashmere Rams to get into the district conversation. Plan on hearing the names Latriel Johnson, Kevin Joe and Chase Roberson a lot over the stadium loudspeaker as they rack up tackles on defense.
Booker T. Washington didn’t win a district game in 2023 but looks for major improvement this season with RB Mason Bean moving the chains on offense. Javian Wilder will be the bell-cow on defense up front to slowdown opponents.
The Northside Panthers will be led by QB Jesus De Los Reyes, who will look for Jhkori Smart and Brandon Williams on the outside. The defense will be led by Elijah Trejo at LB. It will be all-hands-on-deck as this young team looks to make a name for itself.
QB David Campbell will be the man at Scarborough High as the Spartans hope to improve on their 1-6 district record from a year ago. The sophomore will hand off to Terrion Davis as he runs behind Jesiah Marquez on the OL.