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Chloe Morgan of Barbers Hill Volleyball
DOWN TO THE WIRE: This Week's Can't-Miss Match-ups
Given that fact, it’s time to detail some of this week's most anticipated match-ups, as the race for a district title and playoff positioning continues....
Fort Bend Austin Bulldogs v. Ridge Point Panthers (Volleyball)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Bulldogs (25-14; 11-2 in district) have been on a hot-streak throughout the Fall season, and currently rank second in their district.
Senior MH Adell Murray has been the war-hammer for Austin, as she has already surpassed 400 kills and 100 blocks on the year. Junior libero Gabrielle Kennedy (738 digs) and senior OH Bailey Blackburn (336 kills) have each been equally essential weapons on offense, while newcomer Tinsley Welker (Fr. S) has stepped up in a major way from the setter position, as she nears 1,000 assists on the year.
For Austin, the only team that stands in their way from a district title is Ridge Point.
The Panthers (28-13; 13-1 in district) fell to Austin earlier in the season (3-2), but as it stands, they are on track for a district championship.
Kennedi Rogers (Jr. OH) leads the team in kills and digs, while Madison Flores (Jr. DS), Lauren Battle (Sr. OH), and Taylor Jory (Sr. S) have been exceptional pieces in Ridge Point's surge throughout district contention.
Whichever team emerges victorious from this bout will likely become the district champions, so this matchup will be a must-see.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Atascocita Eagles vs. C.E. King Panthers (Football)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
District 21-6A is an absolute juggernaut in the H-Town football scene.
Alongside North Shore, the Eagles (7-0; 4-0 in district) are on the fast-track towards a district championship and they don't plan on slowing down.
The Eagles' offense appears to be nearly unstoppable, with a balanced mix of rush and air attacks. It all starts with senior QB Zion Brown, who has seamlessly stepped into the leadership role over the past two seasons. Alongside a powerful duo-rush scheme of four-star Tory Blaylock (Jr. RB) and Cardae Mack (So. RB), Atascocita has had no trouble lighting up the scoreboard.
On the other hand, C.E. King (6-1; 3-1 in district) have been a handful for defenses in their own right. Vincent Jones (Sr. WR) is averaging over 110 yards receiving per game, with seven total scores. Additionally, sophomore RB Dionne Sims is establishing himself as a mainstay, now that he has rushed over 80 yards per game, while leading the team in touch downs (8).
Don't discount the Panthers defense either, since K'Mard Kimble (Sr. DT) already has eight sacks on the year and should play a key role in C.E. King's pass-rush.
Lorin Cook (VYPE)
Barbers Hill Eagles vs. Baytown Sterling Rangers (Volleybal)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Barbers Hill is as dominant as they come.
The Eagles (34-7; 11-0 in district) have led our weekly rankings in the Class 5A for over a month now, and they don't plan on breaking their 16-game win-streak anytime soon.
Chloe Morgan (Sr. MH) and Kynlea Gibbs (Jr. OH) have been rock-stars on the offensive side of the net, with over 300 kills a piece. Furthermore, senior setter Peyton Fadal is orchestrating the whole operation, with nearly 1,000 assists to her name, while Mia Rivers (Sr. L) has taken care of business on the defensive end (414 digs).
Sterling has been on a hot-streak of their own, with 8-3 district record that plants them firmly in the No. 3 spot. ahead of the imminent postseason.
Houston Christian-commit Katy Barger (Sr. OH) has been one of the Rangers' key contributors, after coming back from her mid-season injury. She, alongside fellow play-makers Bailee Payne (Sr. OH), Kennedy Birdsell (Sr. S), and Kyilee Whittington (Jr. S), have made Sterling one of the most formidable groups around.
After being defeated by Barbers Hill earlier in the season, the Rangers will surely be looking to pose an upset against their district counterparts. This is one you won't want to miss.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Terrence Guillory II of North Shore Mustangs Football
THE BIG TICKET: Four Can't-Miss Matchups this week; Photo Gallery
Given that fact, it’s time to detail some of the most anticipated matchups coming up, as the race for a district title commences.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE INDIVIDUAL PHOTO GALLERY
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Fulshear Chargers vs. Foster Falcons (Volleyball)
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Fulshear Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
By far, this has been the most anticipated matchup in the Lamar Consolidated district. Both Fulshear (26-4) and Foster (24-7) rank in the top-four spots in our weekly rankings for Class 5A, and the result of this face-off will undoubtedly prove to be pivotal to the overall outlook of the division moving forward.
The Chargers boast a stacked roster, helmed by recent Wake Forest-commit Bailey Warren (Jr. OH), with the supporting firepower of Lauren Witte (Jr. OH), Sydney Black (Sr. L), Alexys James (Jr. S), and Yosola Adeleke (Jr. MH). Each of these individuals were essential in Fulshear's trip to the Regional Tournament a year ago, and all signs point to a return.
On the Foster side, the Falcons are currently undefeated (6-0) in district and don’t have any intent on breaking that streak. Sr. MH Jackie Onyechi has been a menace, leading the team in kills, blocks, and hitting percentage. Eden Fairfield (Sr. DS) and Brinleigh Davis (Sr. S) have been instrumental to Foster’s success as well.
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Foster Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
North Shore Mustangs vs. C.E. King Panthers (Football)
2023-24 North Shore Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
District 21-6A is absolutely loaded, with North Shore, Summer Creek, Atascocita, and C.E. King each entering the fifth week of the season with stainless 4-0 records. That makes this particular exhibition that much more enticing.
North Shore has kicked off the Fall in style, dismantling powers such as The Woodlands (38-17) and Westfield (45-9) in their mission to return to the state championship. Terrence Guillory II (Sr. WR), UH-commit Kaleb Thomas (Sr. TE), and D’Andre Hardeman Jr. (Jr. RB) have been the key contributors to the North Shore offense thus far, while four-star CB Devin Sanchez headlines a scary Mustangs defense.
C.E. King has been on a tear as well, knocking off Pearland (40-29) and Humble (31-24 OT) in recent weeks. Darius Clark-James (Sr. QB) has performed exceptionally well as the Panthers signal-caller, having already thrown 12 touchdown passes, while rushing for two more. Senior WR Vincent Jones has been his primary target, as he averages over 100 receiving yards per game, with sophomore RB Dionne Sims carrying the workload in the backfield.
Some of the stars of 2023-24 C.E. King Football
Lorin Cook (VYPE)
Cinco Ranch Cougars vs. Katy Tompkins Falcons (Volleyball)
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Cinco Ranch Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
These two squads have already faced off against each other, earlier in the first round of the district schedule. Cinco Ranch emerged victorious (3-2), following a five-set nail-biter. Come Friday, it’s time for round two.
Despite playing in a relentless Katy district, the Cougars (25-5) currently maintain an undefeated (9-0) record against their divisional counterparts. Junior Kassidy O’Brien has been dynamic from the setter position, feeding her teammates to the tune of nearly 900 assists on the year. Gabriella Martinez (Jr. OH) and Makenna Loo (Sr. OH) headline a killer Cinco Ranch offensive attack, while junior libero Magdalene Finnegan anchors the defense as the team’s dig-leader (334).
After being nearly defeated in the UIL-6A state championship a year ago, Tompkins (21-8) has been on a mission to return ever since. While some of their seniors may have graduated over the offseason, this Fall has indicated that the Falcons are not lacking in talent whatsoever. Brooklynn Merrell (Jr. DS/S) is the straw that stirs the drink for the program, as she currently leads the team in digs (310), aces (77), and receptions (506). Christin Cowart (Jr. MB), Caelyn Dumas (Jr. RS/S), and Sydney Lynch (Jr. OH) have also been essential to Tompkins’ offensive presence.
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Tompkins Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Oak Ridge War Eagles vs. Conroe Tigers (Football)
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Oak Ridge Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Both of these teams have taken their lumps through the season thus far. District 13-6A is a difficult crowd to contend with, no doubt about it. Despite that fact, each side in this rivalry has something to prove.
Oak Ridge (2-2) re-established their dominance against New Caney last week (41-14) and they don’t plan on slowing down. Their defense is as stingy as ever, with Georgia-commits, Justin Willaims (Sr. LB) and Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (Sr. DE) manning the War Eagles’ front-seven, while Frankie Arthur (Sr. RB) and James Scott (So. WR) remain some of the offensive weapons in coach Mark Schmid’s arsenal.
After being shot out of a cannon to begin the season, the Tigers (3-2) were stopped in their tracks by Willis and The Woodlands in their first two district matchups. Now is the time to correct the course. Coach Cedric Hardeman will look to Texas State-commit Tice Williams (Sr. S) to lead the charge in order to do so.
2023-24 Conroe Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Kassidy O'Brien (Cinco Ranch VB)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
