GAMES
RANKINGS
Houston Lamar looking good going into playoffs
PLAYOFF TIME IN TEXAS: Houston's Class 6A outlook
Here's a Class 6A public school playoff breakdown to prepare fans for week one of the postseason.
Class 6A DI - Region II
13-6A The Woodlands (8-2) vs 14-6A Nimitz (6-4)
15-6A Klein Cain (9-1) vs 16-6A Cy-Ranch (7-3)
13-6A Conroe (6-4) vs 14-6A Westfield (9-1)
15-6A Klein Collins (9-1) vs 16-6A Bridgeland (6-4)
Predictions: The Woodlands will handle their business with QB Mabrey Mettauer, ATH Arkez Gomez, WR Quanell Farrakhan Jr. playing big for on the offensive side of the ball. A senior-heavy defense lead by DB Cooper Starcke, LB Tommy Kratt, DB Brady Carlin and LB Jacob Pondant looks to shutout the Cougar offense. The Woodlands beats Nimitz by double digits to advance to Round 2, but watch out for Nimitz DB Cory Huff Jr., who could cause problems for Highlander receivers.
Klein Cain uses the "Big Boys" up front, which starts with OL Gibson Pyle to move the chains on offense. ATH Jaelen Smith will make just enough plays for the Hurricane offense to win a close game with Cy Ranch. The winner faces The Woodlands. Cy Ranch QB Blake Baker, DE Ashton Porter and LB Christian Braithwaite keep game interesting in tough loss.
Westfield will flex their muscles and wins BIG against Conroe behind great QB play from PJ Hatter, who has been fantastic for the Mustang offense all year. Not to look ahead, but Westfield has eyes on a possible matchup with Duncanville in the Regional Final.
Klein Collins continues their great season with QB Tucker Parks at the helm of the Tigers offense to beat Bridgeland decisively and advance to big-time matchup vs Westfield in Round 2.
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Class 6A DI - Region III
17-6A Cy-Fair (9-1) vs 18-6A Westside (4-6)
19-6A Cinco Ranch (7-3) vs 20-6A George Ranch (6-4)
17-6A Jersey Village (8-2) vs 18-6A Lamar (7-3)
19-6A Tompkins (8-2) vs 20-6A Ridge Point (8-2)
21-6A North Shore (10-0) vs 22-6A Dobie (4-6)
23-6A Pearland (6-4) vs 24-6A Dickinson (7-3)
21-6A Atascocita (7-2) vs 22-6A Deer Park (9-1)
23-6A Alief Taylor (5-5) vs 24-6A Clear Springs (7-3)
Predictions: Cy-Fair continues great season with QB Trey Owens, WR Owen Carter and RB Zaccheas Baynes picking apart the Wolves' defense and Bobcats win big against Westside. Cinco Ranch's high-powered offense led by QB Gavin Rutherford, WR Noah Abboud and WR Seth Salverino prove to be too much for George Ranch. Next up will be Cy-Fair in Round 2.
Lamar represents HISD behind the play of QB Kenneth Rosenthal and WR Tristen Brown to win a very close game against Jersey Village. In the best game of the week, Tompkins showcases OL Ashton Funk, ATH Wyatt Young, ATH Caleb Komolafe and WR Matthew Ogunrin, while Ridge Point counters with ATH Mason Dossett, DB Taylor Davis, RB Ezell Jolly and DL DJ Kalu. Tompkins wins CLOSE game against Ridge Point to play Lamar in Round 2.
North Shore continues dominance by leaning on running game led by RB Rashaad Johnson. A “Death Row” Mustang secondary of S Jayven Anderson, CB Jacoby Davis and CB Devin Sanchez will lock down Dobie's offense. It will be a run-away early as North Shore moves on in their quest for repeat title. Dickinson wins close game against Pearland by 7 to play North Shore in second round.
Atascocita's defense is led by DL Samu Taumanupepe, DB Braylon Conley and LB Jadon Ducos, which will not be fooled by Deer Park's exotic offense. The Eagle offense gets going behind a big game from RB Tory Blaylock and QB Zion Brown as Atascocita wins decisively to advance. Clear Springs RB Xaishaun Edwards, OL Nick Fattig and DL Serigne Tounkara play big as the Chargers win over Alief Taylor to face Atascocita.
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Class 6A DII - Region II
13-6A New Caney (10-0) vs 14-6A Eisenhower (5-5)
15-6A Tomball (6-4) vs 16-6A Cy Woods (7-3)
13-6A Oak Ridge (7-3) vs Dekaney (7-3)
15-6A Tomball Memorial (6-4) vs 16-6A Cy Falls (7-3)
Predictions: New Caney continues magical undefeated run in first year in 6A, beating Eisenhower decisively behind star RB Kedrick Reescano to get into Round 2. Tomball beats Cy Woods using that playoff experience from a year ago along with RB Christian Womack and others. Oak Ridge's defense -- led by LB Justin Williams, DE Favour Awodoyin and DL Joseph Jonah-Ajonye -- will be too much for Dekaney's offense and star WR Jonah Wilson. Oak Ridge wins close game to advance. Cy Falls shows why they were co-District champs, winning big behind the running game of RB Trey Morris III to beat Tomball Memorial.
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Class 6A DII - Region III
17-6A Memorial (8-2) vs 18-6A Westbury (4-6)
19-6A Katy (10-0) vs 20-6A Clements (5-5)
17-6A Stratford (8-2) vs 18-6A Heights (7-3)
19-6A Morton Ranch (7-3) vs 20-6A Hightower (8-2)
21-6A Summer Creek (6-4) vs 22-6A South Houston (5-5)
23-6A Shadow Creek (10-0) vs 24-6A Brazoswood (7-3)
21-6A C.E. King (6-4) vs 22-6A Channelview (8-2)
23-6A Dawson (5-4) vs 24-6A Clear Falls (7-2)
Predictions: Memorial QB Chase Goodwin and WR Kyle Siblik lead the Mustang offense over Westside. No surprise that Katy continues to show they are a top dog in Houston. RB Seth Davis and QB Caleb Koger have stellar game on offense while Katy's defense led by DB Jonathan Hall and DB Arian Parish pitch shutout.Stratford continues to build off of last year's success and will do so against the Heights. This is a senior-laden team that doesn't want to see their high school careers come to an end. See TE Hawkins Polley, QB Nash Rankin, RB Dallas Payne and WR Jake Brand. Their Spartan offense will explode in win. Morton Ranch is coming off emotional win against Paetow and rides RB Santanna Scott over the Hightower Hurricanes in an UPSET.
Summer Creek proves to be too much to handle for South Houston as QB Jahrik Jones will have a big game against SoHo. Shadow Creek and the "Creek Boys" are ready to have another season like 2019. Sharks QB Duke Butler Jr., ATH Jacorey Watson, DL Theorin Randle and DB Maurice Williams III will dominate both sides of ball as Shadow Creek wins HUGE against Brazoswood to play Summer Creek Round 2.
Channelview has had a historic season, finishing the regular season as district champs, The Falcons continue on a historic run by shocking C.E. King in a close game. ATH Marques Neal will be a big piece of Channelview's win. Clear Falls clinched the district title in 25-6A and keeps it going with LB Corey Kelly, RB David Smith and ATH Josh Moore over Dawson.
VYPE 2022 Countdown to Kickoff: District 22-6A Preview
PRESEASON RANKING
Channelview Falcons
Deer Park Deer
Dobie Longhorns
Memorial Mavericks
Sam Rayburn Texans
South Houston Trojans
Pasadena Eagles
VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Marques Neal, Channelview
OFFENSIVE MVP:Moe Canales, Deer Park
DEFENSIVE MVP:Miguel Ceja, Channelview
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR:Esteban Nava, Sam Rayburn
SLEEPER TEAM:Pasadena Memorial
CHANNELVIEW FALCONS
The Falcons finished third in district play last season but have what it takes to make a serious run at the district title. Fourteen starters (7/7) are back from a 6-5 team. The star of the bunch is senior WR/ CB Marques Neal (832 yards, 13 TDs receiving; 156 yards, TD rushing; 2 kickoff return TDs). Senior WR Darreon Williams (393 yards, 4 TDs) will also be key. Keep an eye on junior Darius Clark-James as he takes over at QB. Defensively, Channelview has some nice talent in senior LB Miguel Ceja (88 tackles, 3 sacks), senior LB Malachi Martin (46 total tackles) and senior S Jimmy Guzman (64 total tackles). Coach Averion Hurts said offensive experience and linebacker play will be strengths this year. Overall team depth is a concern. “I hope we remember selfinflicted mistakes that cost us (last year),” Hurts said.
DEER PARK DEER
The Deer are defending 22-6A champs but are in a bit of a reloading mode this season. Ten starters are back from last year’s 8-3 Bi-District finalist, seven of those on defense. The offensive line and quarterback are positions of concern, but there is potential stardom in senior RB Moe Canales (743 yards, 14 TDs) and junior WR Hayden Smith (446 yards, 4 TDs). The question is who is going to block for them and get them the ball. Senior 6-foot-3, 275-pound center Wiley Sills has the chops to steady the front. Otherwise, sophomore OL Roberto Rodriguez, sophomore WR Trey Martinez and junior WR King Phillips will be counted on to assume significant roles. The defense is the strength, no doubt. There are playmakers galore in junior 6-foot-3, 255-pound DL Caleb Dilley (18 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks) and 6-foot-3, 280-pound Luke Webb (15.5 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks), senior S Tudi Gustave (2 INTs) and senior LB Dino Demetriou.
DOBIE LONGHORNS
A new boss is in town—kind of—as Demond Stafford makes the short drive from Rayburn to take over Dobie. Nine starters (5 defense) return from an 8-3 Bi-District finalist. The Longhorns have a plethora of talent for their vaunted Wing-T attack in senior RBs Jalen Baldwin (509 yards, 5 TDs) and Raynard Hall Jr. (725 yards, 9 TDs), and sophomore RB Cameron Mathews (344 yards, 4 TDs). The offensive line is young. Dobie will also have a young defensive secondary, but it’s got some firepower elsewhere in senior 6-foot, 215-pound LB Nigel Hill (32 tackles, INT) and senior 6-foot-1, 195-pound DE Anforny Lee. Lee is a three-year starter. Keep an eye on junior DT Roderick Drumgo and junior DB Charles Richard. Stafford expects to have a strong rushing attack this season. He said inexperience is a concern.
MEMORIAL MAVERICKS
Memorial started 11 sophomores and four others saw significant varsity time as the Mavs went through a trying season in 2021, finishing 3-7. Twelve starters return from that team, seven on defense. Coach Jamie Crocker is hoping experience will be a strength this time around and not an adversary. The Mavs will have a potent 1-2 punch on offense in senior 6-foot-1, 185-pound QB Hayden Stallings (1,050 yards, 9 TDs) and junior RB Jaylon Bell (911 yards, 8 TDs). The defense will be the cornerstone of this team, particularly early on, behind the talents of senior LB Everett Epps (50 tackles) and junior DB Jamal Robinson (61 tackles). The offensive line and cornerback depth are points of concern.
SAM RAYBURN TEXANS
Sergio Gonzalez takes over the Texans after leading Houston Chavez last year. Rayburn had a breakthrough year of sorts in 2021, going 5-5 after winning a total of three games in the previous eight seasons combined. Fifteen starters (9 offense) are back to ease Gonzalez’s transition. The offense has some standout pieces in senior QB Esteban Nava (1,017 yards, 10 TDs passing; 442 yards, 2 TDs rushing), senior WR Jesus Mendoza (529 yards, 7 TDs) and senior OL Ramiro Torres, a steady veteran presence. Defensively, the Texans will lean on junior DB Jermaine Calvin (2 INTs, 1 fumble recovery) and senior LB Joseph Duron (110 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, INT, sack).
SOUTH HOUSTON TROJANS
Coach Patrick Longstreet said skill players, linebackers and defensive backs are the strengths of his team this season. Ten starters (5/5) return from a 4-7 team that finished as a Bi-District finalist. Headliners are junior 6-foot, 295-pound QB Kam Webb (considered one of the top athletes in the district), junior 6-foot-3, 190-pound WR Jacob SheppardRubio, junior RB Christian Epps, senior 6-foot-2, 175-pound LB Jeremiah Sheppard (3-year starter who led the team in tackles and sacks last year), senior DB Jason Hampton (3-year starter), senior 6-foot-2, 220-pound LB Mi’Jai Mickles (2-year starter) and junior ATH Abraham Escareno, who plays on both sides of the ball. Sophomores Braden Mayberry and Angel Rodriguez will be asked to steady the O-line, a group Longstreet said is a point of concern. Longstreet is also hoping for a faster start after the team had to rally from a 2-4 start in 2021 to make the playoffs.
PASADENA EAGLES
The bad news for Pasadena is it has just four wins since 2016. The good news is the Eagles have a solid shot of snapping an ugly 19-game losing skid as 18 starters are back, nine on each side of the ball. Experience is a strength. Senior RB Ruben Lara (845 yards, 2 TDs) will be the Eagles’ workhorse back. Junior 6-foot-1, 165-pound QB Cameron Murray (374 yards, 3 TDs passing; 224 yards, TD rushing) is due for a breakout year. Senior 6-foot-1, 245-pound OL Humberto Baez and junior OL Fernando Villegas are rocks up front. Sophomore DB Richard Solis (45 tackles) has quickly emerged as a leader following an impressive freshman campaign.