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THE PLAYMAKERS: H-Town's crowd-pleasers powered by UTMB Health
The south Houston area is loaded with talented athletes who give it their all in their respective fields of play.
Welcome to the VYPE Playmakers powered by UTMB Health, where we’re highlighting five standouts from the previous week who stole the headlines.
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the Fall season continues to heat up.
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Justis Thomas, Galveston Ball Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Tors have been balling (pun intended) through the first half of the Fall season. While the defense is exceptional, the Galveston Ball offense has been lighting up the scoreboard on a consistent basis.
QB Kyden Barker is looking great in his sophomore campaign (11 TD passes), but senior RB Justis Thomas has been truly phenomenal behind the big Tornadoes O-Line. Thomas is currently averaging over 100 rushing yards per game, while leading the team in scores (7), which has propelled Ball to a 3-1 start.
Abby Fuller, Clear Springs Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Chargers are rapidly picking up speed as the first round of district-play picks up. With a current record of 21-12 (3-0 in district), Clear Springs is poised for a postseason run in the near future.
Senior libero Abby Fuller has been a key contributor to the team’s success thus far, as she has logged nearly 400 digs already. Fuller, along with fellow playmaker Anzley Rinard, have been lighting up the scoreboard and that trend shouldn’t change anytime soon.
Damien McDaniel, Hitchcock Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Bulldogs are off to a perfect start (4-0) this year, and appear to be THE team to beat in the Class 3A race. Hitchcock’s roster is loaded from top to bottom, so zeroing in on one particular player is easier said than done. Regardless, senior WR/DB Damien McDaniel has been putting on a clinic thus far. The UNLV-commit’s speed and frame make him a nightmare for opponents, on both sides of the ball.
Mia Ramirez, Pearland Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
With district-play in full swing, the Lady Oilers are surging with an overall record of 24-9 (3-0 in district). Pearland’s threatening offensive push can be attributed to the impressive performances of Avery Koonsen (So. OH), Nadia Dunn (Sr. OH), and Kimanni Rugley (Jr. MH).
However, senior libero Mia Ramirez deserves a nod, considering she’s been setting up her teammates seamlessly, to the tune of nearly 300 digs. Expect this surge to continue for Pearland, as they contend with Dawson and Shadow Creek for the title in the coming weeks.
McKinley Cole, Clear Creek Volleyball
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Clear Creek Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Clear Creek is putting up impressive numbers in the latter half of the season, resulting in a respectable current record of 17-15 (2-0 in district). Wildcats senior setter McKinley Cole has consistently been dishing the ball to the team’s offensive leaders – namely Olivia Jones (Jr. OH) – with ease throughout the Fall. With over 500 assists to her name already this season, Cole will be essential to Clear Creek’s success moving forward.
HITCHCOCK, AMERICA: Small town on verge of exploding on state map
Who is the hottest sports program in Greater Houston right now?
Some might think North Shore… Katy… or The Woodlands because those are the big brands.
But, what if I said Hitchcock High School? The Class 3A public school, wedged between historic powers La Marque, Texas City and Galveston Ball, has stolen the headlines in south Houston and the state of Texas.
The Bulldogs won the State Basketball Title in March and followed that up with a tremendous track and field season, sending the most athletes to State in school history. This summer, Hitchcock defended their 7-on-7 State Title as well.
Now, it’s State or Bust for the football team after winning district a year ago and going three rounds deep.
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This is a story of community.
In this new world of high school transfers, positioning for college recruiters and playing-time, Hitchcock is counter-culture. Their families went to Hitchcock, their coaches played at Hitchcock. It’s a bond between Bulldogs.
“We are surrounded by big Class 6A schools and in the past, most of our good athletes would transfer for what they thought were better opportunities,” defensive coordinator and head track coach Gene Gutierrez said. “This group has stayed together.”
The “Group”, who have become the Beatles in the small Galveston County town, are “Baby D”, “Chubby”, “KJ Smooth”, “Biggie”, “Rel” and “Wood”. Bryce Dorsey is part of “The Group” but doesn’t have nickname.
“It really all started with the Hitchcock Red Raider youth football team,” Gutierrez said. “They were dominant, and you could see how special they could be. They have been playing together for so long, that even now, they don’t really even need to say anything on the basketball court or football field. They know who is going to be where and they know how to win… at everything.”
So, who are these guys?
Damien “Baby D” McDaniel, who is currently committed to UNLV, is the straw who stirs the drink. The senior was the MVP of the State Basketball Tournament and is the team’s top WR. He also had eight interceptions on defense.
“He really started it all,” Gutierrez said. “He’s a year older and when he got here as a freshman we knew he would be out of this world. He has never not played varsity in any sport.”
Lloyd “Chubby” Jones III is a 6-foot-5 signal-caller, who can make every throw on a football field but can do more.
“He reminds me of Pat Mahomes,” Gutierrez said. “I know that sounds crazy, but he made a 50-yard, no-look touchdown pass at practice like it was nothing. He carried us in the playoffs on offense and then he flips to linebacker and no one can run on him.”
The big-ticket is Kelshaun “KJ Smooth” Johnson, who holds a dozen Power 5 offers at WR. He ran a 10.4 in the State Meet and finished second and has destroyed the camp circuit this Summer.
“He is really unguardable as a receiver but could have a pro future as a corner,” Gutierrez said. “His ability to close on the ball is elite.”
Elijah “Wood” Sherwood and Dorsey are hybrids. The 6-foot-5 Sherwood is a basketball player who came out for football, while Dorsey was a first-team, all-state selection for special teams. He is the top RB and plays in the slot.
“Elijah is a Mike Evans-type guy, who came out late for football,” Gutierrez said. “He’s a hooper, a high-jumper for track and will emerge as a college-level WR and safety. He draws a lot of attention. Bryce is our ‘home run’ guy from anywhere on the field. He just needs a sliver of space and he’s gone.”
On defense, Terrell “Rell” Allen had 100 tackles a year ago, while Albert “Biggie” Ruben has a motor in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
So, it’s all hands on deck for Hitchcock, and after decades the Bulldogs have the pieces to cement their legacy as the greatest team in Bulldog history.
“We talk about winning a State Championship every day,” Gutierrez said. “We expect to win it and really put the school on the map. The bar has been set.”
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