GAMES
RANKINGS
VYPE Countdown to Kickoff 2022: District 21-6A Preview
VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Kaleb Bailey, North Shore
OFFENSIVE MVP: Zion Brown, Atascocita
DEFENSIVE MVP: Jayven Anderson, North Shore
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Darein Hargrove, Summer Creek
SLEEPER TEAM: Humble Wildcats
Preseason Rankings
North Shore Mustangs
Atascocita Eagles
Summer Creek Bulldogs
C.E. King Panthers
Beaumont West Brook Bruins
Humble Wildcats
Kingwood Mustangs
Beaumont United Timberwolves
NORTH SHORE MUSTANGS
Winners of three of the last four State Championships at the UIL’s highest classification and beating DFW-power Duncanville in all three has solidified the “Eastside Dynasty”. They put that on their newest ring, which is No. 5 in program history. Kaleb Bailey, who started at QB as a freshman and was named the 6A DI State Championship Game Offensive MVP, is back with a full offseason under his belt with OC Willie Gaston. Bailey was dangerous last year, he will be even more so in 2022. David Amador will be his top target as the UTSA-commit eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving a year ago and had the state-title-clinching touchdown reception in the 17-10 win over Duncanville. The backfield will be loaded with talent as Rashaad Johnson is back to anchor that group with sophomore Dre Hardeman (who has a UTSA offer) getting his first real varsity action. Hardeman is the son of North Shore great Tiki Hardeman, who went on to Texas A&M. Other names on offense include Omarion Dudley (OL), Terrence Guillory II (WR) and Christopher Barnes (WR). Defensively, Jacoby Davis, Evan Jackson, Jayven Anderson and Devin Sanchez will lockdown opponents passing games for the Mustangs. Also, watch out for Jaylon Joseph rushing off the end as well and Marlon Germany at linebacker. The defense got better with the addition of Elijah Fields from Spring, and on offense, Deion Deblanc will be a weapon over from Eisenhower.
ATASCOCITA EAGLES
Craig Stump enters year 11 leading Atascocita and for the last nine, the Eagles have finished either first or second in district play. Then, for the past seven seasons, Atascocita has turned that into at least a thirdround playoff run. Last year, they fell in the State Quarterfinals to North Shore. QB Zion Brown, who was named the District 21-6A Newcomer of the Year last season, was thrown into the fire a bit as a sophomore but played well. Brown passed for north of 2,000 yards and rushed for nearly 700 more and has gotten even better this offseason. Expect Tory Blaylock to tote the rock more this season, after blazing through college camps this summer running 4.4 40-yard dashes and piling up the offers. Nate Kibble will be looked to lead an offensive line that has now produced two NFL Draft picks, while Texas A&M-commit Samu Taumanupepe will anchor the defensive line. Also, watch out for Jadon Ducos at linebacker and Braylon Conley at defensive back for the Eagles as offense stoppers. Other names to take note include TC Lee (WR) and Pharrell Gordon (DL).
SUMMER CREEK BULLDOGS
Summer Creek was on the brink of a program-defining win in the playoffs a year ago as they nearly beat Katy in the State Quarterfinals, which is the deepest playoff run in program history. This team has a bunch of talent coming back. It starts with second-team, all-district quarterback Jahrik Jones (1,465 yards, 5 TDs) running the offense and Lloyd Avant, a first teamer from last year, running out of the backfield. Avant rushed for 1,794 yards and 27 scores last season. First-team, all-district receiver Corey Nichols and second teamers Maxwell Huisintveld (TE), Roriyon Richardson (WR) and Christian Crockett (OL) and honorable-mention picks Kordell Rodgers (TE) and Viliami Salakielu (OL) are all set to return. Defensively, first teamers Paul Singleton (LB – 42 tackles) and Darein Hargrove (CB – 5 INTs) are back along with honorable-mention picks Darien Riley (DL – 5 sacks) and Kyran Duhon (DL). Other names to take note of include Jaylen Mays (DT), Mati Tomas (ATH), Chad Woodfork (DE), Melvin Nichols (WR) and Jeyden Coleman (DT).
C.E. KING PANTHERS
Think about this. In 2016, C.E. King went 1-9. Then the switch flipped. In comes Derek Fitzhenry as the head coach, they improve and all of a sudden, the Panthers have now made the playoffs for four-straight seasons. In 2021, C.E. King posted its first 10-win season since 2014. Fitzhenry has now changed positions to just be the Athletic Director, while defensive coordinator George Young moves into the big chair. Starting on the defense, Utah-commit Jo’laison Landry will be solid at defensive end, joined by Colorado-commit Kam’Ron Bizor, who moves in from Jack Yates. Lavonte Johnson has athleticism running through his blood as his father played ball at LSU. Other key returners include second-team receiver Elias Dejean and second-team defensive lineman K’mard Kimble (44 tackles). Jo’Laison Landry, Zaylon Davis and Texas-commit Dylan Spencer (8 sacks) were all named honorable-mention picks off the line as well. Will Hicks (73 tackles) was an honorable-mention selection at safety. Other names to remember include Logan Mackey (SS/CB), Wyndell Mitchell Jr. (QB), Denim Johnson (QB) and Anthony Bates (OL).
BEAUMONT WEST BROOK BRUINS
It wasn’t that long ago that Beaumont West Brook was playing for the big trophy in AT&T Stadium. Now, inside the state’s toughest district, the Bruins are trying to find their way back. Coming off a 5-5 season, coach Chuck Langston returns four starters on offense and three on defense. The lone all-district selection from a year ago who returns is honorable-mention pick Braxton Chambers on the defensive line. Jayvon Sorrell will play both ways for Beaumont West Brook at receiver and corner. Christian Spencer and Jeremiah Jordan return to the offensive line, while defensively Chambers (DL) and John Hardin (LB) will be the leaders of their position groups. Also, watch out for John Hardin (LB), Terrell Smith (ATH), Rae’G Dailey (WR) and Jabarous Broussard (DL) as players to watch.
HUMBLE WILDCATS
The Wildcats in their first year under Marcus Schulz, who came over from Splendora, went 2-8 overall. Now, in year two, Humble looks to get back into the playoff picture, which they reached in 2019 with a magical 10-win season. Texas Tech-commit TJ West is the star of the show. West was a second-team, all-district receiver a year ago and will be the big target for Tristen Bernard, who passed for more than 1,500 yards a year ago. Defensively, Jacory Johnson will quarterback the defense at linebacker after piling up nearly 120 tackles a year ago, followed by Jetavin James, who had 88. Johnson was a second-team, all-district linebacker in 2021. James was an honorable-mention pick along with defensive lineman Isiah Quezada. Also, watch out for junior Ayden Alvarez on the offensive line for the Wildcats.
KINGWOOD MUSTANGS
Third-year coach Cale Melton heads into the season hoping to find some wins after going 2-8 (2020) and 1-9 (2021) in his first two seasons at the helm of the Mustangs. Kingwood does return second-team, alldistrict receiver Ty Boatright and on defense Josh Pelfrey (72 tackles) at outside linebacker. Pelfrey was a second-team, all-district pick as a junior. Boatright led the team in receiving with 264 yards in catching 30 passes mostly from Trey Reese, who had 849 yards passing with four scores in 2021. Defensively, Cameron Burkes will be the returning leading tackler after notching 79 a year ago along with four sacks. Josh Gil also returns at punter for Kingwood.
BEAUMONT UNITED TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves have seen ultra-success on the basketball court, winning back-to-back 5A State Championships. Now, can they athletic success carry over to the football field and into Class 6A as Beaumont United makes the move up? Jonathan Martin will guide the offense at quarterback, while Christian Gladney will anchor the defense on the line. This jump will be tough for United, especially in such a football power district. Other names to take note of include Weston Davis (OL), Jacob Green (OL/DL), Gatieus Coleman (RB) and Anthony Hawkins (LB).
North Shore Football
VYPE Football 2021 Preview: District 21-6A
PRESEASON RANKING
North Shore
Atascocita
C.E. King
Beaumont West Brook
Summer Creek
Humble
Kingwood
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
PRESEASON AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Gavin Session, Atascocita
Offensive MVP: Jerrell Wimbley, C.E. King
Defensive MVP: Denver Harris, North Shore
Breakout Player of the Year: Jehrik Jones, Summer Creek
Sleeper Team: Humble
...
North Shore Mustangs
A new era begins at North Shore High School in 2021. For the first time in four years Dematrius Davis (Auburn) and Shadrach Banks (TCU) will not be the headliners as they have moved on to the next level after reaching the Class 6A Division I State Semifinals a year ago.
So, what will be the mark of this team in 2021?
Defense...defense and defense. Did I mention defense? This defensive unit may be one of the best in the city when it is all said and done. The group is headlined by five-star prospect Denver Harris, the District 21-6A Defensive MVP at cornerback, who will be back after being injured in the State Semifinal loss to Austin Westlake. Across from him will be rising star Jacoby Davis, Ta'von Griffin and Jayven Anderson.
Other defense stars will be first-teamers Jacoby Brass and Texas-commit Kris Ross on the DL. Also, watch for Tai Leonard on the line, he is a super tall DE. At linebacker Kent Battle will anchor the MLB position. Others to watch on defense include safety Caleb Flagg (younger brother of Miami's Corey Flagg) and DL Ronald Wilson.
Offensively, Omarion Dudley and Talmadge Pounds will anchor the OL, Xavier Owens will rumble out of the backfield while David Amador and Jhalyn Bailey will be weapons out wide.
Atascocita Eagles
Atascocita has been either the District Champ or runner-up in each of the last eight seasons under Craig Stump. And 2021 shouldn't be any different. Last year, the Eagles went 7-3 overall and ended their season in the Region III-6A Semifinals with a 55-45 loss to Ridge Point.
Just how Stump likes it, he returns second-year starter Gavin Session at quarterback. Session is a dual-threat problem after passing for more than 2,600 yards and rushing for another 800 last year with 28 total touchdowns.
He will have plenty of targets in first-team, all-district receivers Chase Sowell and Keith Wheeler II. Tyras Winfield could be another option coming out of the backfield. Up front protecting Session will be five-star OL Kameron Dewberry.
Defensively, the crew brings back first-team, all-district picks Shun Maiden on the DL and ILB Jadon Ducos and second teamers on the DL in Micah Tate and Caleb Hudson. Also, watch out for Jonah Caseltine at LB.
C.E. King Panthers
Entering year five over at C.E. King, Derek Fitzhenry has the Panthers roaring. They have made the playoffs in three-straight seasons (the first time since the 2003-2005 seasons) and won their first playoff game since 2015 with a 56-0 victory over Channelview last year.
The Panthers will have to replace QB Kameron Kincheon (USMMA) but could have one of the best backfields in the district. Jerrell Wimbley is a wrecking ball after rushing for 1,774 yards and 20 touchdowns a year ago. He had 10 games of 100-plus yards on the ground of his 11 games played.
His counterpart D'Koreion Hammond also rushed for 1,100-plus yards and 11 scores. That duo will run behind the push of Louisiana Ragin Cajuns-commit Van Wells and Jalen Cooper on the OL. Defensively, DE Marque Williams, LB Roy Morris and CB Jakobe Crawford will be names to remember. Athlete William Hicks will be all over the field for the Panthers.
Other players to watch include Kerion Barnes (CB), K'mard Kimble (DL), Brylon Jackson (DL), Aaron DeLeon (DL) and Zaylon Davis (DL). This could be a big year for C.E. King if they can find their signal-caller to operate the offense.
Beaumont West Brook Bruins
The Bruins pushed their way into the playoffs finishing fourth, but then fell to Clear Falls in the Bi-District round.
West Brook will look different in 2021 as coach Eric Peevy moves over to Little Cypress-Mauriceville and in steps Chuck Langston, who was the offensive coordinator at Port Arthur Memorial. The team he takes over has dynamic playmaker Bryce Anderson, who can play on both sides of the ball. Last year he stepped in at QB for the Bruins and racked up more than 2,400 yards of offense.
Other key returners include OL Mykel Janise and WR Andre Dennis, who were both first teamers. Also back is TE/HB Ben Bennett.
Defensively, junior DL Braxton Chambers was a second-team pick along with ILB Garrett Richard and S Reggie Holmes. Anderson will be the one that moves them on offense but will it be enough?
Summer Creek Bulldogs
The Kenny Harrison-led Bulldogs are coming off a three-win season in 2020, which included wins over Humble (their only district win), Friendswood and Dekaney. Can Summer Creek get on the right side of more games in 2021?
Of their losses, two were by seven or fewer points (West Brook 54-48 and Kingwood 26-22). They will have push up front behind Oregon-commit and five-star offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. Also on offense, will be junior first-team, all-district receiver Andrew Alexander.
Other key offensive returners include second-team picks Peyton Banks (OL) and Torrie Curry (RB). The question will be if Jahrik Jones can translate his JV success to the varsity level at QB? Defensively, first-team, all-district DL Rocky Jack will anchor the group along with second teamers Matai Tomas (CB), Justin Craft (DL), Amantie Lockhart (DL) and Julian Ortiz (ILB).
Humble Wildcats
Marcus Schulz has started the #BleedPurple-era over at Humble High School. Schulz makes the move over to Humble from Splendora after longtime coach Charles West took an Athletic Administration job inside Spring Branch ISD. Since taking over, Schulz has built a buzz around the Wildcats' program that went 3-7 last year but failed to win a district contest.
X'Zavier Sidney will be the star on offense coming rumbling out of the backfield. Sidney rushed for more than 1,300 yard a year ago. Up front Humble will have size with big man Kentrell Mason who is 6-foot-6, 295-pounds with offers from New Mexico State and Arkansas leading the way.
Trevonn McCray will play all over the field for Humble at receiver and cornerback. Defensively, Damien Madkins will lead that group at linebacker. Schulz has assembled a nice staff at Humble, so now we will see if it translates to wins.
Kingwood Mustangs
In Cale Melton's first year at the helm of the Mustangs, the group posted a 2-8 overall record with both wins coming in the final two weeks of the year over Humble (17-7) and Summer Creek (26-22). So, the Mustangs carry that momentum into the offseason, which was more normal than Melton's first due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kingwood brings back second-team, all-district OL Andrew Hodges and RB Nick Bernell on offense, while first- teamer Grant Mize will lead the defense at inside linebacker. Also, watch for OLB Cannon Borum and safety Evan Richard on defense. They were both second-team picks a year ago. Defensive end Nick Kresovich will also be a name to remember.
We will see if those final two games of 2020 were a sign of what is to come in 2021 for the Mustangs.
Atascocita's Gavin Session, Keith Wheeler II, Kam Dewberry, Tyras Winfield, Jonah Caseltine, Shun Maiden and Jadon Ducos
