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2023-24 Episcopal Football
SCARY GOOD: Episcopal's fast start indicates big things to come
This marks a definitive beginning to the season, after they narrowly fell to Parish (24-17) a year ago. Now, it seems there’s nowhere to go but up for Episcopal.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“I told our group from day one that we were the best team in Texas,” said coach Steve Leisz. “If we buy into four quarters of football, no one can stand in there with us on both sides of the ball. This team, they’ve never doubted themselves and we keep moving forward with that mindset.”
Their success doesn’t surprise Leisz, since the Knights have retained the majority of their core roster.
While the electric playmakers –Karson Gordon, Breylan Thompson and Madden Morgan – are among the few that tend to lead the headlines, it’s the ‘other guys’ who have made all the difference for the team.
Karson Gordon
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“We were pretty junior-heavy last year and we knew that we had a lot of talent coming back,” Leisz said. “We have all these big names, but we have some players who kind of fly under the radar and surprise people.”
“Cullen Walton (Sr. DE/LB), for instance. They (Parish Episcopal) have two book-end tackles and Walton still went on to have 8.5 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a blocked field goal. So, guys that are the difference-makers among this group.”
Episcopal's Cullen WaltonJamey Wright (VYPE)
Episcopal now prepares to take on Second Baptist School this Friday, which should prove to be yet another decisive matchup.
“It’s another week for us, so we’re going to attack Second (Baptist School) like we attacked Parish Episcopal last weekend,” said Leisz. “It’s like I told my boys, ‘enjoy the weekend, but come Monday we’re going back to work’. So, we’ve been locked in all week.”
Both sides of the ball are looking scarier than ever, and that will undoubtedly be made perfectly clear, heading into the playoff race.
“Defensively, we play fast and we create turnovers,” Leisz said. “Offensively, we’re a little different this year. We control the ball. Against Parish, we had multiple double-digit-play drives so that’s kind of who we are this year.”
“Typically, offenses play fast and then the defense wears out. But for us it’s vice versa. Our defense takes care of business quickly, they’re running all over the place, and that’s what's been creating all the turnovers for us. Our offense has been responding well with that and it’ll benefit us in the long run.”
Episcopal's Breylan Thompson
MR. PRESIDENT: Episcopal’s Thompson raking in offers
Given his proclivity to disrupt the pass, and his dual-threat capability from both the corner and safety positions, Thompson has been turning heads from colleges across the nation.
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Ranging from several Ivy League schools such as Princeton, Harvard, Penn and Dartmouth, to an array of other exceptional programs like -- Sam Houston State, Lamar, Air Force and Army -- the offers continue to roll in for this Episcopal talent.
“It’s a blessing,” said Thompson. “A big part of the reason I work so hard on the field is to open doors of opportunity in life as a whole, and vice versa. I work hard in the classroom to make sure I have the grades to play for any institution. I’ve always valued academics so having the opportunity to get the highest level of education is truly a gift.”
In addition to putting in the work on the field and in the classroom, Thompson also conveys his commitment to his future via his role as Episcopal’s Class President.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I’d be lying if I told you it was easy, but I would also be lying if I told you it wasn’t worth it,” he said. “Episcopal has done so much for me in my time there, and I ran for student body President to ultimately return the favor. There’s a lot on my plate with sports and recruitment, but learning to manage my responsibilities now will definitely prepare me for later in life.”
Speaking of commitment, Thompson has yet to officially decide where he intends to go when he graduates a year from now. But, with all the offers he’s already received, and the ones that will inevitably come, his dreams may soon turn into reality.
“Initially I wanted to make a decision prior to the season but I wanted to give myself a little more time to make such a big decision,” Thompson said. “I’ll probably end up making my decision either during the season, or some time right after."
"Growing up, my dream school was always Stanford or Duke -- two high level institutions that also have high level athletics. I always wanted to play football and go to school somewhere where athletics and academics were top tier, and those two schools are just that.”
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
The Fall season will be here before you know it. So, expect “Mr. President” Breylan Thompson to maintain his high-level of play as he represents Episcopal one last time.
“Episcopal has completely changed my life and has opened so many doors of opportunity. EHS has introduced me to important people that have impacted my life,” he said. “It’s given me the chance to learn and study at a high level, while also giving me access to resources and facilities to become a better athlete.”
“Episcopal has helped me become such a well-rounded person and that’s a large part of the reason I am where I am today.”