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RANKINGS
La Porte looks to become top-dog in DISTRICT 11-5A-DI; K-Park, Friendswood, Crosby ready to respond
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
La Porte Bulldogs
Kingwood Park Panthers
Friendswood Mustangs
Crosby Cougars
Porter Spartans
Pasadena Eagles
Fort Bend Kempner Cougars
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE's PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Tyresse Barnes, La Porte
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Wesley Yarbrough, Crosby
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Caleb Allen, Friendswood
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Malachi Gamble, Pasadena
ON THE CUSP: Porter Spartans
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Following the UIL realignment, La Porte moves over from District 8-5A-DI, alongside familiar opponents Porter, Kingwood Park and Crosby. Coach Kevin Berneathy will see to it that the Bulldogs make a statement this Fall, after they claimed the district title before making a playoff appearance a year ago. La Porte brings back several pieces of the offense that averaged over 36 points per game in 2023,and none will be more vital than the district’s Co-Offensive MVP Tyresse Barnes. The senior RBis coming off a year in which he rushed for over 1,200 yards, which further strengthens his credibility as a legitimate D1 college prospect. What’s even scarier is the fact that the Bulldogs also have fellow senior RB Ricky Sandolph to turn to, after he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark as well, to earn first-team honors. First-teamers Kylin Manning (Sr. OL) and Jake Hayman (Jr. OL) bulk up a stalwart La Porte offensive line, while sophomore TE Ryker Reynolds is another weapon to utilize. On defense, expect Eyasu Walling (Sr. LB) and Tryston Oaks (Jr. DB) to improve on their second-team performances, while Defensive Newcomer of the Year Ashton Ruffin’s (Jr. LB) value escalates.
Despite going 7-3 on the year, and winning five divisional matchups, Kingwood Park was just barely outside of the playoff picture in 2023. However, that is unlikely to be the case this time around, as the Panthers make their debut in District 11-5A-DI. Coach Clayton Maple has fostered a resilient mentality within his program, which should be made perfectly in the coming months. With the graduationof several headliners from the previous season, some individuals from the incoming class will need to step up. However, the return of second-teamer Alex Hartnett (Sr. WR/P) and Ethan Elliot (Sr. LB/TE) should serve as some key pieces for KPHS to build around heading into the Fall. Additionally, Aaron Andrews (Sr. DB/WR), Ryder Grabner (Sr. WR/LB), and Landon Morrison (Sr. OL) should provide further veteran leadership to keep opposing teams in check.
Friendswood moves over from District 10-5A-DI, in which they went 5-5 and narrowly missed out on the postseason a year ago. Fortunately for coach Jordan Johnson and his staff, a plethora of their main-stays return to the gridiron, with the intention of igniting the spark that guides the Mustangs back to the playoffs. Senior WR Garrett Muecke is back, after registering 1,030 all-purpose yards and 11 scores, which earned him first-team, all-district honors. Second-teamers Walker Winters (Sr. RB) and William Guse (Sr. OL) also make their return, while junior TE Noah Abebe (first-team) adds another weapon for senior QB Mikey Butler, who should take the starting role, following the departure of Brock Foster. Defensively, first-team LB Caleb Allen will be the rock of the group, as he takes on the role of captain in 2024. Allen racked up 100 tackles, with 20 of those for loss this past season, on top of 6 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Joining him will be fellow first-teamer Nick Ruffeno (Sr. DB), as well as second-team selection Mason Sindelar (Sr. DB) who round out an effective Friendswood secondary.
Crosby went through a series of ups and downs last Fall, which is to be expected for a team that’s been chasing their 2020 mark of reaching the UIL-5A-DII State Championship. The Cougars will aim to put any doubts to rest as they face some newer district competition, with coach Joe Willis back at the helm for his second year with the program. Arizona-commit Wesley Yarbrough (Sr. RB) will be the focal point of the offense, after putting up a second-team, all-district performance that included 1,068 all-purpose yards and 12 combined touchdowns. With Kade Eudy gone (TCU-Baseball), someone will need to step up as the new QB1. Evan Egans (Jr. WR) and Landen Hammer (Jr. WR) should be reliable targets for whoever assumes the role. The linebacking duo of Copelin Windfont (UTEP) and his brother, Malik, amounts to one scary defense, following their respective first-team selections in 2023. Johnnie Carter (Sr. LB), Wyatt Brady (Jr. LB) and Javien Powell (Jr. DB) should also be serviceable weapons on the defensive side of the ball for Crosby.
Porter finished third overall (7-4) in their previous district, prior to reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2019, under the direction of head coach Billy Russell. While the Spartans say goodbye to versatile star Payton Evans-Pickens (Harding University), there is still a bevy of talent for the team to work around. First-team, all-district DB Darville Allen should be a force in the secondary, while also making some key contributions on offense as one of Porter’s top receivers. Senior Marco Guerra anchors the O-Line after also getting a first-team nod in 2023. Second-teamer Aaron Gilliam (Sr. WR) should also be another reliable target for whoever steps up as the team’s signal-caller. Although there may be a few gaps to fill for this year’s roster, anticipate Porter punching their ticket to the postseason come November.
After going 4-6 in 2023 and finishing sixth overall in District 22-6A, Pasadena moves down to match up against a whole new set of opponents. Former Oregon State safety Ron Jones takes over as the new head coach for the Eagles, hoping to breathe new life into the team. In terms of talent coming back, Jones will turn to junior RB Malachi Gamble, who is coming off a year in which he rushed for over 700 yards with 10 total scores, despite only playing in four games. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Gamble (So. QB/WR) should expect a bigger year, following his second-team, all-district selection last Fall. On defense, second-teamer Allen Garcia (Jr. LB) will be a name to remember, alongside William Cruz (Sr. LB), Tony Conchas (Sr. DL) and Jonathan Ticas (Sr. DB).
Fort Bend Kempner finished at the bottom of the District 10-5A-DI standings this past season, but still show some promise heading into this Fall. Grayson Green is back for his senior year behind-center, following a second-team, all-district nod. Junior RB Makai Jenkins (second-team) will join Green in the backfield, with first-team WR Luke Maxson and Mario James (second-team) serving as additional weapons. The defense still has some work to do, but second-teamers Ellis Sanusi (Sr. LB) and Trung Le (Sr. DB) should be nice pieces to work with for coach Troy DeGar.
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Memorial; Barbers Hill likely competing for top spot in DISTRICT 8-5A-DI
DISTRICT 8-5A-DI
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS (Playoff teams in bold)
Port Arthur Memorial Titans
Barbers Hill Eagles
Crosby Cougars
Kingwood Park Panthers
La Porte Bulldogs
Porter Spartans
Lee Ganders
Sterling Rangers
Goose Creek Memorial Patriots
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Most Valuable Player
Kody Fuentes, Barbers Hill
Offensive Player of the Year
Payton Evans-Pickens, Porter
Defensive Player of the Year
Daevon Iles, Port Arthur Memorial
Breakout Player of the Year
Kade Eudy, Crosby
On the Cusp
La Porte Bulldogs
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Port Arthur Memorial has been in the playoffs seven-straight years and are coming off the best year of the Brian Morgan-era at 11-2 overall. The Titans defense will be their calling card led by DB Daevon Iles, the Defensive MVP of District 8-5A-DI a year ago. Other key returners on defense include Michael Riles (DE), Taiyion King (LB), Nolan White (DB) and Taveon Chatman (DL). Offensively, watch for Jaquan Holmes (WR), Amante Martin (RB), Semaj Pierre (WR) and Quinton Harper.
Carl Abseck is entering year three of leading Barbers Hill. Last year, the Eagles went 8-4 and finished second in district. Kody Fuentes is back for his senior year at quarterback and is coming off a season where he passed for 2,612 yards and 29 scores. The best thing for Fuentes is he brings back all of his top targets. Brady Thompson (725 yards, 7 TDs), Cyler Williams (477 yards, 6 TDs) and Tripp Davis (460 yards, 5 TDs) are all back at receiver. Miller Malone will lead the Eagles’ defense after racking up 86 tackles and a team-leading six sacks. Other key returners include Trey Bright (90 tackles), Landen Gaskamp (85 tackles) and Gabriel Guzman.
The Crosby Cougars have a new man to lead in Joe Willis, who led Cedar Park to the Class 4A State Championship in 2012 and in 2014 took them back as a 5A team. Willis takes over a Crosby program that in 2020 and 2021 went a combined 24-7 and played in the Class 5A Division I State Championship game in 2020. Levi Fontenot will pace the rushing attack early after racking up 766 yards and six scores in 2022. As Kade Eudy settles into the fulltime starting QB role, Fontenot will help him do that. Eudy does have experience, he passed for 659 yards and seven scores on 59 passing attempts in eight games. Copeline Windfont will pace the defense after leading the team with 83 tackles and five sacks. Other key returners include Wesley Yarbrough (RB), Trevaun Dixon (DB) and AJ Johnson (OL/DL).
The Kingwood Park Panthers return to gridiron on the heels of yet another productive season, which saw them reach the postseason to conclude the year with a record of 7-4. Coach Clayton Maple will see to it that K-Park’s decade-long playoff-streak remains intact with an impressive arsenal of weapons at his disposal. The offense wields a one-two punch of senior running backs, Brayden Moronko and Aiden Troost, while the defense will be anchored by DE Rylee Bush (Sr.), LB Brandon Waggoner (Sr.), CB Jaxson Lindsey (Sr.) and senior safety Jayden Henderson.
La Porte is in a unique situation as they will play their “home games” at Barbers Hill as their stadium is renovated. Kevin Berneathy enters year two and is looking to get the Bulldogs back in the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Tyresse Barnes (718 yards, 15 TDs) and Kennan Lawrence (539 yards, 8 TDs) will pace the rushing attack, while Landon Kay and Caden Hisatake will lead the receiver group. A new QBI will have to step up. Defensively, Jaylon Fisher will lead that unit along with Ashton Riffin, Tyran Williams and Eurie Bright.
Porter has missed the playoffs the last three years. The Spartans will lean on Payton Evans-Pickens to churn the offense. He is Mr. Do-It-All, after registering over 800 yards of offense between passing and rushing and racking up 13 total touchdowns. The O-Line will be solid in front of him with Jayden Green, Marco Guerra and Sebastian Lara back. Defensively, Ryan Gilliam had over 100 total tackles a year ago and will pace that unit.
Lee (5-5), Sterling (2-8) and Goose Creek Memorial (1-9) all finished at the bottom of the district standings and missed the playoffs. The Ganders will be led by QB Levay Duncan Jr. and Josiah Joseph is a freak who can play all over the field. Josh Huerta will lead the defense. The Rangers will be led by John Smith (QB), Chris Harris (WR), Enijah Russell-Evans (RB/LB) and Brennon Allen (RB/DB). Finally, GCM will lean on their lines early with Makalyn Bradley (DL), Adrian Arellano (OL) back. Other key returners include Luis Zavala (OL) and John Arenas (DB).