GAMES
RANKINGS
Clear Falls' Hunter Lehman
THE PLAYMAKERS: Spooky Season, powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the Fall season begins to wrap up.
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Aiden Fitzgerald -- Friendswood Cross Country
With the UIL Cross Country State Meet taking place this weekend, hundreds of athletes throughout Texas are convening at Old Settler's Park in Round Rock to determine who stands above the rest.
Among the numerous Houston-area competitors preparing at the starting line, there might just be one out of Friendswood who can win it all in Class 5A.
It comes as no surprise to see Aiden Fitzgerald back at this stage, after he finished 11th overall in last year's final which resulted in him being named to the 2023 All-VYPE XC Team.
Most recently, the junior Mustang took gold at the UIL-5A Region III Meet, with an astounding time of 15:19.73 in the 5K race.
Don't be surprised if you see Fitzgerald wind up on the winner's podium by the end of the Saturday's event.
Emerson Chang -- Manvel Volleyball
Alex Hinson (VYPE)
Despite facing some tougher competition -- particularly district counterparts Pearland, Dawson, and Shadow Creek -- since moving up to Class 6A in the UIL realignment, Manvel has continued to embody their traditional sense of excellence.
The Mavs (27-13; 10-6 in District 22-6A) recently secured a playoff spot with their sweep over Dobie, marking the 12th straight season that they will enter the postseason.
We've spoken plenty of the offensive threat this team poses, with the likes of Nevaeh English, Kenedy Massie, and Kaycee Pennie keeping opponents on their toes.
But, as we all know, this is team game, meaning there should be some credit to bestow upon the other integral role players.
Speaking of, junior DS Emerson Chang has been a dynamic force on the defensive side of the net.
As it stands, she has registered 328 digs during the regular season, in addition to contributing 49 assists, which has allowed her teammates to flourish.
All the pieces are coming together for Manvel. This will be a group worth watching in November.
Hunter Lehman -- Clear Falls Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Knights enter the tenth week of the season with an impressive record of 5-3, most recently trouncing district opponent Clear Brook by the score of 70-14.
Naturally, one might assume that the team's offense (39.5 points scored per game) has been its greatest asset, based on that score-line -- and one would be correct.
However, throughout the majority of the Fall, Clear Falls' defense has played exceptional complementary ball, which doesn't always show up on a stat-sheet.
The fact that they've held opponents to under 17 points a game has provided their teammates with ample opportunity to secure wins.
Among the several key contributors on the defensive side of the ball for CFHS, junior Hunter Lehman continues to be the rock of the group.
Lehman has already tallied 89 tackles (roughly 11 per game) on the year -- 7 of which were for loss -- which is a testament to the drive he incorporates from the MLB position.
Paired with fellow junior linebacker Preston Pitts (83 tackles, 22 TFL, 6 sacks), the Clear Falls D gets scarier with each week that passes.
Bella Law -- Shadow Creek Volleyball
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Shadow Creek Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Shadow Creek has been one of the more quietly dynamic clubs in the Houston-area for the vast majority of this year.
With the playoffs looming, the Sharks (32-10) remain in our Class 6A Top-25 after sealing the third place spot in District 22-6A and now have their sights set on more.
As expected, Texas A&M-commit Mackenzie Collins (533 kills) is the team's nucleus, elevating an already-talented group that features the likes of Aspen Brown (319 kills), Lauryn Wiley (419 digs), Kennedy Proctor (104 blocks), Tamarria Mitchell (283 kills), and Kelly Kelsick (393 receptions).
The one orchestrating the whole operation, however, is none other than Bella Law.
From the setter position, the Shadow Creek junior has facilitated every possession, evidenced by the fact that she has accrued a whopping 1,151 assists during the regular season, in addition to securing 337 digs.
If the offense was an arrow, Law is the bow, which will be made perfectly clear when SCHS embarks upon what could be a lengthy run in the postseason.
Chris Creedon -- Clear Creek Cross Country
As mentioned earlier, the final meet in the UIL Cross Country season will begin this Friday, bringing all the hard work each individual has put forth to a thrilling conclusion.
Clear Creek's Chris Creedon has plenty of experience in this arena, considering he competed in the State Meet just one year ago.
Creedon punched his ticket this past week, when he produced a remarkable 5K time of 15:27.96 to place fourth overall at the UIL-6A Region III race.
He'll have some stiff competition to match up with, given the circumstances. However, the achievements he's already tallied are worth acknowledging.
Pearland's Cora Wolford
THE PLAYMAKERS: Silencing the doubters, powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the Fall season continues to heat up.
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Caylee Young -- Clear Springs Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Chargers were among the many teams to begin the year underestimated, considering the fact that several of their notable athletes had since graduated.
Well, that is no longer the case.
Throughout the first round of district-play, Clear Springs (21-14; 6-0 in District 24-6A) has yet to be defeated by their counterparts, with a crucial game against Clear Creek taking place Friday night.
When it comes to offensive weaponry for coach Shannon McClellan, the most integral of which has unquestionably been Caylee Young.
Despite only being a sophomore, Young has already racked up 363 kills on the year, and is prime position to surpass the 400-mark in the coming weeks.
Futhermore, she helps out on the defensive side, with over 250 digs to her name.
If their start is any indication, CSHS is easily on the fast-track back to the playoffs.
Jake Champagne -- Clear Falls Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
After suffering a narrow 36-34 defeat in their district opener against Deer Park, Clear Falls responded by throttling Brazoswood (56-3) to bring their record to 3-2.
Offensive production hasn't been an issue for the Knights, as they're averaging 39 points a game, and that all begins with the capability of the team's signal-caller.
It hasn't always been easy sledding for senior Jake Champagne, but it can't be said that he efficient.
Through five games, he's thrown for 1,122 yards (224.4 average) and 10 touchdowns through the air, with Cameron Kern (Jr. WR) and Dylan Proctor (Sr. WR) remaining his top targets.
If Champagne can keep trending at this pace, then the Clear Falls production shouldn't have any problems, as they now prepare for Clear Creek.
Cora Wolford -- Pearland Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Fresh off two instrumental victories in September, against Fulshear (3-2) and Shadow Creek (3-2), Pearland skyrocketed in our weekly rankings to become the No. 2 team in H-Town -- behind only Stratford (29-2).
Now, under the direction of coach Jamie Gill, the Oilers (31-4; 9-0 in district) begin the second half of their district schedule with more momentum than ever.
We've already touched on the phenomenal play of Avery Koonsen, who recently surpassed the 1000-kill career milestone, and the threat she poses from the outside hitter role.
However, it's partially thanks to the coordinated efforts of senior setter Cora Wolford that Koonsen has been put in that exemplary position.
Wolford has been lining up her teammates all season long, evidenced by the fact that she's already tallied well over 500 assists to this point.
If Pearland keeps clicking on all cylinders like this, they'll have the potential to give any contender a run for their money moving forward.
Jeremiah Scoby -- Dickinson Football
The Gators had a brutal schedule to begin the year.
However, after dropping two close ones against Katy (41-37) and C.E. King (28-14), Dickinson proceeded to kick off a three-game win-streak (Cy Fair: 34-31, Clear Creek: 56-13, Clear Brook: 63-0) to get back on the right side of .500.
Among the various weapons on coach John Snelson's offense -- including Malachi Gamble (Jr. RB), Ja'Marion Payne (So. WR), Jamal Mason (Jr. RB), and Mason Peterson (Sr. TE) -- the most difficult target for opposing defenses to contain has been senior TE/WR Jeremiah Scoby.
The Bowling Green State-commit has brought in 19 receptions for 343 yards and 4 TDs entering Week 6, which speaks to his versatility and explosiveness, standing at 6-foot-3.
With key district matchups against Clear Lake, Brazoswood, and Clear Springs taking place during the month of October, expect Scoby to keep wreaking havoc in plus-territory.
Lauryn Wiley -- Shadow Creek Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Shadow Creek has made its way back into our 6A Top-10 due to the consistency they've showcased throughout this past month.
The Sharks dominate in their favorable matchups, and compete at a high level against their more talented opponents, which is why they now boast a 27-8 record, which includes an 8-1 start in District 22-6A.
In terms of production, this group is all set on offense, with Mackenzie Collins (457 kills), Aspen Brown (232 kills), and Tamarria Mitchell (227 kills) dealing out most of the punishment.
But the scary fact is that Shadow Creek is just as efficient on defense, with Lauryn Wiley (Jr. L) serving as on coach Whitney Daniel's rising stars.
As it stands, Wiley has registered 325 digs and over 100 assists, which gives the aforementioned offensive playmakers ample opportunity to rack up points.
Junior Bella Law (909 assists, 273 digs) has also been an invaluable piece to the puzzle.
The Sharks will now have their eye on a district championship over the next few weeks, as they compete with Pearland, Dawson, and Manvel.