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ON MY WHISTLE: See who will shock the Houston playoff landscape this week?
VYPE's Matt Malatesta and Jackson DiPasquale talk about paths through the playoffs for Greater Houston-area teams in this week's episode of "On My Whistle".
Who will be the biggest story the weekend? Who will upset the apple-cart in their respective regions?
It's going to be a weekend, so check out the predictions and can't-miss games.
Strake Jesuit's Johnny Herbert is having a breakout season
OFF THE GRID: Strake Jesuit's Hebert's unconventional path to greatness
John Hebert is an anomaly.
The Strake Jesuit running back leads the state of Texas with an astounding 3,110 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns—but he has no cell phone.
Hebert has no curated social media presence, no slow-motion hype videos, and no interest in the spotlight. As one of seven siblings, he’s learned to shy away from attention.
And yet, Johnny Hebert makes perfect sense.
“My parents told all of us we couldn’t have a cell phone until our senior year,” Hebert explained, speaking via his iPad. “I’m actually grateful to them. They wanted to keep us away from what phones expose you to. At school, I see everyone glued to their screens. Not having one makes you really talk to people and stay connected to what’s happening around you—it’s a better way to live at a young age.”
His humility and discipline are as impressive as his stats. Coach Donovan Fikac and offensive coordinator Billy Noonan recognized Hebert’s potential early.
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“We walked off the field after a loss to Clear Falls last year and decided we needed to revamp our offense,” Fikac said. “We knew we had a solid offensive line and someone special at running back.
“Johnny’s vision, low center of gravity, and patience are rare. He plays behind his pads, falls forward, and knows how to avoid injury. He’s tough, fast, and humble—an old-school type of player.”
Hebert’s football roots run deep. His father, Jason Hebert, played at Rice University and had brief stints in the NFL.
“We all grew up loving football because of my dad,” John said. “He taught us the game, and with seven kids, we’ve had some epic street football games.”
Strake Jesuit, one of only two private schools competing in UIL football, is making history. With a dominant 56-36 win over Tompkins last week, the Crusaders are on the verge of reaching the third round of the playoffs for just the fourth time in school history. Their next challenge: Heights High School.
“Our district is incredibly physical,” Fikac said. “Fulshear is still undefeated, and the Alief schools have great athletes who play hard. Foster had a strong season, and George Ranch always competes. That competition has prepared us for the postseason.”
Despite Hebert’s stellar performances, he’s quick to share the credit.
“This isn’t a one-man show,” he said. “Our offensive line has been incredible, and our defense has done a great job getting us the ball back. We’re a team of competitive guys, and they push me to be better.”
The Crusaders’ offensive line, featuring Matt Devlin (son of the San Diego Chargers’ OL coach), JC Martinez, Chrysanthos Fetokakis, and Heger Davis, paves the way for Hebert, while QB Bryson Easley keeps the offense in sync.
“We need to take care of the ball and stay true to our identity,” Fikac said. “There are no egos here—this is a brotherhood, and we’re having a lot of fun.”
As for Hebert, his goals are clear and unwavering.
“Am I surprised by my rushing yards? Yes, it’s a little surreal. But I’m confident and willing to put in the work,” he said. “I want to play college ball and make it to the NFL. Once I get there, I want to be the best I can possibly be.”
With his talent, mindset, and determination, John Hebert won’t stay off the grid for long.