GAMES
RANKINGS
VYPE Countdown to Kickoff 2022: District 15-6A Preview
PRESEASON RANKINGS
Klein Collins
Klein Cain
Tomball
Klein Oak
Klein Forest
Klein
Tomball Memorial
Waller
VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Tucker Parks, Klein Collins
OFFENSIVE MVP: Kaleb Black, Klein Oak
DEFENSIVE MVP: Daniel Moore, Klein
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Parker Jenkins, Klein Forest
SLEEPER TEAM:Klein Forest
Klein Collins Tigers
It was a tale of two seasons for Klein Collins in 2021 as the Tigers went 0-4 in non-district play before running the table in District 15-6A to take the crown. The reason? They Tigers were tremendously young in the two-deep roster, but extremely talented. The Tigers return Offensive Newcomer of the Year Tucker Parks at quarterback, who has developed into a college-level prospect. Collins does it up front and unanimous first-team selection Jackson Felkins anchors the big men. He will be helped by Aven Rendon and Blake Cruz. Carrying the ball will be junior Michael Wilson. On the outside stretching the field will be Ty Stamey, a big 6-foot-6 target with great hands. The defensive side of the ball is Collins’ calling card. The program was built on tough, hard-nosed tackling and fundamentals. The District Defensive Newcomer was defensive back Chris Gant, who will patrol the secondary with the experienced corners Asa Brown and Eli Wyatt. Juniors Antoine Milon and Mason Faye will stuff the run up front and pressure the quarterback. Both were second teamers. The linebackers will be led by Bryce Adeokun and Gage Luellen.
Klein Cain Hurricanes
Klein Cain is at a crossroads. The football team has set the bar high going into its fifth year of varsity ball under the direction of coach James Clancy. The Hurricanes are 17-6 overall and 10-2 in district play over the past two seasons. Trust in Coach Clancy. “We have established the expectations. Now we seek to execute and continue to raise the bar.” The Hurricanes must replace the District Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in Matthew Golden and Lukia Rawls, who were cornerstones of the budding program. The baton will be passed to quarterback Lance Awe, receiver Jaelen Smith and linemen Gibson Pyle and Joseph Foxworth. Smith and Pyle were all-district first teamers and Foxworth earned a second-team nod. Grayson Dunbar will be a trusted safety valve for Awe as an all-district tight end.The defensive side of the ball will be solid in the back end. Patrick Batiste and Davin Martin are all-district returners, while Isaiah Byrd and Eric Solomon III round out the secondary unit with experience. Tyler Edwards will anchor the defensive line.
Tomball Cougars
The Tomball Cougars had a season to remember in 2021 as a tremendously talented senior class led the north Houston community on a ride to the Class 6A DII State Semifinals. Coach Kevin Flanigan has moved to become the district’s AD and Dave Handal becomes the new head coach. Flanigan’s former assistant once was the head coach of Galena Park High School, so he has the chops to get the job done. However, Tomball returns a total of four starters in 2022 in a tough district. New QB Carter Noyes has some big shoes to fill but will be able to hand the ball off to RB Christian Womack, who rushed for 1,200 yards last season. Abram Nicklas will lead a new offensive line and Colson Snyder will be the safety valve at tight end. Junior Keegan Deemer will lead the defense along with Ramon Pernas. The secondary will be patrolled by Matt Gainey and Coleman Ryan. Other names to remember include Carson Monrad (RB) and Carlos Alvarado (K/P). The bright side? The Cougars were able to get a ton of reps for their inexperienced players as they advanced in a 15-game schedule a year ago. And the youngsters witnessed what winning really looks like.
Klein Oak Panthers
Oak enters the 2022 season with question marks after finishing third in district a year ago and winning a playoff game.“Our culture is established as a program,” he said. “We are always going to have great players graduate and have great players coming back. The offseason is a time to put the puzzle back together and see where our young guys coming up through the program will fit in.” Carpenter returns some talented pieces starting with athlete Kaleb Black – the District Utility Player of the Year. He will be flanked in the backfield by all-district, second teamer Keishaun Wooten at running back. The defense will fly around the ball this season and will be the team’s strength. It starts up front with first teamer Daymond Anderson at tackle and second teamer Ryne Berger on the end. Second-team linebacker Alexander Marsland will step up in the hole to stop opposing running games. The secondary is salty with Timmy Bakare, Kamryn Durham, McKinley Wilson and Malachi Oldacre. The quarterback spot will be a question but make no mistake – a “Klein Oak Man” will take over.
Klein Forest Golden Eagles
The rebuild of Klein Forest football continues under the direction of coach Johnathan Wilson, a former Golden Eagle himself. He’s invested and it shows. The Eagles made huge strides last year, winning five games and one district game. Upon beating district-mate Tomball Memorial, he lived up to his promise. If Klein Forest won a district game, he vowed to his players that he would shave his head. “This year, I told the guys that if we made the playoffs this year, I would shave my head… absolutely,” he said. “I had to clear it with my wife because she wasn’t that fond of it last year. I got it cleared, so that’s the bet.” Over the past several months, Klein Forest has been the darlings of the recruiting world. The big three of Brad Spence (Arkansas), Parker Jenkins and Jelani Watkins (Houston) collected dozens of offers each over the offseason.
The strength of Klein Forest is obviously speed. Jenkins and Watkins are elite sprinters on the Golden Eagle track and field team. Jenkins will run the ball, while Watkins is the deep threat downfield. A quarterback must emerge, who will be protected by all-district, second-team selection Jossue Rios. Chandler Williams is a rangy tight end, who could have a breakout season. Defensively, the edge at linebacker will be contained by the Spence brothers – Brad and sophomore Trent – who are big-time talents. Tivrell Hollings and Robert Graves will anchor the defensive line, while Chris Minor will patrol the secondary.
Klein Bearkats
The Klein Bearkats were on the outside of the 2021 playoff picture in heartbreaking fashion. The ‘Kats fell 41-36 in double-overtime to Klein Oak to miss a playoff spot. “Missing the playoffs last year hurt,” senior running back Myles Arterberry said. “We have collectively come together as a team and we’ve been working on our craft all offseason.” It’s no shock that Arterberry is giving out the marching orders as he committed to Army over the summer. The other playmakers on offense includes outside receivers Grant Jansky and Aisayah Brown, who will hope to stretch the field. Kai Powell will also help as a slot receiver. Junior Bret Kilchrist will run the offense at quarterback with hopes that his offseason and summer training will translate to Friday nights. The defense will be the strength of the team. The captain of that side of the ball is unanimous first-team, all-district pick Daniel Moore -- a hybrid safety/linebacker.
The defensive line is solid with Vincent Wells in the middle and Judah Boyce and Joey Ortego on the edge. The back end will be led by Malachi Griffiths, who has a ton of game experience and will provide senior leadership to a team that could be a sleeper in 2022.
Tomball Memorial Wildcats
The year 2021 was one to forget for the Tomball Memorial Wildcats. The ‘Cats went 2-8 overall and 0-6 in district play. With coach Sam Parker at the helm, that likely will never happen again. He is one of the most innovative coaches in the city of Houston. Back in the fold are offensive weapons Espen Ramos, Chase Lovick and Cory O’Bryant. Ramos and Lovick can play any offensive skill position and must be accounted for. QB Reed Odell threw for over 1,500 yards last season and should even get better with an offseason under his belt. Clayton Schupp is a massive OL but will need some help. The defense is what needs improvement from a year ago. The push up front will need to come from Jalen Ellis, Cole Vedder and Ayden Abuzlam. Linebackers Bayden Poe, Kevin Fair and Hayden Winsor will patrol the middle of the field and DBs Colin Helmer, Matthew Bess and Nyle Hughes will anchor the secondary. Getting back in the district win column is key for Tomball Memorial before talking about a playoff spot.
Waller Bulldogs
Change has come over in Waller, Texas. The Bulldogs move up from Class 5A to 6A and legendary coach Gene Johnson has moved into the admin building. Offensive coordinator Marcus Mendoza takes over the head coaching job as Waller looks to improve on its 4-5 record from a year ago in a new landscape. The offense should be able to move the ball with Jaiden Stevens, Geiman Leighton and Kolby Karsteter controlling the line of scrimmage for QB Jordan Duncan, RB Alex Bars and receivers Austin Bice and Matthew Brown to do work. The defense has some pieces as well. The front seven is the strength with the likes of Dwayne Salters and CJ Woodson leading the charge. The next layer at linebackers are Ta’Shawn Justice and Branson Bean, who look to slow down the offenses in District 15-6A. It will be a tall order to make the jump to Class 6A this season, but Waller could be a sleeping giant in the next few years as that community continues to grow.
Magnolia West Football
VYPE Football 2021 Preview: District 8-5A-DI
PRESEASON RANKING
College Station
Magnolia West
Magnolia
New Caney
Porter
Lufkin
Waller
Cleveland
Caney Creek
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
PRESEASON AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Jett Huff, College Station
Offensive MVP: Kedrick Reescano, New Caney
Defensive MVP: Jaxson Slanker, College Station
Breakout Player of the Year: Elijah Moody, Lufkin
Sleeper Team: Lufkin
...
College Station Cougars
The Cougars of College Station went 10-2 a year ago and finished second in the district standings. College Station made it to the second round of the playoffs before being ousted by Denton Ryan, 52-21.
Jett Huff leads the QB room after passing for 2,612 yards and 31 touchdowns a year ago with a 73-percent completion rate. The Cougars will have to replace the production of Roderick Brown at running back but in steps Marquise Collins, who rushed for over 1,000 yards and 20 scores last season. H
uff has all his top receiving targets back in Traylen Suel (772 yards, 7 TDs), Dalton Carnes (570 yards, 7 TDs) and Houston Thomas (498 yards, 3 TDs). Defensively, Jaxson Slanker is back after recording 147 tackles a year ago along with Harrison Robinson (109 tackles). Robinson also had two interceptions, five pass deflections, three forced and recovered fumbles last year.
Leading sacker Caleb Skow (4 sacks, 5 hurries) returns along with Connor Lingren (3 sacks). In the secondary, Byron Johnson Jr. will hold it down after three interceptions and eight pass deflections in 2020.
Magnolia West Mustangs
Magnolia West had a tale of two seasons in 2020. The Mustangs started the season 5-1 before stalling out and losing the last four games to close out the district 4-4 and in a three-way tie for the fourth playoff spot.
Coach Ben McGehee takes over the reins this season after Blake Joseph exited in the offseason to take a job at North Texas.
McGehee has some nice pieces to work with. Quarterback Brock Dalton passed for 2,727 yards and 31 scores, while Hunter Bilbo finished just shy of 1,000 yards with 905 and 13 scores. Trey Leggett is back as the team's leading receiver (614 yards, 6 TDs).
The defense is where they will have to be solid, especially late in the year. Jackson Blank is the straw that stirs the drink (83 tackles) and will get help from Cade Dunlap at linebacker. Don't forget about big-man Hayden Janskey (6-2, 230) at defensive end for the Mustangs.
Magnolia Bulldogs
Magnolia was the best in District 8-5A-DI a year ago. The Bulldogs went 10-2, went a perfect 8-0 in district play and reached the second round of the playoffs before falling to Frisco Lone Star, 40-28. Coming off a year like that and we predict them to be third? An offense that averaged 43.5 points per game has some big holes to fill at QB and RB.
Defensively, the Bulldogs should have the pieces to hold it together early. William Alexander is the key after recording more than 110 tackles and five sacks a year ago. Garrison Hefner at cornerback held it down last season with five picks and 60 tackles for the Dogs.
Kiran Curtis and Cade Mathieu will hold down the defensive line, while Eliel Sandoval patrols the middle of the field at linebacker.
On the offensive line, Zac Wilson and John Mitcham will have to protect and provide holes for the new signal-caller and running back. Ernie Mendoza will hold down the kicking duties.
New Caney Eagles
The New Caney Eagles found their way into the playoff picture once again in 2020 in coach Travis Reeve's first season at the helm. It was the sixth-straight postseason appearance for the Eagles.
With a full, mostly-normal offseason under their belts, New Caney should be once again a playoff berth favorite. Kedrick Reescano is a big reason why. The junior had a breakout sophomore campaign rushing for 1,157 yards and 14 scores. He had five games of 100 or more yards. He could be the most explosive back in the district come season's end. He has offers from Oklahoma State, Houston, Tulsa and SMU.
The Eagles will have to find a QB and WRs to fill out the rest of the offense. Defensively, DL/LB Tayte Baker and LB Sebastian Garza are back for their junior and senior campaigns, respectively. Dax Lipscomb is another name to remember on the New Caney defense.
Porter Spartans
Porter was one of those three teams in the midst of that three-way tie for fourth and lost out on a playoff spot by points. Exit Jim Holley as head coach as he takes over as the district's athletic director and enter Billy Russell, who was on the staff a year ago.
Russell may have a budding stars at running back returning in 2021 in Joshua Evans-Pickens. The District Newcomer of the Year rushed for over 1,200 yards and 20 scores a year ago and brother Payton Evans-Pickens will operate the offense. The Evans-Pickens show in the backfield may just get the Spartans back into the playoffs.
Up front they have some push with Samuel Garms, Anthony Prieto, Kyle Rigsby and Evan Williams. This group will pave the way for the Evans-Pickens duo. Defensively, David Walls and Khalil Tugwell check in at linebacker for Porter.
Lufkin Panthers
Under coach Todd Quick, Lufkin went reached the playoffs last year but were ousted in the first round by Longview. The Panthers return just three on the offense and five on defense from that team.
Offensively, 6-foot-3, 200-pound QB Elijah Moody will get the reins of the offense with little experience under his belt. The defense will have to hold up early and often in this district.
Leading the group will be Tre Jenkins on the defensive line and Tanner Havard at linebacker. This is not the same Lufkin offense from a few seasons ago, so can they figure it out in time and fight for that final playoff spot to secure a 24th-straight playoff appearance?
Waller Bulldogs
As year three of the Gene Johnson-era begins at Waller, the Bulldogs saw some improvement in 2020 despite it being a COVID-19 impacted season. They went from 0-10 his first year to a 3-7 team last fall, which was the most wins since 2018.
They return just one starter off the offense and four on defense. Caleb Godfrey will operate the offense after passing for 1,500 yards a year ago and 14 scores. He will have 10 new starters around him, so the leadership will definitely come from the QB1.
Defensively, DL Jairo Garcia, DB Isaiah Blair and LB Garrett Kern are names to remember.
Cleveland Indians
Year one for Jason Fiacco was big in Cleveland. First of all, the Indians won two games, which for some doesn't sound like a big deal but for a program that hadn't won a single game since 2017 it was.
Cleveland will try and carry that momentum over to 2021 with five starters back on each side of the ball. Devonte Robertson is a big player for Cleveland checking in at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds.
Defensive back Donald Robertson also brings some size at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. Tyler Spencer will operate the offense, while Tyric Cannon will come out of the backfield and Cary Wood is the receiving threat.
Defensively, besides the Robertson duo, DB Christian Duncantel will be another returner to watch.
Caney Creek Panthers
Caney Creek is coming off another tough year, going 0-10 in Kendall Hineman's first year at the helm. The Panthers do return nine starters on offense and six on defense, which is the most in each category among district foes.
John Milo (5-10, 175) is an athlete that will play on both sides of the ball for the Panthers. Christian Aguilar will operate the offense at QB after passing for 600 yards and six scores a year ago. Caleb Besaw will be his top target.
Defensively, Brandon Lewis will hold down the linebacker spot and Rowdy Sebastian will patrol at DB. Other names to remember are DL Tristen Brown, LB Daylin Manning and WR Braylon Reece.
Magnolia's Garrison Hefner, Kiran Curtis, Eliel Sandoval, John Mitcham, William Alexander, Cade Mathieu, Ernie Mendoza and Zac Wilson
