ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS KENDRON PENSON DID AFTER HE WAS HIRED AS WILLOWRIDGE’S FOOTBALL COACH IN APRIL WAS RETRIEVE PICTURES FROM A CABINET.
The pictures were of All-Americans who had played for the Eagles. Thurman Thomas. Grady Cavness. William Shankle. Charles Arbuckle. On and on. They were the same pictures that hung on the fieldhouse walls when Penson played left tackle in the mid-90’s.
“These kids now probably don’t understand or know about the dominant Willowridge tradition that we have here,” said Penson, referring to a program that won the 1982 Class 4A State Championship and counts former NFL players like Thomas and Arbuckle, among others, as alumni. “When I was here, we walked in and the first thing I saw were All-Americans who came through and paved the way. We’d lift weights and we’d see their pictures on the walls. When they came back to the school, the first thing they would do is go and look at their picture. It meant something to them.
"First thing I did was put them back up. Bringing back that tradition. Hopefully, they’ll come back.”
Willowridge is Penson’s first head coaching job. He has been coaching for 20 years, including stints at Fort Bend Marshall, Elkins, Chavez and, most recently, as assistant head coach/ offensive line coach/run game coordinator at Hightower.
“It’s a dream come true,” Penson said. “Being here with some of my peers I’ve known throughout the years and being able to help my community, it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
In taking over at his alma mater, Penson, Class of 1995, is glorifying the past.
Edgar Glover, the late great former Willowridge principal, preached class and character when Penson was a student-athlete roaming the halls. Penson is adamant about bringing those traits onto the football field.
“Class,” meaning the best of its kind. “Character,” meaning being who you are, no matter where you are.
“It’s a way of life here,” said Penson, who holds weekly “character lessons” for his players.
Penson was busy this spring going to McAuliffe Middle School to boost the numbers in his program. Recruiting his kind of guys, Penson said.
What is his type of guy?
“First, he’s a student-athlete with great charisma,” Penson said. “He has to be a controlled soldier. That’s what we want. When it’s time for battle, he’s on and he’s ready to go. He’s fearless. But once that clock hits zeroes, he’s back to that student-athlete. Controlled aggression, controlled soldier.”
A considerable boon will be Penson’s son, Kendron Jr.
Kendron Jr. was a standout sophomore quarterback inleading Hightower to the regional finals last season. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder completed 56.5 percent of his passes for 2,488 yards and 21 touchdowns to just five interceptions, while rushing for 257 yards and six more touchdowns.
Penson said it was his son’s decision whether to stay at Hightower or come to Willowridge.
“He was a varsity football player and varsity baseball player over there, and he gave that up to come play for his pops,” Penson said. “I love that.”
The south Houston area is loaded with talented athletes who give it their all in their respective fields of play.
Welcome to the VYPE Playmakers powered by UTMB Health, where we’re highlighting five standouts who stole the headlines over the past week.
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the tension continues to build throughout this Winter season.
Dyllan Baker -- Friendswood Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Throughout the first half of district-play, few teams are playing on the same level as Friendswood within the 5A classification.
A month after winning the Leroy Miksch Tournament in Needville, the Mustangs are riding high with an impressive 21-4 record, and most recently secured an integral 66-59 win against a thriving Iowa Colony squad last Friday.
Several individuals -- such as sophomore Chase Richardson, as well as seniors PJ Harris and Brady Fiesinger -- are responsible for the exceptional run that the team is experiencing.
However, it's hard to deny the impact that Dyllan Baker (Sr. PG) has made o n Friendswood's retained level of success.
The MVP of the aforementioned Miksch Tourney continues to showcase his proficiency as a scorer on a weekly basis, while also providing a steady veteran presence in the critical moments.
In adding to making noise in the college recruiting game, Baker, a two-time first-team, all-district selection, will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the Mustangs' mission to secure their first district title since 2014 in the coming weeks.
But, they'll have even greater aspirations down the line, after advancing three rounds deep in last year's postseason.
Akyla Fields -- Manvel Girls Basketball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Despite the challenge of moving up to Class 6A following the UIL’s off-season realignment, the Manvel Mavericks have proven they can compete with the best.
Under the guidance of Coach Jhared Marshall, the team has thrived, particularly in district play. Their dominant 69-22 victory over Pasadena Memorial on Tuesday night pushed their record to 8-3 in District 22-6A and 22-7 overall.
One of the standout contributors to the Mavericks’ success is senior Akyla Fields, who has stepped into a leadership role on a team that features a substantial number of underclassmen.
Fields, the reigning District Defensive MVP from their time in 18-5A, played a critical part in Manvel’s undefeated district championship and Regional Quarterfinals appearance in 2024. She has continued to deliver this season, providing a physical defensive presence and consistently contributing offensively.
Alongside Fields, junior Peyton Cooks (a first-team all-district selection in 2024), sophomore Kylee Yarborough (second-team), and freshman Jada Bankett have formed a dynamic core that has the Mavericks eyeing another deep playoff run.
But before they can turn their sights to postseason play, Manvel must first finish strong in district, beginning with a crucial showdown against Shadow Creek this Friday, as both teams are currently tied with 8-3 records, with the Mavs holding the advantage after claiming a 60-50 win earlier this year.
Ciara Williams -- Dickinson Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Building on last year’s impressive 30-5 campaign and district championship, the Dickinson Gators are once again making a strong push toward the playoffs, now less than a month away.
After securing two nail-biting wins against Deer Park (55-54) and Clear Creek (65-62), the Gators are 20-8 on the season and 7-1 in District 24-6A, positioning themselves for a potential back-to-back district title.
What makes Dickinson such a dangerous team is the depth they possess.
Coach Toya Peterson has a wealth of talent to draw from, with seniors Jazmine Hansley and Kyndall Hosea capable of scoring 15 or more points in any given game, and junior Lindsey Scott consistently stepping up as a reliable contributor.
But the Gators' biggest asset remains their senior forward, Ciara Williams.
Named the District 24-6A Offensive MVP in 2024, Williams continues to lead her team in both points (13.4 per game) and rebounds (8.8 per game), while also contributing roughly 3 steals and an assist per contest. Her all-around play has been essential to Dickinson’s success.
With playoffs nearly secured, the Gators are focused on clinching the top seed in their district.
To do so, they’ll need to defeat Clear Brook this Friday, after the Wolverines edged them out in their first district meeting.
Regardless of where they finish in the standings, the consistent offensive firepower from Williams and her teammates puts Dickinson in a strong position for an extensive postseason run.
Asher Gaworecki -- Clear Lake Soccer
As the tournament portion of the new season concludes, the picture of Houston’s top soccer contenders is becoming clearer.
On the South side, the Clear Lake Falcons have gotten off to a strong start, holding a solid 7-2-1 record.
Though they recently suffered a tough loss to powerhouse Strake Jesuit, the Falcons have shown they can compete with some of the area’s most formidable teams.
Notable victories against Tompkins (4-1) and George Ranch (2-0) to win the recent Clear Creek ISD Tournament have sparked optimism as the squad aims to capture their second consecutive District 24-6A championship this March.
At the forefront of Clear Lake’s offense is junior forward Asher Gaworecki, who has been a key contributor to the team’s attacking success. Gaworecki has already scored 8 of the team’s 21 goals through 10 games, leading the Falcons in that department.
While Gaworecki is undoubtedly the team’s primary goal-scorer, his teammates—Anthony Abusada (3 goals), Josue Reyes (3), Jose Alvarenga (2), and Bryan José Barrios Francois (2)—have shown they are capable of stepping up when needed.
With district play starting next Tuesday with an away game against Brazoswood, followed by a crucial match against Clear Springs the following Friday, the Falcons are focused on continuing their strong form as they look to defend their district title.
Da'Niyah Lewis -- Shadow Creek Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Competing in one of the toughest districts in the city—featuring heavyweights like Pearland, Dawson, and Manvel—Shadow Creek has nonetheless made a significant impact on the Houston-area basketball scene.
With a strong 21-8 record past the season's halfway point, the Sharks have earned impressive victories over teams like Fulshear and Alief Taylor (twice), and they boast an 8-3 district record.
A playoff berth is virtually guaranteed for Coach LaToya Micheaux’s squad, largely due to the standout performances of her star players.
Junior point guard Da’Niyah Lewis has been a driving force for Shadow Creek, leading the team in three major statistical categories. Averaging nearly 11 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals per game, Lewis has showcased her versatility and ability to influence all areas of the game.
In addition to Lewis, the Sharks have enjoyed balanced contributions from other key players. Zoe Senganya (9 ppg, 2 spg), Aliyah Woodard (9 ppg, 2 apg, 2 spg), and Preston Young (6 ppg, 6 rpg) have all played significant roles in the team’s success.
For a team that went three rounds deep in last year’s postseason, expectations remain high for Shadow Creek as they look to build on that momentum in the coming weeks.
