The stars of 2025-26 Bridgeland Football
Cypress Ranch Mustangs
Cypress Springs Panthers
Cypress Woods Wildcats
Cypress Lakes Spartans
Waller Bulldogs
Langham Creek Lobos
Cypress Park Tigers
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Paris Melvin, Cypress Springs
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Darien Rogers, Cypress Woods
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Calvin Thomas, Cypress Ranch
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tyler Begeal, Bridgeland
ON THE CUSP: Waller Bulldogs
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Cy Ranch Mustangs
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Coming off a 12-2 season and a trip to the UIL 6A Division I Region II Final, Bridgeland enters 2025 with all the momentum they could ask for, further fueling the lofty expectations that precede them. Under the direction of third-year head coach Lonnie Madison, the Bears have already secured three straight district titles and now No. 4 heading into their newest campaign. The offense returns several proven contributors, including junior running back Kash Schwab, a first-team, all-district selection who totaled nearly 1,800 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Additionally, senior back Alex Myers adds depth after a strong junior campaign with 793 rushing yards and 12 scores. Under center, senior quarterback Tyler Begeal steps into a full-time role after splitting reps with Jett Lewis a year ago, throwing for 986 yards and 13 touchdowns in limited action. Up front, junior lineman Chase Allen (second-team) anchors a unit poised for continued success, while senior wideouts Trace Meullion and Jonathan Taylor offer reliable targets. Defensively, Bridgeland boasts a veteran secondary led by first-team, all-district seniors Nicholas Bright and Braiden Graves. Senior outside linebacker Wade Thompson also returns to help solidify a group that will be key to another postseason push.
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Following a campaign in which they went 8-4 and reached the second round of the playoffs, the Cypress Ranch Mustangs approach the upcoming season with a reloaded roster and heightened expectations under second-year head coach William Blaylock. Offensively, the Mustangs retain several key playmakers—most notably senior running back Peyton Thomas, who racked up over 1,100 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns en route to second-team all-district honors. Junior QB Braden Baker is primed for a breakout season, leading an attack that will lean heavily on its experienced offensive front. Anchoring the trenches are seniors Kerrick Winters and Ayden Taylor, along with standout sophomore R’Monie Edwards—all of whom earned all-district recognition last fall. Furthermore, tight end William Blaylock II and junior wideout Manny Leyja add reliable targets to the passing game. On defense, all eyes will be on senior linebacker Calvin Thomas, a four-star recruit who announced his commitment to North Carolina in July. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Thomas is a disruptive force and the heartbeat of a unit that also features fellow first-team selection Ayden Combs. Junior defensive back Jacob Lee, last year’s Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year, and second-team lineman Amari Vickerson—son of former NFL player Kevin Vickerson—round out a formidable core, which should cause trouble for any opposing offense.
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After back-to-back winning seasons and a near-miss in last year’s playoff opener against Tomball, Cypress Springs makes its way back to the gridiron with increasing expectations and a roster built to compete. The Panthers finished 8-3 last fall and continue trending upward with coach Oji Fagan, now entering his fifth year at the helm. A former Fort Bend Marshall offensive coordinator, Fagan has steadily transformed the program into a district contender. The next step? Getting over the “first-round hump” in the postseason. Senior ATH Paris Melvin Jr.—the reigning District 16-6A MVP—returns as one of the most dynamic two-way players in the Houston area. He racked up 1,091 rushing yards, 352 receiving yards, and 21 total touchdowns, while also contributing defensively with an interception and four pass breakups. Junior signal-caller Jared Hagger also returns to the fold after earning first-team, all-district honors, throwing for 1,470 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding over 500 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground. Fellow junior Yogi Martin Jr. will also provide valuable support in the backfield. On defense, Cy Springs is anchored by unanimous first-teamers Jarvis Spires (Sr. DT) and Jonathan Ijoma (Sr. LB), along with Kristopher Ross (Sr. DE) and Kameron Roberson (Jr. CB).
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The Cypress Woods Wildcats are set to kick off 2025 with a new—but familiar—face at the helm. Jeremy Hickman takes over as head coach after leading Fort Stockton, returning to a program where he was part of the original staff in 2007 as a defensive assistant. He replaces Cody Simper, who accepted the head coaching job at Barbers Hill during the offseason. As a team, Cy Woods is coming off an 8-3 campaign that saw the Wildcats finish second in the district before falling in the Class 6A Division II bi-district round. With key talent returning on both sides of the ball, expectations remain high. Senior quarterback Darien Rogers headlines the offense after earning 16-6A Offensive MVP honors last fall. Rogers passed for nearly 2,300 yards and 28 touchdowns while adding over 500 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground, showcasing his dual-threat versatility. Additionally, the Wildcats will lean on proven senior leaders to shoulder the defensive push, including first-team, all-district DB Keyan Pickett (54 tackles, 3 INTs), LB Thomason Strickland, and DE Jaiden Ogletree.
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As the fall continues to inch closer, Cypress Lakes has the experience and firepower to take a step forward in HC Tyrone Carter’s second year. The Spartans finished 4-6 in 2024, but retain a talented group of seniors ready to lead the charge. Wide receiver Courtney “CJ” Lewis Jr. (Tulsa-commit) headlines the offense after a standout campaign with 741 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s joined by Texas State-bound ATH Amiri Barnes and senior QB Jimmy Alarcon, who threw for nearly 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding three more on the ground. The Spartans also boast a formidable defense, propelled by first-team, all-district selections Corbin Phillips (Sr. DL), De’Shaun “DJ” Butler (Sr. LB), and Nate Davis (Sr. DB). Though still in pursuit of the program’s first winning record, Cy Lakes could make a strong case for that breakthrough in 2025.
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Waller may have finished 6th overall in the 16-6A standings a season ago, but with a high-powered offense back on the turf, the Bulldogs could be one of the district’s more dangerous sleepers. Head coach Marcus Mendoza will once again lean on sophomore quarterback Tristin “T.K.” Gaines, who took home Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors as a freshman. A rising dual-sport standout, Gaines has already caught the attention of top-tier collegiate programs such as TCU, Baylor, Houston, and Texas Tech. Whether he’s threading passes downfield or turning double plays on the baseball diamond, Gaines shows poise well beyond his years. He’ll have no shortage of help. Senior wideout Allen Haynes and running back Robert Carter both return after earning first-team, all-district nods, while tight end Alan Vasquez and receiver Michael Tshitenge add depth to the passing game. In the trenches, linemen Javier Zarate and Elias Hall provide valuable experience up front. With Gaines under center and plenty of playmakers around him, Waller’s offense has the potential to flip the script this fall.
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In response to a challenging 4-6 season (1-6 against district opponents) in their most recent endeavor, Langham Creek will be focused on turning the page and improving their district performance. The team brings back a handful of weapons – primarily, junior defensive end Ezekiel Ayangbile, a first-team, all-district selection and four-star edge rusher – as well as junior RB Jordan King, and senior OL Micah Reed, a district second-teamer.
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Cypress Park enters this campaign with a new figure holding the keys to the program. Donald Lawrence, who previously coached at Clear Lake, replaces Greg Rogers as the Tigers aim to end a long winless streak. The team is determined to return to the form that led them to a surprising district championship in 2021 and finally secure their first victory in several seasons.
