Barbers Hill Eagles.
Olivia Raymond
Olivia Raymond
Ridge Point Panthers
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Memorial Mustangs football team.
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Lamar Texans
Stratford Spartans
Heights Bulldogs
Bellaire Cardinals
Alief Taylor Lions
Westside Wolves
Elsik Rams
Hastings Bears
*Teams in bold are projected playoff contenders
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VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Grant Sperandio, Memorial
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jayden Robins, Lamar
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kristopher Connor, Bellaire
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Marvin Alexander, Stratford
ON THE CUSP: Heights Bulldogs
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Lamar Texans
Matt Powell (VYPE)
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Brooks Haack enters his second year at the helm of the Memorial football program. In his inaugural season, the Mustangs went 10-2 and reached the Area Round. A dozen starters return to the mix for Haack, including Georgetown-commit Jackson Van Wie at defensive back. Vane Wie had 100 tackles a year ago. Quarterback Grant Sperandio returns after passing for 2,000 yards and more than 20 touchdowns a year ago. He will pace the offense. Other key returners include Georgetown-commit Myles Goebel and Carnegie Mellon-commit Jacob Espinoza. The three keys to success for Haack’s team this year include health, physicality and grit.
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Lamar is coming off a season where they went 8-4 overall and 6-0 in district play. The Texans reached the Area Round of the playoffs and have been in the big dance for the past 18 years. Ninth-year coach Michael Lindsey brings back nine starters to the team including dual-threat QB Jayden Robins, who was named the District 18-6A Offensive MVP last season. Lindsey considers him a “gamechanger” and “has all the tools”. Robins finished with 1,122 yards passing and 16 TDs and rushed for another 320 yards and two scores. Colorado-commit Prince Washington holds down the secondary as a three-year starter with great speed. Other key returners include WR JaCarsten Landor (839 career receiving yards, 12 TDs - multiple DI offers), RB Kaze Bryan (10.3 yards per carry on 50 carries; 6 TDs) and LB Jaxon Richmond (3-year starter - multiple DI offers) and center Seth Lim (lone returning starter on OLine). Keys to success include the play of the offensive line and defensive back group.
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Stratford reached the Area Round a year ago and finished 5-7 overall. Todd Rankin enters his 10th season of leading the program, which returns six starters for this season. The offensive line will be anchored by TCU-commit Ty Greene, who is making the move to the offensive side of the ball after playing defense in 2025. Other key returners include defensive edge Callan Kirk, who is an “instinctive and athletic force” on the defense. Rankin will look to him to lead the defense in 2026. Offensive guard Nate Edwards is “tenacious” and will set the tone on the OL and OT Marvin Alexander is expected to have a big sophomore year after becoming a varsity starter during the playoffs. Keys to success include having quick growth with the young skill players on offense and defense, finding a run game and being a better tackling defensive unit.
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Heights went 6-5 overall a year ago and posted a 5-1 mark in district play to earn a playoff slot. The Bulldogs reached the Bi-District Round where they fell to now new district foe Stratford. First-team, all-district selections QB Kobe Miles, RB Phelan Powell, OL Felix Mora and TE Jack Whisenhunt are set to return on offense in 2026. Powell led the team with 610 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Second-team receivers Micah Olivia and Nelson Rodriguez are also set to be back. Defensively, first-team, all-district selection Ashton Davis (DB - 40 tackles) and second-teamers Domingo Herrera (OLB - 51 tackles) and Tristan Hadley (Deep Snapper) return....
The Bellaire Cards went 6-5 overall a year ago and reached the Bi-District Round of the playoffs. The Cardinals bring back a handful of talent including first-team, all-district OL Paul Wallace up front who will set the tone in the trenches. Second-team, all-district all-purpose back Jake Brasington is back after finishing second on the team in receiving yards with 347 and chipped in 61 yards on the ground. Defensively, first-team, all-district ILB Kristopher Connor and second-team, all-district DL Sifredis Romero and DB Keaton Davis are set to return as well. Connor led the team with 99 tackles and 14 tackles for loss last season. He also had two interceptions as well. Romero chipped in 28 tackles and one sack, while Davis reeled in two interceptions.
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The Alief Taylor Lions are coming off a 4-6 campaign in 2025 and just barely missed the playoffs. Alief Taylor brings back plenty of talent including first-team, all-district QB Nick Kongolo, RB Hameer Shokunle and ILB Danilo Penso. Second-team, all-district selections Jaylon Leonard (OL), Ikenna Nwawueze (LB) and Arthur Rogers (DL).
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Westside is coming off a season that saw them go 2-8 overall. The Wolves return four starters off that team as Cedric Allen enters his fourth season of leading the program. Players to watch this season for Westside include QB Gavin Meador, DT Roderick Chambers, RB Cordie Kimble, WR Worldens Saint Jean, Safety Christian Ellis, OL Emmanuel Griffin and LB Roger Dingamnarbe. Keys to success for Westside in 2026 include getting stops on defense in key moments and controlling the game by running well on the offensive side of the ball, according to Allen....
The Elsik Rams went 2-8 overall and missed the playoffs. Alief Elsik dropped its final four games of the season. The Rams return Newcomer of the Year Horatio Washington at WR, while first-team, all-district picks Ontario Washington (WR), Koi Reed (DL) and Jonathan Molina (K). Also returning is second-team, all-district selection Curshawn Johnson on the offensive line.
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The Hastings Bears are coming off a 1-9 season in 2025. Alief Hastings returns first-team, all-district Kenneth Alfonso (DL), and second-team selections Matthew Onwuchuruba (RB) and David Umah (ILB). Onwuchuruba rushed for 736 yards and averaged 81.8 yards per game.
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College Park's Camden Hughes (Cincinnati commit)
Doug Brown (VYPE)
"We were down 21-7 at the half against The Woodlands," Hughes recalled. "We came in at halftime to talk over the second half. The speeches before we went back on that field… I'm getting chill bumps talking about it right now. I will never forget that moment."
The Cavaliers stormed back to win in double overtime, a signature victory that propelled College Park to its first district championship and a historic run to the third round of the playoffs.
Now, Hughes hopes that magical season was only the beginning.
The offseason brought plenty of change. Longtime head coach Kyle Coats departed for Atascocita, opening the door for first-year head coach Michael Burro, who arrived from San Antonio Johnson to lead the program into its next chapter.
For Hughes, the transition has been seamless.
"My knowledge on the field has really improved over the past year," he said. "I'm really excited about the new coaching staff, and me and our offensive coordinator have really clicked."
That comfort level has College Park believing another championship run is within reach.
"We have so much talent in this locker room," Hughes said. "We have all the weapons we need on offense and defense. Yes, we made school history winning district and going three rounds deep in the playoffs, but we're going to take it to the next level this year."
Doug Brown (VYPE)
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Hughes' confidence isn't rooted in bravado. It's built on preparation, poise and an unwavering belief in the players around him.
Despite playing the game's most visible position, Hughes doesn't see himself as the loudest voice in the huddle.
"I'm not a huge vocal leader," he admitted. "I let other guys in the locker room do a lot of the talking. When I need to speak up, I do. It's about keeping everyone on point and keeping everyone calm."
That calm demeanor has become one of his greatest strengths.
"I stay cool," he said. “When the guys get heated, I bring them down a little. ‘Remember, let’s execute. Don’t fold under pressure. Let the game take you where it’s going to take you.’”
That mindset has also caught the attention of college recruiters, culminating in his commitment to the University of Cincinnati—a program with a rich history of developing quarterbacks.
As Hughes prepares for his senior season, he models his game after one of the NFL's premier signal callers.
"My idol is Josh Allen," Hughes said. "The way he leads on the field and what he represents off the field really tells what kind of person he is. I want to be like him."
With a district title already on his résumé, a college commitment secured and a talented roster returning around him, Hughes enters the season with lofty expectations.
If his cool demeanor and championship experience are any indication, the Cavaliers' quarterback believes the best moments of his career are still waiting to be made.
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Cypress Ranch's Braden Baker (Houston commit)
Matt Powell (VYPE)
“It’s something I’ve been waiting for,” Baker said of his upcoming senior season. “I’m really excited for my senior year and I think it’s going to be a big season.”
In 2025, Cy Ranch reached the Regional Semifinals for the first time since 2014, the year the Mustangs advanced to the State Championship game. For Baker, the upcoming campaign is about ushering Cypress Ranch back toward those heights.
“I want to lead my team to State,” he said. “From a recognition standpoint, I want to earn all-district honors or even District MVP and really solidify my legacy at Cy Ranch.”
Baker’s commitment to the local Houston Cougars this offseason added another layer of motivation heading into the 2026 campaign — the opportunity to represent his hometown on an even bigger stage.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
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“It means the world to me being able to show out in front of my city,” Baker said. “I’m definitely going to show Houston fans what they’re getting next year.”
While Baker’s motivation heading into his senior season stems from several different factors, perhaps the biggest driving force is his desire to prove consistency. He understands the spotlight that comes with his success and knows the question surrounding him: was last season a breakthrough, or the beginning of something bigger?
“I’m trying to prove that I’m supposed to be where I am right now,” he said. “I want to show people that last year wasn’t just a one-time deal and that I’m going to keep improving my senior year.”
With a championship pursuit ahead and a new chapter waiting at Houston, Baker enters 2026 determined to show that his rise was only the beginning.
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