Klein Forest Cross Country
Photo by Justin Hartojo
Get ready for the season as VYPE goes Inside the Program with Klein Forest Cross Country!
The Huffman Hargrave Falcons lead our preseason district rankings
Lumberton Raiders
Bridge City Cardinals
Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears
Liberty Panthers
Vidor Pirates
Livingston Lions
*Teams in bold are projected playoff contenders
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VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Drayden Bacon, Huffman
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nick Cratic, Lumberton
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Bryce Breeden, Bridge City
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jackson Struwe, LCM
ON THE CUSP: Liberty Panthers
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Bridge City Cardinals
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The Falcons enter year five under head coach Joey Buchta and are coming off a 7-4 mark in 2025. Huffman reached the Bi-District round. A total of nine starters return for Huffman, including running back Drayden Bacon, who holds an offer from Lamar and tallied 1,657 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns. He also had 159 yards receiving and one score. Bacon will have a pair of second-team all-district offensive linemen to pave the way for him in 2026 as Kaleb Smith and Peyton Burrow both return to the offensive line. Burrow enters this year with offers from Rice, FAU, Louisiana Tech and UTSA. Maurice Clark (WR/DB) and Dailen Bacon (WR/DB) are also players to watch after the duo recorded 167 and 257 receiving yards, respectively. Both found the endzone three times apiece. Dailen currently holds offers from Washington State, University of Houston and Louisiana Tech. Wally Hallum (DB/WR/K) will be another to watch as he enters this year with 65 career tackles and three interceptions. Keys to success for Buchta’s team include developing the defensive line, getting off the field on defense and spreading the ball to a variety of playmakers.
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Lumberton went 7-4 overall a year ago and reached the Bi-District Round of the playoffs. The Raiders return first-team all-district running back Nick Cratic, who rushed for 1,138 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2025. Honorable mention all-district QB Nolan Mitchell returns after passing for 1,114 yards and seven scores. The front will return experienced as offensive linemen Koltin Morales (first-team), Wyatt Millican (second-team) and Nic Graff (honorable mention) are all set to return. Defensively, second-team all-district defensive back Madden Dean (29 tackles, 1 INT) and all-district punter/kicker Luke Cody are set to return.
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Josh Smalley enters his third year of leading the Bridge City program. In his two years, Smalley has guided the team to a 19-5 overall record. Last year, they went 11-2 and reached the Regional Semis against Kilgore. Bridge City is fresh off back-to-back playoff appearances and now look for another in 2026 with 10 starters returning. The Cardinals will be led by reigning District Defensive MVP Bryce Breeden, who is also an Arkansas commit. Breeden was named an all-state linebacker last season. Other key returners include all-district LB Keagan Traha, QB Hudson Hoffman and TE/WR Luke Nelson.
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Little Cypress-Mauriceville coach Eric Peevey enters his sixth season of leading the Bears program. LCM has made the playoffs five straight years including going 5-6 overall in 2025 and reaching the Bi-District round. The Bears bring back some talent to the huddle in 2026 including second-team all-district QB Jackson Struwe. Other key returners include honorable-mention all-district picks Ronnie Garcia (OL), Brycen Chargois (TE), Ethan Pope (LB), Christian Corrillo (DB) and Isaiah Watzlavik (K).
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Liberty is coming off a season where it went 3-7 overall. A total of 12 starters return for third-year coach Kedrick Harrison, including reigning Defensive Newcomer of the Year Connor Schultz at linebacker for the Panthers. Another player to watch is Defensive Newcomer of the Year Logan Ross. Other key returners include honorable mention all-district picks Jaydon Holmes (RB), Jackson Harris (OL), Korbin Lawson (DB) and Jakob Rawlinson (DE). Also watch for Eli Nichols, John Key and Thomas Marberry. They are looking to make their first playoff appearance since 2018 this season.
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Vidor is coming off a 2-8 season and went 2-5 in district play. The Pirates missing the playoffs snapped a streak of five straight seasons of making the postseason. They will look to get back into the dance this year and return second-team all-district defensive back Bryce Collins to the field to try and do that.
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Livingston is fresh off a season where they went 2-8 overall and 0-7 in district play. Last year was an improvement off the 2024 year, which saw them go 0-10. Second-team all-district offensive lineman Ty Thomas is set to return for the Lions.
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The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Madison Marlins football team.
Dana Strange (VYPE)
Westbury Wolves
Milby Buffaloes
Wisdom Generals
Waltrip Rams
Northbrook Raiders
Chavez Lobos
Sharpstown Apollos
Sam Houston Hurricanes
*Teams in bold are projected playoff contenders
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VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: DeAndre Columbus, Madison
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Gabriel Gutierrez, Milby
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Elijah Eche, Westbury
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Lydell Hinton, Wisdom
ON THE CUSP: Northbrook Raiders
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Westbury Wolves
Farrah Sheeren (VYPE)
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The Madison Marlins are coming off a district championship, and all signs point toward another title run under head coach James Soria. Madison returns one of the district's most complete rosters, but there is one question that could determine just how far the Marlins can go—quarterback. If that position settles in early, Madison becomes the clear favorite to repeat. The offense will once again revolve around a powerful rushing attack. Kenyan Navarre and Avery Jelks combined for more than 1,200 rushing yards last season, giving the Marlins one of the district's top backfield tandems. On the perimeter, DeAndre Columbus and Larry Carrington are explosive, long-striding receivers capable of changing a game with one touch. SJ Battel is expected to take over under center, while offensive linemen Reshawn Kennedy and Samaritan York anchor a veteran front. Defensively, Madison may be even stronger. Columbus and Carrington headline an athletic secondary, while linebackers Nathanial Salas, Donterrio Dome and Jah'mir Young form one of the district's most physical second levels. If the quarterback position develops as expected, the Marlins have all the ingredients to make another deep playoff run.
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The biggest challenger may once again be Westbury. Head coach Jarvis Kelley guided the Huskies to a 9-1 record and a 7-1 district finish last season, and his team returns one of the league's most intimidating defenses. Linebacker Elijah Eche is the heartbeat of the unit after piling up more than 120 tackles a season ago. Sophomore Machi Harden may be the program's next star. Already an impact player at linebacker and tight end, his added size and experience could make him one of Houston's breakout prospects this fall. Kenyon Wilson will contribute on both sides of the line of scrimmage, while Torian Brown, Chris Flemings, Mekhi Hopes and Josiah McCants provide versatility and athleticism throughout the roster. Like Madison, Westbury's championship hopes may ultimately depend on solidifying the quarterback position.
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If there is a team capable of lighting up the scoreboard every Friday night, it's Milby. Quarterback Gabriel Gutierrez returns after one of the area's most productive seasons, throwing for 2,879 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2025. His favorite target, Artavion Davis, erupted for 1,602 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns, while Isaiah Washington added another 857 yards and eight scores, giving the Buffaloes one of the state's most dangerous receiving duos. Running back Andre Lance adds balance to the offense, while Oscar Franco and Daniel Sanchez lead the offensive line. Defensive back Melvin Simien headlines a defense that hopes to complement Milby's explosive offense.
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Few teams exceeded expectations more than Wisdom. In his first season, head coach Alphonso James guided the Generals to a surprise playoff berth in Class 6A. Now dropping into Class 5A Division II, expectations continue to rise.Quarterback Lydell Hinton and running back Davis Smith provide balance after combining for more than 1,500 passing and rushing yards, respectively. Offensive lineman Alex Post and defensive lineman Chris Ramirez anchor the trenches, while linebackers Jamaroquie Haire and Noha Bereket give Wisdom one of the district's strongest linebacker units. Defensive backs Micah Coles and D'Aro Gaines round out a defense capable of making another playoff push.
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Waltrip enters a new era under first-year head coach Marlon Taplin-McMillan, but the Rams return the district's most experienced quarterback. James Haren threw for more than 1,800 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, giving Waltrip an experienced leader capable of keeping the offense on schedule. Dynamic running backs Dereyon Bush and Zyon Gamble provide explosiveness and versatility, while Ezra Metzkin and Ethan Salvador anchor the offensive line. The biggest key for Waltrip will be winning the battle in the trenches and continuing to play opportunistic defense. If those pieces come together, another playoff appearance is well within reach.
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Northbrook also benefits from the move down to Class 5A after enduring a difficult season in 6A. Head coach Demond Stafford hopes the new classification provides a fresh start. Quarterback Guillermo Macias returns to lead the offense behind an improving offensive line, while defenders Hary Meija, Tim Berman and Henry Alfaro headline what should be the Raiders' strongest unit.
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At Chavez, first-year head coach Elvis Davis Jr. begins building his program around running backs Marquis Miller and Kaleb Davis, who will be counted on to carry the offensive load.
Sharpstown continues to make steady progress under coach Tre Perro, with versatile athlete Nivre Graham expected to play all over the field as the Apollos chase a .500 season and playoff contention.
Meanwhile, Sam Houston begins a new chapter under first-year head coach Theodore Williams, formerly an assistant at Kashmere. Quarterback Drake Schexnayder will direct the offense, while safety Kristen Bell is expected to lead the defense as the Hurricanes work to establish a new culture.
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Shadow Creek's Jaylen Addai
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
In a state where high school football is king and blue-chip prospects seem to emerge every Friday night, Addai sits at the top of the mountain.
But don't expect the ranking to change who he is. He understands the attention. He also understands the assumptions that come with carrying one of football's most recognizable last names.
His father, Joseph Addai, starred at Sharpstown High School before winning a national championship at LSU, becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick and later earning a Super Bowl ring with the Indianapolis Colts.
Many people assume that kind of pedigree makes the journey easier. Addai says it's been quite the opposite.
"I know people think everything is given to me," he said. "That I don't have to work hard because of who my dad is. But it's actually the opposite."
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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When the rankings were released, he allowed himself a moment to appreciate the accomplishment. Then it was back to work.
"I was really excited," he said. "But they (rankings) really don't mean that much to me."
His perspective comes from watching players who weren't labeled as can't-miss prospects.
"One of my favorite players is Justin Jefferson," Addai said. "He was a three-star recruit and wasn't heavily recruited. He was amazing at LSU and now he's the best in the NFL. There are so many players like that."
That mentality has fueled one of the busiest calendars of any athlete in Texas.
Over the past eight months, Addai has barely had time to catch his breath. Football season transitioned into basketball season, where he helped lead Shadow Creek alongside standout BJ LaFell during a memorable run. From there, it was straight into football workouts, recruiting camps and earning recognition as the state's top prospect before heading back to the AAU basketball circuit.
There is hardly an offseason. And that's exactly how he likes it.
"I think college coaches like dual-sport athletes," he said. "But I really want an opportunity to play both sports in college."
As he prepares for his junior season, the expectations have never been higher. Every opponent knows his name. Every defense will have a plan to slow him down. The biggest expectations, however, come from within.
"I want to double my stats and do anything I can to help my team," he said with a smile. "I'm just so excited to get back out there with my brothers and perform."
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
For Addai, this is exactly where he dreamed of being.
"This is where I wanted to be ever since I was a little kid," he said. "I just need to remember to have fun. When it's not fun... it's over."
The rankings may say he's the best player in Texas.
Jaylen Addai is far more interested in becoming the best version of himself.
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