LACE'EM UP. It's time to hit the open courses again this fall as cross country season is under way. The best of the best if Goose Creek CISD ran their way to the 2021 VYPE Fall GCCISD Media Day. Let's hit the trail!
Since moving over from Spring High School, head coach Trent Miller has flipped the script at Willis, turning the Wildkats into a juggernaut team in year two.
With DJ Lagway running Miller’s electric offensive scheme and a defense that has stepped up from last year, the Wildkats are sitting at 5-0, tied for first in district and their best start since 2016.
“This is the first time this team has been 5-0 in a 6A district,” said Miller. “Knocking off back-to-back playoff teams in Week 1 and 2 of district play and sitting at 3-0 in the district is something this town hasn’t seen in a while, so it’s been exciting.”
So what’s been the secret sauce to Willis’ hot start in year two?
“The biggest piece that was missing from last year to this year was having a full offseason period,” he said. “Building a program and a culture that does things the way we do things takes time.”
The offense has been the strength of this Wildkats team this year bringing back a star-studded unit.
“I think the big key is DJ being healthy," Miller said. "Last year he was banged up throughout the season and having him 100-percent has been huge. Bigger than that though, I think was being able to break down concepts on plays for the skill players and offensive lineman this offseason.
“Teaching them why we run these plays and what we are trying to do has made huge strides in our growth this year.”
On the defensive side of the ball, the Wildkats have stepped up year over year and have come out with a chip on their shoulder.
“Defensively, the biggest jump we’ve made is the attitude, giving 100-percent every play," he said. "Our boys are hungry and have that -- sharks in the water mentality.”
Quarterback DJ Lagway (Florida-commit) is having an MVP-caliber season but Miller has been really impressed with some other athletes who have really upped their game.
“Starting defensively, Josiah Stephens is playing like an absolute monster," he said. "Having him make plays up front and getting some big time sacks, it’s been huge for our defense. Also, Brock Perry our middle linebacker has shed some weight and has been effective sideline to sideline hitting with some attitude.”
Miller also mentioned Imauree Holmes (ATH), Jermaine Bishop Jr. (ATH) and Carter Jenkins (DB), who are all playing at a high level right now in the secondary.
Offensively?
“Debraun Hampton is a guy who’s having a breakout year at wide receiver," he said. "The development to his game that he made in the offseason is showing. Jermaine Bishop Jr. as a two-way player has been that spark on offense when we need a big play."
Terri Lawerence (RB), Jalen Mickens (WR) and Daylion Robinson (ATH) have all been having big year’s so far for the Wildkats and have Miller feeling good about the offense.
The undefeated Wildkats and Miller have the Willis community believing and the Friday Night Light vibes are spreading throughout the town and school.
“The beauty of being in a one-horse town is that everybody feeds off each other, good or bad,” Miller said. “With the success all the programs are having right now at Willis, it trickles down to everyone. Everybody is drinking the same kool-aid right now.”
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Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The battle for the district is in full swing, on both of H-Town’s public and private school scenes.
With the regular season nearing its midway point in football, and the postseason looming in volleyball, the tension has never been greater. Inevitably, that means audiences should be in for a show, as the stakes continue to rise.
Given that fact, it’s time to detail some of the most anticipated matchups coming up, as the race for a district title commences.
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Fulshear Chargers vs. Foster Falcons (Volleyball)
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Fulshear Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
By far, this has been the most anticipated matchup in the Lamar Consolidated district. Both Fulshear (26-4) and Foster (24-7) rank in the top-four spots in our weekly rankings for Class 5A, and the result of this face-off will undoubtedly prove to be pivotal to the overall outlook of the division moving forward.
The Chargers boast a stacked roster, helmed by recent Wake Forest-commit Bailey Warren (Jr. OH), with the supporting firepower of Lauren Witte (Jr. OH), Sydney Black (Sr. L), Alexys James (Jr. S), and Yosola Adeleke (Jr. MH). Each of these individuals were essential in Fulshear's trip to the Regional Tournament a year ago, and all signs point to a return.
On the Foster side, the Falcons are currently undefeated (6-0) in district and don’t have any intent on breaking that streak. Sr. MH Jackie Onyechi has been a menace, leading the team in kills, blocks, and hitting percentage. Eden Fairfield (Sr. DS) and Brinleigh Davis (Sr. S) have been instrumental to Foster’s success as well.Some of the stars of 2023-24 Foster Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
North Shore Mustangs vs. C.E. King Panthers (Football)
2023-24 North Shore Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
District 21-6A is absolutely loaded, with North Shore, Summer Creek, Atascocita, and C.E. King each entering the fifth week of the season with stainless 4-0 records. That makes this particular exhibition that much more enticing.
North Shore has kicked off the Fall in style, dismantling powers such as The Woodlands (38-17) and Westfield (45-9) in their mission to return to the state championship. Terrence Guillory II (Sr. WR), UH-commit Kaleb Thomas (Sr. TE), and D’Andre Hardeman Jr. (Jr. RB) have been the key contributors to the North Shore offense thus far, while four-star CB Devin Sanchez headlines a scary Mustangs defense.
C.E. King has been on a tear as well, knocking off Pearland (40-29) and Humble (31-24 OT) in recent weeks. Darius Clark-James (Sr. QB) has performed exceptionally well as the Panthers signal-caller, having already thrown 12 touchdown passes, while rushing for two more. Senior WR Vincent Jones has been his primary target, as he averages over 100 receiving yards per game, with sophomore RB Dionne Sims carrying the workload in the backfield.
Some of the stars of 2023-24 C.E. King Football
Lorin Cook (VYPE)
Cinco Ranch Cougars vs. Katy Tompkins Falcons (Volleyball)
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Cinco Ranch Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
These two squads have already faced off against each other, earlier in the first round of the district schedule. Cinco Ranch emerged victorious (3-2), following a five-set nail-biter. Come Friday, it’s time for round two.
Despite playing in a relentless Katy district, the Cougars (25-5) currently maintain an undefeated (9-0) record against their divisional counterparts. Junior Kassidy O’Brien has been dynamic from the setter position, feeding her teammates to the tune of nearly 900 assists on the year. Gabriella Martinez (Jr. OH) and Makenna Loo (Sr. OH) headline a killer Cinco Ranch offensive attack, while junior libero Magdalene Finnegan anchors the defense as the team’s dig-leader (334).
After being nearly defeated in the UIL-6A state championship a year ago, Tompkins (21-8) has been on a mission to return ever since. While some of their seniors may have graduated over the offseason, this Fall has indicated that the Falcons are not lacking in talent whatsoever. Brooklynn Merrell (Jr. DS/S) is the straw that stirs the drink for the program, as she currently leads the team in digs (310), aces (77), and receptions (506). Christin Cowart (Jr. MB), Caelyn Dumas (Jr. RS/S), and Sydney Lynch (Jr. OH) have also been essential to Tompkins’ offensive presence.Some of the stars of 2023-24 Tompkins Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Oak Ridge War Eagles vs. Conroe Tigers (Football)
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Oak Ridge Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Both of these teams have taken their lumps through the season thus far. District 13-6A is a difficult crowd to contend with, no doubt about it. Despite that fact, each side in this rivalry has something to prove.
Oak Ridge (2-2) re-established their dominance against New Caney last week (41-14) and they don’t plan on slowing down. Their defense is as stingy as ever, with Georgia-commits, Justin Willaims (Sr. LB) and Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (Sr. DE) manning the War Eagles’ front-seven, while Frankie Arthur (Sr. RB) and James Scott (So. WR) remain some of the offensive weapons in coach Mark Schmid’s arsenal.
After being shot out of a cannon to begin the season, the Tigers (3-2) were stopped in their tracks by Willis and The Woodlands in their first two district matchups. Now is the time to correct the course. Coach Cedric Hardeman will look to Texas State-commit Tice Williams (Sr. S) to lead the charge in order to do so.
2023-24 Conroe Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
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c.e. king footballcinco ranch volleyballconroe footballconroe isdfoster volleyballfulshear volleyballhouston high school sportskaty isdlamar cisdlamar consolidated isdnorth shore footballoak ridge footballtexas high school footballtexas high school volleyballtompkins volleyballtxhsfbtxhsvbuil footballuil volleyballvype houston high school sports
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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 from the previous week who stole the headlines.
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the Fall season continues to heat up.
Bri Dunn, Clear Falls Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
While they have experienced their ups and downs through the Fall thus far, Clear Falls has begun to make headway as the district portion of their schedule unfolds. After a respectable 3-2 start in district, the credit needs to go some of the stars of the Knights crew -- Keira Jones (team kill-leader) and libero Capri Strombach (team dig-leader).
However, Bri Dunn (Jr. S) has been stepping up in grand fashion to help guide Clear Falls to a strong finish in district. Dunn currently ranks in the top-three of all the team’s major stat categories, including the top spot in assists, which is nearing 400 on the season.
Jaden Wincher, Pearland Football
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Pearland Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Pearland’s definitive 20-13 victory against district rival Shadow Creek was a sight to behold, which easily propelled them up our weekly rankings. Credit where credit is due. Jr. RB Ladamion McDowell put the offense on his back to score twice for the Oilers with 74 yards on the ground against a stingy Shadow Creek defense.
On that note, I think it’s time we show the Pearland defense some love considering they were the difference-maker in this intense matchup. That’s where team captain Jaden Wincher (Sr. DE) comes in. Wincher was a nightmare for the Sharks’ offense all night, compiling 10 total tackles, including three sacks, four TFL’s and two QB hurries. That statline indicates that this man is a game-wrecker.
Caroline Adams, Friendswood Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It’s no secret that Friendswood has been on a tear recently. After coming off a decisive 3-2 victory against district-competitor Manvel, it’s clear that the Mustangs (18-9; 5-0 in district) are a group worth recognizing as the playoffs approach. So. OH Nadi’Ya Shelby has been a force on her side of the net, alongside Taliah Benson (So. OH) and Jordyn Sims (Jr. RS).
But who has been feeding this offensive machine throughout the Fall? Why, Friendswood’s Caroline Adams, of course. In just 27 games this season, the Mustangs’ sophomore setter has nearly 800 assists to her name, and should easily eclipse the 1K-mark in the coming weeks.
Rodney Bimage, Dickinson Football
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Dickinson Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Gators’ district opener against Clear Springs was a doozy. While both sides of the ball were clicking with senior QB John Solomon leading the offense and Nicholas Peace (Sr. DB) leading the tackling effort on defense, it was senior DB Rodney Bimage who was the true difference-maker in last week’s 35-14 win. In addition to making four tackles (including one sack), Bimage was the special teams guru for Dickinson. On just two kick returns, the senior Gator racked up 188 return yards for two decisive touchdowns to help his squad breeze past a tough Chargers team.
Ashley Richardson, Clear Springs Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Clear Springs stampede continues, as they have galloped to a quick 6-0 (24-12 overall) start in the district competition. After toppling both Clear Creek and Clear Brook in their recent matches, it’s been made perfectly clear (pun intended) that the Chargers are the team to beat in District 24-6A.
We’ve spoken plenty about the performance of Anzley Rinard (Sr. OH) and Abby Fuller (Sr. L), but senior Ashley Richardson has really come into her own from the setter spot. Richardson currently leads the team in blocks (60) and aces (45), while ranking in the top-two for Clear Springs in kills (266), assists (494) and digs (350).
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