Back in the huddle for coach Erik Dehaven is linebacker Alex Rovirosa, who recently picked up an offer from the Grinnell Pioneers.
The 5-foot-10, 200-pound defender combines tremendous strength and physicality. Rovirosa will anchor the defense at the linebacker level.
VYPE spent the afternoon with the John Cooper playmaker to see what makes him tick in the classroom and on the field in our VYPE HYPE segment.
Ashton Hampton of Pearland Football
Welcome to the VYPE Playmakers powered by UTMB Health, where we’re highlighting five standouts from this month who stole the headlines.
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Month, as the Fall season wraps up.
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Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Dawson (38-10; 11-1) has become a model on consistency in recent memory.
After winning the district title for the fourth time in the last five years, the Eagles went on to reach the Regional Tournament for the seventh-consecutive season this Fall.
Even though they ultimately fell to the eventual state finalist Cinco Ranch in Round No. 4 of the postseason, Pearland Dawson has nothing to be ashamed of, considering they featured one of the most complete rosters in all of Texas.
With stars such as first-teamers Kennedy Jones (Jr. MH), Jenna Thedford (So. DS), Keaton Points (So. MH), and the district Offensive Player of the Year Dominique Phills (Sr. OH), it's easy to see how the Eagles reached this height.
The most prolific player off all, however, was senior S/OH Addison Moss.
The Boise State-commit (sand volleyball) experienced one of her best showings in her high school career, registering 274 kills, 322 digs, and a whopping 725 assists which garnered her the honor of being named the District 23-6A MVP.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Oilers came to play in 2023.
Despite competing the vastly competitive District 23-6A, Pearland (9-3; 6-1) exceeded expectations to finish second in the district prior to their playoff run, which saw them advance to the Area round.
Combined with an impressive rushing attack, helmed by the Offensive MVP Ladamion McDowell, the other side of the ball proves to be a real difference-maker in their successes this Fall.
Senior FS Ashton Hampton was a key piece in Pearland's stingy defense, which limited opponents to roughly 19 points per game on the season.
Individually, the Texas Tech-commit racked up 39 combined tackles, five interceptions, seven passes defended, and two forced fumbles on the year to earn himself first-team all-district honors.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Over the course of the regular season, it was made perfectly clear that Clear Springs was going to be a contender in the playoffs.
Following an undefeated district championship, the Chargers (33-14; 12-0) would advance three rounds deep into the postseason thanks to the efforts of the premier competitors on the court.
Speaking of which, senior setter Ashley Richardson played a major role in Clear Springs' success in 2023.
Richardson finished the season with nearly 400 kills, 483 digs, and over 600 assists which earned her the title of District 24-6A MVP.
Alongside Co-Offensive Player of the Year Anzley Rinard (442 kills), Setter of the Year Morgan Durdens (940 assists), and first-teamer Abby Fuller (620 digs), this Clear Springs squad will undoubtedly be one to remember.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
As expected, Clear Falls (7-5; 5-1) was a force worth reckoning in the District 24-6A race.
After finishing second in the district, the Knights reached the Area round of the playoffs for the third time in four years, where they would narrowly fall to C.E. King.
Despite the season ending sooner than preferred, there were several bright spots which should not go unnoticed -- particularly that of the Knights' signal-caller Landon Vessel.
The Clear Falls QB had yet another impressive outing in 2023, in which he threw for over 2,000 yards with 12 touchdowns while scoring 12 more on the ground for 459 yards.
Without question, Vessel was a worthy candidate to be selected first-team all-district.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Despite experiencing a series of ups and downs during the regular season, Clear Creek (25-21; 8-4 in district) was nothing if not resilient throughout.
Following a second place finish just behind Clear Springs in District 24-6A, the Wildcats advanced to the Area round of the postseason.
There were bright spots all around for this squad. From Olivia Jones (Jr. OH), to Alison Figueroa (Jr. DS) and Laila Paulino (Jr. RS), it was clear who the stars were for Clear Creek.
However, who it was senior McKinley Cole (Temple College-signee) who consistently elevated the squad to their highest potential.
From the setter position, Cole tallied nearly 900 assists on the year, while also racking up 450 digs to earn a first-team all-district selection.
Corby Meekins became the head coach in 2004, before brother Matt Meekins took over.
That is the model of consistency.
“Westfield is a special place for me,” Matt Meekins said. “Every day, I’m on duty before school and talk smack to the kids coming into school. I laugh at these kids and tell them that I’ve been at Westfield before their parents were even holding hands.
“These are great kids here. They are fun,” he said “It’s always a great day to be a Mustang.”
The ‘Stangs are 11-2 on the season and 7-0 in district play.
“Our early games got us prepared for the playoffs,” he said. “Games against North Shore and Hightower taught us a lot against really tough competition, along with our district foes.”
Next up is Duncanville Saturday afternoon. It’s the Class 6A DI Region II Final and a State Final Four berth is in the balance. They know each other well.
“We are familiar with Duncanville,” he said. “Last year, we gave ourselves a chance (28-21).”
Duncanville would go on to win the State Title over North Shore.
“It all starts up front with the offensive and defensive lines,” he said. “We have to protect the QB and open up some lanes. It all draws up nice, but if you don’t win the line of scrimmage, you don’t have a chance.”
QB Miles Dent has thrown for 1,800 yards and RB Taji Atkins has rushed for over 2,200 yards… 2,200 yards! WRs Austin Abram, Emmanuel Yancy and Desmond Dixon stretch the field, but it’s all about the trenches.
Ray’quan Bell, Joseph Peters and Ryan Anderson are the bigs. They control the line of scrimmage.
“Duncanville has a strong defensive front,” he said. “We are gonna need to get a push or have a stalemate up front to win the game.”
On defense, District Player of the Year Bryson Balka and Xavier McCray anchor the defense up front. Linebackers Breylon Wyatt and Keshawn Monroe are solid in the middle of the field, while Carson Williams and Joseph Albright patrol the secondary.
The names change, but the philosophy stays the same.
“They go out there and do their job,” Meekins said. “They just hit people. Play from the snap to the whistle and get ready for the next play. All of the other stuff is irrelevant.”
In last season’s game, both teams were heavily penalized for extra-curricular activities. The jawing, the personal fouls, the unsportsmanlike stuff.
“We just need to keep our heads,” he said. “That is extremely important just to keep our composure. I tell the guys, ‘Don’t let it be you’.”
Run the ball, play physical defense and play with pride and the Westfield Mustangs could take down the defending State Champs.
That has been the Mustangs’ winning formula for over 20 years… the Meekins Way.
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Cypress Springs Girls Basketball
The Panthers finished 31-9 a year ago and went 13-1 in district play.
Ayla McDowell is coming off a phenomenal sophomore campaign where she averaged a team-leading 17.8 points per game. Move-in Ma’Riyah Vincent (Missouri-commit) will add scoring and rebounding, while freshman Jemini Mitchell will be a force to be reckoned with.
Melanie Hodges will be a tremendous role player, while Evonne Sidney and Zamari Reece are back for their senior years.
This team could be primed to run it right back to the Regional Tournament again in 2024.
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