Welcome to the 2020 volleyball season. What a weird offseason it was for everyone. No club tournaments to travel to, limited training available but what that means is everyone should be fresh for the 2020 campaign.
Below are the Top 10 for Class 5A heading into the 2020 season. Click through the photo gallery to see the Top 10, counting it down to No. 1!
It may ultimately come down to quarterback play, but Montgomery enters 2026 as the team to beat. Head coach Grant Cooper has one of the state's premier running backs in Oklahoma commit Keldric Ben, who rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Ben has the vision, burst and power to take over games, while Josh Warren gives the Bears another quality option out of the backfield to keep defenses honest. The passing game has plenty of weapons. Army commit Luke Piro is one of the district's most polished route runners, and Ryelin Johnson consistently finds ways to get open. The key is quarterback Bryce Miles, who doesn't have to force the issue. If he makes smart decisions, completes high-percentage throws and keeps the offense on schedule, Montgomery has all the pieces to make another deep postseason run. Veteran center Aaron Caro will handle the protection calls and anchor a physical offensive line. Defensively, the Bears are equally impressive. UTSA commit Nolan Carpenter brings speed and physicality off the edge, while linebackers Lance Ehlers and Keagan Gilbert patrol the middle. Bryson Havard and Elijah Davila headline an experienced secondary capable of creating turnovers. The biggest obstacle to another district title may be Huntsville, but Montgomery has the talent and experience to remain a serious postseason threat.
...
The move from Class 5A Division I to Division II could be exactly what Kingwood Park needed. The Panthers narrowly missed the playoffs last season but return enough talent to emerge as one of the district favorites. Junior quarterback Jon Pavlatos accounted for more than 2,600 yards of offense and 27 touchdowns in 2025 and should take another major step forward with a full year of experience. Skill players Amaree Ware, Jonas Washington and Bennett Jones surround him with plenty of firepower, while linemen Maverick Grubbe, Ayden Britton and Cameron Frasier provide a solid foundation up front. Defensively, linebackers Owen Park, Abel Villareal and Elliott Warren give the Panthers one of the district's best second levels, while Connor Maple patrols the secondary. Don't be surprised if Kingwood Park is playing meaningful football well into November.
...
Huntsville is closing the gap. Head coach Todd Moebes guided the Hornets to the second round of the playoffs in his first season, and expectations are even higher entering Year Two as his culture continues to take hold. Everything begins with dynamic quarterback Zay Adolphe, one of the area's most dangerous dual-threat playmakers. His ability to extend plays and create offense with both his arm and legs makes Huntsville difficult to defend. Running back Ja'Khavien Birks provides balance, while receivers Landon Fisher and KJ Betts give Adolphe reliable targets on the perimeter. On defense, linebacker Jarmiah Peterson is a relentless, downhill playmaker, while coach's son Kadon Moebes anchors the secondary with leadership and football IQ.
...
There is renewed energy at Lake Creek. Former Kingwood head coach Cale Melton inherits a program many believe is a sleeping giant. With Lake Creek's athletic department enjoying championship success across multiple sports, expectations are high that football can follow suit. The biggest storyline entering fall camp is the quarterback competition between Asher Ryan, Wyatt Hoffart and Alfonso Lopez. Whoever earns the starting job will inherit an impressive collection of targets, including Juan Gonzalez, who surpassed 600 receiving yards last season, along with Chance Miller and Dane Doty. Tight ends Dakota Clarke and Logan Woods both possess Division I size and athleticism, giving the offense unique matchup advantages. Running back Canon Davis returns after rushing for more than 500 yards, while Lincoln Montecino and Ace Clarke anchor the offensive line. Defensively, Brock Busby and Carter Thibodeaux lead the defensive front. Linebackers Jaxson Smith, Nate Newton and Anson Melton headline the second level in the Lions' 3-4 scheme, while Jackson Bose and Haak Bean provide stability in the secondary.
...
A new chapter also begins at West Fork, where head coach Brian Cope takes over with an infectious energy and optimism. The Gators return 10 starters but will rely heavily on several young players. Quarterback Tyler Gillam must grow up quickly, throwing to athletic receivers DeJuan Kizzie and Jordyn Vaughn. Running back Mason Evans-Pickens leads the ground attack behind an inexperienced offensive line anchored by Jamarick Fontenot. The defense should keep West Fork competitive. Safeties Javen Nededog and Jayden Whitelow direct the unit, while sophomore defensive end Greg Rogers has all the physical tools to become one of the district's breakout stars. Kizzie and Vaughn will also contribute in the secondary.
...
Spring Woods returns 15 starters from a 5-5 team that narrowly missed the playoffs and now enters a new district with renewed optimism. Head coach Andrew Rohrs welcomes back quarterback Daniel Morales, who threw for more than 1,800 yards, and running back Emmanuel Quiroz, who eclipsed 1,200 rushing yards and scored 13 touchdowns. The biggest challenge remains the line of scrimmage. If Nick Gonzales, Anderson Hernandez and the offensive line can provide consistency, the Tigers have enough skill talent to surprise people. Defensively, Trevor Caylor leads an aggressive unit alongside defensive backs Victor Hamilton and Julian Robles.
...
Porter also returns the majority of its roster after a 4-6 campaign. The Spartans bring back nine defensive starters, giving them one of the district's most experienced units. Linebackers Braylin Benson and Garrett Lawson headline a defense capable of keeping Porter in games every Friday night. The offense, however, remains the biggest question. Finding a quarterback and developing more explosive playmakers will determine whether the Spartans can break through into the playoff picture.
...
At Splendora, quarterback Braydin Hinton returns as one of the district's most productive offensive players after accounting for nearly 1,800 total yards last season. Head coach Robbie Deheck also welcomes back bruising running back Aiden Washington, while tight end Kairee Williams may be the Wildcats' most versatile athlete. The defense quietly has the pieces to become one of the better units in the district. Defensive backs De'Merion Anderson and Ki'Juan Redmond headline a group that could make Splendora one of the league's toughest outs.
The Kinkaid School's Wayne Shanks Jr. (Arizona commit)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
One thing is certain: Wayne Shanks Jr. has a nickname that matches his style.
“Too Cold” — featured on his X handle, @shanks2cold, and showcased through his signature shivering pose — has become a calling card of the Kinkaid tailback. But the persona only scratches the surface, as Shanks’ preparation and team-first mentality are just as synonymous with his ascent as the nickname itself.
“Going from middle school to high school, I came up with it off the top of my head, and from there it just stuck with me,” Shanks said. “A couple of guys at Kinkaid helped me start doing the shivering motion, and it kind of became my thing. I feel like it’s definitely helped set me apart.”
Shanks' signature "Too Cold" poseBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
That identity has followed Shanks into one of the most dominant stretches of his career. The three-star Arizona commit erupted for 2,461 all-purpose yards and 31 touchdowns last fall, propelling the Falcons (9-2) to back-to-back SPC 4A championships while earning MVP honors and All-SPC recognition along the way.
Few organizations can rival the legacy that The Kinkaid School has built, boasting 34 SPC titles — seven of which have come in the last ten seasons alone. Shanks’ dynamic playmaking as a centerpiece in head coach Nathan Larned’s offensive scheme has the Falcons positioned to chase a third straight championship.
The modern running back has evolved into much more than a ball carrier, and Shanks embodies that shift. Drawing inspiration from the all-around skill sets of NFL stars such as Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey, he has embraced the role of a complete offensive weapon capable of changing the game in multiple ways.
“I think my versatility and being able to do a little bit of everything on the field has helped me establish myself,” he said. “Whether I need to catch passes, run somebody over, contribute on special teams, return kicks or punts — it’s wherever I need to be to help the team.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
That same selfless approach will be critical as Kinkaid looks to extend its championship streak to three.
“We’re going to need a strong foundation of team chemistry to get there,” Shanks said. “We’d be the first team to do it in the SPC (4A), so it’s about holding each other accountable, staying connected, and making sure the work we’ve put in throughout the offseason shows up on the field.”
The recognition surrounding Shanks has only expanded his platform, but he understands the impact of football reaches far beyond what happens on Friday nights.
“Football is only going to last so long, so you have to build the way people view you beyond the sport,” he said. “You want to be someone who is family-oriented, shows good sportsmanship, and genuinely cares about other people. It takes a lot of discipline and preparation to become the person you want to be, and I have my parents and Jesus Christ to thank for helping me get there. That’s the type of person I want to be known as.”
As Shanks continues to carve his place in Kinkaid history, “Too Cold” represents more than a celebration — it’s a reflection of the humility, confidence, and commitment that have guided him throughout his journey.
For a five-star generational force like Landen Williams-Callis, the path to football’s biggest stage already appears written.
Among the most recognizable names in the nation, the Randle cornerstone has built a résumé that clearly separates him from his peers — both through historic production and an unrivaled ability to impact the game. The wait finally came to an end in early August, as Williams-Callis announced his commitment to the University of Texas, marking a pivotal step in a journey that has been years in the making.
Yet, despite the heightened profile surrounding his future, Williams-Callis remains the same reserved presence that has defined his rise to national prominence.
“I try to be more vocal as a leader, but I can’t change who I am,” Williams-Callis said. “I’ve always been the type to keep my talking to a minimum, let my work speak for itself, and lead by example.”
Now entering his final high school campaign, Williams-Callis finds himself on the doorstep of legendary status. With 7,554 career rushing yards under his belt, LWC is on the verge of surpassing his cousin, former Lamar Consolidated standout and NFL running back Jacquizz Rodgers (8,302), for No. 2 on the Greater Houston-area all-time rushing leaderboard.
Furthermore, the prolific every-down back has his sights set on another historic milestone after a season that produced Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year recognition and his third consecutive District MVP award — fueled by an astounding 3,502 rushing yards and 59 touchdowns. Matching that level of dominance would put Williams-Callis within striking distance of Mount Enterprise’s Kaegan Ash (11,382) and Sugar Land’s Kenneth Hall (11,232) for the title of Texas high school football’s all-time leading career rusher.
Collectively, Randle’s motivation stems from a chance to finish what they started. The Lions (15-1) were denied a repeat UIL title last December in a 35-19 defeat against South Oak Cliff in the 5A Division II State Championship. Now moving to 5A Division I, Williams-Callis is once again at the center of a team in pursuit of its second state title.
“I’ve been trying to get the guys on track heading into this season,” he said. “We lost at State, but don’t let that get in the way of what we can do. We’ve got to come with it, work, put our heads down, and get ready for what’s next.”
For Williams-Callis, the pursuit of greatness has never been defined solely by the numbers attached to his name. Records, accolades, and recognition are simply byproducts of a daily commitment to maximizing the talents he believes were given to him for a reason.
“You know, I’m definitely going to celebrate with my teammates and my family, but I don’t think it’ll really hit me in the moment,” Williams-Callis said. “When we won State, I didn’t know how to process it at first. We work toward those goals every day, so when it finally happens, it almost feels normal. I think it’ll probably feel the same way. No matter what happens, I’m giving all the glory to God.”
The records may tell the story of Williams-Callis’ production, but they don’t fully capture the player or person behind them.
“What keeps me going is knowing I can’t take the God-given talents I have for granted,” he said. “Every day, I want to get to it. I want to prove I’m the best at what I do, be known as a good person, and be remembered as the greatest to ever come through Houston.”
A player whose reputation has grown louder with every accomplishment, Williams-Callis has always operated the same way: prepare, compete, and let the results follow. Now, as his time at Randle nears its conclusion, he has one more opportunity to show why the process matters most.
Shanks' signature "Too Cold" poseBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
