DISTRICT 10-5A-D1
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Waltrip Rams
Galena Park Yellowjackets
Milby Buffaloes
Westbury Huskies
Sterling Raiders
Madison Marlins
Spring Woods Tigers
Sharpstown Apollos
Austin Mustangs
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
...VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Kevion West, Waltrip
Offensive Player of the Year: Cary Clay, Galena Park
Defensive Player of the Year: Deonte Hunter, Westbury
Breakout Player of the Year: Damien Duckworth, Madison
On the Cusp: Sterling Raiders
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Houston Waltrip made the playoffs for a third-straight year after finishing second in District 10-5A-DI. The Rams’ two district losses were by just a combined 10 points. Waltrip is seeking its first District Championship since 2017 as it hits the field this fall. The Rams could be in line for it with first-team, all-district signal-caller Kevion West returning for his senior campaign. West is a dual-threat weapon for Waltrip and showed it by passing for 949 yards and 13 scores and rushing for another 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns. West racked up just over 2,000 all-purpose yards and 25 scores in 2024. His top receiving weapon is also back in first-team, all-district pick Eric Norris, who had 522 yards and seven touchdown receptions. Defensively, Waltrip returns Christopher Grisham (19 tackles) at defensive tackle. In the secondary, second-team, all-district picks Connor Bray and Justin Henry are back at their corner and safety positions. Henry led the team with four interceptions and chipped in 44 tackles.
Galena Park finished third in district play to punch its ticket to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Spiro Amarantos enters his seventh year at the helm of the program. The Yellow Jackets bring back reigning Offensive MVP Cary Clay, who rushed for 1,428 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. Clay will carry the offense along with dual-threat quarterback Kendall Combs, who passed for 529 yards and three scores and rushed for 543 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, first-team, all-district selection Matthias Valenzuela is back on the defensive line.Valenzuela also earned a nod as a second-team, all-district deep snapper. Second-team, all-district pick Armando Esqueda will be back at the safety position.
Houston Milby reached the Bi-District round of the playoffs in 2024. The Buffaloes return 11 starters (5 offense, 6 defense) to the squad for ninth-year head coach Matthew Puente. Junior receiver Isaiah Washington is eyeing another big year after being named the District 10-5A-DI Newcomer of the Year in 2024 after registering 639 yards and 10 scores on 33 receptions. He also had two kickoffs returned for touchdowns. Senior safety Xavier Bautista had 49 tackles (26 solo), two interceptions and a score on the defensive side of the ball in 2024. Other key returners include CB Melvin Simien (28 tackles, 12 solo, 9 PBU; 1st team, all-district), TE Knowledge Gage (15 rec., 177 yards, 1 TD; 1st-team, all-district), OL Matthew Ochoa, OLB Jayson Gallegos and WR Artavion Davis. This junior class will lead the Buffaloes hopefully back to the playoffs in 2025.
Houston Westbury posted a 5-5 record and finished just on the outside of the playoff picture in 2024. The Huskies are set to return first-team, all-district fullback Jefferson Rivas Hernandez, who rushed for 346 yards and five touchdowns, and first-team running back Dareus Hubbard, who accounted for 309 yards and three scores. Hubbard was also a first-team, all-district safety after reeling in one interception and racking up 53 tackles. Other key defensive returners include second-team, all-district picks in ILB Deonte Hunter (98 tackles, 5 TFL), DE Elijah Eche (4 sacks, 28 tackles), OLB Da'Zhon Williams (48 tackles, 3 INTs) and S Derrick Jones (41 tackles, 1 INT). Defense will be the calling card for Westbury, while the two-headed rushing attack of Hubbard and Hernandez will pace the offensive attack early.
Houston Sterling won the District Championship a year ago and advanced to the playoffs for a seventh-straight year. The Raiders finished the year at 7-4. They are set to return first-team, all-district offensive lineman Wil Guevara and second-teamer Caleb Green on the line as well. Jadyn Joubert was named a second-team, all-district fullback after rushing for 214 yards in 2024. Defensively, Jacob Booth is coming off a standout sophomore campaign where the defensive end racked up six sacks, 58 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. Cornerback Chris Lucas also earned a first-team, all-district nod after reeling in two interceptions and registering 27 tackles.
Houston Madison and Spring Woods both registered three wins apiece in 2024, going 3-7 overall and 3-5 in district play. The Marlins are set to return two-way star Damien Duckworth, who was named second-team, all-district as a wide receiver and safety. Duckworth finished with 79 tackles and 185 receiving yards last season. Andre Muhammad is also set to return at running back after rushing for 311 yards and a score in 2024. The Tigers of Spring Woods are set to return first-team, all-district offensive lineman Siaosi Patton and second-teamer Chris Perez (OL) to anchor their front.
Houston Sharpstown scratched out two district victories a year ago, garnering wins over Houston Austin and Galena Park. The Apollos won four games in 2024, which marked the most wins in a season for the program since winning seven games in 2015. Sharpstown returns second-team, all-district picks Damain Olvera (OL) and Rafael Imani (OLB) and will look to build on the 2024 success.
Houston Austin is coming off a 1-9 campaign as they enter year two under Stepehen Wiggins. The Mustangs return 15 starters off that team, including seven on the defensive side of the ball. Key returners include all-district linebackers Sam Moreno and Marcus Johnson.