PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Cypress Falls Eagles
Cy-Fair Bobcats
Stratford Spartans
Memorial Mustangs
Cypress Creek Cougars
Jersey Village Falcons
Cypress Ridge Rams
Northbrook Raiders
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Gabriel Wilson, Cypress Falls
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Chase Sanders, Cy-Fair
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Marlon Cook, Cypress Creek
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Davis Kendall, Stratford
ON THE CUSP: Cypress Creek Cougars
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Memorial Mustangs
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Stratford Spartans
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Coming off a strong 9-3 campaign in 2024, the Cypress Falls Eagles are looking to take the next step under head coach Chris Brister. After falling to perennial power Katy in the Area Round of the 6A Division I playoffs, Cy Falls returns a veteran core eager to push deeper this fall. On offense, senior RB Gabriel Wilson is set to take center stage. A first-team all-district selection, Wilson ran for 800 yards and four touchdowns last season, while splitting carries with the now graduated Eric Manuel. With offers from Rice, Washington State, and others, Wilson is expected to be the focal point of the attack in 2025. He’ll be joined by fellow senior Brandon Derbigny, an all-district quarterback who brings leadership and big-play ability, as well as ATH Liam Madkins. Up front, second-team lineman Alberto Hernandez returns to anchor the trenches. The defense is just as imposing, led by edge rushers like four-star prospect Kaden McCarty and James Harris – both juniors and first-team, all-district honorees with impressive Division I recruiting interest. The secondary brings experience as well, with seniors Gabe Collins and James Henderson (Rice-commit) bolstering the back end.
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Cy-Fair returns to the gridiron with unfinished business. After posting a 7-4 record and finishing second in District 17-6A, their postseason run was cut short in a first-round loss to Lamar. But with a solid core of returners and a tradition of physical, disciplined football, the Jeff Miller-led Bobcats are poised to reassert themselves in the 6A playoff picture. Senior wideout Chase Sanders brings a formidable presence offensively. The unanimous first-team, all-district pick is a matchup nightmare at 6-foot-5, combining size and quickness that also make him a standout on the basketball court. He’ll be supported by senior running back Arnell Fontenot and tight end Sebastian Villa—both second-team selections—as well as junior offensive lineman Paola Arellano. On the defensive side, replacing Texas A&M-signee Landon Rink won't be easy, but the Bobcats return plenty of experience. Linebacker Jayce Robinson (first-team) brings leadership and physicality, while the secondary is anchored by senior Jaden Vaughn (second-team) – a three-star recruit with offers from Utah, Yale, and Sam Houston State, among others – alongside fellow second-team honoree Alek Askeroglu. Furthermore, junior OLB Drayton Hawkins is an emerging name to be aware of in the wake of Kaleb Burns’ graduation. With a balanced roster and the usual high expectations, Cy-Fair appears primed to turn last season’s early exit into fuel for a deeper playoff run come November.
Stratford isn’t hitting the reset button in 2025 – they’re hitting the ground running. Head coach Todd Rankin’s squad took bronze in 17-6A prior to reaching the second round of the postseason, where their momentum was halted by Katy Jordan. Despite that result, it isn't a stretch to assume they could potentially have a more extensive run in the near future. Much of Stratford’s offensive identity will start with its line – an experienced unit led by first-team, all-district honorees Foard Polley and Clayton Nonhof, as well as second-teamer Kenny White. Their presence up front should open the door for senior running back Davis Kendall to have a major breakout year. Even in a shared role in the rushing attack last season, Kendall posted over 700 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns. With a larger workload in 2025, he’ll surely be a name to watch. Senior wideout Cody Hanlen also returns as a reliable target. Defensively, the Spartans bring back playmakers at all three levels. Senior cornerback Johnathan Joseph, a first-team selection, is expected to make an impact both in coverage and as a return specialist. Linebacker Jaxson Blundell and defensive end Matthew Bednar round out a front seven that should keep the opponent’s ground game in check.
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Change is in the air for the Memorial Mustangs as they prepare for this fall with a new leader at the helm. Brooks Haack, a former assistant and offensive coordinator for Randle – the reigning 5A-DII state champions – steps in to replace longtime head coach Gary Koch. Though the Mustangs finished 4-7 last year, a late-season push secured a playoff spot, which serves as proof that the program still has some gas left in the tank. Haack inherits a roster with experience in the right places, particularly in the trenches. Senior offensive linemen Evan Paul and Deven Jagassar return as all-district selections, joined by promising junior Colton Bash. On the outside, junior wideout Ayo Omotosho adds versatility to a group that will benefit from Haack’s offensive background. Flipping over to the defense, Memorial brings back several contributors capable of setting the tone. Senior linebacker Isaac Richardson and defensive back Brett Gulledge were both first-team, all-district honorees in 2024, while junior safety Jackson Van Wie (second-team) also enjoyed a strong campaign. Further bolstering the secondary will also be senior Winston Xu. While some growing pains may be expected, all signs point to Memorial heading in the right direction.
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Entering his second season, coach Deveon McKinney looks to guide Cypress Creek past last year’s 2-8 result. With a handful of adept veterans back in place, the Cougars have the necessary tools to improve in 2025. Senior running back Garland Wilburn leads the offense after compiling nearly 1,100 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns last season. Junior QB Kyle Moss showed flashes of promise and is expected to take a step forward. Meanwhile, unanimous first-team, all-district defensive tackle Marlon Cook returns as a dominant presence on the D-Line, after posting 44 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and a team-leading 6.5 sacks a year ago.
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With Levelle Norris officially taking over as HC last December, Jersey Village will be aiming to turn the page after a 3-7 season in 2024. The team will lean on returning senior talent to spark a resurgence on both sides of the ball. Senior RB Jaden Perkins is expected to step into a larger offensive role, giving the Falcons a versatile weapon in the backfield. On defense, middle linebacker Nathan Reyes leads the charge after earning first-team, all-district honors with 67 tackles and 4 sacks. Fellow senior Brad Sheehy (second-team) adds experience and toughness to the linebacker corps.
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The road ahead may be challenging for Cypress Ridge, but under Andrew Shanle, the Rams are focused on building a new foundation. After finishing 3-7 in 2024 and graduating much of their core – especially on defense – this year’s group will rely heavily on emerging leaders. Senior running back Zion Cornish returns as the focal point of the offense after earning second-team, all-district honors. He’ll run behind junior offensive lineman Jayden Williams, another second-team selection, who brings size and experience to the front line. Additionally, senior linebacker Noel Tovar (second-team) anchors a unit looking to develop quickly. Competing in a tough district, Cy Ridge’s success may hinge on how fast its new faces settle into key roles.
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Though Northbrook finished 2-8 and extended its district winless streak to seven straight seasons, there were signs of progress in head coach Demond Stafford’s first year at the helm. The Raiders opened 2024 with back-to-back wins—their best start in 17 years—offering a spark of optimism for a program eager to turn the corner. Now in year two, Stafford and his squad are focused on growth, aiming to turn early momentum into more consistent results in one of the area’s toughest districts.