Question 1: Who will win state in soccer?
24 teams remain. By the time Saturday evening rolls around 6 will be crowned state champions. We have new faces and familiar ones. Cinderella's and undefeated. How will it play out? First the remaining teams:
4A Girls: Celina, Boerne, Lumberton, Midlothian Heritage
4A Boys: Boerne, Stafford, Stephenville Celina
5A Girls: Magnolia, Frisco Wakeland, Grapevine, Boerne Champion
5A Boys: Dripping Springs, Katy Jordan, Fort Worth Trimble Tech, Frisco Wakeland
6A Girls: Fort Bend Ridge Point, Rockwall, Southlake Carroll, Westlake
6A Boys: The Woodlands, Lake Travis, Seven Lakes, Plano
What's interesting about these teams is that of the 24 schools is that 25% feature schools having both their boy's and girl's squad vying for a State Title, and that number grows when you look at schools in the same ISD. You also have 3 squads (Boerne Boys, Midlothian Heritage Girls and Frisco Wakeland Boys) trying to go back-to-back. So who's walking away as state camps?
What do I think?
It's always hard to determine who's going to walk out as state champions. I thought for sure Dripping Springs would be playing this weekend but district foe Boerne Champion had other plans. Likewise Calallen had only given up 1 goal in an 18 match undefeated streak before giving up 3 to Boerne in the Regional Finals. With that being said here are my picks for the state winners:
4A Girls: Midlothian Heritage
4A Boys: Boerne
5A Girls: Boerne Champion
5A Boys: Dripping Springs
6A Girls: Fort Bend Ridge Point
6A Boys: Lake Travis
Times and location can be found here: https://www.uiltexas.org/soccer/state
Question 2: What will DJ Hicks Impact be on Paetow?
The States top recruit for the class of 2023 is headed back to Houston for his senior season. DJ Hicks will play his last season of football at Katy Paetow after his father was hired as an Associate Head Coach (https://www.vype.com/Texas/Houston/h-town-high-sch...). Hicks tallied 98 tackles (54 solo), 23 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 1 fumble recovery and 2 defensive touchdowns in his one season at Allen. Katy Paetow meanwhile is coming off a state championship season but will be not only under a new Head Coach (Lonnie Teagle), after BJ Gotte left to become the new Pearland Head Coach/Athletic Coordinator, but they will also be moving up to 6A. Paetow will be bringing with them an already stacked defense, but what will Hicks bring to the table?
What do I think?
When it comes to judging an "impact player" some positions are easier to guess than others. Normally you think when making a determination if a player is going to have an immediate impact, Quarterback comes to mind as the position easiest to determine. But in this case you have the best player in the state coming to play for your team. So yes, DJ Hicks is going to have a positive impact on this squad. Not only do you have a player who has played at the 6A level, but you have someone that is going to bring with him a leadership that is going to spread throughout this team. In his recent interview with VYPE on our Recruit Spotlight show Hicks even says as much: https://youtu.be/UfMee7bDbqo?t=554
So with the returning fire power on this defense already I expect Paetow to be a force on defense even more than they were last season. If their offense can keep up with their defense don't be surprised to see Paetow making another run this upcoming season as well.
Question 3: What does the NIL Louisiana news mean for Texas High School Sports?
In some news that could eventually have long standing impact across Texas for High School sports, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association voted last week to approve a positioning statement to put in its bylaws that would allow high school student-athletes to receive NIL benefits. The statement reads:
“LHSAA bylaws do not prohibit student athletes from engaging in certain commercial activities in their individual capacities. These activities, generally referred to as Name, Image and likeness (NIL), will not jeopardize a student athlete’s amateur status if the student athlete complies with LlISAA Bylaw 1.25 on ‘Maintaining Amateur Status’ as well as all LHSAA Bylaws, policies, and regulations. Compliance with lliSAA Bylaws regarding NIL does not ensure maintenance of eligibility under the eligibility standards of other governing athletic organizations (e.g. NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, national sport governing bodies, etc.). Student athletes desiring information on the amateur rules of other governing organizations should consult with those organizations.”
To help in this matter they have also partnered with Eccker Sports to help educate Student-Athletes on NIL contract challenges. Louisiana joins Alaska, California, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska, New York and New Jersey in allowing High School students to do NIL and remain eligible as a Student-Athlete. With Louisiana joining the NIL fray the question becomes what does this mean for Texas High School sports and NIL?
What do I think?
In the short term, not much. But I think it's more of a when than if. I do think that NIL is here to stay, but I think when it comes to governing bodies of sports, the UIL may be the best of the best. Because of this factor I think the UIL is actively researching what this could mean for the state of Texas High School sports and coming up with plans and procedures to put in place so that it will benefit all athletes. The UIL never acts rashly so I'm sure once NIL was created for college the UIL was immediately on the ball knowing that eventually this would be coming there way. So in the grand scheme of things this deal doesn't really mean much for Texas High School sports because I feel UIL is already on the path to creating rules to allowing NIL that is fair for everyone. Though as of now they are staying pat with what their current rules are: https://www.vype.com/Texas/name-image-likeness
Question 4: Can O'Connor Softball make a run?
For the last few seasons now O'Connor Softball has been building something special in the San Antonio area. In 2020 they were on a tear before COVID put an end to Spring Sports and last year they continued that tear, making a run in the playoffs before losing to eventual state runners-up Judson. This season O'Connor has picked up right where they left off with an impressive 20-1 record while going 13-0 in district. But the Lady Panthers have their eyes set on much grander things; state. Can they get there?
What do I think?
If I had to guess I would not be surprised if O'Connor would need to get past Judson to see that state run come to fruition. This game was close last year with O'Connor losing 2 very close high scoring games. Something interesting to pay attention to as the playoff approaches will be how their pitchers and fielders adjust compared to last season. They've had strong showings so far this season but will need to continue that trend when playoffs hit. One of the disadvantages for any program in any sports that has a strong district showing is how they will respond when they face tougher competition come playoffs. Thankfully for O'Connor they know what to expect after last season and I think they will come into this postseason hungry after last season's defeat. I think they not only get past a potential Judson matchup but find themselves vying for the State crown.