District 21-6A Headlined by State Title Game Participants

Aug 26, 2019

This district is talented! Well, when you have two teams that played for state titles a year ago, one winning it all, that will result in a top heavy district like 21-6A. North Shore is one of the best in the state and should be again this year, while West Brook has to replace some players but will still contend. These two teams have so much Division I talent on them when they play against each other it 's going to be a lot of fun!

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VYPE Preseason Rankings

North Shore
Beaumont West Brook
Channelview
C.E. King
La Porte
Deer Park
Beaumont United
Baytown Sterling

(Bold Denotes Playoff Teams)

VYPE Preseason Awards

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Zach Evans, North Shore
OFFENSIVE MVP Dematrius Davis, North Shore
DEFENSIVE MVP Jay Bell, Beaumont West Brook
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR Alton Lott, Channelview
SLEEPER TEAM La Porte

North Shore Mustangs

Jon Kay guided the "Beasts of the East" to the program's second state crown in the previous three seasons in 2018 with a perfect 16-0 mark and an unforgettable win against Duncanville. But now the page has turned to the next season. But what is coming back is impressive. Dematrius Davis is back at quarterback for his junior season. Davis passed for 3,373 yards and 43 touchdowns, while his top target Shadrach Banks reeled in 60 grabs for 1,299 yards and 17 touchdowns. Zach Evans returns to anchor the backfield as the top recruit of the 2020 class. Evans rushed for 1,793 yards and 29 scores a year ago. The list goes on and on, including Alabama-commit Damieon George and the new additions of Jaeden Roberts and Edzavier Deblaw on the offensive line and Arkansas pledge John Gentry joining Evans in the backfield. Defensively, Kansas State-commit Jojo Wilson and Utah State-commit Upton Stout will hold down the secondary, while Miami commit Corey Flagg Jr. will anchor at linebacker.

Beaumont West Brook Bruins

West Brook reached the final game of the year and fell to Longview in an instant classic. The Bruins are back but will have to replace dual-threat quarterback La'Ravien Elia, who had 280 total yards (136 rushing, 144 passing) in the title game. Third-year coach Eric Peevey will look for Troy Yowman to take over his spot. Yowman went 4-0 as a starter last season and has a cannon of an arm, which can be a good and bad thing at times. His top target will be Thad Johnson (1,200 yards receiving). Others to watch on offense include running back Jakobi Holland (676 yards rushing), who Peevey thinks will have a breakout year. Offensive lineman Fred Jones started at center and left tackle a year ago to anchor the line. On defense, first-team, alldistrict selection Jay Bell will anchor the line along with second-teamer Markel Clark, who had 12 sacks a year ago. Peevey believes seniors Dekyrie Richard, Natea Coleman and super-sophomore Bryce Anderson could make names for themselves in the secondary. Other key returners for West Brook include linebackers Cole Maloy and Desmond Jackson.

Channelview Falcons

Channelview has punched its ticket to the big dance in three of the last four seasons. Expect the Falcons to be back there again. Averion Hurts enters his 14th season leading the program and will lean on second-team, all-district back Alton Lott to lead the offense. Lott rushed for 1,017 yards and eight scores a year ago and returns as the leading rusher in District 21-6A. Another key piece to the offense will be receiver Trevon Chandler. Making room for Lott up front will be first team, all-district lineman Paula Vaipulu. Defensively, the Falcons will be led by free safety Zion Webb, cornerback Isaiah Hamilton, linebacker Albert Garcia and defensive end Caleb Molina.

C.E. King Panthers

For the first time since being propelled into the UIL's highest classification in 2016, C.E. King made the playoffs last year. The Panthers are gaining steam on the east side, including opening its brand-new stadium for the 2019 season. Derek Fitzhenry enters his third season at the helm and has some big spots to fill, especially in the backfield. Rodrick Crummedy (1,523 yards, 15 TDs) and Ulysses Bentley (SMU-signee with 1,211 yards, 17 TDs) are both gone to graduation. So, who fills in their shoes? Look towards first-team, all-district running back Malique Harris and second-teamer Jeremy Gonzales. Also, back on offense will be Van Wells at tight end. Those are the three lone starters back on offense, but the good thing for the Panthers is six starters are back on defense. Included in that group is national free safety recruit Bryson Washington. Washington is a five-star recruit and an all-state selection. Also, back is DI defensive ends Jessie Evans and Jason Watson. Other key returners on defense include cornerback Josiah Ruano and linebacker Tyler Scyrus.

La Porte Bulldogs

La Porte was just on the outside looking in last season for the final playoff spot in District 21-6A. With what the Bulldogs have coming back, La Porte could potentially contend for it. La Porte, who is now under the direction of first-time coach Anthony Renfro from Clear Springs, brings back some key pieces including quarterback River Thompson. Last season, Thompson passed for 1,047 yards and five scores. He will have to take better care of the football in 2019 after throwing 11 interceptions in 2018. Other key returners include wide receivers Elijah George, Nathan Davila and tight end/defensive end Albert Regis, who was named the District 21-6A Sophomore of the Year. Also, back is linebackers Jordan Morales and Eric Bright and defensive lineman Agave Flores.

Deer Park Deer

Deer Park has a lot to replace off a team that just missed the playoffs last year. Broc Weidner is gone to graduation, so the Deer will have to find someone to replace his 1,176 yards and 13 touchdowns through the air. Marcus Molina will be a player to watch as he comes back after recording 437 receiving yards and five scores and 496 yards on the ground and six scores. The biggest improvement for Deer Park heading into 2019 will have to come on the defensive side of the ball after ranking last in the district, giving up 445.7 yards and 39.9 points per game.

Beaumont United Timberwolves

Beaumont United is a very intriguing program heading into this season, considering this is the second year since this school formed with students from Beaumont Ozen and Beaumont Central. The Timberwolves will have to get creative on offense this year after averaging a district-worst 191.7 yards per game. The good thing for United was that it boasted the third-best defensive unit behind North Shore and West Brook. Devin Hunt will be one to watch on offense after having 301 yards receiving and three scores last year. Another key returner includes Dezmond Spencer, who can do some damage in the kick return game.

Baytown Sterling Rangers

Finally, Baytown Sterling will be looking to notch a win inside district play this season. The Rangers will have to find a replacement for graduated running back Calvin Hill, who rushed for 987 yards and 10 scores a year ago. Players to watch this season include athlete EJ Hawkins (400 yards rushing, 200 yards passing, 170 yards receiving) and Tayvion Haggerty on defense. Jacob Landry at quarterback could be a surprise of the year in this district. Other players to watch include KJ Watch, Amari Jackson, Trinity Olive, Shawn Jackson and Micah Campbell. The Rangers will have to be "All Hands On Deck" – which is their season motto – with big pieces to replace.

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Lampasas' UT Baseball Commit Makes A Name For Himself In More Ways Than One

Lampasas' Ace Whitehead (left) was joined by Badger teammates at the 2020 VYPE Austin Baseball Photoshoot.

Move over Clint Eastwood, there's a new gunslinger in town. Ace Whitehead is his name and he's a multi-sport athlete at Lampasas High School. He jumped on the Central Texas scene as a freshman and sophomore, and turned up the dial so much as a junior that his public profile sits at a personal high going into his senior year.

It started with the 2019 Texas high school football season, when he recorded his best year to date with 4,982 yards and 75 touchdowns. He ultimately quarterbacked the Badgers' football team to its first UIL state semifinal appearance in 33 years.

"I think the most memorable thing was just how we came together as brothers and let everybody know what we're about here," said Whitehead. "We didn't listen to the outside noise or whatever. We just came together as a unit and gave it our all each Friday night."

But, Whitehead's on-the-field play wasn't alone in putting him on the map. He also received statewide attention for his unique name. Twitter users have described it as "QB Name of the Year" and a "quintessential Texas HS QB name", and it's been featured in media stories like the one you're reading.

"I like it," Whitehead said of his name. "I haven't ever really known any different, so it's just kind of normal to me."

"To be honest, it really surprised me when all of that kinda blew up," he said. "Around Lampasas, it's not really special or anything. It's just been my name that everyone calls me. My real name is Asher. My great grandpa's name was A.C and so my parents gave me the nickname "Ace" at birth and it just stuck."

The buzz continued in 2020 because college baseball programs were starting to show more interest in his athletic abilities and fans wanted an encore during the Texas high school baseball season. COVID-19 wouldn't let him top his fall performances because it cancelled the spring sport's campaign, but it still worked out for him. The 2021 recruit's name appeared in more headlines when his dream school, The University of Texas at Austin, offered him a baseball scholarship and he announced his commitment on June 17th.

"It's super exciting to have the opportunity to join a team that historically is one of the greats and one that had tradition like The University of Texas," said Whitehead.

"I've been a huge Longhorn fan my entire life," he continued. "I really can't think of a time that my favorite color wasn't burnt orange."

Before he relocates to the Forty Acres, Whitehead is hoping for high school sports to start and end around their normal time so he can accomplish more in his hometown.

"It's very important to my teammates and I to be able to represent our community again," he said. "I know that our senior class really wants to give it our all one last time for Lampasas."

For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX) on Twitter.

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VYPE DFW 2020 Volleyball Preseason Middle Blocker of the Year Poll

Volleyball season is RAPIDLY approaching! VYPE wants the fans to vote for their favorite DFW Volleyball player! This week, it's the Middle Blockers!

The VYPE DFW 2020 Volleyball Preseason Middle Blocker of the Year Poll is now live! Fans will have the chance to vote until Monday, July 20th, at 7 p.m.

Please note that the use of voting software or bots will result in a deletion of votes and a potential DQ from the contest. PLEASE try to keep this fair and fun for all involved!

All athlete polls and their content are only associated and created by VYPE Media and its staff. The content is not created or voted on by any corporate sponsor or marketing partner. Please contact VYPE Media directly if you have any questions, comments, or concerns around our Fan Polls.

<a href="https://poll.fm/10580015">VYPE DFW 2020 Volleyball Preseason Middle Blocker of the Year Poll (Poll Closes Mon 7/20 at 7pm)</a>

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Malatesta: Texas Educators, This is your ultimate test

Here's my take.

COVID-19 is here to stay. It's a way of life. It's not going away on September 1st or October 1st or next March 1st. There is not going to be a vaccine any time soon.

So, it's time to draw a line in the sand – to play or not to play. To do in-person school versus online.

Stop with this bleed-out of information. The Big 10 is not playing non-conference games; the NBA bubble; Major League Baseball playing in front of no one; school districts are going online learning and not playing sports.

Blah, blah, blah.

Make a DECISION! Have some courage. That goes for public and private schools and universities.

The Ivy League cancelled all fall sports. Bad decision, but at least they had the guts to MAKE A DECISION. The State of Louisiana has said they will not play football until they reach Phase 4 of re-opening, which is likely to not happen. Why? The state simply doesn't have the infrastructure or money to set up protocols to deal with COVID-19. This is coming from an LSU graduate, I know.

This is Texas, where high schools are woven into the fabric of the culture. The school binds communities from Houston to El Paso. And don't forget, participating in extra-curricular activities is a choice. If the risk is too great for a student and their family, don't participate. It's that simple.

So, rip off the Band-Aid and succumb to the fear of liability or get creative and get students back to school and participating in extra-curricular activities.

The reasons why sports and students should go back to school range from mental health to learning life-lessons on the field of play, in the classroom or in the band hall. I could literally give you 100 reasons why kids should go back.

Let's just take IN THE CLASSROOM.

Do educators understand the amount of cheating going on with online schooling from elementary school to college? Kids aren't learning anything. They are just finding away AROUND learning to get an A.

People, this is just the beginning. Before you know it, this online schooling is going to become the way of life. Let's just disconnect our kids some more. Great idea (sarcasm).

Ask any educator in any time period, because I have. Teens thrive with structure. They need discipline. They need positive role models like teachers and coaches. They need motivation. Are kids passionate about athletics, theater, ROTC and band or math? Extra-curricular activities are the juice that quenches the thirst for fun while at school.

Come on people, you remember.

…

So, here's why we shouldn't play…

We don't know how this virus works and affects people – young and old. We believe, over 138,000 Americans have died. With that uncertainty, there are 100 arguments against returning to universities or pre-schools.

So, our lives are paralyzed due to the fear of the unknown. To the fear of liability. No one wants a death of a student with an undiagnosed health condition or a grandparent on their hands. To the fear of getting a Virus – that by today's numbers has killed less than one-percent of those who have gotten the COVID-19 in the US.

…

So, let's circle back to the beginning. The numbers of cases are GOING to go UP. Students are GOING to get COVID-19. It's okay. We have to live with the new normal. It's not a death-sentence to 99-percent of the population.

These are tough decisions to be made – make one and don't look back.

I'm not a doctor, but my vote is to let the kids participate in school and extra-curricular activities. There will be another virus, trust me on that. Kids are looking for you to be BRAVE.

Here's the deal. Would you rather take a young person's motivation and dreams away while being mentored by some of the COUNTRY'S TOP EDUCATORS because of the fear of the potential unknown? Kids need teachers, coaches and ROLE MODELS more than ever. Like, EVER.

Ya'll are the educators. Ya'll have the doctorates. Come up with a plan and protocols, give students and parents a CHOICE and let's go, either way.

The future of this generation is depending on it. Or just let them TikTok the rest of 2020.

You think I'm joking.

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