Other than the titans of Class 6A football in Greater Houston, Katy Taylor and Fort Bend Elkins can hang with just about anyone. That's what makes their evenly-matched 1st-round (bi-district) playoff game against each other on Saturday so intriguing, and you can listen to what transpires inside Hall Stadium at vypefortbend.com starting at 12:45PM.
The Mustangs (5-5) and Knights (8-2) are in the UIL's 6A Division II playoff bracket, based on overall student enrollment. In District 19-6A, Katy and Katy Tompkins also qualified for the playoffs, and they have more students than Taylor; and the same is true for 20-6A's Fort Bend Travis and Ridge Point, whose enrollment numbers exceed Elkins.
Therefore, Taylor and Elkins should be more than happy in 6A's Division II. In Taylor's five wins, they outscored their opponents by an average of nearly 27 points (45.2 to 18.4). Their five losses were to a quartet of teams state-ranked by MaxPreps (Atascocita, #26; Dickinson, #23; Katy, #1; and Tompkins, #20) and a district rival, Mayde Creek – which went 8-2, losing only to Katy and Tompkins.
The Knights had an easier schedule. Their only losses were to Travis (ranked #28) and a Ridge Point team that is 27-1 in district games vs. Fort Bend ISD foes over the last four seasons. In all other games, Elkins dominated, outscoring the opposition 46.9-12.4.
Elkins is looking for its first playoff win since the Knights beat Madison 28-20 in the 2016 bi-district round. In the last 10 seasons, they are 3-8 in playoff games including two wins in 2013 when Jonathan Giles was their quarterback.
Taylor has broken even (7-7) in playoff games over the last 13 seasons, including three straight 1st-round wins over Fort Bend opponents: Kempner (2016), Bush ('17) and Dulles ('18).
Columbus made an impressive run to the regional finals a season ago, and a big reason was "Big Key"—one of the nation's premier offensive line prospects.
Keyon Hemphill-Woods is the complete package.
The University of Texas commit has the size, athleticism and physicality that have made him one of the country's most sought-after linemen.
Off the field, the 6-foot-5 standout is just as memorable. With his infectious smile, larger-than-life personality and genuine charisma, "Big Key" is a marketing manager's dream.
Pair that with his dominance in the trenches, and it's easy to see why he's become one of the faces of Texas high school football.
VYPE caught up with Big Key at the 2026 Football Media Day to talk about his journey, his leadership and what's ahead for the Cardinals.
Reginald Samples has built one of the premier football programs in America, and his résumé places him among the greatest coaches in Texas high school football history.
The coaching profession has recognized those accomplishments with numerous honors. Samples was named the inaugural Texas High School Coaches Association Football Coach of the Year after the 2022 season and also earned MaxPreps National Coach of the Year honors, adding to previous national recognition from USA Today.
Since taking over Duncanville in 2015, Samples has transformed the Panthers into a perennial national power. After a rebuilding 3-7 debut season, Duncanville has reached double-digit wins every year since, making multiple UIL Class 6A Division I state championship appearances while consistently finishing in the national rankings. His teams are known for their physicality, discipline and ability to develop elite talent.
Chase Mayes has a chance to become the greatest football player ever to come out of Cypress Lakes High School.
Football, that is. The school's most recognizable athletic alum remains NBA All-Star De'Aaron Fox.
On the gridiron, however, Mayes is building a legacy of his own. The junior offensive and defensive lineman helped lead the Spartans to their first-ever playoff appearance, ending an 18-year postseason drought dating back to the school's opening.
At 6-foot-5 and more than 300 pounds, Mayes is a rare combination of size, athleticism and versatility. His ability to dominate on both sides of the ball has made him one of the nation's most coveted recruits, with virtually every major college program vying for his commitment.
VYPE caught up with the future Division I standout to find out what drives one of Houston's brightest young stars.
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