PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Shadow Creek Sharks
Pearland Oilers
Manvel Mavericks
Dawson Eagles
Dobie Longhorns
South Houston Trojans
Pasadena Memorial
Alvin Yellowjackets
Sam Rayburn Texans
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Chris Stewart, Shadow Creek
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tristan Willis, Shadow Creek
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Joseph Credit, Pearland
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Damarcus Hodges, Dobie
ON THE CUSP: Dobie Longhorns
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After storming through district play with an unblemished 8-0 record and clinching their fourth consecutive title, the Shadow Creek Sharks concluded the season at 9-2 – though a stunning 31-28 playoff loss to Fort Bend Elkins brought their postseason to an abrupt end. Second-year head coach Tyrone Green will look to harness that disappointment as motivation for a team still seeking its first state championship since 2019. Shadow Creek’s offense returns plenty of firepower, led by senior wideout Chris Stewart – last season’s 22-6A Offensive MVP and a Texas-commit – who racked up 922 receiving yards and 18 total touchdowns. Junior RB Tristan Willis, the district’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year, added nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards and 14 scores, while Houston-bound junior receiver Aden Starling is back after a brief transfer with Iowa Colony. Sophomore WR Jaylen Addai, the son of former NFL running back Joseph Addai, brings elite pedigree and early D1 attention. On the line, junior Demarcus West is expected to step into a bigger role. Defensively, the Sharks are anchored by senior linebacker and reigning Defensive MVP Giavani “Tommy” Baker. The front seven features proven talents like Deneim Scott and Nathan Harris, while the secondary is headlined by Utah-commit Carter Stewart (first-team, all-district) and rising junior Kevin Jackson—a versatile athlete with offers from several Power 5 programs. Additionally, second-teamer and three-star collegiate prospect Brandon Sherrard (Jr. DB) provides considerable coverage from the cornerback position. With veteran leadership, high-end skill talent, and playoff motivation, the Sharks are poised to make another deep run—this time with their eyes firmly set on reclaiming the state crown.
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Expectations remain high in Pearland as the Oilers return a veteran-heavy lineup with both production and athleticism. After finishing 9-3 last fall and pushing into the 6A-D1 Area Round, head coach B.J. Gotte enters his fourth season with a team that looks primed to take the next step. Senior signal-caller Jake Westmoreland (first-team, all-district) leads the charge after a sharp junior season where he threw for over 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns with just two picks. His go-to target, senior Jordan “Jet” Hernandez, is back after lighting up defenses for 1,094 yards and 15 scores. Up front, three-star lineman Nicholas Howard (Pitt-commit) and junior Colby Rao form the foundation of a solid offensive line, while junior Ryan Miller could emerge as the next feature back in the wake of Tate Chisolm’s graduation. The defense, meanwhile, is stacked with next-level talent. Kansas-commit and first-team, all-district selection Joseph Credit (77 tackles, 9 TFL, 5 sacks) anchors the linebacker corps, flanked by Illinois-bound pass rusher Jaylen Stewart (first-team). Safety Zeke Alkire (Air Force), another first-teamer, adds stability on the back end, while junior DE DeMarco Jenkins (Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year), senior Amari Wilks (LA Tech), and LB Anthony DeLeon round out a deep, experienced unit.
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There’s no rebuilding at Manvel – just reloading. Coming off a 6-6 season capped by a playoff win over Hightower, the Mavericks retain a dynamic core with the tools to raise their ceiling this fall. Senior QB Camren Renfro (second-team, all-district) is back to command the offense after throwing for over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns, while adding nine more scores with his legs. His chemistry with senior wideout Antoine Wilder (first-team) gives Manvel a dangerous duo in the passing game. The backfield will feature junior up-and-comer Xaiden Brown – who is expected to have an even bigger year, following a season that saw him rack up nearly 700 all-purpose yards and nine total touchdowns – alongside veteran tailback Eric Mosley III, who transferred from Iowa Colony. Up front, senior OL Paulo Camacho adds a veteran presence in the trenches. The defense may be comparatively young, but it’s headlined by top-end talent. Junior cornerback Karnell “Greedy” James Jr. enters the spotlight as a three-star recruit with Power 5 offers from programs like Texas, Cal, and TCU. Linebacker Samuel Weary, also a junior, brings energy and upside to the middle of the defense. With a mix of established leaders and emerging stars, Manvel enters the season hungry to prove they belong among the region’s top contenders. If the Mavs can build off last year’s foundation, expect a deeper postseason push.
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Dawson enters 2025 with fresh leadership and a relatively balanced array of players aiming to push past last year’s 6-4 finish. New head coach Jaybo Shaw, hired in December 2024, inherits a team eager to return to playoff contention after narrowly missing out in 2024. On offense, Luke Brown (Sr. QB) steps into the starting role following the graduation of standout Max Zavala. Brown will be supported by a sturdy offensive line anchored by junior Carter Ceasar, a second-team, all-district selection, and senior Taryn Hill. Versatile junior Corey Brown (22-6A Utility Player of the Year) and senior Josiah McFarland add dynamic playmaking ability as two-way athletes. The Eagles’ defense features senior leaders across the board, including outside linebacker Kingston Ephriam, who earned an all-district honorable mention, MLB James Higgins, and safety Bryson Flynn. The combined experience and leadership will be critical if Dawson wishes to establish themselves on either side of the ball.
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The Dobie Longhorns, under second-year head coach Daniel Fitzmorris, approach the new campaign in hopes of returning to playoff form following a 6-5 result last season. After capturing the district title in 2023, Dobie reached the postseason but saw their run cut short in the Bi-District round against Ridge Point. Losing star tailback and two-time District MVP Cam Matthews (Memphis) to graduation leaves a significant hole in the backfield. However, Dobie’s offense still features some notable returning talent, including senior guard Camron Robertson, a first-team, all-district pick, and junior center Alonzo Chapman, who earned second-team honors. Additionally, senior Damarcus Hodges is poised for a breakout year as the likely lead back. On the defensive side, the Longhorns will lean heavily on senior OLB Desmond Talib, another first-team, all-district standout.
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Progress may not always show up in the win column, but South Houston heads into this fall with reasons for optimism. After winding up with a 3-7 record last season, the Trojans return a handful of key weapons who could accelerate their climb under head coach Patrick Longstreet. Junior quarterback Keke Baker is back under center after earning second-team, all-district honors, offering stability and playmaking potential on offense. Senior Tyren Brewster adds versatility across the board—primarily in the secondary, but capable of lining up anywhere when needed. Defensively, junior lineman Xavier Muhammad headlines the group as a rare talent. The four-star recruit and multi-sport standout was named District 22-6A Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year and has already drawn offers from notable D1 collegiate programs such as Iowa, TCU, Rice, Houston, and SMU.
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Following a 3-7 outing in 2024, Pasadena Memorial returns a strong group of impact players as coach Jamie Crocker enters a pivotal season. The most noteworthy, of which, is standout offensive lineman Devan Robison, a three-star senior with offers from programs like Oklahoma, Houston, Stanford, and Baylor, and Ole Miss. He’ll help protect senior QB Logan Johnson, who earned second-team, all-district honors. Furthermore, junior receiver Landon Johnson adds a dependable target, while senior linebacker Arturo Aguilera brings leadership on defense.
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Alvin looks to turn the page in 2025 with new head coach Matthew Bass taking the reins of the program, in hopes of rebuilding momentum after a 3-7 finish last fall. While the Longhorns face a tough climb in 22-6A, a few key returners provide some stability through the transition. Senior center Jacob Baez, a first-team, all-district selection, anchors the offensive line alongside junior Jacobi Small. On special teams, senior kicker Enrique Garza should continue to be a reliable presence as Alvin looks to take a step forward under new leadership.
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After back-to-back winless district slates,
Sam Rayburn sets their sights on turning the tide. Led by fourth-year coach Sergio Gonzalez, the Texans bring back a solid mix of senior vets and promising juniors, including dynamic athlete H’Rei Jones and fullback Ruben Vasquez – both second-team, all-district selections. Quarterback Malachi Rivas and lineman Cristian Mendez add experience on offense, while juniors Juelz Byrd-Acuna and Julian Montelongo bulk up the defensive trenches. Additionally, Coen Holliday and Josiah Vela are both proven contributors in the Rayburn secondary.
