North Shore Mustangs
Summer Creek Bulldogs
Atascocita Eagles
Kingwood Mustangs
Crosby Cougars
Humble Wildcats
Channelview Falcons
*Teams in bold are projected playoff contenders
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VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Noah Spinks, Summer Creek
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Dillon Mitchell, C.E. King
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jason Johnson, Atascocita
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ezarian Fields, North Shore
ON THE CUSP: Kingwood Mustangs
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Hot take incoming: C.E. King will win the toughest district in Texas in 2026.
Coach Cory Laxen guided the Panthers to a historic 13-3 record and the school's first-ever appearance in the UIL Class 6A Division II State Championship Game a year ago. Instead of taking a step back, C.E. King may have gotten even better. It starts with one of the biggest offseason additions in the state. Former Hightower quarterback Khylan Davis, a UTSA commit, brings experience, leadership and big-play ability to an offense already loaded with firepower. His receiving corps is arguably unmatched. Dillon Mitchell is the fastest football player in America after an eye-popping spring on the track, while Iowa State commit Braylon Lane gives defenses another vertical nightmare. The Panthers also boast one of the deepest backfields in Texas. Cal commit Antwon Sanders is a physical runner capable of wearing defenses down, while Georgia Tech commit Tristan Willis transfers in from Shadow Creek to provide another explosive weapon. Up front, Brayden Laxen, George Perez, Ethan Guillory and Xavian Ancira form a veteran offensive line capable of dominating the line of scrimmage. Defensively, C.E. King may be even more dangerous. Cameron Sydnor and Tre Jacquet will terrorize quarterbacks from the edge, while Royce Houston and K'Von Fontenot anchor the interior. The secondary is overflowing with talent behind Kei'Dryn Edmond, Enoch Bell, Dekaney transfer Cordey Sherman and versatile safety Xavier Williams.
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The defending state champion North Shore Mustangs aren't going anywhere. Willie Gaston captured his first state title as head coach last December, leading North Shore to a thrilling 10-7 victory over Duncanville for the program's sixth UIL championship. While several stars have graduated, replacing talent has never been an issue on Houston's east side. As always, the Mustangs will lean on physicality. The offensive line is enormous and experienced with Brandon Hebert (Princeton), Abdus Kone (Maryland) and Chase Brown paving the way for talented running back Kaden Bradley. Quarterback remains the biggest question entering fall camp, with Gaston acknowledging a three-man competition. Whoever wins the job will have plenty of weapons, including explosive receivers Aubrey Johnson (Memphis), Michael Camacho and Demont Jones. Defensively, North Shore remains loaded. State Championship Game Defensive MVP Tony Guillory (FAU) headlines the secondary alongside Rashaad Williams, while linebackers Da'Sean Royal, O'cee Posey and Kendrick Brown continue the program's tradition of punishing defense. Kobe Charles and Jayden Johnson anchor the interior defensive line. Keep an eye on sophomore defensive end Ezarian Fields. The long, athletic edge rusher has all the physical tools to become the next elite North Shore defender, drawing comparisons to former Mustang great K'Lavon Chaisson. Don't be surprised if North Shore takes a few early lumps while breaking in a new quarterback. The Mustangs open against Lancaster, John Curtis (La.) and South Oak Cliff—one of the toughest non-district schedules in America. The reason? Few teams are willing to schedule North Shore
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Summer Creek remains one of the district's biggest threats after reaching the Regional Finals and earning a share of the district championship with a regular-season victory over North Shore. Coach Kenny Harrison returns arguably Houston's most electric offensive tandem in North Carolina-bound quarterback Noah Spinks and Texas Tech commit Benny Easter Jr. Spinks threw for more than 3,600 yards last season, while Easter eclipsed 1,500 receiving yards as one of the state's premier deep threats. The Bulldogs have plenty of complementary weapons as well. Larry Tre Brown gives Spinks another reliable receiver, while Braylin Causey (Missouri State) provides balance in the running game. Together, they accounted for nearly 1,700 additional yards of offense. The defense features speed and physicality, but the Bulldogs' season may ultimately be decided in the trenches. Offensive lineman Keyshawn Dilworth-Berry headlines the front, while Jaylon Howard and Edward Vaenuku must anchor the defensive line. Summer Creek consistently develops young talent, but several newcomers will need to grow up quickly against one of the nation's toughest schedules.
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A new era begins at Atascocita. Longtime head coach Craig Stump built the Eagles into one of Houston's premier programs. Now the keys belong to Kyle Coats, who arrives after leading College Park to a district championship and a three-round playoff run. Coats inherits one of the state's best defenses. The secondary is elite behind Oklahoma commit Trenton Blaylock, Houston commit Tavon Bolden and Texas Tech pledge Joshua Banks, who returns healthy. Up front, Texas commit Jason Johnson headlines a disruptive defensive line alongside Yul Everline. Offensively, transfer quarterback Corbin Smekjal reunites with Coats after following him from College Park. Smekjal impressed throughout the 7-on-7 season and will look to connect with Texas State commit Brian Manuel Jr. Behind an experienced offensive line featuring Isaiah Smith, Dominic Brown, Andre Jones and Detram Adkins, the Eagles have the pieces to remain in contention despite graduating Arizona State signee Cardae Mack.
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Kingwood narrowly missed the playoffs last season, but optimism surrounds the program under new head coach Stacy Williams. Williams starred at Jack Yates before playing at Baylor and most recently served as an assistant at The Woodlands. His energy has already injected life into the Mustang program. Texas A&M commit Kennedy Brown anchors one of the district's better offensive lines and will be counted on as the team's emotional leader. Quarterback Landon Hinson returns after throwing for more than 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns. His top target is Kye Wehby (Tarleton State), while running back Ricky Shorts provides balance in the backfield. Nathaniel Buchbinder and Noah Snowden complete a solid offensive front. Defensively, replacing Cade Haug won't be easy, but Gideon Colby, Gavin Womack and Noah Gentry will be tasked with leading the unit.
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Crosby makes the jump to Class 6A under first-year head coach Jabara Williams, who arrives after a successful stint at Willis. The Cougars return eight starters on defense, giving them a solid foundation entering one of Texas' deepest districts. Ne'Ryan Harris and Noah Murrin anchor the defensive front, while linebackers Adam Sloan and Sirr Soileau patrol the middle. Defensive back Josiah Johnson is the playmaker in the secondary. Offensively, everything revolves around quarterback Lott Robinson, who accounted for more than 2,500 total yards and 34 touchdowns a season ago. Running backs Owen Morris and Ayden Worthington provide a dangerous one-two punch.
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At Humble, veteran head coach Robert Murphy will once again rely on quarterback Vincent Joseph to lead the Wildcats' offense. Joseph has dependable targets in Joseph Ford and tight end Ja'Quarius Moore, giving Humble experience at the skill positions. Defensively, linebackers Kyran Washington and Luke Arrendondo lead the front seven, while Drayden Evans anchors the secondary.
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Perhaps the most intriguing storyline belongs to Channelview, where veteran coach Clarence McKinney returns to the high school ranks.The former Texas Southern head coach and longtime assistant at Texas A&M, Arizona and Houston brings decades of college coaching experience back to Friday nights. His last stop in Texas high school football came at Yates, where he established himself as one of Houston's brightest football minds. Wide receiver Davion Vanderbilt, a Maryland commit and cousin of Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, headlines the Falcons' roster and will set the tone as both a playmaker and leader. While surviving District 23-6A will be a daunting challenge, don't be surprised if Channelview builds confidence with a strong 3-0 start in non-district play before entering the league gauntlet.
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Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
