VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Kaleb Bailey, North Shore
OFFENSIVE MVP: Zion Brown, Atascocita
DEFENSIVE MVP: Jayven Anderson, North Shore
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Darein Hargrove, Summer Creek
SLEEPER TEAM: Humble Wildcats
Preseason Rankings
North Shore Mustangs
Atascocita Eagles
Summer Creek Bulldogs
C.E. King Panthers
Beaumont West Brook Bruins
Humble Wildcats
Kingwood Mustangs
Beaumont United Timberwolves
NORTH SHORE MUSTANGS
Winners of three of the last four State Championships at the UIL’s highest classification and beating DFW-power Duncanville in all three has solidified the “Eastside Dynasty”. They put that on their newest ring, which is No. 5 in program history. Kaleb Bailey, who started at QB as a freshman and was named the 6A DI State Championship Game Offensive MVP, is back with a full offseason under his belt with OC Willie Gaston. Bailey was dangerous last year, he will be even more so in 2022. David Amador will be his top target as the UTSA-commit eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving a year ago and had the state-title-clinching touchdown reception in the 17-10 win over Duncanville. The backfield will be loaded with talent as Rashaad Johnson is back to anchor that group with sophomore Dre Hardeman (who has a UTSA offer) getting his first real varsity action. Hardeman is the son of North Shore great Tiki Hardeman, who went on to Texas A&M. Other names on offense include Omarion Dudley (OL), Terrence Guillory II (WR) and Christopher Barnes (WR). Defensively, Jacoby Davis, Evan Jackson, Jayven Anderson and Devin Sanchez will lockdown opponents passing games for the Mustangs. Also, watch out for Jaylon Joseph rushing off the end as well and Marlon Germany at linebacker. The defense got better with the addition of Elijah Fields from Spring, and on offense, Deion Deblanc will be a weapon over from Eisenhower.
ATASCOCITA EAGLES
Craig Stump enters year 11 leading Atascocita and for the last nine, the Eagles have finished either first or second in district play. Then, for the past seven seasons, Atascocita has turned that into at least a thirdround playoff run. Last year, they fell in the State Quarterfinals to North Shore. QB Zion Brown, who was named the District 21-6A Newcomer of the Year last season, was thrown into the fire a bit as a sophomore but played well. Brown passed for north of 2,000 yards and rushed for nearly 700 more and has gotten even better this offseason. Expect Tory Blaylock to tote the rock more this season, after blazing through college camps this summer running 4.4 40-yard dashes and piling up the offers. Nate Kibble will be looked to lead an offensive line that has now produced two NFL Draft picks, while Texas A&M-commit Samu Taumanupepe will anchor the defensive line. Also, watch out for Jadon Ducos at linebacker and Braylon Conley at defensive back for the Eagles as offense stoppers. Other names to take note include TC Lee (WR) and Pharrell Gordon (DL).
SUMMER CREEK BULLDOGS
Summer Creek was on the brink of a program-defining win in the playoffs a year ago as they nearly beat Katy in the State Quarterfinals, which is the deepest playoff run in program history. This team has a bunch of talent coming back. It starts with second-team, all-district quarterback Jahrik Jones (1,465 yards, 5 TDs) running the offense and Lloyd Avant, a first teamer from last year, running out of the backfield. Avant rushed for 1,794 yards and 27 scores last season. First-team, all-district receiver Corey Nichols and second teamers Maxwell Huisintveld (TE), Roriyon Richardson (WR) and Christian Crockett (OL) and honorable-mention picks Kordell Rodgers (TE) and Viliami Salakielu (OL) are all set to return. Defensively, first teamers Paul Singleton (LB – 42 tackles) and Darein Hargrove (CB – 5 INTs) are back along with honorable-mention picks Darien Riley (DL – 5 sacks) and Kyran Duhon (DL). Other names to take note of include Jaylen Mays (DT), Mati Tomas (ATH), Chad Woodfork (DE), Melvin Nichols (WR) and Jeyden Coleman (DT).
C.E. KING PANTHERS
Think about this. In 2016, C.E. King went 1-9. Then the switch flipped. In comes Derek Fitzhenry as the head coach, they improve and all of a sudden, the Panthers have now made the playoffs for four-straight seasons. In 2021, C.E. King posted its first 10-win season since 2014. Fitzhenry has now changed positions to just be the Athletic Director, while defensive coordinator George Young moves into the big chair. Starting on the defense, Utah-commit Jo’laison Landry will be solid at defensive end, joined by Colorado-commit Kam’Ron Bizor, who moves in from Jack Yates. Lavonte Johnson has athleticism running through his blood as his father played ball at LSU. Other key returners include second-team receiver Elias Dejean and second-team defensive lineman K’mard Kimble (44 tackles). Jo’Laison Landry, Zaylon Davis and Texas-commit Dylan Spencer (8 sacks) were all named honorable-mention picks off the line as well. Will Hicks (73 tackles) was an honorable-mention selection at safety. Other names to remember include Logan Mackey (SS/CB), Wyndell Mitchell Jr. (QB), Denim Johnson (QB) and Anthony Bates (OL).
BEAUMONT WEST BROOK BRUINS
It wasn’t that long ago that Beaumont West Brook was playing for the big trophy in AT&T Stadium. Now, inside the state’s toughest district, the Bruins are trying to find their way back. Coming off a 5-5 season, coach Chuck Langston returns four starters on offense and three on defense. The lone all-district selection from a year ago who returns is honorable-mention pick Braxton Chambers on the defensive line. Jayvon Sorrell will play both ways for Beaumont West Brook at receiver and corner. Christian Spencer and Jeremiah Jordan return to the offensive line, while defensively Chambers (DL) and John Hardin (LB) will be the leaders of their position groups. Also, watch out for John Hardin (LB), Terrell Smith (ATH), Rae’G Dailey (WR) and Jabarous Broussard (DL) as players to watch.
HUMBLE WILDCATS
The Wildcats in their first year under Marcus Schulz, who came over from Splendora, went 2-8 overall. Now, in year two, Humble looks to get back into the playoff picture, which they reached in 2019 with a magical 10-win season. Texas Tech-commit TJ West is the star of the show. West was a second-team, all-district receiver a year ago and will be the big target for Tristen Bernard, who passed for more than 1,500 yards a year ago. Defensively, Jacory Johnson will quarterback the defense at linebacker after piling up nearly 120 tackles a year ago, followed by Jetavin James, who had 88. Johnson was a second-team, all-district linebacker in 2021. James was an honorable-mention pick along with defensive lineman Isiah Quezada. Also, watch out for junior Ayden Alvarez on the offensive line for the Wildcats.
KINGWOOD MUSTANGS
Third-year coach Cale Melton heads into the season hoping to find some wins after going 2-8 (2020) and 1-9 (2021) in his first two seasons at the helm of the Mustangs. Kingwood does return second-team, alldistrict receiver Ty Boatright and on defense Josh Pelfrey (72 tackles) at outside linebacker. Pelfrey was a second-team, all-district pick as a junior. Boatright led the team in receiving with 264 yards in catching 30 passes mostly from Trey Reese, who had 849 yards passing with four scores in 2021. Defensively, Cameron Burkes will be the returning leading tackler after notching 79 a year ago along with four sacks. Josh Gil also returns at punter for Kingwood.
BEAUMONT UNITED TIMBERWOLVES
The Timberwolves have seen ultra-success on the basketball court, winning back-to-back 5A State Championships. Now, can they athletic success carry over to the football field and into Class 6A as Beaumont United makes the move up? Jonathan Martin will guide the offense at quarterback, while Christian Gladney will anchor the defense on the line. This jump will be tough for United, especially in such a football power district. Other names to take note of include Weston Davis (OL), Jacob Green (OL/DL), Gatieus Coleman (RB) and Anthony Hawkins (LB).
by Bradley Collier
Photo from Steele Twitter
Seven Lakes junior Dakyus Brinkley.VYPE Media
