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Alief Elsik's Kaden Mendenhall
STUDENT OF THE GAME: How Experience and Drive are Elevating Mendenhall, Alief Elsik
Now entering his final year, Mendenhall stands as the catalyst for a rising Rams program with plenty to prove and even more to gain.
His breakout 2024 season—where he threw for more than 2,500 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for 343 yards and five more scores—earned him first-team, all-district honors and helped guide Elsik to its first playoff appearance under a new 20-6A district slate.
Yet for Mendenhall, last year was just the beginning.
2025-26 Alief Elsik FootballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“This year is going to be about execution,” he said. “There were several games last season where we were right there with the other sideline, but we just didn’t seal the deal. Finishing games will be a focal point for us.”
Elsik finished fourth in district play and fell in the first round of the postseason to perennial powerhouse Katy—a program with a long standing tradition of deep playoff runs. That loss sharpened the focus for what’s ahead. With a talented core returning on both sides of the ball, expectations within the locker room are growing—and Mendenhall is leading the charge.
“From my perspective, the biggest thing will be to continue striving to be the best leader I possibly can,” he added. “That relates to body language, and making sure that my actions speak louder than my words.”
Part of Mendenhall’s growth as a quarterback has come from learning how to impact the game beyond his arm. Once more of a pocket passer, he’s added a dangerous element with his legs—something he credits to both personal development and studying the playing styles of dual-threat quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Jayden Daniels.
“I wasn’t too active with my legs early on, and making that change adds another level to the offense,” he said. “It also allows me to be a little more evasive in the pocket and be able to distribute the ball better.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
This summer, Mendenhall took that growth a step further by training alongside recently drafted NFL quarterbacks Cam Ward (Tennessee Titans) and Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns). The experience gave him a window into the demands of the next level—and what it takes to reach it.
“I got to see their work ethic, their leadership qualities, and how they carry themselves when the cameras aren’t around,” he said. “It was incredible to work out with guys who have reached the level I’m hoping to achieve.”
A product of Alief ISD schools since elementary, Mendenhall’s journey has been built in the same environment he now represents under center.
“Being around for the early days all the way to this point, I’ve gotten to see plenty of older guys and role models, and learn from their successes and failures,” he said. “So many people comeback to this community for a reason—and I can see myself doing the same thing further down the road.”
For now, his focus remains locked on the present. And as the 2025 season looms, Mendenhall and the Rams aren’t just hoping for more—they’re preparing to earn it.
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Fulshear Chargers
DISTRICT 20-6A: Fulshear, Strake Jesuit, Foster all battling for playoff positioning
Strake Jesuit Crusaders
Foster Falcons
Alief Elsik Rams
George Ranch Longhorns
Alief Taylor Lions
Alief Hastings Bears
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: John Hebert, Strake Jesuit
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kaden Mendenhall, Alief Elsik
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Evan Ferns, Fulshear
BREKAOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ryland Forks, Fulshear
ON THE CUSP: Alief Elsik Rams
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Strake Jesuit Crusaders
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Fulshear is coming off a stellar season, which saw the Chargers go 12-1 and reached the Regional Semifinals. Fulshear will be under new leadership this year as Stephen Hill takes over the program. Last season, Hill was a co-Offensive Coordinator for the State Champion Randle Lions. In his career, Hill has been a head coach at St. Pius X, on staff at Texas State, OC at Westfield among his coaching stops. Fulshear is set to return first-team, all-district quarterback Ryland Forks, who passed for 1,783 yards and 20 scores. Other key returners include first-team, all-district selections TE Trey Giametta (119 yards, 2 TD), OL David Collum and OL Florentino Diaz and second-team, all-district picks RB Kaden Bean (356 yards, 3 TDs) and OL Righteous Spencer. Defensively, first-team, all-district ILB Evan Ferns (75 tackles, 6 TFL) and CB David Obanor (1 INT) and second-team cornerback Elijah Anderson (15 tackles) are set to be back. Other key returners include first-team, all-districkicker Alejandro Quinonez and second-team deep snapper Trey Giametta.
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Strake Jesuit is coming off a 9-4 season that saw the Crusaders reach the third round of the playoffs. Last year, Strake Jesuit was led by rushing king John Hebert, who rushed for 3,542 yards and 38 touchdowns. Hebert’s single-season performance was historic, ranking 7th all-time in Texas High School Football history. Hebert returns for his senior season and all eyes will be on the reigning District 20-6A MVP. What will help Hebert the most is the return of first-team, all-district OL JC Martinez and second-team, all-district selections Mitchell Rahim and Brady Kerrigan on the line. Second-team, all-district WR Dario Contreras is also set to return. Defensively, first-team, all-district DL Macgregor Byers and ILB Wesley Stewart are key returners along with second-team safety Luke Leone.
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Foster went 4-7 in 2024 and reached the Bi-District Round of the playoffs. Eleven starters, with seven being on offense, return for coach Shane Hanks. Quarterback Kaleb Lawson is back after passing for 599 yards and six scores a year ago. UTEP-commit Shaun McDowell will anchor the Falcons offensive and defensive line this year, while LB Jahshel Ivey will quarterback the defense after registering 75 tackles a year ago. Other players to watch include WR Riley Blanton (101 yards, 2 TDs) and safety Caden Bateman (54 tackles, 2 INT). Keys to success for Hanks’ crew include leaning on the returning seniors and a talented junior class, cashing in on size on the offensive and defensive lines and tapping into speed in key areas.
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Alief Elsik made the playoffs last year after posting a 2-4 record in district play and finished 2-9 overall after a first-round loss to Katy. First-team, all-district QB Kaden Mendenhall is set to return after passing for 2,517 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for another 343 yards and five touchdowns. His top target returns in first-team, all-district wide receiver Dajon Patterson, who had 670 yards receiving and five touchdowns. Second-teamer Jaden Thompson (WR) is coming off a 320-yard campaign with one score. Also returning on offense is second-team, all-district OL Corian Sims. First-teamer Reilarean Phillips (Tulsa-commit) is a dominant force on both sides of the ball. Defensively, first-team, all-district ILB Cordell Flowers and CB Courtney Thompson are back along with second-teamers Maurice Smith (ILB) and Ja’Seer Colbert (S).
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George Ranch has 13 starters back on the roster in 2025 and second-year coach Casey Vogt hopes that translates into a return to the playoffs. The Longhorns went 3-7 in his first season but return plenty of talent. Key returners on offense include OL Michael Gonzalez, FB Charlie Weaver, TE Elijah Zurek, RB Hayden Drinkard and WR Nick Perez. Defensively, the Longhorns bring back DL Kaegan Mahone, DB Vance Raval, DB Cade Marino, DB Ellison Collins IV and kicker Josh Matula. All players were all-district selections a year ago. Keys to success include taking care of the ball, taking the ball and staying healthy, according to Vogt.
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Alief Hastings went 3-7 overall and 2-4 in district play, finishing just on the outside of the playoff picture. The Bears return second-team, all-district QB Madden Harvey, who passed for 909 yards and five touchdowns in eight games played. First-team, all-district OL Xavier Obiero Hyter and second-team OL Yannis Jimenez and Quinton Walters are also set to return. Defensively, first-team, all-district OLB Azeem Solabi and deep snapper Yannis Jimenez are set to return.
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Alief Taylor went 1-9 overall in 2024. The Lions will look to bounce back in 2025 and try to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2022.