GAMES
RANKINGS
CE King enters the Class 5A Top 25 with convincing win over Westfield (King's Calvin Carter shown)
THE RUNDOWN: Huge Week 1 storylines; New Rankings
THE NEW NO. 1
After weeks on weeks of the North Shore Mustangs being the No. 1 Class 6A team in Greater Houston (Dating Back 3 Years), is there room for a new top dog?
The new No. 1 Ridge Point Panthers took care of business in Week One with a win over Clear Springs, 63-23, as North Shore fell to 2025 Class 5A State Finalist South Oak Cliff, 41-21.
Is the dynasty over on the #Eastside? Not likely.
There seems to be blood in the water, however, after double-digit starters graduated from a wildly successful class of Mustangs. A new batch of ‘Stangs must step up, and it may take a minute to get their legs under them. They sputtered against the state’s Class 5A power on defense. That should get cleaned up.
Meanwhile on the west side of town, the Ridge Point Panthers are those dudes. Coach Rich Lafavers has his most talented group, even after the graduation of super QB Austin Carlisle to the University of Houston. Once the QB situation gets settled, the sky is the limit for the Panthers in Class 6A DI Region III. They have a balanced team, who should win every one-on-one match-up in the trenches and on the edge.
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WHO IS ON THE CUSP?
The Summer Creek Bulldogs are fast, phyisical and are used to the bright lights under the direction of Kenny Harrison. Could Summer Creek win the daunted District 23-6A or is it Atascocita’s turn and Cardae Mack (Arizona State). Both are legit, but don’t sleep on Kingwood either.
Summer Creek took down a ranked Shadow Creek, 37-32, in Week 1.
Over in Region II, Bridgeland looks to be hitting on all cylinders after an early win over Dawson, 35-30. The Woodlands crushed Cinco Ranch as well, 29-0.
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ON THE COME UP
Teams who are trending after Week 1?
Dickinson has been working hard to take down Katy in their inaugural opener and this time they did, 34-21. Coach John Snelson could have a Region III sleeper.
CE King took down Westfield, 32-14, and is LOADED with YOUNG talent. New coach Cory Laxen is breathing new life over on the Beltway and will challenge for the fourth playoff spot in District 23-6A. If they get it, no one wants to play them in the postseaon.
No one talks about Tomball…. No one. Well the Cougars turned some heads after blowing out Stratford in Week 1. Their consistency makes them their district’s favorite to take that crown.
Talk about JUICE - College Park’s Kyle Coats and Klein’s Nick Codutti have theirs kid playing with an edge. The Cavs won 73-6 over Cypress Park, and Klein destroyed Oak Ridge 75-20. We are going to need to keep watch of these programs.
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THE CLASS 5A WATCH
Defending State Champ Randle High handled Foster, 55-0 and looks hungry again. “Pacman” Dominguez finally got to show his stuff and lived up to the hype in Week 1, body-slamming everyone in sight. And then there is Landen Williams-Callis… yeah, he’s gonna have a big year.
Iowa Colony (41-7 over Stafford), FB Marshall (24-14 over Friendswood), La Porte (35-31 over Deer Park), Angleton (68-7 over Clear Lake) will be the challengers and all looked pretty sharp in Week 1.
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THE PRIVATE SCHOOL LOOK-IN
TWCA beat St. Pius X, 42-35, and Lutheran South won against Houston Christian (35-9). Kinkaid and Wayne Shanks narrowly lost to 49-44 to Gunter, but should be the class of the SPC.
Legacy School of Sports Sciences had a big win over Second Baptist School, 45-27, and No. 1 dual-threat QB Keisean Henderson showed a big and accurate arm and tremendous speed and escapability. He’s gonna be fun to watch.
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THE RANKINGS
CLASS 6A
No. 1 Ridge Point Panthers
No. 2 Summer Creek Bulldogs
No. 3 Bridgeland Bears
No. 4 The Woodlands Highlanders
No. 5 Atascocita Eagles
No. 6 Dickinson Gators
No. 7 Willis Wildkats
No. 8 Pearland Oilers
No. 9 North Shore Mustangs
No. 10 Katy Tigers
No. 11 Shadow Creek Sharks
No. 12 Jordan Warriors
No. 13 Cy Falls Eagles
No. 14 Kingwood Mustangs
No. 15 College Park Cavs
No. 16 Tomball Cougars
No. 17 CE King Panthers
No. 18 Cy-Fair Bobcats
No. 19 Manvel Mavs
No. 20 Cy Woods Wildcats
No. 21 Hightower Hurricanes
No. 22 Klein Bearkats
No. 23 Conroe Tigers
No. 24 Magnolia Bulldogs
No. 25 Strake Jesuit Crusaders
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CLASS 5A
No. 1 Randle Lions
No. 2 Iowa Colony Pioneers
No. 3 La Porte Bulldogs
No. 4 Angleton Wilcats
No. 5 Fort Bend Marshall Buffs
No. 6 Barbers Hill Eagles
No. 7 Kingwood Park Panthers
No. 8 Dayton Broncos
No. 9 Huntsville Hornets
No. 10 Texas City Stings
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PRIVATE SCHOOL RANKINGS
No. 1 St. Thomas Eagles
No. 2 TWCA Warriors
No. 3 Concordia Lutheran Crusaders
No. 4 Lutheran South Pioneers
No. 5 Episcopal Knights
The stars of 2025-26 Barbers Hill Football
DISTRICT 9-5A-DI: Port Arthur Memorial, Barbers Hill eager to reclaim the top spot
DISTRICT 9-5A-D1
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Port Arthur Memorial Titans
Barbers Hill Eagles
Galveston Ball Tornadoes
Lufkin Panthers
West Brook Bruins
Beaumont United Timberwolves
Baytown Sterling Rangers
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Juwaan Woodbury, Galveston Ball
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Amante Martin, Port Arthur Memorial
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tai’Yion “Tank” King, Port Arthur Memorial
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Brady Barrier, Barbers Hill
ON THE CUSP: West Brook Bruins...
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Port Arthur Memorial isn't just bringing back considerable talent – they’re bringing back motivation. Following an 8-4 finish last fall, highlighted by a 70-0 rout of Galena Park in the opening round of the playoffs, the Titans saw their season end in a narrow 36-29 loss to eventual State Semifinalist Angleton. That taste of what could’ve been is now fueling a senior-heavy squad determined to take the next step. When it comes to the rushing attack, the Titans feature a dynamic duo in the backfield with first-team, all-district standout Amante Martin and second-team selection Alex Eugene. Martin, a three-star recruit with offers from Houston, TCU, and Kentucky, headlines a ground game few defenses will want to face. Meanwhile, senior wideout Keavon Roberts (Houston-commit) is expected to take on a larger role after the departure of Semaj Pierre (Rice). Up front, the offense is anchored by senior tackle Michael Milson, another first-team pick whose college interest includes Baylor, Kansas, and Houston. Though, what makes this team so dangerous is the fact that the defense is just as loaded. Linebacker Tai’Yion “Tank” King, a four-star recruit and Texas A&M-commit, returns as a game-changing presence in the middle. He’s joined by veteran playmakers like Quarmaine Garlington and versatile DB/ATH Brock King, who also holds offers from across the Power Five landscape. With experience, size, and speed at nearly every position, Port Arthur Memorial prepares for the year with a clear goal: finish what they started.
Amid a culture shift, Barbers Hill enters the 2025 campaign aiming to build on last year’s 8-4 result and make a deeper postseason run. First-year head coach Cody Simper, fresh off a successful stint at Cy Woods, takes over a roster loaded with athleticism and playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Eagles will lean on junior wideout Kaegan Morton to lead the charge after a breakout season in which he totaled 841 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns en route to first-team, all-district honors. In the backfield, junior tailback Gabriel Howard (second-team) returns following a productive season with nearly 800 rushing yards and 10 scores. Perhaps the most significant offseason addition is at quarterback. Senior Brady Barrier, a McNeese State-commit, transferred in from Anahuac and brings a dual-threat presence after accounting for 24 total touchdowns a year ago. With veteran wideouts Colby Morgan and Garner Poole also in the mix, the Eagles' passing attack could reach new heights. On defense, Barbers Hill brings back leadership and explosiveness. Senior linebacker Carson Hahn, a first-team, all-district selection, returns as the unit’s anchor, while defensive lineman Trae Clark – the reigning 9-5A-DI Defensive Newcomer of the Year – provides strength in the trenches. Furthermore, junior nose guard Bryce Jackson (second-team) and senior DB Daylon Smith round out a solid core. Also, it doesn’t hurt that the Eagles have a dependable kicker in Anthony Castillo (second-team). With a blend of returning talent and fresh energy, don’t be surprised if Barbers Hill doesn’t miss a step this fall.
Despite graduating a wave of key playmakers, Galveston Ball approaches this season with reasonably high expectations and a new voice at the helm. First-year coach Omasha Brantley, formerly the offensive coordinator at Clear Springs, inherits a program that finished 9–3 last year and reached the Area Round before a narrow playoff loss to A&M Consolidated. While the departures of District MVP Jonah Williams (Texas), quarterback Kyden Barker (transferred to Clear Falls), and other all-district talents leave some offensive holes, the Tornadoes aren’t necessarily starting from scratch. Senior WR Juwaan Woodbury (first-team, all-district) returns as the centerpiece after racking up more than 1,200 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago. The protection will remain steady up front, thanks to senior lineman Josiah Evans, another first-team, all-district honoree. Defensively, linebacker Cameron Thomas provides veteran instincts and physicality in the middle. Brantley’s first challenge will be retooling the offense and developing new contributors — but with a few explosive pieces still in place, the Tornadoes remain a threat in 2025.
After years of falling short, Lufkin delivered a breakthrough in 2024 – capturing a district title, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and ending the season with an impressive 10-2 record. Now, with the introduction of former Barbers Hill HC Carl Abseck, the Panthers will look to reestablish themselves as contenders in emphatic fashion. Still, expectations heading into this year are tempered by the departure of several key contributors. Much like Galveston Ball, Lufkin faces the challenge of replacing a large chunk of its offensive and defensive firepower. That said, counting the Panthers out would be a mistake. Back to propel the attack is senior running back Kenneth Waters, a first-team, all-district selection known for his burst and vision. He’ll run behind a solid O-Line, highlighted by senior tackle Justus Daniels, also a first-team honoree. On the other side of the ball, senior cornerback Keshawn Waters returns to help stabilize a unit undergoing transition. Lufkin may have lost some stars, but the foundation remains strong – and the Panthers have every intention of proving last season was no fluke.
While West Brook finished just outside the playoff picture in 2024 with a 4–6 record, the improvement under head coach Chuck Langston is hard to ignore. After struggling in recent seasons, the Bruins are trending upward – and 2025 could mark another step forward. Junior signal-caller Tam Anderson returns after being named the district’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year. A true dual threat, Anderson rushed for 856 yards and 11 touchdowns, while looking to improve through the air after a mixed passing season. He’ll be protected by senior lineman Devin Nabors, a second-team, all-district selection. Defensively, West Brook features key returners in junior defensive end Kailon Walker and senior linebacker Chris Landry, both second-team honorees. Senior kicker Dylan Purnell – a first-team, all-district pick – rounds out a promising special teams unit. With more experience and talent returning, West Brook looks ready to compete.
Like many other programs in the 9-5A-DI outlook, Beaumont United prepares for the fall under new leadership, with Drenard Williams taking over as head coach. A former associate head coach at Austin LBJ, Williams inherits a Timberwolves program coming off a 3–7 campaign that also saw them finish sixth in district play. Despite last season’s struggles, there’s a solid core returning. Senior Ashton Henry, a first-team, all-district utility player, offers versatility and explosiveness on offense. When it comes to the defense, senior linebacker Christerpher Norman and junior Quan Andrews bring physicality in the middle, while senior cornerback Jonas Badger anchors the secondary – with all three of them having earned second-team honors a year ago. Though some growing pains are to be expected, the Timberwolves hope to take meaningful strides in the coming months.
Baytown Sterling will look to turn the page in 2025 under new head coach Spencer Anthony, who takes over after serving as defensive coordinator across town at Baytown Lee. The Rangers finished 3–7 last season and struggled in district play but return several experienced seniors. Quarterback Jackson Favors leads the offense alongside running back Elijah Lewis and versatile playmaker Christopher Harris Jr. On defense, Reid Butler, Aiden Wallace, and Adrian Perez bring senior leadership up front. With a new voice and veteran core, Sterling hopes to reset the tone this fall.