GAMES
RANKINGS
IT MEANS MORE: Electricity in the air at Bellville High
The Bellville Brahmas have memories like an elephant.
Bellville was rolling to an 11-0 season last year before stubbing their toe in a 9-3 heartbreaker to Madisonville in the second round of the postseason.
“I think our kids came in this year really upset about how we finished last year,” coach Grady Rowe said. “I don’t think we were mentally prepared for that game, and the kids haven’t forgotten about it since. We haven't let them forget about it either. It was a motivating factor all offseason, the summer and even until now.”
Fast forward to the present and the Brahmas are 14-0 and the only thing standing in front of a State Final appearance is Wimberley High. The game will be played at The Pfield in Pflugerville this Friday night.
“The last time we went this far was in 2012,” Rowe laughed. “I asked our players how old they were then? I think they were about six-years-old.
“Wimberley is a lot like us,” he said. “They are a physical football team, and it could come down to field position and special teams. We are similar without being similar, but we both know it will come down to the little details.”
The Brahmas run, run and run the ball with the likes of DD Murray, Sam Hranicky and Corrian Hood.
“We are a three-headed monster,” he said. “DeDe gets all the publicity because he’s such a dynamic athletic. Sam is a hard-nosed Slot T guy… we call him ‘The Machine’. Corrian is so selfless and has had a quiet 1,200 yards. He’s also a great blocker. Our offensive line has gotten better throughout the season, without question.”
The defense has been tremendously stingy, giving up a paltry five points per game.
Carrying the banner on defense is defensive end DJ Sanders, who is wreaking havoc offenses and QBs with 13 sacks on the season. Cory Richardson and Gavin Mays have had big campaigns to compliment Sanders up front. Connor Gaines and Jacob Shepherd anchor the LB corps, while Hunter Kunkel and Khaymon Jones patrol the secondary.
“DJ makes things easy to game plan for, while Cory has a non-stop motor,” Rowe said. “The LBs has been phenomenal and the secondary just got better each week.”
Rowe has built a successful program over the past decade at Bellville, but this year is a little different.
“Football is important here,” he said. “The community allows us to coach their kids hard and the kid are expected to work hard. That formula has worked for us over the years, but there is a little more electricity in the air right now. You can feel it.”
BRAGGING RIGHTS: Several upsets among rivals rearrange district outlook
It was rivalry week this past weekend, as several neighborhood battles took place.
Various headlines came up from district contests, such The Woodlands taking down rival College Park. Tomball Memorial squeaked past Tomball in a one-score nail-biter, and the underdog Dawson defeated a surging Pearland squad.
In Class 5A, Lake Creek is standing tall, in front of Barbers Hill and the red-hot Fulshear Chargers, who are coming off a statement win against Mag West. Meanwhile, Kingwood Park enters the equation, as the Panthers currently maintain a record of 6-2.
On the private school scene, St. Thomas remains No. 1 after a back-and-forth offensive battle against Concordia Lutheran, while Episcopal elevates back to the No. 2 spot.
Some key matchups to look for this week include Atascocita v. C.E. King, Oak Ridge v. College Park, Lake Creek v. Huntsville, and Episcopal v. Kinkaid.
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HARD FLEX: The Lamar Texans (8-0; 4-0 in district) continue to dominate District 18-6A with the playoffs approaching.
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Dawson upsetting Pearland 21-7, which brings their district record to 4-0 on the year.
PRIVATE SCHOOL LOOK-IN: The Legacy School of Sports Sciences Titans (7-1) defeated a thriving St. John's team.
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VYPE’s 6A TOP 25 RANKINGS
No. 1 - North Shore Mustangs
No. 2 - Atascocita Eagles
No. 3 - Lamar Texans
No. 4 - Katy Tigers
No. 5 - Willis Wildkats
No. 6 - Hightower Hurricanes
No. 7 - Shadow Creek Sharks
No. 8 - Summer Creek Bulldogs
No. 9 - Klein Collins Tigers
No. 10 - Bridgeland Bears
No. 11 - Jordan Warriors
No. 12 - Cy-Fair Bobcats
No. 13 - CE King Panthers
No. 14 - Cypress Springs Panthers
No. 15 - Tomball Memorial Wildcats
No. 16 - The Woodlands Highlanders
No. 17 - Westfield Mustangs
No. 18 - Dickinson Gators
No. 19 - Deer Park Deer
No. 20 - Pearland Oilers
No. 21 - Ridge Point Panthers
No. 22 - Clear Creek Wildcats
No. 23 - Nimitz Cougars
No. 24 - Dawson Eagles
No. 25 - Klein Cain Hurricanes
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VYPE’s 5A TOP 10 RANKINGS
No. 1 - Lake Creek Lions
No. 2 - Fulshear Chargers
No. 3 - Barbers Hill Eagles
No. 4 - Texas City Stings
No. 5 - Randle Lions
No. 6 - Magnolia Bulldogs
No. 7 - Galveston Ball Tors
No. 8 - La Porte Bulldogs
No. 9 - FB Marshall Buffs
No. 10 - Kingwood Park Panthers
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VYPE’s CLASS 4A/3A TOP 10 RANKINGS
No. 1 - Bellville Brahmas
No. 2 - Columbus Cardinals
No. 3 - Iowa Colony Pioneers
No. 4 - Hitchcock Bulldogs
No. 5 - Needville Bluejays
No. 6 - Bay City Blackcats
No. 7 - Yates Lions
No. 8 - Sweeny Bulldogs
No. 9 - Worthing Colts
No. 10 - Furr Brahmas
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VYPE’s TOP 5 Private School RANKINGS
No. 1 - St. Thomas Eagles
No. 2 - Episcopal Knights
No. 3 - Cypress Christian Warriors
No. 4 - St. John’s Mavericks
No. 5 - Concordia Lutheran Crusaders