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Manvel's Kenedy Massie
THE PLAYMAKERS: Just Getting Started powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the Fall season begins to heat up.
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Avery Koonsen -- Pearland Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Following an exceptionally productive tournament season, Pearland has emerged as one of Houston's most threatening squads, as was expected.
As district-play commences, the Oilers currently tout a record of 23-4 -- most recently coming off a three-set sweep over Alvin.
While it is difficult to single out one particular player on coach Jamie Gill's roster, it's hard to argue the sudden impact Avery Koonsen has made after being named the District 23-6A Newcomer of the Year in 2022.
As it stands, the, now, junior outside hitter is averaging over 4 kills per set, and she's already nearing 300 kills on the season.
Alongside other key individuals -- such as Kimanni Rugley (North Dakota-commit), Cora Wolford, Emily Brock, and Adrienne Enriquez -- Koonsen and co. are going to be an undeniable force in the imminent postseason.
Dylan Proctor -- Clear Falls Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Knights opened the new season against an elite unit in Hightower.
While the Hurricanes would ultimately prevail by the narrow score of 19-14, Clear Falls certainly gave them a run for their money which bodes well for the foreseeable future.
This was clearly a defensive battle -- Hightower's specialty -- but that doesn't mean there weren't flashes of offensive prowess.
Senior WR/ATH Dylan Proctor was the bright spot for CFHS, having racked up 100 receiving yards on the night, including a 64-yard touchdown grab he secured after outpacing the opponent's secondary.
Additionally, Proctor contributed in the run-game on more than one occasion, which is nothing new for the dual-threat wideout/slot-back.
If last week was any indication, Clear Falls is not a team to be underestimated, as they look to compete for a District 24-6A title in the coming months.
Kenedy Massie -- Manvel Volleyball
Alex Hinson (VYPE)
Throughout the first half of the 2024 season, Manvel has showcased a barrage of talent that makes them one of the well-balanced teams since entering Class 6A.
There have been a few close losses against equally formidable groups such as Friendswood, Shadow Creek, and Montgomery along the way. But, the Mavs enter the district portion of their schedule with a notable record of 14-6.
Any one of the players on their starting rotation could be deemed this week's "play-maker" -- whether it be Nevaeh English (Jr. OH), Kaycee Pennie (Jr. MB), or Sami Guikema (Jr. DS).
However, it feels appropriate to give Kenedy Massie (PVAM-commit) this distinction for now, considering she's one of the lone seniors on coach Susan Kennedy's squad.
Let me be clear. I'm not just giving her seniority for the sake of it. She has definitely been balling.
From the setter position, Massie leads the team with well over 400 assists already, in addition to registering upwards of 100 digs thus far.
With the way she has elevated her teammates, the Mavs should be one of Houston's most noteworthy teams moving forward.
Jonah Williams -- Galveston Ball Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
What a way to kick off the season -- and I mean that quite literally!
Jonah Williams put the city on notice when he returned the opening kick-off for six points against Manvel, which was only the beginning.
The recent Texas-commit proceeded to score a total of five times in last Thursday's battle against the Mavs, in which Galveston Ball would secure the W by a 54-26 margin.
Williams has already established himself as one of, if not THE top recruit to come out of the Greater Houston-area in the class of 2025, and should only continue to build on that reputation as the Tornadoes progress this Fall.
Jamie Faseler -- Lutheran South Academy Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
It was no secret that LSA was going to a handful for the opposition to contend with in 2024, given that they reached the TAPPS-5A State Final a year ago.
Evidently, they haven't skipped a beat, now that they approach their district with a 13-3 record.
Texas A&M-commit Kirra Musgrove is performing as expected, as she leads the team in kills. But what's even scarier is the fact that her younger sister, Addison (Fr. OH), is right behind her in the stat-line. Of course, the assist-leader Aniston Collins is a worthy mention, as well.
However, one player who has subtly excelled among the crowded Pioneers court is senior Jamie Faseler.
From the DS spot, she has contributed over 110 digs in just 16 games, averaging north of 3 per set.
Suffice it to say, Lutheran South is back with a vengeance.
The stars of 2024-25 Dickinson Football
DISTRICT 24-6A will be headlined by Dickinson, Deer Park
Deer Park Deer
Clear Springs Chargers
Clear Falls Knights
Clear Creek Wildcats
Clear Brook Wolverines
Clear Lake Falcons
Brazoswood Buccaneers
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE'S PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Julian Salazar, Clear Springs
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Mason Peterson , Dickinson
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Andre Jackson , Deer Park
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Dylan Proctor, Clear Falls
ON THE CUSP: Clear Creek Wildcats
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Deer Park Deer
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
For the 10th consecutive season, Dickinson finished within the top-four of district seeding last Fall. Only, in 2023, they went undefeated against their district counterparts to claim the championship, prior to making an appearance in the playoffs. Coach John Snelson is back at the helm for the Gators, who will look to make it two titles in a row. With do-it-all District 24-6A MVP John Solomon now gone, the role of starting signal-caller could well be taken on by senior Joshua Arthur. Senior Mason Peterson (TCU-commit) is coming off a first-team, all-district nod and provides an intimidating presence with his 6-foot-4 frame. With the departure of Leonard Browne, look to Jamal Mason (Jr. RB) to be a difference-maker from the lead-back spot, while first-team TE/WR Jeremiah Scoby (Bowling Green-commit) is also back in the fold. On defense, first-teamer Jaycyn Mason (Sr. DT) and Newcomer of the Year Chase Lewis (So. DE) will be a force in the trenches, while some new faces step up for the rest of the Gators’ D.
Deer Park moves over from District 22-6A in the realignment, in which they most recently took second and finished with a final record of 9-2. Coach Austin Flynn has turned his offense into a well-oiled machine, evidenced by their 45-point scoring average this past Fall. Landon Kieselhorst is back behind-center, following an impressive junior campaign that saw him combine for 24 scores to earn first-team honors. While some of the other pieces on offense have since graduated, there are some weapons remaining, including second-team WR Tre Martinez. Additionally, the O-Line should still be solid, with North Texas-commit Roberto Rodriguez (first-team) and Manuel Bustamante (second-team) also returning. With the absence of Defensive Player of the Year Luke Webb (Oklahoma State), there will be some fire-power missing. However, first-teamers Andre Jackson (Sr. DB) and Cameron Colquitt (Sr. DL), as well as second-team selections Adam White (Sr. LB) and Ethan Chavez (Sr. DB) should put those concerns to rest.
After placing third in the district a year ago, Clear Springs proceeded to advance two rounds deep into the playoffs. While they may have been eliminated in the Area Round, you can’t necessarily fault the Chargers for losing against perennial state-contender North Shore. Despite that, there is a plethora of talent coming back, which should keep fans optimistic about their team’s chances. The reigning District 24-6A Offensive MVP Julian Salazar returns to direct coach Anthony Renfro’s offense. The senior quarterback will undoubtedly have the ambition of securing the overall MVP honor, while elevating his surrounding teammates. In terms of skill-players, the likely headliners for Clear Springs will be Arizona-commit Muizz Tounkara (Sr. WR), and second-teamer Adam Hawkins (Sr. RB/FB), while D.J. Anderson (SR. ATH) and Sean Carter (Jr. WR) play bigger roles. First-team, all-district selection and state wrestling champion Za’Qwuan Nunn (Jr. DT) will anchor an imposing Chargers’ defensive line, after combining for 61 tackles a year ago. Furthermore, second-teamers Brody McGee (Sr. DL) and Dylan Cervantez (Sr. LB) round out what should be one of the district’s top defenses.
The Knights of Clear Falls claimed the No. 2 spot in District 24-6A, before subsequently advancing to the Area Round of the 2023 postseason, capping off the year with a record of 7-5. Coach Zach Head and company might endure some growing pains, following the graduation of several of last year’s heavy-hitters, but they’re still more than capable of reaching the playoffs again. Second-team, all-district honoree Dylan Proctor will remain a threat from both the slot-back and wide receiver positions, after registering over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns this past season. Another dependable option in the RB-spot could be incoming junior Cameron Kern, whoput up some solid numbers(364 all-purpose yards, 3 TDs) during his sophomore year. Someone will need to fill the now-departed Landon Vessel’s shoes at quarterback. Although, whoever that might be should feel protected behind an adequate O-Line, led by senior Jacob Lockstein (second-team). Defensively, first-team DE John Hurst-Daniels will be a headliner, while Preston Pitts (Jr. LB) and Tanner Crockett(Sr. DE) serve as excellent complementary pieces in Clear Falls’ front-seven.
Clear Creek returned to the spotlight a year ago, in a season that saw the Wildcats go 7-5 and reach the second round of the playoffs, which earned Dwayne Lane the District 24-6A Coach of the Year award. They’ll now look to repeat that effort with a handful of stars returning to the gridiron. Senior Javian Taylor should be the top target in Clear Creek’s receiving corps after earning second-team honors last Fall, with fellow second-teamer Wyatt Patterson (Jr. OL) shoring up the trenches. Garrett Carleton is a multifaceted talent for the Wildcats, as he was named the district’s Ironman in 2023 for his efforts as a defensive back, wide receiver, kicker and punter. On defense, expect Ke’Shawn Jones (Jr. DL) to have a big year after getting a second-team nod, while players such as Christien Hunter (Sr. DB/RB), Wyatt Smith (Sr. LB) and Najee Bolivar (Sr. DL) are others to watch.
Clear Brook finished just outside of playoff contention last Fall, ending up with a record of 3-7. Some maturing will be needed if the Wolverines wish to avoid missing out on the postseason for the sixth-consecutive year, which head coach Patrick Sanders will see to. However, there should still be some bright spots on this roster, especially with senior linebacker Jayveon Johnson (Sam Houston State-commit) back, after mustering 55 tackles and 6.5 sacks to garner a first-team, all-district nod in 2023. Steven Craft (Sr. RB) and Jayden Price (Sr. WR) will also be useful assets, as the Wolverines continue to find their identity on offense.
Last season was one of ups and downs for Clear Lake, as they finished sixth in the district despite going 4-6 overall. While the Falcons have yet to reach the playoffs since 2018, that could potentially change in coach Donald Lawrence’s second year with the program. Junior WR Talandis Cotton put up a performance worthy of a second-team, all-district selection, in which he caught 29 passes for 350 yards and five touchdowns. Fellow junior Caleb Benjamin (second-team) will be utilized in special teams, as Clear Lake’s go-to kick returner, while also stepping into the role of the team’s RB1. Other names to remember for the Falcons include second-teamers Camerson Nelson (Sr. DB) and Aden Scruggs (Sr. DB).
Brazoswood went 3-7 a year ago but failed to claim a single victory within the district. Former North Forney HC Eric Luster takes the reins of the program, in hopes that he can steer the ship back in the right direction. Fortunately for the Bucs, first-team, all-district running back Jose Treviño is back for his senior year, after accumulating 1,239 all-purpose yards and 20 total scores. Treviño will undoubtedly be the catalyst for the Brazoswood, while Kelan Pullen (Sr. QB) looks to build on his solid performance from 2023. In terms of remaining potential stars, coach Luster will expect big years from the likes of Jackson DeAtley (Jr. DL), Shaydon Coulter (Sr. WR), Caleb Jefferson (Sr. DB), Israel Williams (Jr. WR) and senior Ethan Gaston.