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THE BIG TICKET: Four Can't-Miss Matchups this week; Photo Gallery
The battle for the district is in full swing, on both of H-Town’s public and private school scenes.
With the regular season nearing its midway point in football, and the postseason looming in volleyball, the tension has never been greater. Inevitably, that means audiences should be in for a show, as the stakes continue to rise.
Given that fact, it’s time to detail some of the most anticipated matchups coming up, as the race for a district title commences.
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Fulshear Chargers vs. Foster Falcons (Volleyball)
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Fulshear Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
By far, this has been the most anticipated matchup in the Lamar Consolidated district. Both Fulshear (26-4) and Foster (24-7) rank in the top-four spots in our weekly rankings for Class 5A, and the result of this face-off will undoubtedly prove to be pivotal to the overall outlook of the division moving forward.
The Chargers boast a stacked roster, helmed by recent Wake Forest-commit Bailey Warren (Jr. OH), with the supporting firepower of Lauren Witte (Jr. OH), Sydney Black (Sr. L), Alexys James (Jr. S), and Yosola Adeleke (Jr. MH). Each of these individuals were essential in Fulshear's trip to the Regional Tournament a year ago, and all signs point to a return.
On the Foster side, the Falcons are currently undefeated (6-0) in district and don’t have any intent on breaking that streak. Sr. MH Jackie Onyechi has been a menace, leading the team in kills, blocks, and hitting percentage. Eden Fairfield (Sr. DS) and Brinleigh Davis (Sr. S) have been instrumental to Foster’s success as well.Some of the stars of 2023-24 Foster Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
North Shore Mustangs vs. C.E. King Panthers (Football)
2023-24 North Shore Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
District 21-6A is absolutely loaded, with North Shore, Summer Creek, Atascocita, and C.E. King each entering the fifth week of the season with stainless 4-0 records. That makes this particular exhibition that much more enticing.
North Shore has kicked off the Fall in style, dismantling powers such as The Woodlands (38-17) and Westfield (45-9) in their mission to return to the state championship. Terrence Guillory II (Sr. WR), UH-commit Kaleb Thomas (Sr. TE), and D’Andre Hardeman Jr. (Jr. RB) have been the key contributors to the North Shore offense thus far, while four-star CB Devin Sanchez headlines a scary Mustangs defense.
C.E. King has been on a tear as well, knocking off Pearland (40-29) and Humble (31-24 OT) in recent weeks. Darius Clark-James (Sr. QB) has performed exceptionally well as the Panthers signal-caller, having already thrown 12 touchdown passes, while rushing for two more. Senior WR Vincent Jones has been his primary target, as he averages over 100 receiving yards per game, with sophomore RB Dionne Sims carrying the workload in the backfield.
Some of the stars of 2023-24 C.E. King Football
Lorin Cook (VYPE)
Cinco Ranch Cougars vs. Katy Tompkins Falcons (Volleyball)
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Cinco Ranch Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
These two squads have already faced off against each other, earlier in the first round of the district schedule. Cinco Ranch emerged victorious (3-2), following a five-set nail-biter. Come Friday, it’s time for round two.
Despite playing in a relentless Katy district, the Cougars (25-5) currently maintain an undefeated (9-0) record against their divisional counterparts. Junior Kassidy O’Brien has been dynamic from the setter position, feeding her teammates to the tune of nearly 900 assists on the year. Gabriella Martinez (Jr. OH) and Makenna Loo (Sr. OH) headline a killer Cinco Ranch offensive attack, while junior libero Magdalene Finnegan anchors the defense as the team’s dig-leader (334).
After being nearly defeated in the UIL-6A state championship a year ago, Tompkins (21-8) has been on a mission to return ever since. While some of their seniors may have graduated over the offseason, this Fall has indicated that the Falcons are not lacking in talent whatsoever. Brooklynn Merrell (Jr. DS/S) is the straw that stirs the drink for the program, as she currently leads the team in digs (310), aces (77), and receptions (506). Christin Cowart (Jr. MB), Caelyn Dumas (Jr. RS/S), and Sydney Lynch (Jr. OH) have also been essential to Tompkins’ offensive presence.Some of the stars of 2023-24 Tompkins Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Oak Ridge War Eagles vs. Conroe Tigers (Football)
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Oak Ridge Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Both of these teams have taken their lumps through the season thus far. District 13-6A is a difficult crowd to contend with, no doubt about it. Despite that fact, each side in this rivalry has something to prove.
Oak Ridge (2-2) re-established their dominance against New Caney last week (41-14) and they don’t plan on slowing down. Their defense is as stingy as ever, with Georgia-commits, Justin Willaims (Sr. LB) and Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (Sr. DE) manning the War Eagles’ front-seven, while Frankie Arthur (Sr. RB) and James Scott (So. WR) remain some of the offensive weapons in coach Mark Schmid’s arsenal.
After being shot out of a cannon to begin the season, the Tigers (3-2) were stopped in their tracks by Willis and The Woodlands in their first two district matchups. Now is the time to correct the course. Coach Cedric Hardeman will look to Texas State-commit Tice Williams (Sr. S) to lead the charge in order to do so.
2023-24 Conroe Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
DOMINANCE: Lamar, Willis crush opponents in light week of action; Updated VYPE Rankings
It was a light week in Greater Houston high school football as teams took a breather before district play ramps up.
However, there were some interesting match-ups that influenced the VYPE Rankings.
Ridge Point remains the bullies of Fort Bend ISD as the Panthers beat Hightower is a tight game. Willis blew out Conroe, while Dickinson took down Klein Oak in a 37-8 romp.
Looking ahead to this week, here are some big-time matchups.
-- Pearland faces Shadow Creek in huge District 23-6A game.
-- Lake Creek plays Randle in a district title game.
-- Fort Bend Marshall and Port Neches-Groves face off in a 2022 playoff rematch.
-- Tomball Memorial and Klein Cain battle for playoff positioning.
-- In strange contest, Episcopal hosts Legacy the School of Sports Science.
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HARD FLEX – The Willis Wildkats demolished ranked Conroe, 63-14, behind an explosive offense and QB DJ Lagway, Jr.
BIGGEST SURPRISE – The Scarborough Spartans are 3-0 on the season. Coach Darris Lewis is turning things around.
SLEEPER – The Santa Fe Indians have run up a 3-0 record this fall, but Dayton is up next.
PRIVATE SCHOOL LOOK IN – St. Thomas is the real deal. The Eagles took down state-power Austin Regents over the weekend.
VYPE’s CLASS 6A TOP 25 RANKINGS
No. 1 North Shore Mustangs
No. 2 Atascocita Eagles
No. 3 Shadow Creek Sharks
No. 4 Lamar Texans
No. 5 CE King Panthers
No. 6 Summer Creek Bulldogs
No. 7 Jordan Warriors
No. 8 Katy Tigers
No. 9 Willis Wildkats
No. 10 Hightower Hurricanes
No. 11 Bridgeland Bears
No. 12 Klein Collins Tigers
No. 13 Deer Park Deer
No. 14 Cy-Fair Bobcats
No. 15 Nimitz Cougars
No. 16 Tomball Memorial Wildcats
No. 17 Cypress Springs Panthers
No. 18 Klein Cain Hurricanes
No. 19 Westfield Mustangs
No. 20 Dickinson Gators
No. 21 The Woodlands Highlanders
No. 22 Pearland Oilers
No. 23 Conroe Tigers
No. 24 Klein Oak Panthers
No. 25 Ridge Point Panthers
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VYPE’s CLASS 5A TOP 10 RANKINGS
No. 1 Lake Creek Lions
No. 2 FB Marshall Buffs
No. 3 Fulshear Chargers
No. 4 Barbers Hill Eagles
No. 5 Randle Lions
No. 6 Texas City Stings
No. 7 Magnolia West Mustangs
No. 8 Angleton Wildcats
No. 9 Manvel Mavs
No. 10 Santa Fe Indians
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VYPE’s CLASS 4A/3A TOP 10 RANKINGS
No. 1 Hitchcock Bulldogs
No. 2 Bellville Brahmas
No. 3 Columbus Cardinals
No. 4 Iowa Colony Pioneers
No. 5 Bay City Blackcats
No. 6 Furr Brahmas
No. 7 Stafford Spartans
No. 8 Needville Bluejays
No. 9 Scarborough Spartans
No. 10 Sealy Tigers
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VYPE’s Top 5 Private School Rankings
No. 1 St. Thomas Eagles
No. 2 Episcopal Knights
No. 3 Kinkaid Falcons
No. 4 Legacy Prep Lions
No. 5 Cypress Christian Warriors