GAMES
RANKINGS
VYPE Countdown to Kickoff 2022: District 16-6A Preview
PRESEASON RANKINGS
Cypress Ranch Mustangs
Bridgeland Bears
Cypress Woods Wildcats
Cypress Falls Eagles
Cypress Springs Panthers
Cypress Park Tigers
Langham Creek Lobos
Cypress Lakes Spartans
VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Blake Baker, Cypress Ranch
OFFENSIVE MVP: Jonathan Nelson, Bridgeland
DEFENSIVE MVP: Ashton Porter, Cypress Ranch
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Trey Morris, Cypress Falls
SLEEPER TEAM: Cypress Springs
CYPRESS RANCH MUSTANGS
The Mustangs are seeking their first district championship since 2018 after finishing runner-up each of the last two seasons. Since coach Sean McAuliffe’s 8-4 debut at the helm in 2019, the Mustangs have gone 7-3 and 6-4, respectively. But there is plenty of optimism this year with 11 returning starters (six on defense), including senior 6-foot-5, 185-pound QB Blake Baker (2,417 yards, 25 TDs passing; 434 yards, TD rushing), senior 6-foot WR Jarred Sample (748 yards, 8 TDs) and junior WR Carson Littlefield (452 yards, 4 TDs) pacing the offense and dynamic 6-foot-4, 240-pound senior DE Ashton Porter (35 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss) and senior 6-foot-2, 220-pound LB Christian Brathwaite headlining the defense. The Mustangs also have some quality depth in junior OLB Tristynn Davis and sophomore DB Matthew Ciers. All around, Ranch enters 2022 as arguably the most complete team in the district.
BRIDGELAND BEARS
Bridgeland has asserted itself as a Regional threat in just four years of varsity play. Over the last two seasons, the Bears are 23-4. Last year, they were Regional Finalists. This year, however, could be a challenging one with the departure of 53 lettermen to graduation. Still, nine starters return, including seven on offense. The quarterback position, where the Bears were so spectacular over the last few seasons with Conner Weigman (now at Texas A&M), is a big question mark. Coach David Raffield said QB development is key. Bridgeland has the weapons in versatile senior Jonathan Nelson (820 yards, 5 TDs receiving; 455 yards, 7 TDs rushing) and senior 6-foot-6, 240-pound TE Reid Mikeska (229 yards, 4 TDs), but who’s going to get them the ball? That’s TBD. Defensively, Bridgeland has senior 6-foot-3, 235-pound LB Hudson Hooper (42 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss) and senior 6-foot-2, 280-pound DT Dillan Botts to count on, but the secondary is young and unproven. Keep an eye on senior OL Jacob Spenser, junior WR Oscar Nnanna, senior WR Savion Williams and senior DE Brock Knapton.
CYPRESS WOODS WILDCATS
The Wildcats went 6-5 in coach Cody Simper’s first year at the helm, but the hope is a year’s worth of experience in Simper’s philosophy results in a big year two. They return nine starters from last year, six on defense. The offense is young at the skill positions and its strength will be up front behind 6-foot-3, 270-pound senior Aiden Schumate and senior Caleb Meinhardt. Every skill position starter from last season graduated. Defense, however, is where the Wildcats could star, thanks to explosive talents like senior 6-foot-3, 232-pound LB Dylan Rogers (58 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 INTs), senior 6-foot-5, 265-pound DL/OL Terrance Green (40 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6 sacks), senior 6-foot-2, 210-pound LB Juan Rojas (79 tackles) and senior DB Sawyer Despres (47 tackles, 2 INTs). The Wildcats have enough to stop people. But can they score?
CYPRESS FALLS EAGLES
The Eagles have not made the playoffs since 2019 and are 6-13 over the last two seasons. Depth is a concern this year but there is hope that they can snap the playoff skid. Eight starters return, five on defense. Offensively, Cy-Falls will lean on junior RB Trey Morris (1,069 yards, 6 TDs) and junior WR Ajani Cargile (286 yards, TD). Junior Saul Zaragoza leads the way up front. Defensively, senior 6-foot-3, 220-pound DL Obi Okeke (60 tackles), senior 6-foot-8, 250-pound DL Chase Edwards, junior S Reid Meekins (30 tackles) and junior LB Anthony Herrera (55 tackles) are prolific playmakers who make up a unit that should be the strength of the team, at least early on. Coach Chris Brister said keys this year are establishing a strong running game, stopping the run and establishing continuity on the offensive line.
CYPRESS SPRINGS PANTHERS
The Panthers have not made the postseason since 2003. But 2021 still saw some progress under first-year coach Oji Fagan. Springs went 2-8 last year, which was as many wins as the three previous seasons combined. With 15 starters back, including nine on defense, Fagan is hopeful the turnaround can continue in a bigger way this season. Junior QB Harrison Mass (635 yards, 4 TDs passing; 313 yards, TD rushing) and junior RB Tim Saunders (248 yards, 2 TDs) make for an intriguing 1-2 punch in the backfield. Junior WR Ashton Blake is a capable playmaker on the perimeter. The defense is experienced and talented behind leaders like senior 6-foot, 210-pound LB Jayven Jackson (69 tackles, 3 sacks), senior 6-foot, 180-pound DB Isaiah Keller (49 tackles, INT) and senior 6-foot-1, 180-pound LB Lonnie Leary Jr. (49 tackles, 6 tackles for loss). Do not be surprised if the Panthers break out in 2022.
CYPRESS PARK TIGERS
The Tigers had their best season in varsity year No. 4 last year, going 9-2 and capturing the district championship along the way. Can Park repeat? If so, a lot of unknowns will have to be answered as 32 lettermen graduated and only three starters return, including one on offense. Two certainties are senior TE/DE Nathaniel Troxel and junior QB Deyon Batiste. They are two of the more experienced talents on the roster, though both saw limited playing time on a stacked team last year. Coach Greg Rogers said the keys this year are giving relentless effort, playing with the power of the team and having competitive excellence.
LANGHAM CREEK LOBOS
The Lobos are looking to get into the playoffs for the first time since 2018 after going 10-19 over the last three seasons. Experience won’t be on their side this year as only 11 lettermen and five starters, four on offense, return. The anchor of it all is senior 5-foot-11, 170-pound WR Jaquaize Pettaway, an Oklahoma-commit who had 794 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season. However, there are tons of questions marks around the dynamic playmaker. The defense is especially thin with only junior 6-foot-1, 190-pound LB Corien Powers back.
CYPRESS LAKES SPARTANS
It’s been a tough go of late for the Spartans. They are winless over the last two seasons and have three winless seasons over the last five years. This year’s Lakes team is young but has talent. Ten starters return, five on each side of the ball. The defense has some exceptional playmaking with senior LB Donavon Carter and senior DE Junior Monkam. Sophomore DL Roderick Joseph is certainly someone to watch out for. Offensively, the running game will spur the Spartans, thanks to senior Daniel Green and junior Jayvion Wolf. They will carry the majority of the load as kinks at QB and OL need to be straightened out. The Spartans will be more competitive this season but still might be a year away from really making an impact in a loaded district.
Bridgeland's Graham Gillespie, Terrance Cullivan, Conner Weigman, Nathan Earle, Mason Culton and Andrew Maleski
VYPE Football 2021 Preview: District 16-6A
PRESEASON RANKING
Bridgeland
Cypress Park
Cypress Ranch
Cypress Woods
Langham Creek
Cypress Falls
Cypress Lakes
Cypress Springs
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
PRESEASON AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Conner Weigman, Bridgeland
Offensive MVP: Harold Perkins, Cy Park
Defensive MVP: Chibby Nwajuaku, Cy Ranch
Breakout Player of the Year: Tanner Murray, Langham Creek
Sleeper Team: Langham Creek
Bridgeland Bears
Well, that didn't take long as legendary coach David Raffield has built Bridgeland into an immediate winner. The Bears made school history, winning district and reaching the Regional Semis in Year Three.
Nine starters return and it doesn't hurt that QB Conner Weigman is one of them. Mr. Everything can run and throw a football and a baseball with anyone in the country. The future Texas A&M Aggie is the top player in a city of stars.
While the Bears say goodbye to a loaded senior class, it clear the way for new cubs to emerge. WRs Andrew Maleski and Jonathan Nelson are going to catch a boat-load of balls while running lanes will be open for Mason Culton. The OL must be somewhat retooled but Chance Scheiffele will get the new guys ready to play.
The defense will be stingy with Nathan Earle and Charles McKnight leading the charge up front, followed by LBs Hudson Hooper and Caleb Fattig. The secondary has some talent with Terrance Cullivan, Graham Gillespie and Ross Pohmeyer knocking down balls and supporting the run. The district should be a breeze but Weigman has eyes on more history.
Cypress Park
This is going to be a battle for district supremacy as Cy Park entered the conversation last year, reaching the postseason for the first time in school history. And to think they return 21 starters. Scary. If Harold Perkins keeps his motor running hot, the Tigers will make the playoffs again. The school's first bona-fide star can run, catch and tackle with the best in Texas and his swag is unmatched.
His partner-in-crime is Owen Pewee, who is a tremendous athlete catching the ball and covering RBs out of the backfield at his natural LB position. The Wing-T will be lethal with Cameron King and Nathan Livingston also churning up yards. Perkins, King and Livingston all rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2020. Wait, what? Jarra Anderson, Robert Jones, Wesley Echerenwa, Carling Snell and Jaylon Simien lead the way up front.
Perkins, Pewee, Jones and Anderson flip to defense and are nasty. Chris Gilbreath rounds out the LB corp and Raymond Davis and Mason Canty patrol the secondary if anyone gets that far.
Cypress Ranch
The 'Stangs were once the perennial district favorites year in a year out in the CFISD. Can they get back to hoisting the hardware? Coach Sean McAuliffe has some serious Ranch Hands in the trenches, where games are won.
The defense is on point with DL Chibi Nwajuaku (6-3, 255) and Ashton Porter (6-4, 240). Both are DI talents and can push opposing OLs around, freeing up LB Christian Brathwaite and Jonovan Dennis. The secondary is where Ranch will need a little help.
QB Blake Baker (6-5, 200) could have a breakout junior season. The dual-sport star is the future of Ranch athletics. He will stay upright with the help of Baylor- commit Bryce Simpson (6-5, 310), who will help an inexperienced line. WRs aren't a problem as Dylan Caddle and Tracey James will stretch opponent's defenses. RB Kameron Burton is also dependable to help move the chains.
Cypress Woods
Cody Simper is coming back home to Cy-Fair ISD. Before taking his first head coaching job at Corpus Christi Ray in 2010 he was on the staff at Cypress Springs. After Ray, he went on to open Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, which he turned into a power, winning 10 or more games in each of the last four seasons, including going 13-1 a year ago.
Now, he takes over the Cy Woods program that is seeking its fourth-straight playoff appearance. Eleven starters are back for Simper including Trey Craft, who will be all over the field on offense and somehow will have the ball in his hands. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Duke Leonard will hold down the OL.
Defensively, look out for LB Dylan Rogers, DL Grant Ladner and DE Terrance Green. Defense will be the early calling card for this Wildcats squad as they fight for that fourth spot.
Langham Creek
So, who makes that big step this season in this tough district? Langham Creek looks like that sleeper team as their young offensive stars continue to develop. The combination of QB Tanner Murray and Jaquaize Pettaway could be special. Murray (6-3, 200) can sling it and run a little to keep defenses honest. Pettaway could be the next Quartney Davis, who went on to Texas A&M fame.
RB Jayden Landry will handle the ball-carrying duties and OL Chandler Magee will anchor the OL that needs to mesh quickly if this offensive game-plan is to come together. The defense returns five and will lean heavily on DL Cade Hanks and DB Mamareion Gipson.
They are going to have to make some stops to get the wins necessary to get in the postseason. It will all come down to the showdown with Cy Woods to see who will advance.
Cypress Falls
Cypress Falls finished in sixth in the district standings at year's end in 2020 going 2-7 overall and 2-5 in league play. With how the Golden Eagles have historically finished, last fall could be looked at as a fluke. Considering the previous two years they had gone 19-5 overall under Chris Brister, who enters year five at the helm of the program.
With seven starters back on offense, including quarterback Jonathan Valdez, they may return to those winning ways in 2021. Valdez is coming off a year where he passed for 1,203 yards and nine touchdowns. He will have to take care of the ball better this year after tossing up 11 interceptions a year ago.
The Golden Eagles will have to find a back to rumble out of the backfield to help Valdez. Ethan Spear and Trey Silas should be his two top targets after each had 297 and 270 yards receiving, respectively, in 2020.
Defensively, Cy Falls' two top tacklers are back in Josh Wilburn (56 total, 8 tackles/game) and Spear (52 total, 6.5 tackles/game and two sacks). Also, watch for Terrance Hawkins and Jesse Chukwu on the DL.
Cypress Lakes
Cy Lakes had bounced back from a run of 3-26 from 2015-2017 to go 10- 10 over 2018 and 2019 and looked to be picking up steam under Ronald Patton. The Spartans went a little backwards in 2020 going 0-9 for the first time since 2017 and being outscored 389-136.
Cy Lakes has proven they can win, now can they get back to it in 2021?
Matthew Garcia is back at quarterback after passing for 1,089 yards and seven scores a year ago. Darnell Green was the Spartans' top back with 613 yards and four scores. He did finish with three games with 100 or more yards on the ground.
Defensively, Donovan Carter will be the leader of the group after registering 35 tackles last fall. Other names to remember are OL Mateo Garcia and LB Cameron Gray.
Cypress Springs
Cypress Springs will be under new leadership in 2021 as Oji Fagan comes in to take over the program. Fagan has the blueprint to build a successful program coming from Fort Bend Marshall, which he watched James Williams build into a powerhouse.
Now, Fagan will try and implement that same plan at Cypress Springs, which has gone 2-28 in the last three seasons.
With 12 starters back, Fagan has some pieces to work with. Marc Bailey will be the motor for the offense coming out of the backfield at running back. He is a weapon running and catching the ball, so someone will have to always keep an eye on him. Terrill Curtis is a two-way player for the Panthers and a factor on both sides of the ball.
Defensively, also watch for LB Jemari Seals and DB Cameron White.
