GAMES
RANKINGS
VYPE Countdown to Kickoff 2022: District 17-6A Preview
PRESEASON RANKINGS
Jersey Village Falcons
Stratford Spartans
Cy-Fair Bobcats
Memorial Mustangs
Cypress Creek Cougars
Cypress Ridge Rams
Northbrook Raiders
Spring Woods Tigers
VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Rashon Estes, Jersey Village
OFFENSIVE MVP: Nash Rankin, Stratford
DEFENSIVE MVP: Cooper King, Stratford
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Trey Owens, Cy-Fair
SLEEPER TEAM: Cypress Creek
JERSEY VILLAGE FALCONS
The Falcons return 17 starters (10 offense) from an undefeated district champion that went 11-1 and finished as an Area finalist. Coach David Snokhaus enters his 26th year at the helm of the program and will have plenty of talent in year No. 27. Pacing the spread offense is junior QB Adam Tran (2,062 yards, 16 TDs), senior WR Arbrie Carter (558 yards, 5 TDs receiving; 144 yards, 4 TDs rushing) and senior RB Rashon Estes (1,322 yards, 20 TDs; 252 yards, 2 TDs receiving). Senior OL Reagan Gill (SMU-commit, 6-foot-5, 310) and Mateo Ortiz (6-foot-2, 305) are three-year and two-year starters, respectively. Stirring Jersey Village’s 4-2-5 defense are senior 6-foot-2, 190-pound OLB Freddie Hudson (60 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 sacks), senior DB Chris Noble (51 tackles, 6 INTs), senior DB Darius Johnson (7 INTs), senior LB Francisco Zamaripa (45 tackles) and junior 6-foot-1, 230-pound DE Malik Slone (4 sacks). Snokhaus said experience is a strength but concerns are depth and health.
STRATFORD SPARTANS
Stratford is on the rise, returning 13 starters (7 offense) from a 10-2 team that lost to Katy in the Area playoffs. It was the first time the Spartans won at least 10 games since 2015. The offense has the chance to be special. Senior Nash Rankin (2,742 yards, 26 TDs; 200 yards, 6 TDs rushing) is back to call the shots. His primary target will be sophomore
WR Luke Rives (1,021 yards, 9 TDs), who broke some program receiving records last year. Senior 6-foot-4, 235-pound TE and Baylor-commit Hawkins Polley (426 yards, 5 TDs) and senior WR Jake Brand (561 yards, 3 TDs) add to what will be a lethal receiving corps. Senior 6-foot-4, 245-pound OL Hudson Perroni is catching more and more attention on the recruiting radar. Senior 5-foot-11, 220-pound LB Cooper King (95 total tackles, 6 sacks) and senior 6-foot-2, 235-pound DL Hunter Jones (10 tackles for a loss) make for a dynamic pass-rushing duo.
CY-FAIR BOBCATS
After going 10-2 and winning a district title in 2020, Cy-Fair had a bit of a reloading season in 2021 with only six starters back. Despite a considerable number of sophomores seeing varsity time, the Bobcats still went 7-4 last year and won a playoff game. As a result of the youth movement, 15 starters are back, including nine on defense. Offensively, sophomore 6-foot-4, 200-pound QB Trey Owens (1,677 yards, 15 TDs) leads the pack, and he’ll have a pair of strong WRs in junior 6-foot-2, 185-pound Owen Carter (493 yards, 6 TDs) and senior Kyle Chambers (481 yards, 4 TDs). Defensively is where Cy-Fair will star, however, thanks to a plethora of playmakers led by senior DE Ethan Anderson (13 tackles for loss, 5 sacks), junior 6-foot-2, 195-pound DE Cole Link (11 tackles for loss, 5 sacks) and sophomore 6-foot-3, 240-pound DL Landon Rink (9 tackles for loss, 4 sacks). The run game and secondary will be initial points of concern for Cy-Fair.
MEMORIAL MUSTANGS
Memorial had a solid year last season and returns 10 starters (5/5) from a 7-5 Area finalist. The offense starts with junior 6-foot-2, 195-pound QB Chase Goodwin (1,301 yards, 13 TDs), who will be taking snaps full time for the first time. He’s a Columbia-commit. Senior WR Kyle Siblik (772 yards, 16.1 yards per catch, 8 TDs) and senior RB Ethan Spears (524 yards, 12 TDs) are big-time weapons on the perimeter and in the backfield. Those three could be a potent trio, even more so with senior 6-foot-5, 320-pound OL Max Wang and junior Jack Ramsey steadying the front. Memorial’s defensive anchors are senior LB Grayson Lincecum (106 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3 sacks) and senior DB Tyler Frankenfield (45 tackles, 2 INTs). Junior Luke Boehm is a potential breakout star who can make plays on either side of the ball.
CYPRESS CREEK COUGARS
Cypress Creek saw the opposite end of the spectrum last year. After going 4-6 and making it to the playoffs in 2020, the Cougars went 4-6 and saw themselves on the outside looking in last season. The Cougars return 16 starters (8/8). They will have the offensive juice, after averaging 34.3 points last year behind the prolific performances of junior QB Brad Jackson (2,791 yards, 29 TDs), junior RB Dominic Ramirez (650 yards, 6 TDs rushing; 517 yards, 5 TDs receiving) and sophomore WRs Jamon Richardson (449 yards, 14 yards per catch, 4 TDs) and Rashod Richardson (220 yards, 12.2 yards per catch, 5 TDs). Defense is where Cy Creek needs to get going after surrendering 41.6 points per game last season. There’s got to be more help around junior stalwarts Gavaun Washington (DE) and Keshawn Lamont (DB). Junior LB Deon Washington and senior LB Geramiah Smith could be the answer.
CYPRESS RIDGE RAMS
The Rams have a lot of question marks as 10 starters (5/5) return from a 2-8 campaign but there are intriguing pieces. The offensive line is in good hands with junior Jeremy Barajas, 6-foot-3, 360-pound junior Braylon Williams and 6-foot-7, 340-pound freshman Reginald Lee. The Rams’ top skill player is senior RB Joe Gaines III (333 yards, 2 TDs), who also has the versatility to be effective in the slot. No one is set yet at quarterback. On the defensive side, 6-foot-3, 210-pound senior LB Emiliano Soldevilla (54 tackles, 1 sack) might be the most athletic player on the team and is a special teams dynamo because of his penchant for blocking kicks.
NORTHBROOK RAIDERS
“We may not be able to compete physically with some other schools, but we’re always going to put our best out there,” third-year coach Andres Gomez said. “The scoreboard does not define who we are. It defines where we are.” And despite going winless for the second straight year, Gomez is confident the Raiders are making progress. Northbrook had four games last year where it was within a touchdown in the fourth quarter. It lost another game in double OT. There’s promise. In all, 13 starters (8 offense) are back, including senior LB Angel Reyes, senior WR Marquell Hannah, junior LB Dade Delva, senior OL Charley Belloso, junior DE Julian Cruz, junior QB Brandon Dillard, junior WR Daniel Espinoza and junior WR NJ Swinney. Gomez expects to be better overall on defense, and the skill positions on offense will be more experienced. Concerns are depth and size in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
SPRING WOODS TIGERS
The Tigers graduated 24 lettermen and return just 13 from a 4-6 team last season. Ten starters (5/5) are back. There is experience on both sides of the ball along the lines. Offensively, senior 6-foot-1, 280-pound OL Isaac Gutierrez, junior 6-foot-4, 220-pound OL Jairo Martinez and senior 6-foot-3, 23-pound OL Isaiah Dunbar are formidable up front. There will be a new QB following the graduation of three-year starter Isaiah McKnight. Junior Derek Loflin could prove to be a consistent contributor out of the backfield. He has the versatility to also be a factor on defense if need be. Speaking of defense, senior tackle Matt Emerson is the rock. Also keep an eye on junior DB Michael Davila and junior RB Roderick Bunton.
Cy-Fair's Aaron Padron, Hunter Warren, Alex Rodriguez, Lamond Henry, Blake Gonzales and Landon Arrington
VYPE Football 2021 Preview: District 17-6A
PRESEASON RANKING
Cy-Fair
Jersey Village
Memorial
Stratford
Cypress Creek
Cypress Ridge
Spring Woods
Northbrook
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
PRESEASON AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Hunter Warren, Cy-Fair
Offensive MVP: Carson Zahn, Memorial
Defensive MVP: Landon Suarez, Jersey Village
Breakout Player of the Year: Hawkins Polley, Stratford
Sleeper Team: Cypress Creek
Cy-Fair Bobcats
The defending 17-6A champs return six starters from last year's 10-2 area finalist. Most of coach Jeff Miller's returners are along the fronts: senior offensive linemen Blake Gonzalez (6-3 260), Alex Rodriguez (6-4, 300) and Aaron Padron (6-0, 260), and senior defensive tackle Lamond Henry (5-11, 240). Henry had 29 tackles with two caused fumbles, an interception and a sack last season.
Another key piece is 5-foot-11, 205-pound senior LB Hunter Warren, who had 60 tackles, four sacks and a caused fumble. Warren and Henry are two of the Bobcats' notable recruits. Miller says he has an inexperienced team that must grow up fast.
Cy- Fair's primary go-to playmaker offensively is 6-foot- 2, 195-pound senior receiver Landon Arrington. Arrington caught 10 balls for 310 yards and four TDs and ran seven times for 82 yards and two TDs.
Also keep an eye on junior receiver Kyle Chambers (88 receiving yards, 2 TDs; 4.3 yards per game on nine carries) and sophomore TE Cooper Stevens (34 yards and a TD on three catches).
Jersey Village Falcons
Twelve starters return from a 6-6 Area playoff finalist, seven on offense. There will be a quarterback battle between junior Arbrie Carter (364 yards, .658 completion percentage, 1 TD-2 INTs; 109 rushing yards, 5 TDs) and sophomore Adam Tran (1,515 yards, .464 completion percentage, 17 TDs-13 INTs). Carter started the first three games last season before succumbing to injury. Tran stepped in and did an admirable job.
Whoever wins QB1 will have potent targets in junior RB Rashon Estes (735 yards, 6 TDs), sophomore RB Quinton Jones (405 yards, 5 TDs) and senior WR Quinci Jones (381 receiving yards, 5 TDs). Versatile dynamos Xavier Joyce and Zy'Rion Turner can change the complexion of a game. The O-line is in good shape with 6-foot-5, 315-pound junior Reagan Gill and 6-foot-2, 305-pound junior Mateo Ortiz.
Defensively, the Falcons have just as impressive of talent in senior 6-foot, 210-pound DE Landon Suarez (38 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two caused fumbles, fumble recovery), senior 5-foot-11, 200-pound DL Jeffrey Patton (32 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble recoveries, blocked punt), and senior DBs Maurice Evans (39 tackles) and Chris Noble (31 tackles).
Memorial Mustangs
The Mustangs bring back 12 starters from last year's 7-3 Bi-District finalist, including arguably the best player in the district in senior RB Carson Zahn. The 5-foot-8, 175-pounder rushed for 1,003 yards and 12 TDs in eight games.
He'll have weapons around him, including senior offensive linemen George Eubanks (6-foot, 240) and George Foeng, and junior WR Kyle Siblik (290 yards, 4 TDs). Junior QB Mason Sanders threw for 583 yards and six TDs to five INTs as a sophomore last year, completing 50.6-percent of his passes. He also rushed for 239 yards and two TDs. In all, seven starters return on offense.
Defensively, Memorial has a strong linebacking corps led by seniors Bauer Bruce (67 tackles, 4 sacks, fumble recovery) and Marshall Bergenzer (11 tackles), but has holes elsewhere. Senior WR Christian Braddock (132 yards, 2 TDs in six games) and senior DL Will Klingberg (20 tackles, blocked FG) could play more prominent roles this season.
Stratford Spartans
Coach Todd Rankin likes what he has in the 12 starters returning from last year's 6-4 team that barely missed the playoffs. "Close is not good enough," Rankin said. "We have to address all the little things that will help us finish."
The Spartans have strong offensive skill players, improved lines on both sides of the ball and an improved secondary. They lack an overall depth in size.
Key returners are senior 5-foot-11, 170-pound RB Diego Denson (526 yards, 2 TDs; 314 receiving yards, 3 TDs), senior OL Josh Hyland, junior WR Hawkins Polley (437 yards, 9 TDs), senior DB Antony Cuhel (59 tackles, 2 INTs), senior DL Colin Tenney (20 tackles), junior LB Cooper King (89 tackles, 2 fumbles caused), junior DB Bracken Menuet (50 tackles), junior DL Austin LaRue and junior K Giancarlo Chelala.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Polley is the signature name of the group, an impressive talent that boasts offers from Baylor, SMU, Vanderbilt and Houston. Key newcomers are junior WR Jake Brand, junior QB Nash Rankin, junior OL Hudson Perroni, senior DB Sincere Blackmon, junior DE Jared Botary and junior RB Dallas Payne.
Cypress Creek Cougars
Coach Greg McCaig likes his defensive line and quarterback play, but also knows his Cougars must replace a ton of production with a new group of receivers and improve the back end of the defense. That fits with his team's motto this season: "Go to work. Be consistent. Improve daily".
Cy-Creek returns four starters from a 4-6 Bi-District playoff finalist. Everything starts with sophomore QB Brad Jackson. The 6-foot, 160-pounder threw for 2,187 yards and 20 TDs to nine INTs in eight games last season. Junior 5-foot-9, 170-pound RB Yalance Brown returns to tote the rock for the Cougars, and will be joined by senior Raymond Rollins, who moves over from the defensive secondary. Junior WR Edgar Quintero is a threat on the perimeter, and Jonathan Vining steadies matters up front.
Defensively, Cy-Creek will abide by 6-foot-1, 105-pound senior DE Quinten Renteria (38 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 caused fumbles, fumble recovery), 6-foot, 220-pound senior DE Matthew Shrake (21 tackles, caused fumble) and 6-foot-1, 240-pound junior DL Kamauri Dumas.
Cypress Ridge Rams
The Rams return 13 starters from a 2-8 team and have some quality talent. Junior 5-foot-7, 155-pound RB Tav'ren Richardson has the potential to be a big-time game-changer. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry with 234 yards and a TD in nine games last season.
Senior 5-foot- 10, 165-pound WR A.J. Gooden-Dottin had a team-best 620 receiving yards and six TDs. Senior WRs Aaron Woods (281 yards, 10 yards per catch, 3 TDs) and Joinell Chiles (200 yards, 8.7 yards per catch, TD) add depth. But who will get them the ball? Cy-Ridge graduated its starting and backup quarterbacks. The Rams are also young on the O-line.
Defensively, junior 6-foot-2, 185-pound LB Emiliano Soldavilla (39 tackles, one fumble caused) leads the way. Senior 5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way playmaker Jaiden Vaquera (52 tackles, INT; 5 yards per carry) makes an impact on both sides of the ball.
Spring Woods Tigers
Though the Tigers went just 3-7 in 2020, it was their best record since 2012. They have not won more than three games in a season since 2004. But Spring Woods has a chance to keep the momentum going forward as it returns 15 starters (eight on offense) from last year's team. Senior QB Isaiah McKnight, junior 6-foot-1, 195-pound RB Karon Williams, and offensive linemen Joey Emerson (6-foot, 275) and Nicolas Tapia (6-1, 245) provide the foundation of a veteran offense. Junior DB Anthony Rodriguez headlines the defense after picking off seven passes last season. Sophomore LB Derek Loflin is well-regarded by coaches and could be in line for a breakout season.
Northbrook Raiders
Northbrook has not won a game since Nov. 3, 2017, but coach Andres Gomez is excited about this year's team. He returns eight starters (five on defense) and highlights the defensive line and receivers as strengths. The D-line lacks experience but has a collection of strong leaders. The receiver position has the most talent on offense.
The Raiders are led by senior WRs Arnez Semien and Daniel Holman. Defensively, junior LB Angel Reyes, senior DL Prince Echaverry and senior DB Gabriel Mata provide a steady core. Gomez is high on junior WR Marquell Hannah and an impressive sophomore class of quarterback Brandon Dillard, OL Miguel Muro and DB Dade Delva.
"There is a stigma around Northbrook football that we are working to change from within," Gomez said. "Many of our players have bought into the belief that we are operating on a different level than some of the teams that came before us, and we are excited to put our progress on the field."
Jersey Village Football
