North Shore Football
VYPE Football 2021 Preview: District 21-6A
PRESEASON RANKING
North Shore
Atascocita
C.E. King
Beaumont West Brook
Summer Creek
Humble
Kingwood
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
PRESEASON AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Gavin Session, Atascocita
Offensive MVP: Jerrell Wimbley, C.E. King
Defensive MVP: Denver Harris, North Shore
Breakout Player of the Year: Jehrik Jones, Summer Creek
Sleeper Team: Humble
...
North Shore Mustangs
A new era begins at North Shore High School in 2021. For the first time in four years Dematrius Davis (Auburn) and Shadrach Banks (TCU) will not be the headliners as they have moved on to the next level after reaching the Class 6A Division I State Semifinals a year ago.
So, what will be the mark of this team in 2021?
Defense...defense and defense. Did I mention defense? This defensive unit may be one of the best in the city when it is all said and done. The group is headlined by five-star prospect Denver Harris, the District 21-6A Defensive MVP at cornerback, who will be back after being injured in the State Semifinal loss to Austin Westlake. Across from him will be rising star Jacoby Davis, Ta'von Griffin and Jayven Anderson.
Other defense stars will be first-teamers Jacoby Brass and Texas-commit Kris Ross on the DL. Also, watch for Tai Leonard on the line, he is a super tall DE. At linebacker Kent Battle will anchor the MLB position. Others to watch on defense include safety Caleb Flagg (younger brother of Miami's Corey Flagg) and DL Ronald Wilson.
Offensively, Omarion Dudley and Talmadge Pounds will anchor the OL, Xavier Owens will rumble out of the backfield while David Amador and Jhalyn Bailey will be weapons out wide.
Atascocita Eagles
Atascocita has been either the District Champ or runner-up in each of the last eight seasons under Craig Stump. And 2021 shouldn't be any different. Last year, the Eagles went 7-3 overall and ended their season in the Region III-6A Semifinals with a 55-45 loss to Ridge Point.
Just how Stump likes it, he returns second-year starter Gavin Session at quarterback. Session is a dual-threat problem after passing for more than 2,600 yards and rushing for another 800 last year with 28 total touchdowns.
He will have plenty of targets in first-team, all-district receivers Chase Sowell and Keith Wheeler II. Tyras Winfield could be another option coming out of the backfield. Up front protecting Session will be five-star OL Kameron Dewberry.
Defensively, the crew brings back first-team, all-district picks Shun Maiden on the DL and ILB Jadon Ducos and second teamers on the DL in Micah Tate and Caleb Hudson. Also, watch out for Jonah Caseltine at LB.
C.E. King Panthers
Entering year five over at C.E. King, Derek Fitzhenry has the Panthers roaring. They have made the playoffs in three-straight seasons (the first time since the 2003-2005 seasons) and won their first playoff game since 2015 with a 56-0 victory over Channelview last year.
The Panthers will have to replace QB Kameron Kincheon (USMMA) but could have one of the best backfields in the district. Jerrell Wimbley is a wrecking ball after rushing for 1,774 yards and 20 touchdowns a year ago. He had 10 games of 100-plus yards on the ground of his 11 games played.
His counterpart D'Koreion Hammond also rushed for 1,100-plus yards and 11 scores. That duo will run behind the push of Louisiana Ragin Cajuns-commit Van Wells and Jalen Cooper on the OL. Defensively, DE Marque Williams, LB Roy Morris and CB Jakobe Crawford will be names to remember. Athlete William Hicks will be all over the field for the Panthers.
Other players to watch include Kerion Barnes (CB), K'mard Kimble (DL), Brylon Jackson (DL), Aaron DeLeon (DL) and Zaylon Davis (DL). This could be a big year for C.E. King if they can find their signal-caller to operate the offense.
Beaumont West Brook Bruins
The Bruins pushed their way into the playoffs finishing fourth, but then fell to Clear Falls in the Bi-District round.
West Brook will look different in 2021 as coach Eric Peevy moves over to Little Cypress-Mauriceville and in steps Chuck Langston, who was the offensive coordinator at Port Arthur Memorial. The team he takes over has dynamic playmaker Bryce Anderson, who can play on both sides of the ball. Last year he stepped in at QB for the Bruins and racked up more than 2,400 yards of offense.
Other key returners include OL Mykel Janise and WR Andre Dennis, who were both first teamers. Also back is TE/HB Ben Bennett.
Defensively, junior DL Braxton Chambers was a second-team pick along with ILB Garrett Richard and S Reggie Holmes. Anderson will be the one that moves them on offense but will it be enough?
Summer Creek Bulldogs
The Kenny Harrison-led Bulldogs are coming off a three-win season in 2020, which included wins over Humble (their only district win), Friendswood and Dekaney. Can Summer Creek get on the right side of more games in 2021?
Of their losses, two were by seven or fewer points (West Brook 54-48 and Kingwood 26-22). They will have push up front behind Oregon-commit and five-star offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. Also on offense, will be junior first-team, all-district receiver Andrew Alexander.
Other key offensive returners include second-team picks Peyton Banks (OL) and Torrie Curry (RB). The question will be if Jahrik Jones can translate his JV success to the varsity level at QB? Defensively, first-team, all-district DL Rocky Jack will anchor the group along with second teamers Matai Tomas (CB), Justin Craft (DL), Amantie Lockhart (DL) and Julian Ortiz (ILB).
Humble Wildcats
Marcus Schulz has started the #BleedPurple-era over at Humble High School. Schulz makes the move over to Humble from Splendora after longtime coach Charles West took an Athletic Administration job inside Spring Branch ISD. Since taking over, Schulz has built a buzz around the Wildcats' program that went 3-7 last year but failed to win a district contest.
X'Zavier Sidney will be the star on offense coming rumbling out of the backfield. Sidney rushed for more than 1,300 yard a year ago. Up front Humble will have size with big man Kentrell Mason who is 6-foot-6, 295-pounds with offers from New Mexico State and Arkansas leading the way.
Trevonn McCray will play all over the field for Humble at receiver and cornerback. Defensively, Damien Madkins will lead that group at linebacker. Schulz has assembled a nice staff at Humble, so now we will see if it translates to wins.
Kingwood Mustangs
In Cale Melton's first year at the helm of the Mustangs, the group posted a 2-8 overall record with both wins coming in the final two weeks of the year over Humble (17-7) and Summer Creek (26-22). So, the Mustangs carry that momentum into the offseason, which was more normal than Melton's first due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kingwood brings back second-team, all-district OL Andrew Hodges and RB Nick Bernell on offense, while first- teamer Grant Mize will lead the defense at inside linebacker. Also, watch for OLB Cannon Borum and safety Evan Richard on defense. They were both second-team picks a year ago. Defensive end Nick Kresovich will also be a name to remember.
We will see if those final two games of 2020 were a sign of what is to come in 2021 for the Mustangs.
Atascocita's Gavin Session, Keith Wheeler II, Kam Dewberry, Tyras Winfield, Jonah Caseltine, Shun Maiden and Jadon Ducos
Spring's [Back Row] Bra'lon Jones, Apollo Taylor, Gerrod Henderson, Bishop Davenport and Cadyn Bradley; [Front Row] Donovan Jones, Travis Sims, Bruce Davis and Myron Carter
VYPE Football 2021 Preview: District 14-6A
PRESEASON RANKING
Spring
Westfield
Dekaney
Eisenhower
Davis
Nimitz
MacArthur
Aldine
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
PRESEASON AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Bishop Davenport, Spring
Offensive MVP: Cardell Williams, Westfield
Defensive MVP: Bra'lon Jones, Spring
Breakout Player of the Year: Jonah Wilson, Dekaney
Sleeper Team: Aldine Davis
Spring Lions
The Spring Lions could be on the cusp of history. Last season, coach Trent Miller and his crew had a magical season winning district and reaching the Regional Semis. The apex was a "Hail Mary" off the arm of QB Bishop Davenport to beat Westfield and preserve their undefeated season.
What will they do for an encore?
Well, 17 starters return so could this be the Year of the Lion as they try and run to their first-ever state appearance? Davenport went off throwing for over 3,700 yards and accounting for 44 TDs. Cadyn Bradley and Travis Sims, Jr. combined for 1,100 of those yards through the air and Myron Carter (New Mexico- commit) will handle the ball-carrying duties.
The line is led by Apollo Taylor. The Spring offense is explosive, make no mistake about it, but could the defense be the difference?
The Lions are quick and physical in the back seven with LBs Bra'lon Jones, Darryl Doherty and Bryce Morton roaming free. The secondary is equally as talented with Dorian Friend, Jeremiah Jones, Jeffrey Foster and Bruce Davis making up one of the best units in Houston. Gerrod Henderson is a beast up front.
Westfield Mustangs
Nothing could be worse for the district than an angry and motivated Westfield Mustang football team. Coach Corby Meekins will have a fired- up crew on FM 1960 after falling by way of a last second heave against rival Spring, who snatched the district title away.
QB Cardell Williams (Tulsa-commit) enters his senior season and wants to leave a lasting legacy. He threw for over 1,800 yards a year ago. He will be protected by OL Jadrien Collar and Ray'Quan Bell and will hand off to Rodney Smith – a load at RB. His main targets will be Chuuky Hines, Xavian Todd and Anthony Cathcart, who are a tad inexperienced. TE Dominic Bailey could be an active safety valve.
On defense, the Mustangs have some dogs led by DT AJ Holmes (Virginia). Kailon Golston will provide pressure from the edge to allow LBs Brian Eashmond and Kiemond Emilie to make plays. The secondary will be led by De'Quarius Calhoun, who is the QB of a young secondary. He will take away one side of the field, but who will emerge on the other side?
Dekaney Wildcats
The Wildcats got their legs back under them during the pandemic going 5-2 in district play and winning a playoff game. Dekaney fell in a heart-breaking OT loss to Bridgeland in the Area Round. Coach Anthony Williams looks to build on that momentum but must do so with only six starters returning.
The 'Cats need someone to emerge at QB for Dekaney to have some staying power. Jaiden Robertson and Jonah Wilson are two of the top WRs in the city. Wilson, just a junior, is a national recruit while Robertson also flips to DB. The OL has some pieces with Jordon Vaughn, Daniel Nwokobia and Calvin Gray giving push up front.
The defense is athletic in the back seven. Brandon Joseph is a beast at LB with Ty Morris and Markie Grant protecting the back end. Xavier Rowe will lead the DL along will Demanuel Brown. Enock Gota is a weapon at kicker. There will be growing pains at Dekaney, but they will make the postseason.
Eisenhower Eagles
Eisenhower took the fourth postseason spot in 2020 under the direction of coach Eric Jackson. Nine starters are back and none more important than junior Ryan Niblett, a slippery runner who amassed over 1,100 yards on the ground a year ago.
The OL is led by Jaden Hunter and Eutimo Lauderdale, while the other side of the trenches will flex with Nicholas Savoie and Omar Solis. The skills are solid across the board. On offense, Bryce Foster, Trevon Ridley and Darius Steward could emerge as a solid WR corps, while Anthony Fleming and Garyaun Carruthers will run out of the backfield.
Tyler Hutcherson is the team's top DB and will be helped by Braylon Oliphant at LB. The Eagles need to beat their Aldine ISD counterparts to make the playoffs, which will be tougher as Davis and MacArthur have upped their games.
Davis Falcons
It's year three for coach Scott Joseph and this will be his best team yet with 17 returning starters back in the nest.
The offense is where Davis struggled last year and gets QB Josh Garuba back under center. His best option is RB Azavion Kegler, a big-back with some surprising speed. The OL will be key with Mauricio Jaramillo, Byron Charles and Reginald Berry leading the way.
On the outside is Jalen Jones and Keily Chavis at WR. The defense will be salty with big-time playmakers on each level. Xavier Graham leads the DL, MyShawn King is the top LB and Nycolis Prudhomme is a stud in the secondary.
That Eisenhower game will likely determine if the Falcons get in the postseason for the first time since 2019.
Nimitz Cougars
The Nimitz Cougars had a solid season as they navigated a tough fall with COVID. The Cougars were a little make-shift at practice, which showed up in the games and in the training room.
Coach Richard Slater should feel better about 2021 with 13 returners. Let's start on defense. The line is the strength with Elijah Sims and Christian Booker freeing up other defenders such as Armon Green, Joshua Furr, Corey Huff and Noah Allen. The offense could have a break-out year with QB Brayden Whitehead back in the pocket and RB Joseph Sanders coming out of the backfield.
Brandon Miles and Jeremiah Richardson have some ability as skill pass-catchers. Richardson is a massive TE, who could also flip to defense if needed. The road will be tough but a win over Eisenhower and Davis could catapult the Cougars into playing football in November.
MacArthur Generals
Two years ago, the MacArthur Generals reached the postseason for the first time in several years and set the expectations for future Generals.
Coach Wayne Crawford believes his team has come out of the fog of the pandemic and should be a playoff contender. A QB must come out of fall practice ready to lead the offense. With a smaller lineup, several of Crawford's top players are forced to go both ways, especially in the trenches which is difficult.
Xavion Starks and Ian Polk work in tandem on both lines, while skills Justin Williams, Keenan Jackson and Jason Crampton do the same at WR and DB. Williams is a physical specimen at 6-foot-4 and Jackson is uber-athletic at 6-foot-2. Alexio Aleman will shore up the OL, while Armando Desilos will do the same on the DL.
The defense will lead the way with the most experience while the offense will need to play catch-up.
Aldine Mustangs
Aldine coach Hank Semler keeps it positive inside the stable. The 'Stangs went winless in 2020 and returns two starters as they embark on this year's campaign. Semler will go with a youth movement and rely on Constantin Marin to run the show at QB.
He will protected by Xavier Gordillo, Marcello Gonzalez and Carlos Flores.
The defense has some pieces in Kaleb Jiminez and Larry Williams.
