GAMES
RANKINGS
2022 Preseason All-VYPE Public School Football Team Announced
The 2022 Texas high school football season is upon us as the first games kickoff on Thursday.
The VYPE Editorial staff has scoured the best of the best in Houston and have named our preseason All-VYPE team for public school offense and defense. Here is the 2022 team.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Seth Davis, RB, Katy
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
Kaleb Bailey, North Shore
Ja’Koby Banks, Fort Bend Marshall
DJ Lagway, Willis
Mabrey Mettauer, The Woodlands
RUNNING BACKS
Lloyd Avant, Summer Creek
Rueben Owens II, El Campo
Jeremy Payne, Hightower
Kedrick Reescano, New Caney
WIDE RECEIVERS
David Amador, North Shore
Jaquaize Pettaway, Langham Creek
Louis Williams III, Conroe
Jonah Wilson, Dekaney
TIGHT ENDS
Ian Flynt, Katy Taylor
Hawkins Polley, Stratford
OFFENSIVE LINE
Jacob Egg, Katy
Nick Fattig, Clear Springs
Ashton Funk, Tompkins
Nicolas Lira, Paetow
Hudson Perroni, Stratford
KICKER
Jake Kilander, Katy
Jordan Ian Ratliff, Atascocita
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
Zion Brown, Atascocita
Cyrin Miles, Crosby
Nash Rankin, Stratford
Gavin Rutherford, Cinco Ranch
RUNNING BACKS
Chase Devaughn, Houston Madison
Rashon Estes, Jersey Village
Parker Jenkins, Klein Forest
Ezell Jolly, Ridge Point
WIDE RECEIVERS
Zion Kearney, Hightower
Ryan Niblett, Eisenhower
Seth Salverino, Cinco Ranch
Jelani Watkins, Klein Forest
TIGHT ENDS
Chico Holt, Strake Jesuit
Reid Mikeska, Bridgeland
OFFENSIVE LINE
Reagan Gill, Jersey Village
Blake Ivy, Clear Springs
Dramodd Odoms, Houston Lamar
Gibson Pyle, Klein Cain
Cobe Williams, College Park
KICKER
Walter Kilgore, Clear Lake
Justin Willis, The Woodlands
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Maurice Williams, DB, Shadow Creek
FIRST TEAM
DEFENSIVE LINE
Terrance Green, Cypress Woods
David Hicks Jr., Paetow
Braylan Shelby, Friendswood
Samu Taumanupepe, Atascocita
LINEBACKERS
Corey Kelly, Clear Falls
Alex Kilgore, Paetow
Daymion Sanford, Paetow
James Walley, Ridge Point
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Jayven Anderson, North Shore
Taylor Davis, Ridge Point
Vernon Glover Jr., Dickinson
Tay’Shawn Wilson, Mayde Creek
SECOND TEAM
DEFENSIVE LINE
DK Kalu, Ridge Point
Ashton Porter, Cypress Ranch
Dylan Spencer, CE King
Loghan Thomas, Katy Paetow
LINEBACKERS
Christian Brathwaite, Cypress Ranch
Dakyius Brinkley, Seven Lakes
Justin Cryer, Brookshire Royal
Justin Williams, Oak Ridge
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Jacoby Davis, North Shore
Cory Huff Jr., Nimitz
Demari Maxson, Clear Lake
Michael Patterson, Marshall
Brookshire Royal junior linebacker Justin Cryer.
Justin Cryer ready for big year with Brookshire Royal
There was a time not too long ago when Justin Cryer was simply known as LJ's little brother. A precocious youngster so confident in his own athletic forays, he probably wondered why LJ was getting all the attention.
But Cryer was wise enough to watch and observe as big bro dominated the Greater Houston area hoops scene, setting the city's all-time scoring mark at Morton Ranch High in 2020. He saw the time and effort LJ put into basketball, and the awards, acclaim and athletic scholarship to Baylor that came of it.
"It was his work ethic," Cryer said. "Working to improve every day, at any time. I could see that passion he has, and it's something I try and replicate in myself. I want to work hard doing something every day, just to be a better player for myself."
Now it's the younger Cryer's time to shine, and he's not about to let it out of his grasp.
Cryer was a varsity football and baseball standout his first two years at Morton Ranch before transferring to Brookshire Royal in the spring once his father, Lionel, took the defensive coordinator job under new head coach Theadis Reagins.
Cryer is growing into his own, with a preseason whitewashing of an opponent's left tackle earning statewide attention, and no longer is he in anyone's shadow.
"I know the side of being the younger brother and being under that watch, but it's different, too, in that we both play different sports," Cryer said. "There's no comparison, really. But it's really important people know my name and who I am, and I feel like I'm doing a good job of that so far."
Cryer's nickname is "Juice." His game is full of it.
The 6-foot-1, 225-pounder is a volatile force of punishment for opposing ballcarriers. And he'll only get better.
Last season was a learning one for Cryer as it was his first year on varsity. He got into seven games as a backup for the Class 6A Mavericks.
"You've got to be able to know your job and get to the football," Cryer said. "I've worked on my speed and getting faster to the ball. I'm taking on blocks better, improving my versatility as a pass-rusher. I'm excited for what's coming."
Cryer will be a game-changer for the 4A Falcons, who have not had a winning season since 2010. Coming from a program that plays in the top class of high school football, and competed against Katy and Tompkins in district play, Cryer's poise and experience have been welcomed.
"He leads by example and he's a vocal leader," Reagins said. "He makes sure guys are lined up right. He understands what we're doing. He understands how to watch film."
Cryer is part of a strong linebacking corps for Royal. As for where he gets his passion, work ethic and tenacity from, all you have to do is look down the sideline at his father. Lionel was a SWAC Defensive Player of the Year when he played linebacker at Grambling.
While Cryer's stats are modest, his film has been impressive enough to draw a scholarship offer from Florida State.
"It definitely gave me a big boost of confidence, knowing my hard work is paying off and I'm getting somewhere," Cryer said. "I've just got to keep getting better as a player and proving myself."
Cryer practically locked himself in the weight room or film room all summer long. His expectations before even coming to Brookshire was that this season would be his breakout year. Those expectations haven't changed. They've only grown, as he's excited to be one of the faces charged with the responsibility of lifting Royal football out of the basement.
"I want to do everything," Cryer said. "I want district MVP, Defensive Player of the Year. I want to prove I'm one of the best linebackers in my class. As a team, I want to win. I want to win so badly. It's something that's kind of eluded me in high school.
"This year, we have a strong team, offense and defense. We have great coaches, great players. And I feel we can make a great run at it."