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VYPE 2022 Countdown to Kickoff: District 8-5A-DI Preview
This district has a lot of moving parts. At the top remains the Crosby Cougars, who have been a persistent 5A power in the city for the past few seasons.
Barbers Hill has plenty of weapons at receiver, while Port Arthur Memorial’s defense is salty. The fight for the final playoff spot will be interesting between the Goose Creek CISD programs. But don’t count out Porter or Kingwood Park to make a run at it.
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PREVIOUS DISTRICT PREVIEWS (2022)
- 13-6A Preview
- 14-6A Preview
- 15-6A Preview
- 16-6A Previe
- 17-6A Preview
- 18-6A Preview
- 19-6A Preview
- 20-6A Preview
- 21-6A Preview
22-6A Preview
23-6A Preview
24-6A Preview
District 8-5A-DI Preseason Rankings
Crosby Cougars
Barbers Hill Eagles
Port Arthur Memorial Titans
Baytown Lee Ganders
Goose Creek Memorial Patriots
Baytown Sterling Rangers
Porter Spartans
Kingwood Park Panthers
La Porte Bulldogs
VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Cyrin Myles, Crosby
OFFENSIVE MVP: Josiah Herndon, Barbers Hill
DEFENSIVE MVP: Jelani Chevalier, Port Arthur Memorial
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: LeVay Duncan Jr., Baytown Lee
SLEEPER TEAM: Goose Creek Memorial
CROSBY COUGARS
The Crosby Cougars have been to back-to-back State Semifinals, reaching the 5A Division II State Championship game in 2020, and have become one of Houston’s power programs in Class 5A. Jerry Prieto enters year four leading the program with a 30-12 mark. The offense will be solid with seven starters returning, including District Offensive MVP Cyrin Myles at quarterback. Myles passed for 2,500 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for another 1,300 yards and 20 scores. That is 52 combined scores if you are counting. First-team, all-district receiver Braden Womack (671 yards, 9 TDs) will be one of his top targets. Womack can also flip around on defense, where he was a firstteam, all-district safety in 2021. Levi Fontenot will be looked at to tote the rock (457 yards, 4 TDs) along with Wesley Yarbrough. Other names to remember include Ayden Jones (LB), Copelin Windfont (ILB), Kristian Roberson (WR/DB), Matthew Jordan (OLB), David Ards (TE), Kade Eudy and Luke Smith (WR). The motto for Crosby in 2022 is “FTF” – For the Family.
BARBERS HILL EAGLES
Last season under first-year head coach Carl Abseck, who had come from State Finalist Cedar Park, the Eagles flew into the playoffs and reached the Area Round. Barbers Hill finished 6-6 overall and fell in the second round after defeating Fort Bend Marshall in the opening round. Abseck returns four starters on each side of the ball. Offensively, they will have District Newcomer of the Year Josiah Herndon (815 yards, 16 touchdowns) back at receiver. Second-team, all-district receiver Trevaun Dixon (520 yards, three touchdowns) and honorable-mention picks Ryan Webb (OT) and Brady Thompson (WR) are also set to be back. Thompson had 480 yards and four scores a year ago. With a trio of top receivers back, quarterback Kody Fuentes will have plenty of targets to choose from. Defensively, honorable-mention, all-district pick Theron Price will return at cornerback. Other names to remember include Trey Bright (LB), Gabriel Guzman (DE), Brandon Wilson (DE), Miller Malone (LB), Landen Gaskamp (LB), Lane Bench (S) and Coen Pagan (CB). Keys to success for Abseck’s crew will be “gaining experience at QB and LB” and rebuilding the offensive and defensive lines.
PORT ARTHUR MEMORIAL TITANS
Is 2022 the year that Port Arthur Memorial makes its deepest playoff run since 2017 and snap the streak of first-round exits? For the past two years, the Titans have seen their season come to an end at the hands of Fort Bend Hightower in the first round. It has been four-straight first-round exits. Ultra-athletic quarterback Jah’mar Sanders is off to the University of New Mexico, while four-star cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau is at Texas. Brian Morgan has three starters on offense and five on defense for his squad in 2022. Heading into the fall, three-star offensive tackle Cayden Bowie, a University of Houston-commit, will lead the front line. Defensively, cornerback Jelani Chevalier, who is listed at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, will be dynamic in the secondary along with defensive back Daevon Iles. Other names to remember include Caden Pitre (DE), Danny Jaramillo (OL), Quinton Harper (WR/DB), Harvey Jones (DT) and Michael Roles (DE). The defense will be the calling card early on for the Titans.
BAYTOWN LEE GANDERS
In 2020, the Ganders reached the playoffs for the first time since 2009 – a huge accomplishment. They followed that up last season going 7-3 and just barely missing the playoffs. Baytown Lee returns second-team, all-district offensive lineman Keven Ortiz. On defense, first-team, alldistrict outside linebacker Josh Huerta is back along with second-team inside linebacker Harold Gibson, who is a four-year starter for the Ganders. At quarterback, expect LeVay Duncan Jr. to be slinging the rock and he can let it fly. Some of his targets will include Josiah Joseph in the slot and Huerta, who will also flip to receiver at times. Ehret Calloway will be a nice big target as well, while Dominic Medina and Carlos Zamarripa hold it down up front. Watch for Wanyae Barnes and Denzel Taylor to come rumbling out of the backfield as well. Defensively, Taylor will play some free safety for the Ganders along with Nelson, while Gibson holds it down at linebacker.
GOOSE CREEK MEMORIAL PATRIOTS
Former GCM offensive coordinator Daniel Ragsdale takes over the reins for Shannon Carter who took a job at the collegiate level. The Patriots, who last made the playoffs in 2020, will have to replace some pieces but do return second-team, all-district defensive end Joseph Holmes. He will be the anchor of that unit. Staying on defense, Ragsdale believes they will be bigger up front and his linebackers and secondary will be “pretty salty” led by Eli Lewis, Ahmad Kerl and Holmes. Other names to remember on defense include Luis Salas (DE) and Verdell English (OLB/S). Offensively, Brian Samuel will be a gamechanger at receiver who is “super-talented” and Desmond Wade-Johnson is a “dynamic kid” also a receiver. There will be youth on the offensive line, but Ragsdale believes they will be good to go. Also, watch out for Darius Carr (WR), Jermaine Garcia (FB/ TE) and Cadin Sharp (OT). BAYTOWN
STERLING RANGERS
The ultra-talented Reece Sylvester (Washington State), who was the District 9-5ADI Multi-Purpose Player of the Year in 2021, is gone, so someone will have to step up in his role and they have some people to do that. First-team, all-district fullback Enijah Evans returns along with second-team, all-district receiver Robert Adams. The Rangers also bring back Jace Greer and Kody Arceneaux at receiver. Up front, Gage Woodard, Antonio Salazar and Malachi Godfrey bring back some experience in the trenches. Entering fall camp, the quarterback spot was still being battled for. Other names to remember include Trenton Smith (RB), La Javian Hagan (OL/DL) and Caleb Smith (RB/LB). On the defensive side, it is going to be a pretty new group, especially up front. Toomer is set to build up the unit, led by Smith at linebacker, Issac Solorio at safety, Eugene Dersone at outside linebacker and Jaden Clark at corner.
PORTER SPARTANS
Last year, Porter was in one of the strongest Class 5A districts in the Houston area, which included State runner-up College Station. The Spartans went 2-8 overall and 2-6 in district play. Their two wins came against Cleveland (21-0) and Caney Creek (24-12). Heading into this season, Porter will be under new leadership as Billy Russell enters year two of leading the Spartans. He has some solid pieces back, especially on offense. Ryan Evans-Pickens returns at running back after being named first-team, all-district a year ago. Fullback Sam Garms was named second-team, all-district. On the defense, Ryan Gilliam (DE) enters his junior season and will anchor that unit. Other names to remember include Payton Evans-Pickens (S), Blake Russell (QB) and Kyle Rigsby (OL).
KINGWOOD PARK PANTHERS
Clayton Maple enters year eight leading the Panthers of Kingwood Park. The last two seasons have ended in disappointment, both years going 4-6 overall and missing the playoffs. Kingwood Park last reached the playoffs in 2019 when they went 6-5 overall. The 2021 season did end on a bit of a high note though for the Panthers, who won their last three district contests of the year – Santa Fe (46-3), Nederland (35-22) and Dayton (51-34). The Panthers return first-team, all-district receiver Pierce Richards and offensive lineman Erick Zapata. Another name to remember is tight end Patrick Overmyer, who this offseason received offers from UTSA, Princeton, Penn, Jackson State and Lamar.
LA PORTE BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs are coming off a year where they went 2-8 overall and 2-5 in district play, finishing sixth and out of the playoff picture. In the offseason, Jackson Tarr departed after just one year. Stepping in was Dobie head coach Kevin Berneathy to take over the program. In four seasons at Dobie, Berneathy was 33-10 overall. Now, can he sprinkle his magic on La Porte? The Bulldogs return some pieces on defense, including second-team, all-district defensive lineman Nathan White and second-team, all-district cornerback Jaylon Fisher. Their two wins in district play a year ago came against Baytown Sterling (24-19) and Goose Creek Memorial (10-0).
VYPE Football 2021 Preview: District 8-5A-DI
Welcome to 8-5A-DI, which could be one of the wildest districts come season's end.
Magnolia won the district a year ago but has a lot of question marks.
College Station has all the pieces to win it but can they fend off a Magnolia West team that is looking to get some revenge for how 2020 ended for them?
Lufkin has a historic playoff run on the line as well. Let's see how District 8-5A-DI shakes out.
PRESEASON RANKING
College Station
Magnolia West
Magnolia
New Caney
Porter
Lufkin
Waller
Cleveland
Caney Creek
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
PRESEASON AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Jett Huff, College Station
Offensive MVP: Kedrick Reescano, New Caney
Defensive MVP: Jaxson Slanker, College Station
Breakout Player of the Year: Elijah Moody, Lufkin
Sleeper Team: Lufkin
...
College Station Cougars
The Cougars of College Station went 10-2 a year ago and finished second in the district standings. College Station made it to the second round of the playoffs before being ousted by Denton Ryan, 52-21.
Jett Huff leads the QB room after passing for 2,612 yards and 31 touchdowns a year ago with a 73-percent completion rate. The Cougars will have to replace the production of Roderick Brown at running back but in steps Marquise Collins, who rushed for over 1,000 yards and 20 scores last season. H
uff has all his top receiving targets back in Traylen Suel (772 yards, 7 TDs), Dalton Carnes (570 yards, 7 TDs) and Houston Thomas (498 yards, 3 TDs). Defensively, Jaxson Slanker is back after recording 147 tackles a year ago along with Harrison Robinson (109 tackles). Robinson also had two interceptions, five pass deflections, three forced and recovered fumbles last year.
Leading sacker Caleb Skow (4 sacks, 5 hurries) returns along with Connor Lingren (3 sacks). In the secondary, Byron Johnson Jr. will hold it down after three interceptions and eight pass deflections in 2020.
Magnolia West Mustangs
Magnolia West had a tale of two seasons in 2020. The Mustangs started the season 5-1 before stalling out and losing the last four games to close out the district 4-4 and in a three-way tie for the fourth playoff spot.
Coach Ben McGehee takes over the reins this season after Blake Joseph exited in the offseason to take a job at North Texas.
McGehee has some nice pieces to work with. Quarterback Brock Dalton passed for 2,727 yards and 31 scores, while Hunter Bilbo finished just shy of 1,000 yards with 905 and 13 scores. Trey Leggett is back as the team's leading receiver (614 yards, 6 TDs).
The defense is where they will have to be solid, especially late in the year. Jackson Blank is the straw that stirs the drink (83 tackles) and will get help from Cade Dunlap at linebacker. Don't forget about big-man Hayden Janskey (6-2, 230) at defensive end for the Mustangs.
Magnolia Bulldogs
Magnolia was the best in District 8-5A-DI a year ago. The Bulldogs went 10-2, went a perfect 8-0 in district play and reached the second round of the playoffs before falling to Frisco Lone Star, 40-28. Coming off a year like that and we predict them to be third? An offense that averaged 43.5 points per game has some big holes to fill at QB and RB.
Defensively, the Bulldogs should have the pieces to hold it together early. William Alexander is the key after recording more than 110 tackles and five sacks a year ago. Garrison Hefner at cornerback held it down last season with five picks and 60 tackles for the Dogs.
Kiran Curtis and Cade Mathieu will hold down the defensive line, while Eliel Sandoval patrols the middle of the field at linebacker.
On the offensive line, Zac Wilson and John Mitcham will have to protect and provide holes for the new signal-caller and running back. Ernie Mendoza will hold down the kicking duties.
New Caney Eagles
The New Caney Eagles found their way into the playoff picture once again in 2020 in coach Travis Reeve's first season at the helm. It was the sixth-straight postseason appearance for the Eagles.
With a full, mostly-normal offseason under their belts, New Caney should be once again a playoff berth favorite. Kedrick Reescano is a big reason why. The junior had a breakout sophomore campaign rushing for 1,157 yards and 14 scores. He had five games of 100 or more yards. He could be the most explosive back in the district come season's end. He has offers from Oklahoma State, Houston, Tulsa and SMU.
The Eagles will have to find a QB and WRs to fill out the rest of the offense. Defensively, DL/LB Tayte Baker and LB Sebastian Garza are back for their junior and senior campaigns, respectively. Dax Lipscomb is another name to remember on the New Caney defense.
Porter Spartans
Porter was one of those three teams in the midst of that three-way tie for fourth and lost out on a playoff spot by points. Exit Jim Holley as head coach as he takes over as the district's athletic director and enter Billy Russell, who was on the staff a year ago.
Russell may have a budding stars at running back returning in 2021 in Joshua Evans-Pickens. The District Newcomer of the Year rushed for over 1,200 yards and 20 scores a year ago and brother Payton Evans-Pickens will operate the offense. The Evans-Pickens show in the backfield may just get the Spartans back into the playoffs.
Up front they have some push with Samuel Garms, Anthony Prieto, Kyle Rigsby and Evan Williams. This group will pave the way for the Evans-Pickens duo. Defensively, David Walls and Khalil Tugwell check in at linebacker for Porter.
Lufkin Panthers
Under coach Todd Quick, Lufkin went reached the playoffs last year but were ousted in the first round by Longview. The Panthers return just three on the offense and five on defense from that team.
Offensively, 6-foot-3, 200-pound QB Elijah Moody will get the reins of the offense with little experience under his belt. The defense will have to hold up early and often in this district.
Leading the group will be Tre Jenkins on the defensive line and Tanner Havard at linebacker. This is not the same Lufkin offense from a few seasons ago, so can they figure it out in time and fight for that final playoff spot to secure a 24th-straight playoff appearance?
Waller Bulldogs
As year three of the Gene Johnson-era begins at Waller, the Bulldogs saw some improvement in 2020 despite it being a COVID-19 impacted season. They went from 0-10 his first year to a 3-7 team last fall, which was the most wins since 2018.
They return just one starter off the offense and four on defense. Caleb Godfrey will operate the offense after passing for 1,500 yards a year ago and 14 scores. He will have 10 new starters around him, so the leadership will definitely come from the QB1.
Defensively, DL Jairo Garcia, DB Isaiah Blair and LB Garrett Kern are names to remember.
Cleveland Indians
Year one for Jason Fiacco was big in Cleveland. First of all, the Indians won two games, which for some doesn't sound like a big deal but for a program that hadn't won a single game since 2017 it was.
Cleveland will try and carry that momentum over to 2021 with five starters back on each side of the ball. Devonte Robertson is a big player for Cleveland checking in at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds.
Defensive back Donald Robertson also brings some size at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds. Tyler Spencer will operate the offense, while Tyric Cannon will come out of the backfield and Cary Wood is the receiving threat.
Defensively, besides the Robertson duo, DB Christian Duncantel will be another returner to watch.
Caney Creek Panthers
Caney Creek is coming off another tough year, going 0-10 in Kendall Hineman's first year at the helm. The Panthers do return nine starters on offense and six on defense, which is the most in each category among district foes.
John Milo (5-10, 175) is an athlete that will play on both sides of the ball for the Panthers. Christian Aguilar will operate the offense at QB after passing for 600 yards and six scores a year ago. Caleb Besaw will be his top target.
Defensively, Brandon Lewis will hold down the linebacker spot and Rowdy Sebastian will patrol at DB. Other names to remember are DL Tristen Brown, LB Daylin Manning and WR Braylon Reece.