GAMES
RANKINGS
The 2025 TAPPS-D2 State MVP, Lutheran South Academy's Grant Burns
THE PLAYMAKERS: Victory Season, powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, following a thrilling display on the state's grandest stage.
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Eryn Polite -- Clear Springs Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
As we touched on in our recent Whataburger Team of the Week article, Clear Springs did the unthinkable this past weekend.
By upsetting the Class 6A-D1 State favorites Katy (previously 36-1), in what became an instant classic, the Chargers’ 7-5 victory over the Tigers serves as a reminder that anything can happen in the UIL postseason.
At the heart of the drama was senior standout Eryn Polite.
With two runners on and one out left in the final inning of a one-game playoff, Clear Springs trailed 5-4.
The season hung in the balance as Polite stepped to the plate—and delivered the moment of her career. The Florida A&M commit crushed a walk-off, three-run homer, sealing the win and sending her team to the 6A-D1 Region III Final.
In a game packed with intensity, Polite’s clutch swing showed everyone why she’s one of the most dangerous bats in Texas high school softball. Her poise under pressure and ability to rise in the biggest moment elevated Clear Springs into the next round—and into program lore.
No matter what unfolds in their upcoming matchup against Atascocita, Polite’s walk-off will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the postseason.
Grant Burns -- Lutheran South Academy Baseball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
They came. They saw. They conquered.
Lutheran South Academy solidified its standing as one of the top private school baseball programs in Texas with a commanding 11-0 win over Grapevine Faith to clinch the TAPPS Division II State Championship on Tuesday—their first title since 2021 and fifth overall.
Under head coach Aaron Schneider, the Pioneers have been loaded with talent all season, boasting high-profile names like Victor Coronado (Texas State-commit), Brody Smith (St. Thomas), Marcus Cantu (Texas), Omar Serna (LSU), Wyatt Powell, and Jaylen Walker.
But on the biggest stage, it was senior Grant Burns who rose above the rest.
Named the TAPPS-D2 State MVP, Burns delivered a masterclass from the mound. The Wharton County JC-commit pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits and striking out nine in seven dominant innings. His poise and precision neutralized a strong Grapevine Faith lineup and set the tone from the first pitch.
With the victory, LSA not only adds another trophy to its case but also positions itself as a continued force in Texas high school baseball. And at the heart of it all stood Grant Burns—calm, commanding, and undeniably clutch.
Lily Soliz -- Angleton Softball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
With Coach Cindy Rubio leading the way, the Angleton Ladycats continued their dominant playoff run, most recently sweeping Hendrickson in the UIL 5A-D1 Regional Semifinals (Game 1: 11-0, Game 2: 14-2), improving to 21-3 on the season.
Leading the way for the series victory was senior standout Lily Soliz.
The McNeese State-commit delivered a commanding performance from the shortstop position, anchoring the defense while making her presence felt at the plate. Soliz went 4-for-5 across the two-game sweep, driving in five runs, scoring four of her own, and launching a home run in the opener.
Her leadership and consistency continue to set the tone for an Angleton squad with eyes on a deep postseason push.
Next up for the Ladycats is a tough Regional Final matchup against perennial powerhouse Barbers Hill.
The challenge is steep, but with momentum on their side—and Soliz firing on all cylinders—Angleton remains a team to watch.
Evan Mihaly -- Clear Lake Baseball
Against the odds, Clear Lake has battled its way to a spot in the UIL 6A-D2 Region III Semifinals.
Under the leadership of sixth-year head coach Josh Bromberg, the Falcons (23-10-3) captured the District 24-6A title before sweeping Goose Creek Memorial and Dawson in dominant playoff fashion.
Next up: a clash with Katy Taylor, with a trip to the Regional Final on the line—and a potential return to the State Final-Four for the first time since 1988.
A key force behind Clear Lake’s postseason success has been junior pitcher Evan Mihaly.
The left-hander, who recently committed to Texas A&M, has emerged as a dependable presence on the mound. His command, poise under pressure, and ability to deliver in big moments have solidified his role as a cornerstone of Bromberg’s playoff rotation.
Though Clear Lake boasts a deep and balanced roster, Mihaly’s breakout performance has been impossible to overlook.
As the Falcons prepare for their toughest challenge yet, Mihaly’s continued excellence will be critical. If he stays in form, Clear Lake’s dream of a long-awaited state tournament berth could very well become a reality
Jeremy Garner -- Iowa Colony Boys Track & Field
Photo provided by Iowa Colony Head Coach Aundra Long
Despite the challenge of moving up to Class 5A competition, the Iowa Colony Boys Track & Field team rose to the occasion without hesitation.
At the UIL State Meet held at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, the Pioneers delivered a dominant showing to capture the 5A Boys State Championship.
Central to that victory was the performance of the relay teams, which claimed gold in the 4x100m (39.74), 4x200m (1:23.34), and 4x400m (3:11.62) events—an impressive sweep on the sport’s biggest stage.
Junior Jeremy Garner was a key figure in all three of those championship relays. His consistency and explosiveness on the track made him an indispensable part of Iowa Colony’s title run, anchoring a team effort with individual excellence.
Garner’s athletic talent isn’t limited to track. After earning second-team, all-district honors as a contributor on the ICHS football team, his profile as a multi-sport athlete continues to grow.
With a state title now on his résumé and more eligibility ahead, Jeremy Garner has firmly established himself as a rising star—one whose future in collegiate athletics looks increasingly bright.
Clear Springs' Makenzie Thomas
THE PLAYMAKERS: Prime Time, powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as we're now in the thick of the postseason!
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Iowa Colony Track & Field
My boss, Matt Malatesta, recently dubbed Iowa Colony “the new Fort Bend Marshall”—a nod to how quickly the Pioneers have become a dominant force in Texas high school track & field.
Under the leadership of Rachel Easley (Girls) and Aundra Long (Boys), Iowa Colony has made an immediate impact since opening in 2022.
The program burst onto the scene at last year’s UIL State Meet in Austin, with standout performances across the board.
Individually, Ashtyn Lewis claimed gold in the 400m and silver in the 200m, while Jayden Warren earned bronze in both the 100m and 200m. Ian Hill added a third-place finish in the 800m.
The relay teams were just as electric—Girls (1st in 4x400, 2nd in 4x200) and Boys (2nd in 4x100, 2nd in 4x400, 3rd in 4x200)—culminating in dual team titles at the 4A level. The boys shared the championship with Gilmer.
Now competing in Class 5A, the Pioneers haven’t missed a step.
Lewis, Warren, and Hill continue to excel, joined by emerging names like Xavier Bellard and Daniel Swiney. Their dominance was on full display at the recent Regional meet, setting the stage for another strong showing in Austin.
Normally, our PLAYMAKERS section highlights individual athletes. But this time, the spotlight belongs to the entire Iowa Colony program—a powerhouse that has earned every bit of recognition heading into the State Meet.
Grant Shepherd -- Pearland Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Oilers head into the 2025 postseason with a strong 21-7 record, following a second-place finish in the District 22-6A standings (13-3).
With the updated playoff structure, they enter as the district’s No. 1 seed in Division I—armed with momentum and experience.
Though Texas A&M-commit Nico Partida continues to be the focal point on offense and defense, he’s not alone in the effort.
Junior left-hander Grant Shepherd has quietly established himself as one of Pearland’s most reliable two-way players.
When Partida isn’t on the mound, Shepherd often gets the call from head coach David Rogers—and with good reason. He’s kept his ERA under 2.00 throughout the season, using a versatile arsenal to keep hitters off balance.
But his contributions don’t stop there. Shepherd also sees time in the outfield and at the plate, where he’s posted a .275 batting average with seven RBIs and a home run to his name.
Pearland is set to open the playoffs against Fort Bend Travis later this week as they look to punch their ticket to the UIL State Tournament for the third straight year—with Shepherd playing an increasingly pivotal role in that pursuit.
Makenzie Thomas -- Clear Springs Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Despite finishing as the runner-up in District 24-6A, Clear Springs opened the 2025 postseason with authority.
The Chargers swept 23-6A powerhouse Summer Creek in convincing fashion—posting back-to-back wins (9-4 and 12-5), which improved their record to 19-6 – and sent a clear message to Houston-area contenders: they’re here to compete.
At the center of it all was freshman standout Makenzie Thomas.
In just her first playoff series, Thomas went 3-for-7 at the plate, launching three home runs, driving in five RBIs, and scoring four runs. Her performance not only helped propel Clear Springs into the next round but also introduced her as a rising force in the South Texas softball scene.
Alongside fellow impact player Erianna Garcia, Thomas represents the next generation of talent for a program looking to make a deep run.
Attention now turns to the upcoming series against Dobie, with Game 1 set for Wednesday night at 6:30 PM at La Porte High School. With their momentum growing, don’t be surprised if Thomas and the Chargers keep their hot streak rolling.
Jaylen Walker -- Lutheran South Academy Baseball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Lutheran South Academy enters the postseason not only as the No. 1 team in TAPPS Division II, but also as the top-ranked team in Texas, according to MaxPreps.
With a near-flawless 30-3-1 record, the Pioneers appear well-positioned for a deep championship run.
Much of the attention naturally goes to high-profile names like LSU-commit Omar Serna and Texas-bound Marcus Cantu. But junior Jaylen Walker continues to prove he's just as vital to LSA’s success.
The versatile outfielder and right-handed pitcher has been a steady presence in the lineup all season, and his recent home run—his sixth of the year—only underscores his growing impact.
Whether at the plate, on the mound, or in the field, Walker’s all-around contributions give the Pioneers an added edge.
He’s a reminder that Lutheran South’s depth extends far beyond its star power—and that could be the difference as the postseason heats up.
Leslie Sarduy -- Dobie Softball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
After finishing second in District 22-6A, Dobie entered the first round of the 2025 playoffs as underdogs against 21-6A champion Ridge Point.
But the Longhorns, led by head coach Robin Rackley, defied expectations—sweeping the Panthers with back-to-back wins (10-5, 10-7) to advance to the Area Round.
At the heart of that upset was senior Leslie Sarduy. The Midland College commit went 4-for-6 over the two-game stretch, tallying two RBIs, five runs, and a triple. Her impact was felt not only at the plate, but across the field—anchoring Dobie’s defense with veteran presence and composure.
Sarduy’s leadership has brought stability to a team looking to make a deep postseason run, and her recent performance suggests she’s far from done.
As the Longhorns prepare to face Clear Springs in the Area Round, all eyes will be on Sarduy to continue setting the tone for a team that's gaining momentum at just the right time.