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THE PLAYMAKERS: Recruiting Season Edition powered by UTMB Health
The South Houston area is loaded with talented athletes who give it there all in their respective fields of play.
Welcome to the VYPE Playmakers powered by UTMB Health, where we’re highlighting five standouts from this past week who stole the headlines.
In this edition, we'll be detailing some of the notable developments that are taking place during each individual's respective off-season.
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Month, as the Winter season heats up.
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Coach Corby Meekins, Lutheran South Academy Football
Photo provided by Coach Corby Meekins (Twitter: @corbymeekins)
The Pioneers recently made an expert hire by bringing in a household name in Texas coaching like Corby Meekins.
LSA's newest head football coach has built up quite the resume over the years, most recently serving as the assistant head coach for the University of Houston.
Prior to the four years he spent with UH, Meekins' considerable career was bolstered with experience at the University of Texas. Most notably, Meekins served as the head coach for Westfield between 2004 and 2014, where he would guide the team to 10 playoff appearances, including a trip to the state championship game in 2004.
Given this new change in leadership, all eyes will certainly be on Lutheran South once they suit up next Fall.
Chase Bruton, Hitchcock Football
Photo by Jackson DiPasquale (VYPE)
Chase Bruton's stellar performance in the 2023 season was one of many Hitchcock players that led the Class 3A power to yet another district championship and ensuing trip to the postseason.
The star DB/WR naturally earned himself first-team all-district honors with his efforts, and given his considerable speed and 5-foot-10 frame, it was only a matter of time before the junior Bulldog received his first official offer to play collegiate ball.
Just this past week, Bruton got the call from the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP), which will undoubtedly be the first of many if the results he has shown thus far are any indication.
Kyden Barker, Galveston Ball Football
Photo provided by Kyden Barker
QB Kyden Barker put up some impressive numbers from behind center this past Fall.
In just his sophomore year, the Galveston Ball phenom threw for over 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, with another score on the ground to boot.
Given the productivity he's displayed, despite his young age, it comes as no surprise that Barker already has an offer from UNLV, and recently visited the University of Texas following a note-worthy invite.
With additional visits to Texas A&M and the University of Houston coming soon, the future is certainly bright for this rising star.
Tyler Thomas, Dickinson Football
Photo provided by Tyler Thomas (Twitter: @TThomas06x)
As one of the top offensive linemen in the state, Class of 2025's Tyler Thomas has been raising eyebrows from recruiters nationwide.
The three-star Dickinson product already holds offers from several top collegiate programs -- namely Tennessee, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Texas, Ole Miss, and LSU -- with plenty more pouring in.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, complemented by quick feet and an explosive energy, Thomas has become a force to be reckoned with in the trenches.
It will interesting to see where he ultimately decides to call home following his upcoming senior year.
Jaylen Stewart, Pearland Football
Photo provided by Jaylen Stewart
Jaylen Stewart was a welcome surprise to Pearland's already-stingy defense in 2023.
In just his sophomore year, he racked up a team-high 6 sacks, along with 52 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Unsurprisingly, Stewart earned first-team all-district honors, with the additional recognition of being named the district's Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
While he currently only holds one offer (Baylor), there's no doubt that will change by the time he takes to the field again for his junior season.
If this was his introduction, we can't to see what more is in store for this Pearland game-wrecker.
Episcopal's Karson Gordon
The 2023 All-VYPE Private School Football Team presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Another season on the gridiron is in the books for the private school sector.
With several teams staking their claims to be the best, it was truly a thrilling experience for audiences state-wide.
H-Town experienced its fair share of success throughout the Fall, particularly Episcopal who took home the SPC championship, while Houston Christian experienced a meteoric rise on the SPC-3A scene, reaching the state final for the first time in program history.
Meanwhile, St. Thomas finished the season as TAPPS-DI state finalists, while Second Baptist School and Cypress Christian ended up reaching the state Final-Four in their respective divisions.
With that in mind, it's time to announce the 2023 All-VYPE Private School Football team presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
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TEAM OF THE YEAR: St. Thomas Eagles
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
It had been over two decades since St. Thomas had reached the TAPPS state championship, but coach Rich McGuire and company proceeded to put an end to that drought this Fall.
The Eagles were a force to be reckoned with, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, given that they averaged over 45 points scored per game. With offensive weapons -- Donte Lewis, Johann Cardenas, and Luke Edgecombe, just to name a few -- it's not hard to see why.
Houston's representatives in the TAPPS-DI championship would ultimately fall to state-power Parish Episcopal (40-29) in the end, however the run that St. Thomas went on this season should not go without recognition.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Steve Leisz, Episcopal
It's only natural that the coach of a championship-caliber team would receive this nod.
The Episcopal head coach would ultimately decide to retire following his team's acquisition of the SPC title, which will immortalize his legacy in the well-established Houston program.
ALL-VYPE TEAM PHOTO GALLERY: Tanner Huckfelt, Concordia Lutheran (2nd Team QB)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
ALL-VYPE PRIVATE SCHOOL TEAM
OFFENSE
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QUARTERBACK
First-Team
Karson Gordon, Episcopal
Donte Lewis, St. Thomas
Second-Team
Tanner Huckfelt, Concordia Lutheran
Bret Kilchrist, Houston Christian
Honorable Mention
Stephen Gill, St. John’s
Canon Toon, Second Baptist
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RUNNING BACK
First-Team
Johann Cardenas, St. Thomas
John Kelly, Cypress Christian
Second-Team
Cole Allen, St. John’s
Miles Roeder, Kinkaid
Honorable Mention
Langston Davis, Second Baptist School
Cole Chance, Concordia Lutheran
Kade Gulledge, Houston Christian
Brandon Thomas, Episcopal
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WIDE RECEIVER
First-Team
Larry Benton III, St. Thomas
J.D. Crisp, Second Baptist
Luke Edgecomb, St. Thomas
Second-Team
Max Granville, FBCA (ATH)
Anderson Jones, Houston Christian
Jackson Ranucci, Episcopal
Honorable Mention
Reece Cutrer, Concordia Lutheran
Jordan Manuel, Kinkaid
Alexander Yearwood, St. Pius X
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OFFENSIVE LINE
First-Team
Jake Ghiselin, St. Thomas
Anthony Pellerin, St. Thomas
Chase Tepper, Second Baptist
Bennett Warren, FBCA
Cullen Witt, Episcopal
Second-Team
Rhett Carroll, FBCA
Wyatt Childers, St. John’s
Oliver Eades, Kinkaid
Zeke Hogan, Cypress Christian
Jacob Rauch, Cypress Christian
Honorable Mention
Graeme Highberg, Houston Christian
RJ Lee, Second Baptist
Andrew Owen, Cypress Christian
Chase Stepp, St. Pius X
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DEFENSE
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DEFENSIVE LINE
First-Team
Michael Fowler, St. Pius X
Dominic Ori, St. Thomas
Jack Reid, St. Thomas
Charles Shears, Second Baptist
Second-Team
Michael-Anthony Okwura, St. Thomas
Ivan Jimmy-Ducksworth, FBCA
Maximus Supplee, Cypress Christian
Cullen Walton, Episcopal
Honorable Mention
Nathan Alvarez, St. Pius X
Kelvin Baptiste, Second Baptist
Will McMackin, Kinkaid
Jacob Rauch, Cypress Christian
Kristofer St. Clair, LSA
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LINEBACKER
First-Team
Bryce Butler, Second Baptist
Tyler Day, St. Thomas
Max Granville, FBCA
Second-Team
Luken Koehn, Concordia Lutheran
CJ Willis, Cypress Christian
Nick Woods, St. Pius X
Honorable Mention
Cooper Davis, St. Thomas
Barrett Mossman, St. John’s
Jeffrey Potts, Cypress Christian
Adam Sheppard, Houston Christian
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DEFENSIVE BACK
First-Team
Ty Blevins, Episcopal
Nico Gomez, Kinkaid
Lou Lamar, Concordia Lutheran
Breylan Thompson, Episcopal
Second-Team
Jackson Powers, Second Baptist
Jordan Rogers, FBCA
Aron Valentine, St. Thomas
Owen Witschonke, Cypress Christian
Honorable Mention
Maxwell Bagwell, Second Baptist
Damarcus Batiste, St. Thomas
Keenan Bonner, St. Thomas
Kameron Brown, St. Pius X
JD Crisp, Second Baptist School
Drew Mestayer, Cypress Christian
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SPECIAL TEAMS
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KICKER/PUNTER
First-Team
Preston Kyle, St. Pius X
Second-Team
Emanuel Montoya, FBCA