GAMES
RANKINGS
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Kinkaid Falcons football team.
TROPHY TALK: 2026 VYPE Houston Preseason Private School Football Rankings
3. Episcopal Knights
4. Second Baptist Eagles
5. The Woodlands Christian Academy Warriors
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Others to Watch: Concordia Lutheran Crusaders, Cypress Christian Warriors, Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles, Houston Christian Mustangs, Lutheran South Academy Pioneers, St. John’s School Mavericks, St. John XXIII Lions, St. Pius X Panthers, The John Cooper School Dragons
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1. The Kinkaid School Falcons
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Did someone say “three-peat”? Kinkaid made its title defense look inevitable a year ago, as head coach Nathan Larned watched his Falcons dominate en route to a second straight SPC 4A championship and a 9-2 overall record.
Arizona-bound tailback Wayne Shanks Jr. spearheads the pursuit of the team’s third consecutive trophy, coming off another astronomical All-SPC campaign in which he amassed nearly 2,500 all-purpose yards and 31 combined scores.
Senior QB Ross Wynne was the picture of efficiency, throwing for more than 1,900 yards and 21 touchdowns against just one interception. Fellow senior Eli Ferber (Davidson College commit) will be tasked with buying time up front, allowing Wynne to send air mail to receivers Drake Olson and Jordan Young.
Defensively, Kinkaid boasts two dynamic weapons in the linebacker corps: Thomas Smith (All-SPC) and Miles Comarda, both of whom also contribute at tight end on offense. Providing pass coverage will be free safety Nate Chambers, joined by rising sophomore Malcolm Campbell.
2. St. Thomas Eagles
Matt Powell (VYPE)
St. Thomas turned in an impressive 8-3 mark in 2025, advancing to the Regional stage of the ensuing TAPPS Division I playoffs. Though its postseason run was halted by Legacy Christian Academy (Frisco), the Eagles remain poised to re-enter the State conversation in head coach Raymond Davis’ second season at the helm.
The team’s massive offensive line — anchored by senior Connor Edmondson and junior Tate Erb—could be the deciding factor, as many battles are won in the trenches. Signal-caller Pierce Jacobson operates behind the wall, looking to take the next step after a junior year that saw him pass for nearly 1,800 yards and 17 touchdowns, while adding 428 rushing yards and 11 more scores. Running back Myles Stewart should remain a difference-maker, carrying the momentum of a second-team all-state showing highlighted by 873 all-purpose yards and eight trips to the end zone.
Flipping the field, cornerback Logan Debose headlines a St. Thomas defense that surrendered fewer than 16 points per contest last fall. The Houston commit and first-team all-state selection creates an island on the perimeter, working opposite senior Kohen Alexander (second-team all-state) as safety Pryce Cravens patrols the back end. Seniors Khairan McQueen (first-team all-district) and Rylan Kimpson (second-team all-district) generate pressure up front, with middle linebacker Vontrell Benton locking down the interior.
3. Episcopal Knights
Farrah Sheeren (VYPE)
Few would be surprised to see Episcopal competing for the SPC 4A title once November arrives. That was the case a year ago, when the Knights (6-5) narrowly fell 31-21 to rival Kinkaid in the championship showdown. History suggests another clash could be on the horizon in 2026, as EHS looks to end The Kinkaid School’s championship streak and capture the program’s first banner since 2023 — and the first of head coach Jimmy Moynahan’s tenure.
Back to command the offense from behind center is Donovan Warren, who threw for roughly 2,400 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding more than 500 yards and five scores on the ground. Only a junior, Warren’s stock as a collegiate recruit continues to rise, already holding offers from UTSA, Missouri State, and UNLV as his development progresses.
He’s joined in the backfield by senior Brooks Allen, a formidable power runner who racked up nearly 700 yards and 15 scores last season. Those numbers could climb behind an imposing offensive front led by Princeton commit Dillard Jennings and Liam Fanning (Sr. OL/DL), giving Warren the time to connect with pass-catchers Tramon Williams Jr., Tyler Williams, and Reed Fowler.
Listed as an athlete, Fowler will rarely leave the field, handling the majority of his reps at safety while continuing to make an impact in Episcopal’s air attack. Adding stability to the defensive unit will be edge rusher Deacon Morgan, as well as juniors Desmond White at cornerback and Gus Harkins at linebacker.
4. Second Baptist Eagles
Farrah Sheeren (VYPE)
A familiar face takes over at SBS, as defensive coordinator Keith Page ascends to the head coaching position following Beck Brydon’s resignation last December.
With 11 seasons spent inside the program, Page offers the continuity needed to maintain the Eagles’ already superb culture. Second Baptist’s 7-7 record last fall may have flown under the radar, but the Eagles found another gear when it mattered most. Their postseason surge culminated in a second consecutive TAPPS Division II State Championship appearance, where All Saints’ Episcopal once again stood in their way.
Defense figures to be the strong suit, particularly in the secondary. Athlete Peyton Jones is a true two-way talent who has earned most of his recognition as a defensive back (second-team all-state), yet continues to make his mark as a wide receiver. Cornerback Dillan Whitfield, a first-team all-district selection, also returns to the mix, joined by district second-teamers Gray Koerner (Sr. CB) and Will Newhouse (Sr. OLB).
Meanwhile, senior lineman Griffin Lewis paves the way for the SBS attack, which will rely on quarterback Casey Dunn and running back Edric Jasmine to set the tone. The Eagles also possess the rare luxury of a next-level specialist in junior kicker Luc Normand, who announced his commitment to Texas Tech in June.
5. The Woodlands Christian Academy Warriors
Dana Strange (VYPE)
Fresh off an astounding 11-1 campaign that saw coach Kolby Hull and company advance to the Regional stage of the TAPPS Division II playoffs, TWCA enters the fall with unfinished business. The Warriors were ousted by district rival Second Baptist, but return motivated to rewrite the ending and potentially secure the program’s first State Final Four appearance since 2019.
Replacing Santiago Fernandez (Army West Point) under center is no small task, but younger brother Emilio Fernandez welcomes the opportunity. The sophomore signal-caller will have plenty of support, as The Woodlands Christian Academy boasts a loaded arsenal of weapons designed to help him thrive.
The most versatile of the group is junior athlete Baron Meacham, a three-phase contributor who earned second-team all-state honors after compiling more than 1,600 all-purpose yards and 21 scores. First-team all-district wideout Julio Fernandez — another sibling of Santiago and Emilio — provides a 6-foot-3 target and senior presence, while junior running back George Hromanik looks to take on a larger role in 2026.
Senior Blake Hollas (DE/MLB) leads the charge on defense, coming off a first-team all-district showing in which he totaled 48 tackles (10 TFL). Fellow senior Hank Muhlbauer (second-team) also helps fortify the Warriors’ front seven.
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The featured standouts of the 2026–27 St. John's School volleyball team.
THE PROSPECTUS: VYPE Houston's 2026 Private School Volleyball Preseason Rankings
3. The John Cooper School Dragons
4. Concordia Lutheran Crusaders
5. Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles
Others to Watch: Cypress Christian Warriors, Episcopal Knights, Faith West Academy Eagles, Houston Christian Mustangs, Legacy Prep Christian Academy Lions, Logos Prep Lions, Providence Classical Paladins, Second Baptist Eagles, St. Agnes Academy Tigers, St. John XXIII Lions, St. Pius X Panthers, The Awty International School Rams, The Kinkaid School Falcons, The Woodlands Christian Academy Warriors
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Lutheran South Academy Pioneers
Doug Brown (VYPE)
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1. St. John's School Mavericks
The Mavericks fulfilled their destiny last November, turning a 26-15 campaign into an SPC 4A championship run capped by a 3-1 win over Episcopal—the program’s first since 2018. Now, the title defense begins for head coach Shelbi Irvin and company. St. John’s School still features one of the most explosive and relentless offenses in the private school ranks, spearheaded by Jacey Carroll on the outside. Recently committed to Washington University in St. Louis, she amassed nearly 600 kills and 300 digs a year ago, earning All-SPC honors for her efforts. Fellow senior and All-SPC selection Olivia Landahl, an NYU commit, also returns after totaling just under 1,000 assists in her junior year. She’ll be complemented by junior setter Macie Chase, while junior DS Sammie Berzin anchors the defensive side after posting 382 digs in 2025. Outside hitter Alice Engelbrink will operate opposite Carroll in a larger role, joined by rising sophomore Lidia Rajevac, who offers flexibility across the floor.
2. Lutheran South Academy Pioneers
LSA enters 2026 with unfinished business. The Pioneers authored a remarkable 31-win campaign a year ago, advancing all the way to the TAPPS 5A State Championship match before falling just short of the ultimate goal. However, Lutheran South Academy welcomes back plenty of star power and should be squarely in the mix once again. Head coach Geoff Stresman steps into his 21st season at the helm and brings 426 career victories into the fall. Among the six returning starters is Georgia Tech commit Addison Musgrove, one of the state’s most dynamic players. The first-team all-state selection stuffed the stat sheet in 2025 with 607 assists, 361 kills and 110 aces, earning recognition on both the GHVCA Postseason Team and AVCA Phenom List. The Pioneers also welcome back second-team all-state libero Charlie Marisco, who anchored the back row with 449 digs. Additional contributors expected to play significant roles include Addison Wilson (Jr. DS), Eli Wittman (Jr. DS), Julia Carpentier (Sr. DS), Hallie Garner (Sr. MB) and Megan Schwanbeck (Jr. OH).
3. The John Cooper School Dragons
The John Cooper School enters the fall under new leadership, with Taylor McColskey taking the reins of a Dragons unit that continues to trend upward. A significant hire, McColskey brings an impressive collegiate background with stops at the University of Houston, Mississippi State, and Georgia Tech, now translating that experience to an emerging SPC contender. The Dragons finished 24-7 in 2025 and placed as the SPC 3A runner-up. JCS is set to return six starters from that group, headlined by rising junior libero Morgan Nesloney, an instrumental defensive presence who recently committed to Rice. On the outside, sophomore Riley Gottsman anchors one of the pins after earning All-SPC honors alongside Nesloney. Fellow sophomores Reagan Cooksen, Dylan Wilson, and Allanah Maimone bolster the offense, while junior Mary George provides the catalyst at setter. According to McColskey, the key to success in 2026 will be continuing to develop last season’s young core while adjusting to a new system.
4. Concordia Lutheran Crusaders
Under head coach Kim Odinga, the Crusaders continued their ascent with a 31-17 record and a trip to the Regional round of the last year’s TAPPS 6A playoff brackets. State contention remains the standard at Concordia Lutheran, and rest assured the Crusaders have every intention of reentering the conversation. Senior setter Adrienne Deleon is back to ignite the spark for CLHS, coming off a season in which she garnered first-team all-state distinction. She’ll be tasked with feeding junior Raegan Odinga and sophomore Ashley Blaine, both second-team all-state picks who power the squad’s attack. Seniors Gracie Hedden (second-team all-district) and Izzy Adcock provide additional offensive support for coach Odinga, while fellow senior Cadyn Albers, also a second-team all-district selection, stabilizes the defense.
5. Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles
Now that a culture shift has officially taken hold within the FBCA volleyball unit, led by first-year head coach Dana Bass, the Eagles can turn their focus back to business. The group finished 28-12 last season, advancing to the Regional stage of the TAPPS 5A bracket. Fortunately for Bass, Fort Bend Christian wields much of the same explosive rotation, as she takes the reins in her inaugural season at the helm. Senior Tanner Tell, an Arkansas–Pine Bluff commit, returns on the outside after finishing just shy of 400 kills en route to first-team all-state honors. She’ll be joined by junior Madison Jinks (San Jose State commit), who added 220 kills and earned first-team all-district recognition of her own. In the middle, senior Gabi James (second-team all-district) anchors the front line, while second-team juniors Addi Crist and Juliet DeMarr add versatility and depth to a dynamic attack, capable of shifting into multiple roles as needed. “Blending new athletes into the FBCA volleyball unit under new leadership requires a Christ-centered approach focused on relationships, clear communication of our philosophy, and intentional mentoring that develops both skill and spiritual leadership,” Bass said. The Eagles will compete under the “One Team One Goal” motto in 2026, with the ultimate aim of winning a TAPPS State Championship.