GAMES
RANKINGS
Clear Falls' Hunter Lehman
THE PLAYMAKERS: Spooky Season, powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the Fall season begins to wrap up.
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Aiden Fitzgerald -- Friendswood Cross Country
With the UIL Cross Country State Meet taking place this weekend, hundreds of athletes throughout Texas are convening at Old Settler's Park in Round Rock to determine who stands above the rest.
Among the numerous Houston-area competitors preparing at the starting line, there might just be one out of Friendswood who can win it all in Class 5A.
It comes as no surprise to see Aiden Fitzgerald back at this stage, after he finished 11th overall in last year's final which resulted in him being named to the 2023 All-VYPE XC Team.
Most recently, the junior Mustang took gold at the UIL-5A Region III Meet, with an astounding time of 15:19.73 in the 5K race.
Don't be surprised if you see Fitzgerald wind up on the winner's podium by the end of the Saturday's event.
Emerson Chang -- Manvel Volleyball
Alex Hinson (VYPE)
Despite facing some tougher competition -- particularly district counterparts Pearland, Dawson, and Shadow Creek -- since moving up to Class 6A in the UIL realignment, Manvel has continued to embody their traditional sense of excellence.
The Mavs (27-13; 10-6 in District 22-6A) recently secured a playoff spot with their sweep over Dobie, marking the 12th straight season that they will enter the postseason.
We've spoken plenty of the offensive threat this team poses, with the likes of Nevaeh English, Kenedy Massie, and Kaycee Pennie keeping opponents on their toes.
But, as we all know, this is team game, meaning there should be some credit to bestow upon the other integral role players.
Speaking of, junior DS Emerson Chang has been a dynamic force on the defensive side of the net.
As it stands, she has registered 328 digs during the regular season, in addition to contributing 49 assists, which has allowed her teammates to flourish.
All the pieces are coming together for Manvel. This will be a group worth watching in November.
Hunter Lehman -- Clear Falls Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Knights enter the tenth week of the season with an impressive record of 5-3, most recently trouncing district opponent Clear Brook by the score of 70-14.
Naturally, one might assume that the team's offense (39.5 points scored per game) has been its greatest asset, based on that score-line -- and one would be correct.
However, throughout the majority of the Fall, Clear Falls' defense has played exceptional complementary ball, which doesn't always show up on a stat-sheet.
The fact that they've held opponents to under 17 points a game has provided their teammates with ample opportunity to secure wins.
Among the several key contributors on the defensive side of the ball for CFHS, junior Hunter Lehman continues to be the rock of the group.
Lehman has already tallied 89 tackles (roughly 11 per game) on the year -- 7 of which were for loss -- which is a testament to the drive he incorporates from the MLB position.
Paired with fellow junior linebacker Preston Pitts (83 tackles, 22 TFL, 6 sacks), the Clear Falls D gets scarier with each week that passes.
Bella Law -- Shadow Creek Volleyball
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Shadow Creek Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Shadow Creek has been one of the more quietly dynamic clubs in the Houston-area for the vast majority of this year.
With the playoffs looming, the Sharks (32-10) remain in our Class 6A Top-25 after sealing the third place spot in District 22-6A and now have their sights set on more.
As expected, Texas A&M-commit Mackenzie Collins (533 kills) is the team's nucleus, elevating an already-talented group that features the likes of Aspen Brown (319 kills), Lauryn Wiley (419 digs), Kennedy Proctor (104 blocks), Tamarria Mitchell (283 kills), and Kelly Kelsick (393 receptions).
The one orchestrating the whole operation, however, is none other than Bella Law.
From the setter position, the Shadow Creek junior has facilitated every possession, evidenced by the fact that she has accrued a whopping 1,151 assists during the regular season, in addition to securing 337 digs.
If the offense was an arrow, Law is the bow, which will be made perfectly clear when SCHS embarks upon what could be a lengthy run in the postseason.
Chris Creedon -- Clear Creek Cross Country
As mentioned earlier, the final meet in the UIL Cross Country season will begin this Friday, bringing all the hard work each individual has put forth to a thrilling conclusion.
Clear Creek's Chris Creedon has plenty of experience in this arena, considering he competed in the State Meet just one year ago.
Creedon punched his ticket this past week, when he produced a remarkable 5K time of 15:27.96 to place fourth overall at the UIL-6A Region III race.
He'll have some stiff competition to match up with, given the circumstances. However, the achievements he's already tallied are worth acknowledging.
Shadow Creek's Chris Stewart
THE PLAYMAKERS: On the offensive, powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the Fall season continues to heat up.
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Tate Chisolm -- Pearland Football
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Pearland Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Following a narrow 19-12 defeat at the hands of Fulshear in the season opener, Pearland responded by claiming victories in each of their subsequent six matches -- in dominating fashion.
Now, the Oilers (6-1) are poised atop the District 22-6A standings, tied only with Shadow Creek (6-1).
The defense has been playing lights out (10.4 points allowed/game), which is what we've come to expect. However, the offense is just as critical -- contributing roughly 40 points per contest.
While the connection between Jake Westmoreland (Jr. QB) and Jordan Hernandez (Jr. WR) can give any opposing defensive coordinator a headache, the catalyst behind the team's barrage comes from their ground game -- led by Tate Chisolm.
The senior running back was a first-team, all-district selection a year ago, and now we know why.
In the absence of the, now, graduated LaDamion McDowell, Chisolm has accumulated 785 all-purpose yards and 10 scores entering the eighth week of the regular season.
As mentioned earlier, the Oilers are currently tied with Shadow Creek for the top spot in the district. The true test for them will be when the two face off next Friday on the Sharks' home turf.
Mycah Whittemore -- Deer Park Volleyball
Alex Hinson (VYPE)
It hasn't always been easy-sledding for the Deer in 2024.
However, given the quality of opponents they've competed with throughout the first half of the year -- namely Stratford, Seven Lakes, The Woodlands, Friendswood, College Park, etc. -- you can't fault them too much.
Despite that, coach Cortni Cox's squad now maintains a 19-18 record, which includes a 7-3 start in district to put them 3rd overall.
Offense certainly hasn't been an issue, with senior OH Mycah Whittemore headlining the relatively young group.
As it stands, Whittemore has tallied well over 400 kills, averaging 4 per set.
Paired with the talents of Erin Goodson (Jr. DS), Abi Woodson (Jr. S), and Alixandra Klein (So. OH), a trip to the playoffs should be well within the reach of Deer Park.
Chris Stewart -- Shadow Creek Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Similar to their district counterpart Pearland, Shadow Creek dropped the first game of the season -- although it was against 2023 State Finalist Summer Creek -- before taking home the W in their next six contests.
This roster is clearly loaded with skill on both sides of the ball.
However, the brightest star for the Sharks this campaign has unquestionably been that of Chris Stewart (Jr. WR).
Stewart was named a unanimous first-teamer in 2023, before committing to Texas in July.
Throughout this season, though, he's already brought in 34 receptions for nearly 600 yards (85 ypg) and 10 touchdowns. If that wasn't enough, Stewart is also a force in the return game, adding on 332 extra yards, which includes two more scores off punts.
After resting up this week during their bye, Stewart and company will look to potentially seal a District 22-6A title when facing Pearland next Friday.
Taylor Ranney -- Dawson Volleyball
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Dawson Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It wasn't a huge secret that Dawson was going to be among the top clubs in H-Town, entering this Fall.
While they've had their fair share of close battles, the Eagles are rapidly picking up speed at the perfect time, having won each of their last 10 games to bring their record to 28-10.
In the second round of district-play, they are coming off instrumental wins against Shadow Creek (3-2) and Pearland (3-0), which has ascended them into the top-10 of our weekly city-wide rankings.
We've talked about Kennedy Jones (Sr. MH). We've talked about Jenna Thedford (Jr. L). But one name that has flown quietly under the radar is none other than Taylor Ranney.
Dawson's junior setter recently surpassed the 1,000-assist mark on the year, which is a remarkable achievement, in and of itself.
Furthermore, Ranney has contributed 245 digs and 83 kills, making her a key weapon in each phase of the game.
One thing has been made abundantly clear: these Eagles are going to be a feared opponent entering the the postseason.
Julian Salazar -- Clear Springs Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Chargers have proven to be one of the most consistent teams in Houston as we approach the final stages of the 2024 season.
Under the direction of coach Anthony Renfro, Clear Springs improved to 5-1 with their most recent 50-21 thrashing of Brazoswood.
It was mentioned, not too long ago, that the connection between senior signal-caller Julian Salazar and Arizona-commit Muizz Tounkara (Sr. WR) would pay dividends for the offense, and that notion still stands today.
Salazar received District 24-6A Offensive MVP honors last Fall, and appears to be in the running for a full-on District MVP nod come November.
Before he moves on to Lamar next year, however, there is still a task at hand, with critical matchups against Clear Falls (10/18), Dickinson (10/25) and Deer Park (11/1) on the horizon, and a likely playoff appearance to follow.