GAMES
RANKINGS
Iowa Colony Jr. QB Carson White
THE PLAYMAKERS: 2025 Stat Sheet Stuffers // Powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Football Offensive Players of the Year, recognizing some of the region's most explosive weapons.
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Sean Simon -- La Porte Football
Photo taken/provided by: Carlyle Henry (Premier Sports Photos)
Despite drawing a tough matchup in the opening round of the playoffs against a surging Weiss squad — which went on to reach the Regional Semifinals — La Porte’s 9-2 season and second consecutive undefeated District 11-5A-D1 title speak for themselves.
Building on a monumental breakout campaign in 2024, sophomore tailback Sean Simon somehow elevated his game even further this fall, finishing just shy of 2,200 rushing yards — a new single-season program record — to go with 25 touchdowns. While credit is certainly due to LP’s stout offensive line, it’s Simon’s blend of vision, burst, and physicality that makes him one of the most difficult backs in the region to contain.
Recently named District Offensive Player of the Year, Simon’s ascent — and La Porte’s trajectory as a whole — is far from finished. The four-star recruit continues to solidify his status as one of the most intriguing prospects in the Class of 2028, already holding offers from Vanderbilt, Houston, TCU, Tennessee, and others.
Malachi Gamble -- Dickinson Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Dickinson’s offense has been nothing short of electric this fall, piling up points at a staggering pace and powering the Gators to an unblemished 13-0 record. At the center of that surge is Malachi Gamble, the defending District 24-6A Co-MVP whose impact continues to define the team’s identity.
The senior running back has helped fuel a unit averaging more than 50 points per game, most recently showcased in Dickinson’s commanding 55–16 dispatching of Strake Jesuit. Now, Gamble and the Gators prepare for a marquee showdown with North Shore in Friday’s 6A-D1 Region III Final. Should they upend the historic H-Town heavyweight, Dickinson would clinch its first State Final Four appearance in nearly 50 years — the program’s only other trip coming during the 1977 3A State Championship season.
As the stakes rise, so does Gamble’s influence, anchoring a campaign that’s pushing Dickinson into truly rare territory.
Carson White -- Iowa Colony Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Ray Garza-led Pioneers have produced yet another enthralling performance this fall, echoing the excitement of 2024 — and it all starts with the young man under center.
Iowa Colony quarterback Carson White has combined remarkable consistency with the ability to create big plays at any moment. That was on full display during the Pioneers’ resilient 31–30 win over Brenham last Friday, when White threw two touchdown passes to his favorite target, Jayden Warren (Texas A&M commit), before sealing the victory himself with a rushing touchdown just under seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Through the season, the junior signal-caller has amassed over 1,800 passing yards and 31 touchdown passes, alongside 580 rushing yards and 14 more scores — numbers that cement his case for back-to-back District 9-5A-DII Offensive MVP honors.
As Iowa Colony enters the Region III Final this week, the Pioneers carry a 12–1 record, with their lone setback coming against district rival and defending 5A-D2 State Champion Randle — a team that once again stands between IC and a UIL Final Four appearance. Considering September’s 49–42 meeting, the two programs are poised for another offensive showcase when they meet Friday at 7:00 PM at Legacy Stadium.
Under these high-stakes conditions, expect White to continue thriving in the spotlight.
Ja'Maurey Champion -- Pearland Football
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
The Oilers’ ground game was undeniably a defining feature of Pearland’s season, and it was unquestionably bolstered by Ja’Maurey Champion, whose presence often felt like a highlight reel in motion.
The team’s lead back rushed for 1,610 yards and 25 touchdowns this fall, earning unanimous first-team, all-district honors while guiding Pearland to an 11-1 record and an undefeated District 22-6A title. Though the Oilers’ season ended in the 6A-D1 Area Round against Dickinson, Champion’s impact was unmistakable, providing the spark that carried his team throughout the year.
As the senior enters the next stage of his journey, his recruitment window remains wide open. Programs in search of a dynamic, versatile running back will find no shortage of reasons to pursue him, as Champion’s combination of finesse and toughness makes him a talent capable of making an immediate impact at the collegiate level.
Jaylen Addai -- Shadow Creek Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Four-star wideout Jaylen Addai — son of former Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai — emerged as one of Shadow Creek’s brightest revelations this fall. Still only a sophomore, he already retains offers from major programs such as Texas A&M, Miami, Texas Tech, and Houston, a testament to the early buzz surrounding his talent.
By season’s end, Addai hauled in 38 passes for 771 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading the Sharks in all three categories and earning a conspicuous, well-deserved District 22-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year nod. His production was the X-factor for a Shadow Creek squad that closed 2025 by going 8–4 overall, before bowing out of the 6A-D2 playoffs to C.E. King — a team now set to face Summer Creek in the Region III Final.
And while the Sharks’ postseason run concluded earlier than hoped, the foundation ahead remains promising. With phenoms like Addai in their ranks, optimism is more than justified as Shadow Creek turns the page toward next season.
Friendswood's Nadi'ya Shelby (Florida-signee)
THE PLAYMAKERS: Southside VB's Aura Farmers // Powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Volleyball Athletes of 2025, highlighting some of South Houston's most prominent performers of the Fall.
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Caylee Young -- Clear Springs Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Clear Springs was one of the hottest teams in H-Town this season, and a clear reason for that surge stemmed from the play of Caylee Young. The junior pin hitter’s blend of precision and power consistently elevated the Chargers’ ceiling, giving them a dependable offensive catalyst in every matchup.
CSHS ultimately ran into Dawson in the Area Round — a squad now bound for the UIL 6A-DI State Final — which brought an end to an otherwise impressive campaign. Still, head coach Shannon McClellan’s group closed the year at 35-11, securing a fourth consecutive district championship in the process.
Individually, Young delivered one of the region’s top two-way seasons, finishing with 518 kills, 383 digs, and 728 serve receptions – a superb stat-line that ultimately earned the Texas Tech-commit District 24-6A MVP honors.
With the exception of imminent senior graduates like Lianna Kearns (24-6A Co-Defensive Player of the Year), the vast majority of standouts for Clear Springs are presumed to return next fall. With Young back as the centerpiece, this team is only just getting started.
Avery Koonsen -- Dawson Volleyball
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Dawson was already a perennial regional contender prior to the arrival of senior Avery Koonsen. When factoring in her addition from the outside pin, it makes total sense as to how the program has stood on business and ascended to new heights in 2025.
The team’s refusal to back down was demonstrated perfectly in the club’s monumental battle against O’Connor this past Saturday at the Delmar Fieldhouse. After five sets, the Eagles not only earned some payback against the Panthers — who were the last team to defeat them all the way back in August — but also extended the program’s historic campaign by securing a spot in the 6A-D1 State Final.
On the stat sheet, Koonsen has built a near-irrefutable case for District 22-6A MVP honors, with well over 500 kills and 300 digs to her name this season. More importantly, the soon-to-be SFA Lumberjack could potentially help Dawson secure a title in a highly anticipated matchup with Byron Nelson this Saturday.
Nadi'ya Shelby -- Friendswood Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Friendswood’s pursuit of its first championship since 1994 was unfortunately cut short by Cedar Park this past weekend. Still, a 37–10 finish and the program’s 11th appearance in the UIL State Final Four speak volumes about the consistency and structure established by head coach Sarah Paulk and her staff.
A central reason for that reliability has been clear for years. Across four seasons, Nadi’ya Shelby has remained one of the most genuinely entertaining and gifted volleyball players in Texas — much less Houston — anchoring Friendswood’s identity with her presence on the outside.
By season’s end, Shelby delivered 509 kills, 207 digs, and 398 serve receptions, once again proving to be the Mustangs’ metronome in high-pressure moments. Another District MVP selection was just announced for the Florida-signee, which marks the third consecutive time she's received the distinction -- further cementing her place as one of the program’s all-time greats.
Aniston Collins -- Lutheran South Academy Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
It’s safe to say no team was quite as commanding as LSA (31–8) on Houston’s private-school scene this fall. The Geoff Stresman-led Pioneers validated their preseason No. 1 ranking by steamrolling their way to the TAPPS 5A State Final — the program’s fifth appearance all-time and first since 2023.
And while All Saints Episcopal ultimately denied them the crown, Lutheran South more than earned its share of recognition throughout a dominant campaign.
Among the playmakers who powered that run, senior Aniston Collins’ influence was perhaps the most palpable.
In addition to securing TAPPS All-Tournament honors, another all-state nod is essentially assured for LSA’s dynamic setter. The SFA-signee closed out 2025 with a team-leading 388 kills, supported by 498 assists and 203 digs — a stat line that reflects both her versatility and her central role in the Pioneers’ system.
Even if the season didn’t end the way they envisioned, it’s hard to argue against how loaded this group was — and just how vital Collins proved to be in getting them back onto the State stage.
Peyton Aldridge -- Clear Lake Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
What a monumental year it was for Clear Lake. Not only did the Falcons (29–16) end a five-year playoff drought, but they followed it by knocking off Goose Creek Memorial and Shadow Creek en route to the 6A-D2 Regional Semifinals.
That kind of precedent doesn’t materialize without a fortified sense of cohesion — and without dependable talent steering things on the court. For Clear Lake, senior setter Peyton Aldridge was at the center of that push, assuming a starring role throughout the campaign and elevating the Falcons’ ceiling week after week.
Aldridge helped unlock the team’s offense in full, eclipsing 1,000 assists and 400 digs this fall, production that earned her first-team, all-district honors and underscored her value as the group’s primary orchestrator. And while she’ll graduate at year’s end, the new standard she helped establish is an achievement that should continue to shape Clear Lake’s trajectory moving forward.
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