GAMES
RANKINGS
Whataburger Team of the Week: C.E. King surges to victory in District-opener vs. Atascocita
In his first season as head coach, Cory Laxen is quickly making his mark at C.E. King. Since being promoted in January, Laxen has helped guide the Panthers toward fulfilling their championship potential—a trajectory that feels fitting given his coaching pedigree.
Before taking over at King, Laxen spent a decade on the staff at powerhouse North Shore, where he served as the Offensive Line Coach and Strength & Conditioning Coordinator under John Kay (now the defensive coordinator at Rice University). During his time there, the Mustangs captured four state titles, a testament to the winning culture Laxen has now instilled in his own program.
That vision seems to be taking shape early.
The Panthers have opened the 2025 season with a 3-1 record, including dominant wins over Westfield (32-14) and Dekaney (58-7). But it was last Friday's shootout against district rival Atascocita that truly turned heads.
In a high-octane 70-55 Homecoming win, C.E. King delivered a statement in front of its home crowd.
...
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PHOTOS FROM THE C.E. KING VS. ATASCOCITA GAME
Sr. RB Dionne Sims (SFA-commit) celebrates a game-sealing score against Atascocita, alongside sophomore Dillon MitchellPhoto taken by: Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
While Atascocita’s star quarterback Cardae Mack—last season’s District 23-6A MVP—put on a show with seven total touchdowns, the night ultimately belonged to the Panthers, thanks in large part to senior running back Dionne Sims.
Sims, a Stephen F. Austin-commit, was electric every time he touched the ball. He racked up well over 400 yards of total offense and scored six times, including a receiving touchdown on a connection with quarterback Timothy Potts just before halftime. Behind a dominant offensive line, Sims showcased his elite speed and vision, repeatedly slicing through the defense with ease.
Complementing Sims’ standout performance were sophomore wideout Dillon Mitchell, who scored twice—once on an end-around and again on an 80-yard kickoff return—and junior running back Antwon Sanders, whose physical style made an impact in short-yardage situations.
Though defense wasn’t the story of the night, C.E. King’s unit came through in the clutch, forcing two pivotal turnovers that helped tilt the momentum at key moments.
The win not only gives the Panthers a strong start in district contention, but it could also carry long-term implications in the race for the District 23-6A title. With momentum on their side, C.E. King now shifts focus to a road matchup against Goose Creek Memorial this Friday.
Under Laxen’s leadership, paired with Sims' dynamic play, the Panthers have hit their stride—and the rest of 23-6A is officially on notice.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PHOTOS FROM THE C.E. KING VS. ATASCOCITA GAME
Whataburger Team of the Week: La Porte captures statement win over Kingwood; now gears up for PNG
Two games into the 2025 season, La Porte is already proving it belongs in the conversation among the state’s most competitive programs.
The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 with a 34-28 win over Kingwood last Friday — a victory that speaks volumes. Not only did they knock off a Class 6A opponent, but they did so against a team that made it all the way to the Region III Final a year ago.
Of course, La Porte isn’t short on postseason pedigree themselves. The Bulldogs advanced to the fourth round of the 5A-D1 playoffs in 2024 before falling to district rival Angleton — a team they’ll see again in a much-anticipated Halloween night rematch later this fall.
For now, though, the focus shifts to this Friday’s clash with Port Neches-Groves — a matchup that should be on the radar for any Texas high school football fan looking for another tightly contested game.
Offensively, La Porte’s bread-and-butter continues to be its ground game, headlined by the two-headed rushing attack of Sean Simon and Ashton Ruffin.
Simon, a standout sophomore and four-star recruit, has already racked up 500 yards and four touchdowns through just two weeks. Ruffin, a senior and two-way force, has tallied 356 total yards and six scores while also anchoring the defense as an all-district linebacker.
Senior QB Aiden Saenz provides stability under center, while sophomore wideout Payton Smith adds a youthful spark in the passing game. Up front, senior lineman Jake Hayman — last year’s District Offensive Lineman of the Year — leads a physical unit that’s opened up lanes for the backs to thrive.
Defensively, the Bulldogs are anchored by senior nose guard Luke Mora and safety Blake Stout, providing experience and toughness on a unit that will be tested against PNG’s dynamic offense.
Now in his fourth season at the helm, head coach Kevin Berneathy has built a team with the depth, discipline, and edge to compete deep into November once again. If early results are any indication, La Porte is picking up right where it left off.