GAMES
RANKINGS
Whataburger Team of the Week: Dickinson FB puts an exclamation point on Week 1 with huge win over Katy
The Dickinson Gators didn’t just start their season with a win—they made a statement.
Traveling to Legacy Stadium to take on perennial powerhouse Katy, Dickinson turned heads across the Houston high school football scene with a commanding 34-21 victory on Saturday. The result wasn’t just an upset—it was a clear message that the Gators are a team to be taken seriously in 2025.
Led by longtime head coach John Snelson, Dickinson’s all-around performance helped vault the program up the rankings. The Gators now sit at No. 6 in the Houston area and are ranked No. 34 in the state by MaxPreps.
Much of that success stemmed from standout performances on both sides of the ball.
Junior quarterback Lorenzo Aguirre played with poise and efficiency, throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns against a traditionally strong Katy defense. Senior running back Malachi Gamble provided the ground threat, earning Offensive MVP honors from the team for his efforts.
Defensively, senior linebacker Quintrell Bloom was named the team’s Defensive MVP, while junior linebacker Ethan Sampson also impressed—consistently diagnosing plays and stepping up to shut down the run game.
With the confidence of a big win under their belts, Dickinson now turns its focus to another test in C.E. King. The Panthers are coming off a 32-14 victory over Westfield and bring momentum of their own into Friday night’s matchup, which kicks off at 7:00 p.m. at Sam Vitanza Stadium.
While it's only Week 2, Dickinson’s early form suggests a team with the talent, depth, and discipline to make a serious run this fall. If Saturday’s performance was any indication, the Gators are more than ready for the spotlight.
Whataburger Team of the Week: All eyes are now on surging Dawson Volleyball squad
For a program that’s made consistency its calling card, the Dawson Eagles are already setting a familiar tone in 2025—one built on execution and a competitive edge.
Since taking over in 2018, head coach Lauren Leth has crafted a culture that values the long haul. Her teams rarely just show up—they sustain. Formerly at Barbers Hill, Leth has guided Dawson to the postseason every year at the helm, extending what has become one of the most dependable playoff streaks in Texas volleyball.
That tradition doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
Coming off a 32-11 campaign in 2024, Dawson is off to a scorching 14-1 start this fall. The Eagles went unbeaten at the Houston Invitational and appear poised to make another statement at the upcoming Volleypalooza Tournament in Austin.
Their only blemish so far—a five-set battle with Cypress Ranch—was the kind of loss that reflects strength more than setback.
Along the way, the team has notched statement wins over the likes of Tompkins, Ridge Point, Seven Lakes, Cy-Fair, Deer Park. and most recently, College Park. And while the postseason is always part of the conversation, the immediate focus is on reclaiming the District 22-6A title—no small feat in a group that includes Pearland, Shadow Creek, Manvel, and Dobie.
On the court, senior leadership remains the backbone.
Jenna Thedford (Texas A&M-commit), Avery Koonsen (SFA), Keaton Points (University of San Francisco), Destiny Lyons (Temple College), Julia Wright, Isabella Tijerina, and Grand Canyon University-bound sisters Taylor and Sloane Ranney bring experience and presence at nearly every position.
There’s also promising youth on the roster, including freshman setter Alexa Koonsen—Avery’s younger sister—who’s already shown the poise and timing to contribute when her number is called.
Through the early stretch of the season, Dawson continues to play with the control and confidence of a team that knows who it is—and more importantly, what it’s capable of becoming.