info@leoweeksphotographers.com
A new football season is approaching in Texas and the excitement for the return of Friday Night lights in Texas is heating up.
From the state favorites to the cinderella stories, nothing is better than Texas high school football.
Last year, one of the biggest stories was Port Neches-Groves, who made it to the 5A State Championship game for the first time since 1999. The Indians finished as runner-ups to South Oak Cliff, but this year the Indians look ready for another State run.
Class of 2024 ATH Shea Adams was the leader on the offense on last year’s State. With an upcoming senior year approaching, Adams will look to avenge last year’s State title game loss.
VYPE caught up with Adams about his football journey, his recruitment, the upcoming season and more.
Adams, like most high school athletes, started playing football at a young age and found his first “true love”.
“I’ve played football from the first day I could,” Adams said. “Growing up playing flag football to little league, I haven’t looked back since. Football has always been my love.”
The Indians' playoff run was magical to say the least as many media outlets predicting an early playoff exit for the Indians. For Adams and his teammates, they saw that as a sign to wake up the state.
“The run to State last year was magical for us, not a single report had us to make it past the second round. We proved them wrong and brought our high school to State for the first time in over 20 years.”
Photo By: Leo Weeks Photographyinfo@leoweeksphotographers.com
At 6-foot-5, 205-pounds, Adams was all over the field last fall making plays at wide receiver and quarterback, accounting for 1,450 yards of total offense and 31 touchdowns. This year, Adams will be playing more at quarterback, but the position is not something new for him.
“Growing up, I was always played at QB, so the transformation from the utility guy to just quarterback shouldn’t be too hard," he said. "I just need to polish up my passing game.”
Though Adams might need to touch up on his passing attack for this Fall, he will have his biggest strength of his game ready come game one.
“The strongest part of my game is definitely running the ball, using my legs and the physicality I play with to be successful,” he said.
Last year’s playoff run sent shockwaves throughout the state and woke up a lot of people, especially college coaches. Since the end of the State game, Adams has picked up offers from Lamar, UIW, Navy, Army, Air Force, Dartmouth and La Tech. So, what’s the boost in the recruiting process been like?
“The recruitment process has been so crazy,” he said. “I’m truly blessed to have received the offers I have so far. I just plan on continuing to work hard and pick up more offers.”
PNG has seen some athletes go on and have success at the next level and the pros, most recently Roschon Johnson who was just drafted after a successful college career. For Adams, he looks to be the next guy up and pass the torch to the next generation.
“Growing up, I remember watching Roschon and some other very good PNG players that went on to play college," he said. "I always looked up to them and wanted to be like them, so I am very glad to be able to be that for younger kids and be a good role model for them.”
The Southeast Texas and PNG communities love their football. Those who play in these areas live on in the folk lore of those communities. For Adams, representing SETX and PNG is an experience like any other.
“Playing for PNG has been everything for me,” Adams said. “I truly believe that we have the best community and coaches in high school football, and I’m honored to be able to represent our high school and SETX football.”
Shea Adams and the PNG Indians are primed for a big season this Fall and though the team is young... the expectations are high.
“We are going to have a much younger team this year but my goal is to build a strong chemistry with this team," he said. "We want to start off better this season in the game against Port Author Memorial and to make another deep playoff run.”
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Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
IN 2022, COLLEGE PARK REACHED THE SECOND ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS AND BRING BACK SOME YOUNG BUT NOW EXPERIENCED PLAYERS ON ITS ROSTER.
Six starters return off Candice Collins’ team that went 24-10 a year ago. Lacy Tinnell had a big freshman campaign racking up 305 kills to go along with 83 blocks and 78 digs to be named the District 13-6A Newcomer of the Year.
Mallory Madison’s younger sister, Morgan (Baylor-commit), finished right behind big sister in digs for the Cavaliers in 2022 with 289 but that came in a shortened season as she suffered a torn ACL.
Another now-sophomore Caroline Prihoda wasn’t far off that pace with 251 digs and led the team in assists with 599. This team has a solid sophomore class coming back in 2023 with a junior in Morgan providing leadership. Also watch out for Abby Edmonson, who was a first-team, all-district pick with 318 digs.
They may be younger than some teams, but College Park has experienced youth, which is dangerous in between the white lines.
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Jamey Wright (VYPE)
ZOË HUMPHREY CAN LOOK BACK AND LAUGH, NOW.
“My volleyball journey started at the YMCA,” Humphrey laughed. “But, after I got hit in the face with the ball, I no longer wanted to play after that traumatic experience.”
Her journey has had some interesting twists and turns, but the 6-foot-3 star has turned out just fine. She is now one of the most feared middles in the state of Texas and will head West to volleyball super-power UCLA next Fall.
“When I began the recruitment process, I knew I wanted to attend a high academic university and play competitive volleyball,” she said. “UCLA gives me both, and the campus is unbeatable compared to the others I visited.“
"As much as I’ll miss my Mom and Dad, they will still attend games. Also, knowing the opportunities that will present themselves will keep me distracted from ever missing home as much.”
Jayme Wright (VYPE)
Academics certainly play a major role in Humphrey’s ambition. Given that standard she holds, Humphrey will be pursuing a career in Sports Medicine when she attends UCLA, with the intention of working for a professional team one day.
Humphrey wanted out after that memorable ball to the face. But, maybe it was an awakening as to what her future held.
By the age of 10, Humphrey would be reintroduced to the game via camps and playing Gator league, which would ultimately lead to her starting club ball by age 12.
“The more I played, the more my love for the game grew,” she said. “I decided at an early age that I wanted to play at the collegiate level. I knew that achieving that goal wouldn’t be easy, but I was up to the challenge.”
She had early success at the high school level at Klein, where she was part of the 2020 State Final Bearkat team. She was just a freshman.
Humphrey made a drastic change transferring to St. Pius X in 2021. Or was it?
Some of the stars of SPX VolleyballJayme Wright (VYPE)
“Moving over to SPX gave me the great opportunity to play under a Clare Brockman, a Penn State volleyball alum, who has given me an expanded role as a leader,” Humphrey said. “SPX has taught me what a true sisterhood is like, which has helped me to grow as a leader and a person as well.”
While she has grown internally, Humphrey’s game has surged.
“I feel that I have the ability to have a greater impact on games using my God-given talent,” she said. “My length forces opponents to rethink their attacking shots, which often results in tipping. Plus, having a big kill can change the game and will get my team fired up.”
Before she heads West, the 2022 TAPPS Second-Team, All-State selection, will have one more season to lead the St. Pius X crew to glory.
“My expectation for the season is for me to play at a high-level night in and night out,” she said. “Hopefully, this will result in us finishing in the top half of our district and making a long playoff run.”
And to think, she was this close to giving up the game she would grow to love.
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