There was a change at the top in District 17-6A last year as Cy Falls snatched the district title away from Cy-Fair.
One big change over the offseason was the retirement of Houston Memorial head coach Gary Koch. The Mustangs will have a different head coach for the first time since 1992.
That’s one of just many storylines for these eight teams. Here’s what to watch for in District 17-6A.
Cy-Fair Bobcats
Head Coach: Jeff Miller (6th season; 45-14 record)
Last Season: 7-4; 6-1 in district (Lost to Houston Lamar in bi-district)
Cy-Fair Key Players and Storylines
Cy-Fair continues to churn out playoff berths. The Bobcats went dancing for the 15th-straight year in 2024.
They will be settling in a new quarterback, but the skill talent is certainly there offensively. 6’4″ receiver Chase Sanders, a Texas Southern commit, rising junior receiver Kevin Ferrygood, and wide receiver/tight end Jackson Green provide a variety of options in the passing attack. Running back Arnell Fontenont will lead the ground game after taking home second team all-district honors last fall.
Touchdown @BFND_Football
Chase Sanders @Chase_Sanders07 with the TD grab to give the Bobcats the lead
Cy Fair 21
Dickinson 162nd | 1:23#TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/ztH3rOymBp
— Cade Draughon (@Cade_Draughon) September 14, 2024
On the other side of the ball, the secondary is buoyed by explosive cornerback Jaden Vaughn, a Northwestern commit. He also returned kicks and punts last year. The Bobcats also have fellow corner Alek Askeroglu, who was a second team all-district pick in 2024.
Linebacker Jayce Robinson is a major pass rushing threat off the edge. He finished last year with 12.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss.
This group will be hungry after falling in the first round of the playoffs for the first time in three years. They’ll aim to set themselves up to make noise in November as the Bobcats have done the past several years.
Cy Creek Cougars
Head Coach: Deveon McKinney (2nd season; 2-8 record)
Last Season: 2-8; 2-5 in district
Returning Lettermen: 22 (7 returning starters on offense; 8 on defense)
Cy Creek Key Players and Storylines
Cy Creek headed into the offseason with some momentum after winning its final two games of 2024. Now, the Cougars will look to continue that upward trajectory with 15 returning starters.
The offense has the backfield to create problems with team captain running back Garland Wilburn (956 rushing yards and seven touchdowns) and returning starting quarterback Kyle Moss (1,243 passing yards and 11 touchdowns).
Last ride with my seniors 🐺 pic.twitter.com/a9ikmyi4JE
— Garland Wilburn (@G40wilburn_) November 10, 2024
Senior Cameron Hines is an athlete who will be one of Moss’ go-to targets in the passing attack. Up front, senior offensive tackle Aloiscio Tenisi has good size at 6’5″ and 280 pounds.
The defensive lines will be one of the strengths of the team with returning first team all-district defensive tackle Marlon Cook (44 tackles, nine TFLs) and defensive end Rojaun Cunningham (20 tackles, three TFLs).
Junior linebacker Parker Osborne should take on a bigger role this season, while defensive backs Kenneth Le and Joshia Pridgett will provide senior leadership in the secondary.
Head coach Deveon McKinney expects this team to be able to push for a playoff berth. In order to do that though, he’ll need his guys to just focus on getting better one game at a time.
Cy Falls Eagles
Head Coach: Chris Brister (9th season; 55-33 record)
Last Season: 9-3; 7-0 in district (Lost to Katy area round)
Returning Lettermen: 25 (5 returning starters on offense; 3 on defense)
Cy Falls Key Players and Storylines
Cy Falls brought home a district title in 2024 and now has finished top two in its district the past three seasons.
The Eagles have some retooling to do though if they want to continue to soar. Just eight starters are back from last year’s squad.
It always helps though to have your signal caller back, and Cy Falls has that in dual threat quarterback Brandon Derbigny (982 passing yards and seven TDs). Running back Gabe Wilson (800 rushing yards and four TDs) is a big play threat with his speed, while receiver Liam Madkins (192 receiving yards and one TD) can make you miss with the ball in his hands. He’ll play some defensive back too.
Defensively, while Cy Falls only has three starters back, they all have Division I talent. James Henderson (34 tackles, two INTs) is a “long, rangy corner” and has over 25 Division I offers. Up front, defensive ends Kaden McCarty (59 tackles, 24 TFLs) and James Harris (50 tackles, 15 TFLs) are a quarterback’s worst nightmare with their pass rushing ability. McCarty is a four-star prospect.
The Eagles won’t be the biggest team this ball, but they don’t lack speed. Head coach Chris Brister is confident that despite the roster turnover, this team has enough to be a playoff contender again this season.
Cypress Ridge Rams
Head Coach: Andrew Shanle (7th season; 16-44 record)
Last Season: 3-7; 2-5 in district
Cypress Ridge Key Players and Storylines
After four-straight 2-8 seasons, the Rams took a small step forward with a 3-7 campaign in 2024. Still, it will take another big leap for this program to turn into a playoff threat.
This year’s team will lean on the ground attack offensively with senior running back Zion Cornish (509 rushing yards and two touchdowns) toting the rock and junior offensive lineman Jayden Williams helping to open holes. Both were second team all-district selections in 2024.
There’s more questions in the passing attack where last year’s starting quarterback transferred to Klein Oak and the top two receivers graduated.
Defensively, the Rams can lean on the linebacking corps of Noel Tovar and Jacob Harpold. In front of them, UNLV commit defensive lineman Isaiah Broughton, a transfer from Houston Second Baptist, is a wrecking ball in the trenches. His brother Vernon Broughton was picked in the third round of this year’s NFL draft.
Cypress (TX) Cy Ridge 2026 DT Isaiah Broughton@IsaiahBrought10 | @CyRidgeFootball | @twftraining | @TA_Recruiting pic.twitter.com/1fjqZ6NKeO
— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) February 23, 2025
The Rams had their best offensive output since 2020 and best scoring defense since 2019 a year ago. Shanle will hope his team can continue to build off that momentum heading into this fall.
Houston Memorial Mustangs
Head Coach: Brooks Haack (1st season)
Last Season: 4-7; 4-3 in district (Lost to Houston Heights in bi-district)
Returning Lettermen: 25 (4 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)
Houston Memorial Key Players and Storylines
For the first time in 33 years, Gary Koch will not be the head man at Houston Memorial. He retired in the offseason, handing the whistle to Brooks Haack, who was the 2024 state champion offensive coordinator at Randle High School.
Haack’s new offense at Memorial has a great foundation to build on with left tackle Evan Paul and center Devin Jaggasar. Both will be three-year starters.
At quarterback, there’s no doubting the arm talent or athleticism of first-year starter Grant Sperandio. He’s a Texas baseball commit. He’ll be leaning on an inexperienced receiving corps, spearheaded by junior Ayo Omotosho. Haack and staff are “expecting big things” from Omotosho in 2025.
One of the more advanced looks on the week. Memorial (Tx.) RHP Grant Sperandio comes in holding 91-94, grabbed 95. Legit feel for a 78-81 breaking ball with strong spin traits and lateral tilt. Flashed a strong changeup or two. Upside. pic.twitter.com/ynaVFgEmPP
— Over-Slot Baseball (@OverSlot_) August 3, 2025
There are more three year starters on defense with linebackers Isaac Richardson (65 tackles, 12 TFLs) and John Kafka and safety Brett Gulledge (38 tackles). Richardson will likely see some snaps at running back too.
Junior defensive back Jackson Van Wie is a physical player, who is one to watch for a potential breakout season.
Haack believes that defense should be a strength with six returning starters. With that unit leading the way, he wants the Mustangs to focus on growing every week so they can give themselves a “chance to be successful” in the games that matter.
Houston Northbrook Raiders
Head Coach: Demond Stafford (2nd season; 2-8 record)
Last Season: 2-8; 0-7 in district
Northbrook Key Players and Storylines
A year ago, Northbrook notched its first multi-win season since 2015. It was a big stepping stone to lay down in Demond Stafford’s first year.
The Raiders have a pair of options at quarterback again this season with junior Guillermo Macias and senior Trindon Silvernale. Silvernale also led the Raiders in rushing last season.
Senior linebacker Marcos Reyes (67 tackles, eight TFLs) is a team captain, who should lead the defense along with nickel/safety Landon Sims (45 tackles, three forced fumbles). Sims has plenty of returning experience around him in the secondary too with cornerback Antwaun Thomas (25 tackles, one INT), fellow safety Vince Macias, and Silvernale, who had a 98-yard pick-six a year ago.
Couple play from last weeks game!@NHS_Raiders1 @NHSFBRecruiting #TPW https://t.co/c2dQZCFdDd pic.twitter.com/KqN7xSiBHm
— Trindon Silvernale (@n0lifeispainted) November 5, 2024
Northbrook has never made the playoffs and is currently on a streak of 31-straight losing seasons. Stafford will know Rome wasn’t built in a day, but he’ll want to continue to see progress from his guys this fall after a solid debut season.
Houston Stratford Spartans
Head Coach: Todd Rankin (8th season; 49-29 record)
Last Season: 8-4; 5-2 in district (Lost to Katy Jordan in area round)
Returning Lettermen: 40 (6 returning starters on offense; 4 on defense)
Stratford Key Players and Storylines
Stratford has made the playoffs the past four seasons, and head coach Todd Rankin expects his guys to expand that streak this season.
A rock solid offensive line will give the Spartans a foundation to build on. Tackles Foard Polley and Clayton Nonhof are both three-year starters.
Spring ball off to a great start!! (LT-77) pic.twitter.com/7G0NGhgCLK
— Foard Polley (@FoardP_95) May 2, 2025
They’ll pave the way for explosive running back Davis Kendall (551 rushing yards and six TDs). He was Stratford’s number two option in 2024, but should man the backfield this year with his running and catching ability.
On the other side of the ball, Stratford will be looking for some players to step up at defensive tackle. Junior Ty Greene will be a big part of the defensive line. He “came on as a young starter last year.”
Johnathan Joseph (59 tackles and five INTs) will be Stratford’s lockdown cover guy. He can also play a little receiver too. Linebacker Jax Blundell (51 tackles) is “a tough interior backer” and can play multiple positions if needed.
The Spartans have had some playoff success the past couple years with an area round appearance last year and a regional semifinal run the year before. Rankin wants his group to continue to build on that as they seek that fifth-straight playoff berth.
Jersey Village Falcons
Head Coach: Levelle Norris (2nd season; 3-7 record)
Last Season: 3-7; 2-5 in district
Returning Lettermen: 22 (10 returning starters)
Jersey Village Key Players and Storylines
Jersey Village missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2019 a year ago. It wasn’t the transition it would’ve hoped for in the first year of Levelle Norris’ reign, but it’ll hope this year will be different.
The Falcons will have a pair of players stepping up in their backfield in senior quarterback Jayden Hudson and senior running back Jaden Perkins.
On the other side of the ball, defensive end Cael Thigpen is the player to know. He’ll lead a Jersey Village defensive line that should be the best unit on the entire team. Linebacker Nathan Reyes is also back after leading the Falcons in tackles last season.
Jersey Village is determined to bounce back this season with the community behind the team. The Falcons will focus on the details and winning every day and let everything work itself out from there.
