The seven 6A Houston ISD schools will compete in District 18-6A again this fall.
If history repeats itself, October 17 should be the district title decider when Lamar faces Heights. Lamar has won 14 of the last 15 district titles with Heights finishing as the runner-up the past three seasons.
Can someone else crash the party this fall?
Here’s what to watch for in District 18-6A.
Houston Bellaire Cardinals
Head Coach: Devonte Jones (1st season)
Last Season: 6-5; 4-2 in district (Lost to Cypress Falls in bi-district)
Bellaire Key Players and Storylines
The Cardinals have now made the playoffs in back-to-back years, and there’s no reason they shouldn’t extend that streak this year. They will have a new coach as Bellaire grad Devonte Jones takes over for Herb Kunz, who was promoted to athletic coordinator over the offseason.
There’s plenty of offensive firepower returning, especially in the backfield. Quarterback Will Hazen (1,144 passing yards and 15 touchdowns) is back behind center and can move when needed. Receiver Anthony Miller (284 receiving yards and eight touchdowns) proved last year he can be Hazen’s go-to man.
Promising sophomore running back Jake Brasington (399 rushing yards and seven touchdowns) and fellow back senior Chance Diebner (287 receiving yards and three touchdowns) will keep the Cardinals’ ground game in gear.
Will Hazen/ 2026 QB/ Bellaire HS/ Houston, Texas
Coming off a great junior season. Named 1st team all-district QB@BHSCardinalsFB @JEVYMAC1 pic.twitter.com/uPFfeGvfL5
— Will Hazen (@will_hazen4) March 27, 2025
The defense will pack plenty of a punch too. Opposing offensive lines will have their hands full with defensive ends Marshall Smith (45 tackles, 20 TFLs) and Kris Connor (35 tackles, 14 TFLs), who are coming off productive 2024 seasons. Linebacker Braylon Bailey (40 tackles, three TFLs) will lead the middle of the field.
On the back end, safety Bishop Jones (28 tackles) and fellow defensive back Keaton Davis (22 tackles) will keep opposing quarterbacks honest. Both had three interceptions last season.
The Cardinals return most of their production on both sides of the ball. After back-to-back third place district finishes, they’ll be eager to see if they can close the gap on Heights and Lamar in 2o25.
Houston Chavez Lobos
Head Coach: Louie Rodriguez (3rd season; 2-18 record)
Last Season: 2-4; 2-6 in district
Chavez Key Players and Storylines
A year ago, the Lobos hung their hats on their first multi-win season in three years. With 2025 being year three under head coach Louie Rodriguez, they will hope to continue to show improvement on the field.
Wide receiver Johntta Thomas (781 receiving yards and ten touchdowns) will need to play a huge role again this season. He’s a big-play threat and will need to be a safety blanket as the Lobos settle in senior Jeremiah Villareal at quarterback. Villareal was a second team all-district tight end in 2024, but he’ll play behind center for the first time ever this fall.
#YouGotMossed #ESPN #RandyMoss Chavez HS (Houston, TX)- Johntta Lee Thomas MOSSED two dudes to catch one of his 3 TD’s (4 rec 100 yds, 3TD’s) pic.twitter.com/1gmCzkzT6H
— Louie Rodriguez (@CoachLouRod) September 14, 2024
His protection will be anchored by offensive lineman Manuel Miller, who was also an all-district selection a year ago.
Miller (53 tackles, 12.5 TFLs) will also make his presence felt on the defensive line alongside Chavez’s 2024 leading tackler defensive end Daquan James (64 tackles, four TFLs). Linebacker Angel Marquez (45 tackles) had an impressive freshman campaign a year ago, while Villareal can bring some senior leadership to the middle of the field.
A year ago, both the scoring offense and defense improved from Rodriguez’ first season. With leaders back on both sides of the ball, the Lobos will look to keep that momentum going in 2025.
Houston Heights Bulldogs
Head Coach: Stephen Dixon (18th season; 100-84 record)
Last Season: 8-4; 5-1 (Lost to Strake Jesuit in area round)
Heights Key Players and Storylines
The Bulldogs have won playoff games in each of the past three years under Stephen Dixon. However, they haven’t been able to top Lamar for a district title since 2020.
This year’s offense has plenty of weapons. Quarterback Kobe Miles (1,508 passing yards and 20 touchdowns) and versatile running back Corian Jacobs (405 rushing yards, 268 receiving yards, 10 total TDs) re-unite after strong sophomore seasons. Jacobs is also Heights’ leading returning receiver.
Out wide, seniors Kaden Cole (193 receiving yards and two touchdowns) and Christopher Martin (118 receiving yards and two touchdowns) will need to take on bigger roles this season after the graduation of last year’s district MVP Zaylen Cormier. Junior tackle Ayden Bazy has great size at 6’6” and 295 pounds.
Just watch. 😴 @Kobe_Miles8 @dallaspayne2005 @CoachDixon_63 pic.twitter.com/kPbV17IDAY
— 3 ⭐️ Kaden Cole WR (@_k4denn) May 5, 2025
Defensively, it will almost be a whole new group. 11 of Heights’ 13 leading tacklers graduated. They’ll need to build around a linebacking corps anchored by Joseph Chavez (35 tackles, 10 TFLs) and Jonaven House (39 tackles).
A year ago, Heights averaged 34.9 points per game. The Bulldogs will need more of those fireworks this season as they settle in young pups all across the defense.
Houston Lamar Texans
Head Coach: Michael Lindsey (8th season; 56-22 record)
Last Season: 8-4; 6-0 in district (Lost to Fulshear in area round)
Lamar Key Players and Storylines
The Texans are now up to 14 district titles in 15 years. They almost made the regional semifinals for the second-straight year too, but Fulshear edged them out 54-48 in the second round of playoffs.
The offense will have a new general in the backfield after graduating its starting quarterback. Speedy running backs Larry Sanders (503 rushing yards and five touchdowns) and Deverick Stone-Hubbard (363 rushing yards and four touchdowns) will keep the Texans ground game moving this fall. They’ll have seniors guards Jayden Cook and Chase Provost creating gaps in front of them as well. Both earned second team all-district honors last fall.
Round 2 vs Fulshear Highlights! Didn’t come out on Top, but I promise next year we’re coming for Vengeance! @CoachC3Neal @coachmlindsey @Coach_Breaux @T360Elite @CoachJGray1 pic.twitter.com/MSCeUJCGRJ
— LarrySanders2 (@LarrySanders2_) November 23, 2024
Junior Jacarsten Landor (332 receiving yards and three touchdowns) is the player to watch out in the receiving corps.
On the the other side of the ball, opposing receivers will have to deal with defensive backs Robert McFarland (37 tackles) and Prince Washington (31 tackles). They were both first team all-district players in 2024. Defensive lineman Martin Davis-Wheatfall (48 tackles, six TFLs) has great length at 6’4″ and will cause havoc in the trenches.
Junior linebacker Jaxon Richmond (38 tackles) is a returning leader in the middle of the field for the Texans.
The Lamar running game will be tough to slow down this season. Combine that with the defense having key players back at all three levels and the Texans have a recipe for success again in 2025.
Houston Sam Houston Tigers
Head Coach: Damin Schexnayder (2nd season; 1-9 record)
Last Season: 1-9; 0-6 in district
Sam Houston Key Players and Storylines
The Tigers will be hoping year two under Damin Schexnayder leads to progress on the field. Their offense scored just 75 points in their ten games in 2024.
They do have the skill talent to make some noise with promising junior running back Dexter Garrett and senior back Tray Sanders. Senior Adrian Hernandez will lead the receiving corps after earning second team all-district honors in 2024.
The defense has some leaders back too with 2024’s leading tackler cornerback Josue Valentin (58 tackles) and linebacker Treshaun White (56 tackles).
This year’s group will be eager to close the gap on the other teams in their district after all six of their district losses came by 17 or more points. In 2023, the Tigers won two district games, so they know it can be done.
Houston Westside Wolves
Head Coach: Cedric Allen (3rd season; 5-16 record)
Last Season: 3-8; 3-3 in district (Lost to Stratford in bi-district)
Returning Starters: 4 on offense; 7 on defense
Westside Key Players and Storylines
After missing out on the playoffs in 2023, the Wolves secured the fourth spot in District 18-6A last year to return to the postseason.
Westside lost a couple of its key backs to graduation, but quarterback Dillyn White (160 passing yards, 714 rushing yards) returns to lead the Wolves’ flexbone attack. The experience of senior offensive linemen Kenden Bailey, a second team all-district selection last year, and Calvin Miller will help too as Westside aims to assert itself on the ground.
couple clips from westside vs. stratford game pic.twitter.com/YCsaezsJK2
— Dillyn_white8 (@Dillyn_white8) November 16, 2024
Defensive end Brandon Doyle (50 tackles, 13 TFLs) will be ready to go to battle in the trenches. He’s stout against the run and was a first team all-district pick a year ago.
Head coach Cedric Allen is high on linebacker Michael White. He said he’s “extremely athletic and fast at 6’2″ and 200 pounds” and is expecting a breakout year from him. Safety Devionne White will Westside’s field general on the back end.
With 2025 being Allen’s third year at Westside, his players now have plenty of experience in the Wolves’ offensive and defensive systems. That should help Westside make another push towards the playoffs as the Wolves look to finish this year over .500.
Houston Wisdom Generals
Head Coach: Jamarkus Branch (2nd season; 3-7 record)
Last Season: 3-7; 1-5 in district
Wisdom Key Players and Storylines
Wisdom got its first taste of 6A football last year and came away with three wins.
They’ve got a great linebacking corps to anchor the defense with juniors Jamaroquie Haire, Marcus Wells, and Stahili Kaniaru. Senior Ajani Mayeux is another impact player at outside linebacker, although he’s an even bigger threat at receiver where he had 13 touchdowns last year.
Jumped over his head!! What yall thinking? pic.twitter.com/S3jDzjEr10
— A’Jani “AJ” Mayeux (@ajanimayeux10) October 15, 2024
Center/defensive tackle Juan Alvear is Wisdom’s best player in the trenches. He was a first team all-district offensive lineman last year.
Not only is Wisdom heading into year two in its 6A district, it’s also year two for head coach Jamarkus Branch. Wisdom will hope last year’s experience pays off on the field this fall.
