Fulshear mowed through this district in 2024 in its first year of 6A football. If the Chargers are to repeat, they’ll have to do it with a new coach and plenty of new faces.
The race for the final playoff spot was quite the show too. A three-way tie ended up granting Elsik its first playoff berth in nine years.
There should be plenty of competition for those coveted playoff tickets again this season. Here’s what to watch for in District 20-6A.
Alief Elsik Rams
Head Coach: Shea Rodriguez (4th season; 7-24 record)
Last Season: 2-9; 2-4 in district (Lost to Katy in bi-district)
Elsik Key Players and Storylines
Elsik only won two games a year ago, but those two games were all that mattered. The Rams finished atop a three-way tie for fourth in 20-6A and made the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
Now, Shea Rodriguez and company will look to keep that momentum going this fall.
Quarterback Kaden Mendenhall (2,517 passing yards and 23 touchdowns) is a three-year starter, whose dual threat ability should keep the Rams moving. Senior Dajon Patterson (670 receiving yards and five touchdowns) grew into Elsik’s go-to receiver last year, while running back Brandon Smith (436 rushing yards and two touchdowns) is getting looks at the Division I level.
.@MendenhallKaden TD pass to @ShawnWard0 31 yrds
@ElsikFootball takes lead 26-21.
@abc13houston #txhsfb @Alief_Athletics pic.twitter.com/f660xOFEP7
— Joe Gleason (@joeagleason) September 28, 2024
Keep an eye on junior receiver Jaden Thompson (320 receiving yards) too. He’s poised to make a jump this year after Elsik’s number two and three options in the passing game graduated.
Defensively, linebacker Reilarean Phillips is the star of the show. He’s a Tulsa commit and could see some snaps at running back too. He’s not the only impact player in the middle of the field either. Senior linebacker Cooper Flowers and junior linebacker Maurice Smith were both all-district selections last season. Cornerback Courtney Thompson is a reliable cover man in the secondary.
There’s talent all over the field for Elsik. Two of their four district losses last year were by six combined points too, so there’s reason to believe this team could make another jump this season.
Alief Hastings Bears
Head Coach: Michael Carter (2nd season; 3-7 record)
Last Season: 3-7; 2-4 in district
Hastings Key Players and Storylines
Hastings had its winningest season since 2019 a year ago. A three-way tiebreaker is all that kept the Bears from their first playoff berth since 2018.
The Bears will feel comfortable with their options at quarterback. Senior Madden Harvey (909 passing yards) and junior Jarrell Lee (249 passing yards) both made starts last season.
Much of their skill talent graduated, but the Bears will be sturdy in the trenches. Army commit Xavier Obiero-Hyter has tremendous size at tackle at 6’3″ and 300 pounds. Alongside him, juniors left tackle Yannis Jimenez and guard Quinton Walters were both second team all-district picks in 2024.
Defensively, the Bears did graduate five of their six all-district picks from a year ago. Nickel Azeem Solabi is the lone returner from that group.
A strong foundation in the trenches and returning quarterbacks is a good start for the Bears. Now, they just need to fill in the skill talent around them as they look to compete for a ticket to the postseason.
Alief Taylor Lions
Head Coach: Shawn Gray
Last Season: 1-9; 0-6 in district
Returning Lettermen: 18 (3 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)
Alief Taylor Key Players and Storylines
2024 is a season that Alief Taylor is ready to forget about. The Lions struggled with injuries and also had four of their nine losses come by seven points or less.
Their starting quarterback and leading rusher and receiver all graduated from last season. Junior Nick Kongolo is set to start at quarterback this year. He can keep opposing defenses on his toes with his ability to improvise.
At the skill positions, running back Hameer Shokunle runs with great power and is a “homerun threat.” Evan Simien (187 receiving yards and one TD) brings plenty of speed to the receiver position while junior Jaiden Barber will go both ways at receiver and defensive back.
Up front, the Lions will be solid. Three-star center/guard Dillian Whiteside will anchor the offensive line, while tight end Jaiden Smith is another leader up front with his blocking ability at 6’3″ and 230 pounds.
On the other side of the ball, expect to hear nickel Danilo Penso (70 tackles, 10.5 TFLs) and linebacker Christopher Fierros‘ (61 tackles, 6.5 TFLs) names called a lot. They were Taylor’s two leading tacklers in 2024.
•Danilo Penso (@Danilopenso35)
•Alief Taylor High School (TX)
•Linebacker (5’10-175lbs)
•Class of 2027#FridayNightStandouts pic.twitter.com/FNJfVlV0AH— Friday Night Standouts (@FNStandouts) November 24, 2024
Up front, defensive end Jaymes Porter (20 tackles, 6.5 TFLs) “sets the tone on defense” while fellow defensive end Ikenna Nwawueze (14 tackles, four TFLs) brings “blazing speed” on the other edge. Defensive tackle Chriso Fagbamilla is “an extremely strong and twitchy interior defense.”
The Lion coaching staff said there is no shortage of speed and athleticism with this group of Lions. They expect Taylor to be back among the playoff mix this season as long as they can stay healthy.
Fulshear Chargers
Head Coach: Stephen Hill (1st season)
Last Season: 12-1; 6-0 in district (Lost to Atascocita in area round)
Fulshear Key Players and Storylines
The Chargers had an outstanding first-ever season of 6A football. They won the district title and advanced to the third round of playoffs.
New head coach Stephen Hill knows all about playoff runs. He was the offensive coordinator for last year’s 5A Division II state champion Richmond Randle.
He’ll have some adjusting to do. The Chargers rushed for nearly 6,000 yards in 2024, but their top three rushers all graduated. The passing game is ready to step up with returning starting quarterback Ryland Forks (1,783 passing yards and 20 touchdowns) and receiver Mike Brown (567 receiving yards and ten touchdowns), who had a remarkable freshman season on varsity.
Sophomore Season Highlights
First year at QB, couldn’t ask for a better team.2000+ all purpose yards
22 TD
12-1@coachcodutti @Coach_DPerez @Meggett_Tron @coachwarlick @Coach_DJones @sloan_coach @WeAreFu1shear pic.twitter.com/cE4iyqyO1K— Ryland Forks (@RylandForks2027) December 1, 2024
Three starters also return on the offensive line in senior Florentino Diaz and juniors David Collum and Righteous Spencer.
Defensively, the Chargers were also hit hard by graduation. Their starting defensive line is gone as are both of their starting safeties. Linebacker Evan Ferns (75 tackles) will hear his name called a lot this fall, while David Obanor (25 tackles, two INTs) and Elijah Anderson are two reliable cornerbacks in the secondary.
Fulshear won all six of its district games by 25 or more points last season. If they want to find that success again this year, they’ll need to embrace a “next man up” mentality as they replace a ton of production from 2024.
Houston Strake Jesuit Crusaders
Head Coach: Donovan Fikac (5th season; 20-24 record)
Last Season: 9-4; 5-1 in district (Lost to Kingwood in regional semifinals)
Returning Lettermen: 26 (5 returning starters on offense; 4 on defense)
Strake Jesuit Key Players and Storylines
The Crusaders had a fall to remember in 2024. They had their winningest season since 2019 and also advanced to the third round of playoffs for the first time since that year.
This season, they’ve got experience back in a couple key positions, including at running back where John Hebert ran for 3,542 yards and 38 touchdowns a year ago. And no, neither of those stats are a typo.
Strake Jesuit (Tex.) HS 2026 RB John Hebert (@JohnHebert79922)
Hebert is a strong runner who gains strength the more he gets the ball in his hands. He shows quickness and vision making him a threat anytime he has the ball in his hands.
Herbert holds 10+ #D1 offers. pic.twitter.com/uqdcPNbamo
— Brandon Howard (@BHoward_11) May 26, 2025
He’ll have a new quarterback settling in alongside him in senior Jack Wegleitner, but head coach Donovan Fikac is confident he has what it takes to “control the offense.”
Offensive lineman Juan Carlos Martinez will pave the way for them up front. He was a first team all-district selection last year.
In the trenches defensively, defensive tackle MacGregor Byers (41 tackles, 10 TFLs) is “big, physical, smart, and nasty.” He was also a first team all-district honoree in 2024.
Linebacker Wesley Stewart (55 tackles) will be the Crusaders’ leader in the middle of the field, while cornerback Daniel Yarbrough is a “good open field tackler,” on the back end.
The Crusaders will have a blend of experience and youth on the field this fall. Fikac is keeping his message simple coming off last year’s success. He wants to see his guys “compete at the highest level every Friday night,” and everything else will take care of itself.
Richmond Foster Falcons
Head Coach: Shane Hanks (3rd season; 5-16 record)
Last Season: 4-7; 4-2 in district (Lost to Katy Jordan in bi-district)
Returning Lettermen: 24 (7 returning starters on offense; 4 on defense)
Foster Key Players and Storylines
Foster started last season 0-4, but the Falcons steadied the ship after that. They went 4-2 in district, and earned their first playoff berth since 2020.
They’ve got some skill talent to watch this yaer with versatile receiver Riley Blanton (121 receiving yards and 224 rushing yards) and running back Byron Fantroy, who has a good mix of power and speed.
Left tackle Bruce Santos is a “violent blocker” who will keep quarterback Kaleb Lawson‘s (834 passing yards and eight touchdowns) blindside well-protected.
Shaun McDowell will go both ways, playing both offensive line and defensive tackle. He’s “strong and explosive” and is attracting Division I attention.
Junior Season Highlights!
Height: 6’2
Weight:275
Position: DT/ OL
2 way starter !
Foster High School
Stats(11 games)
39 total tackles
13 TFLS#AGTG @CoachShaneHanks @Coach_JDavidson @FosterFootball @CoachJonesFHS pic.twitter.com/22PXxEjx9v— Shaun “Bubba” Mcdowell 2026 DL (@Shaunmcdowell12) November 15, 2024
Linebacker Eli Smith has a “nose for the football” and should create a strong tandem with fellow linebacker Jahshel Ivey.
The Falcons are still building up some depth for this year’s squad, but head coach Shane Hanks is optimistic they can build off of last year’s success. He hopes they can be part of the District 20-6A title conversation down the stretch this season.
Richmond George Ranch Longhorns
Head Coach: Casey Vogt (2nd season; 3-7 record)
Last Season: 3-7; 2-4 in district
Returning Lettermen: 30 (8 returning starters on offense; 7 on defense)
George Ranch Key Players and Storylines
George Ranch is ready to rumble this fall and regain “the Longhorn Standard” after a down season last year. The Longhorns missed the playoffs for just the third time in the last 12 seasons.
They’ll have a great foundation to build off of in 2025 with nine returning linemen, both offensive and defensive, that have “significant playing experience.”
Center/guard Michael Gonzalez will spearhead the offensive line. He started all ten games a year ago and is a “reliable, hard worker.”
George Ranch will have a new quarterback, but running back Hayden Drinkard (1,500 rushing yards and 15 TDs) will get the ball early and often. He’s got a great “change-of-direction.”
Week1 got the dub against westside 12 carries 284 yards and 3tds @QuizzRodg3r2 @CoachCaseyVogt @Coach_Fudge @CoachMaxwe11 pic.twitter.com/M09nsqQdAB
— Hayden drinkard (@drinkard_hayden) September 1, 2024
In the passing attack, the Longhorns are excited to see what senior receiver Nick Perez (150 receiving yards) can do after his offseason improvements. Tight end Eli Zurek (34 receiving yards) could be another receiving option with his “great hands.”
On the other side of the ball, the George Ranch secondary has a lot coming back. Cornerbacks Vance Raval (24 tackles, six PBUs) and Ellison Collins (32 tackles, two INTs) can keep both sides of the field locked down. Safety Cade Marino (55 tackles, two INTs) has talent in both “coverage skills and tackling ability.”
Up front, defensive tackle Kaegan Mahone is the lineman to watch with his “work ethic and leadership.”
Head coach Casey Vogt said it’s no secret the Longhorns did not win a lot last year, but they learned a lot from that experience. They’ve been hard at work this offseason, and are eager to show their gains on the field this fall.
