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District 15-6A Season Preview

insoles to jump higher

 

The Klein and Tomball schools are preparing to do battle in District 15-6A for the fourth-straight year.

Last year was a historic one for Klein Cain as it brought home its first-ever district title.

Will there be more history this year as Klein and Klein Forest try to snap long playoff droughts? Plus Tomball aims for another deep playoff run.

With so many storylines, here’s what to watch for each of the eight teams in District 15-6A.

Klein Bearkats

Head Coach: Shane Hallmark (14th Season)

Last Season: 4-6; 3-4 in district

Klein Key Players and Storylines

Klein has been close to clinching a playoff berth the past couple of seasons, but the Bearkats have been unable to get over the hump. Last season, a four-point defeat to Tomball and a 10-point loss to Tomball Memorial ended up keeping Klein outside the playoffs for the fourth-straight season.

Head coach Shane Hallmark said improvement will be needed on both sides of the ball this season if Klein wants this to be the year it gets back to the postseason.

The Bearkats return just under half their starters from last season with five players back on each side of the ball.

Senior quarterback Bankston Lembcke (905 yards and seven touchdowns) is back to lead the Bearkat offense for the third year running. And while Lembcke will provide some veteran leadership, the Bearkats have a couple of talented sophomores ready for even bigger roles this season. Griffin Tillis (435 receiving yards) was the district’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year last season, while Nick Robertson (57 pancake blocks) started all 10 games as a freshman in 2022.

Defensively, Hallmark said the Bearkats will be relying on some younger players following the graduation of all four of Klein’s all-district defenders last season. He said it will be critical to have those defenders settled in and playing at a fast pace for Klein to have success this season.

Leading the way will be a talented group of juniors in defensive end William Clay (33 tackles, five sacks), linebacker Jimmy Hallmark, and safety Brody Kouns (43 tackles, 2 INTs).

The Bearkats certainly have some young talent progressing through the program. The question will be whether that talent can develop quick enough for Klein to make a postseason return in 2023.

Klein Cain Hurricanes

Head Coach: James Clancy (6th Season)

Last Season: 10-2; 6-1 in district (Lost to The Woodlands in area round)

Klein Cain Key Players and Storylines

The Hurricanes continue progressing as a football program. Last season, they earned their first-ever district title and also advanced to the area round of the playoffs this year.

If they’re to get past that area round road block in the postseason this year, they’re going to have to do it with some new faces offensively. Its starting quarterback, leading rusher, and leading receiver all graduated.

However, the Hurricanes do have a good foundation on the offensive line with Nebraska commit Gibson Pyle as well as Jabari McAlmont and Austin Redeo.

Look for junior receiver Blaine Bullard (424 receiving yards and four touchdowns) and tight end Grayson Dunbar (138 receiving yards) to be two weapons for Klein Cain in the passing game.

On the other side of the ball, it’ll be virtually a total rebuild in the secondary. Five players earned all-district honors a year ago and all of them graduated.

The front seven is in better shape with last year’s district Defensive Newcomer of the Year linebacker Trent Lancaster (140 tackles and 17 TFLs) back.  It’s safe to say every running back in the district is well acquainted with him after last season. He’ll be joined by Camron Sun (63 tackles, seven TFLs) in the middle of the field, while Tyler Edwards (90 tackles and 21 TFLs) and Jacob Hollins (67 tackles and 18 TFLs) return on the defensive line after both earning all-district honors last season.

With lots of production needing to be replaced in some key positions, the Hurricanes will be tested again this year. But they responded to roster turnover well last year, so it won’t be a surprise if they’re back among the top contenders for a district title this fall.

Klein Collins Tigers

Head Coach: Adrian Mitchell (6th Season)

Last Season: 10-2; 6-1 in district (Lost to Spring Westfield in area round)

Klein Collins Key Players and Storylines

The Tigers are eager to build off of their second round playoff appearance a year ago. Head coach Adrian Mitchell said his team has a good group of returning lettermen this season.

Offensively, it will be all about the backfield duo of Western Kentucky commit quarterback Tucker Parks (3,000 total yards and 30+ touchdowns in 2022) and Central Arkansas commit running back Michael Wilson. Up front, Kelvin Williams, a second team all-district selection, should lead the offensive line.

On the other side of the ball, the Tigers have a group of three veterans to lead the unit in 2023. Defensive linemen Antoine Milon and Mason Faye and safety Chris Gant, Jr. all are two-time all-district selections. Their leadership will be vital as the Tigers look to be stingy again on defense after they held opponents to just over 20 points per game a year ago.

Mitchell said the Tigers do have some holes to fill, so their non-district games against Magnolia, Pearland Dawson, and Summer Creek will be crucial.

According to Mitchell, the Tiger program has been built on hard work and discipline. Expect Klein Collins to take that to another level this year as they aim to leave their mark on the field this season.

Klein Forest Golden Eagles

Head Coach: Derrick Vaughn (1st Season)

Last Season: 5-5; 3-4 in district

Klein Forest Key Players and Storylines

The Eagles had to undergo a late offseason coaching change after Johnathan Wilson departed to join the staff at Stephen F. Austin.

Klein Forest hired Derrick Vaughn in late June to take over the program. He had most recently served as Willis’ defensive coordinator.

They’ll be looking to maintain the success they had during Wilson’s three-year reign. After winning just seven games total from 2016-2020, Klein Forest has now had back-to-back five-win campaigns.

This season, the key for Klein Forest will be finding a way to win close games. Three of their five defeats a year ago were by just one possession, including a double overtime loss to Tomball.

In all five of its defeats last season, Klein Forest’s offense failed to score more than 17 points. Five starters return for the unit this season. Leading the charge this season will be speedy four-star wide receiver Jelani Watkins (612 receiving yards and six touchdowns). With quarterback Jaylen Bragg also back this season, the Eagles hope their connection will be the recipe for more offensive production in 2023.

Senior Samuel Vazquez will be tasked with leading the offensive line.

On the other side of the ball, the Eagles have six starters back on a unit that held opponents to just 18 points per game. Expect the defense to be strong again this season with defensive linemen Trent Spence and Robert Graves and linebacker TJ Burkhalter all back in the front seven. All three were all-district selections last season.

Klein Forest has been on the right track the past three seasons. With the program having proved it can hang with anyone in District 15-6A a year ago, look for the Eagles to be a playoff threat in 2023.

Klein Oak Panthers

Head Coach: Brandon Carpenter (3rd Season)

Last Season: 3-6; 1-6 in district

Klein Oak Key Players and Storylines

2022 ended up being a season of heartbreak for the Panthers. After starting the season with wins over eventual regional semifinalists Dekaney and Cinco Ranch, the Panthers came crashing back to earth with six defeats in their final seven games.

Three of those defeats came in the final minute leaving Klein Oak with a sour taste in its mouth heading into this offseason.

Head coach Brandon Carpenter said the Panthers ended up having to rely on some younger players last season due to injury and circumstance. Despite returning just four starters on each side of the ball, Carpenter believes his Panthers are better prepared for 2023 with last year’s experience under their belts.

Senior quarterback Lucas Scheerhorn (921 passing yards and five touchdowns) and junior running back Jacob Everson (481 rushing yards and six touchdowns) are poised to take a step forward this year while center Jean Paul Miller provides a steady foundation for them up front.

On the other side of the ball, cornerback TJ Jones and linebacker Jaxson Dicus are both back after earning second team all-district honors last season. Carpenter is also expecting big things from senior Will LeBlanc on the Panther defensive line.

According to Carpenter, there is plenty of excitement among his players and the Klein Oak community heading into this fall. They’ll be aiming to right the wrongs of last season as they look to be a playoff team in 2023.

Tomball Cougars

Head Coach: Dave Handal (2nd Season)

Last Season: 8-5; 5-2 in district (Lost to DeSoto in regional semifinals)

Tomball Key Players and Storylines

It has been quite the turnaround from Tomball in recent years. After two-straight years without a playoff berth, the Cougars have now made the state semifinals and regional semifinals in back-to-back seasons.

Last year’s run was an extra special one as the Cougars played in honor of the late Tomball football player Waylan Collins and his entire family following an unimaginable tragedy last summer.

Tomball will hope to maintain that standard with 15 starters returning from last year’s team (six on offense and nine on defense).

With plenty of experience returning on defense, Tomball will be looking to improve upon the 28 points per game it allowed last season.

Linebacker Keegan Demmer (143 total tackles) and safety Matthew Gainey (75 tackles) are two sure tacklers for the Tomball defense. Defensive end Ramon Pernas (67 tackles, 11 TFLs) has great size and will be expected to anchor the Cougars in the trenches.

Offensively, Tomball must replace Purdue running back Christian Womack, who was a 2000-yard rusher for the Cougars last season. However, the return of starting quarterback Carter Noyes (1,391 yards and nine touchdowns) and running back Koby Fosher (667 rushing yards and six touchdowns) and receiver Brooks Junod (614 receiving yards and five touchdowns) at the skill positions means the Cougars have the talent necessary to fill Womack’s void.

Tomball has peaked at the right time each of the last two seasons. Handal said it will be vital for his players to improve week in and week out so they can be playing their best football again this year when November rolls around.

Tomball Memorial Wildcats

Head Coach: Sam Parker (7th Season)

Last Season: 6-5; 4-3 in district (Lost to Cypress Falls in bi-district)

Tomball Memorial Key Players and Storylines

Tomball Memorial rebounded in a big way in 2022. After an uncharactersitic 2-8 season in 2021, the Wildcats responded by earning their fourth playoff berth in five years last fall.

This year, their offense will look a little different after the graduation of star quarterback Reed Odell, who had over 4,300 yards of total offense a year ago, and wide receiver Cory O’Bryant, who scored 25 touchdowns.

Junior running back Isaiah Nelson (470 rushing yards and three touchdowns) and senior wide receiver Lance Martinez (831 receiving yards and six touchdowns) are among the players that should help settle in a new quarterback this year. Offensive linemen Sutton Clark and Clayton Schupp are also back after earning second team all-district honors a year ago.

On the other side of the ball, the Wildcats are going to be rock solid at linebacker. Brayden Poe (1oo tackles), Ethan Lea (82 tackles, 11 TFLs), and Blake Holt (72 tackles) are all back after finishing as Tomball Memorial’s three-leading tacklers a year ago. Safety Joshua Flash (35 tackles) also returns after leading Memorial in interceptions last season.

There’s certainly no shortage of defensive talent. If the Wildcats can get a new quarterback settled in quickly, it appears the pieces are there for another successful season in 2023.

Waller Bulldogs

Head Coach: Marcus Mendoza (2nd Season)

Last Season: 0-10; 0-7 in district

Waller Key Players and Storylines

Waller received a baptism by fire in its first 6A season a year ago. But despite his team finishing winless, head coach Marcus Mendoza said progress was being made behind the scenes.

“Coming off an 0-10 season is tough but what was unseen was the constant buy-in week-to-week with our players,” Mendoza said. “There were a lot of lessons learned with our players and community about the change in level of play and what it takes to compete not only in 6A, but also [in] one of the toughest districts in the Houston area.”

The task this year for Waller is getting comfortable being uncomfortable. Mendoza has stressed the importance of after-school weights, track, and player-led skill drills to his team. He said the majority his players have been responding well to the challenge.

Their progress culminated in a state 7-on-7 berth earlier this summer.

From last year’s team, five starters are back on offense and eight return on defense.

With so many starters back on defense, there’s hope Waller can improve on a campaign where it gave up over 50 points per game.

Defensive end Ta’Shawn Justice will give the Bulldogs a physical presence in the trenches. In the secondary, the Bulldogs are in good hands with safeties Curtis Gooden and Manning Fisher. Gooden was a second team all-district selection last season.

Offensively, Waller has some key returning talent back at the skill positions as it looks to improve on the 128 total points it scored last season.

Running back Alex Barrs and wide receiver Austin Bice will be two reliable weapons as quarterback Jordan Duncan takes over the full-time role after splitting time last year. Barrs was an all-district honoree last season, while Bice has good size and speed at 6’2.”

Looking forward, Mendoza said he believes Waller has everything necessary to be successful with new athletic facilities in one of the fastest growing districts in the state.

He said the key this season will be outworking the teams that have been at a 6A level for longer than the Bulldogs as they look to become a more physical and disciplined program that has what it takes to compete in District 15-6A.

 

CLICK HERE to listen to the Texas HS Football Podcast, with Taylor Arenz

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