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District 15-6A Season Preview

Round Rock Hail Roof Inspection

District 15-6A got a lot tougher over the offseason with the additions of Magnolia and Magnolia West from 5A. Both made it to the area round a year ago, meaning six of the nine teams in this new-look district made the postseason in 2023.

Of course, there are only four tickets available to be punched, meaning there should be no shortage of drama down the stretch this fall.

Here’s what to watch for in District 15-6A.

Klein Bearkats

Head Coach: Shane Hallmark (15th season; 67-78 record)

Last Season: 2-8; 0-7 in district

Klein Key Players and Storylines

Klein may not have won a district game last year, but it wasn’t like the Bearkats weren’t competitive. Three of their seven losses came by just one score.

Goal number one for the Klein offense will be settling in a new starting quarterback. They do have a rising talent to watch for in sophomore Carter Lattelle. Whether it’s Latelle or another Bearkat behind center, they’ll be set at the receiver position with speedster Torrey Paul, who was a first team all-district kick returner too, and Adre’n Skipper. They’ll also have an anchor in the trenches with three-star lineman Nicolas Robertson. He has a number of Power Five offers.

The Bearkats will also be well-protected defensively with physical safeties Jason Thompson and Brody Kouns. In the front seven, linebacker Jimmy Hallmark hit the ground running in his first year on varsity last season, earning second team all-district honors. Defensive tackle Will Clay should be a force in the middle of Klein’s defensive line.

Klein has some of its top players returning from last year’s team. They’ll come into this year with no shortage of motivation after a number of close calls didn’t go their way last fall.

Klein Cain Hurricanes

Head Coach: James Clancy (7th season; 43-25 record)

Last Season: 8-4; 5-2 in district (Lost to Westfield in area round)

Klein Cain Key Players and Storylines

The Hurricanes have now won playoff games in each of the last four seasons. A pretty impressive feat for a program that has only played varsity football for six years.

They must replace quarterback Issac Mooring, who is set to play for UTPB in its inaugural season this year.

However, the Hurricanes have the skill talent to help a new quarterback settle in easily. Blaine Bullard (1,211 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns) was a unanimous all-district selection last season. He’s a two-sport star for the Hurricanes and is currently committed to Texas A&M for baseball. Max Hendrick will be Klein Cain’s other primary option at receiver. He had 800 receiving yards and five touchdowns last fall.

In the backfield, elusive running back Jaelon Dixon (945 rushing yards and 16t touchdowns) is ready to give defenders nightmares.

Guard Austin Redeo and center Nash Leingang will be tasked with opening running lanes for him up front. Both were all-district honorees last season.

Defensively, the Hurricanes have two playmakers at linebacker in CJ Mooring (104 tackles, eight TFLs) and Trent Lancaster (129 tackles, 25 TFLs). They were Cain’s two leading tacklers last season.

Behind them, Mason Coleman (72 tackles, two interceptions), Jonathan Lazare (54 tackles, three interceptions), and Robert Carroll (54 tackles) are all key returners in the secondary.

Klein Cain has a number of its top players back on each side of the ball. With that talent, they’ll be eager to prove the area round isn’t their ceiling this fall.

Klein Collins Tigers

Head Coach: Adrian Mitchell (7th season; 51-18)

Last Season: 10-2; 7-0 in district (Lost to The Woodlands in area round)

Klein Collins Key Players and Storylines

A blocked field goal condemned Klein Collins to an area round exit for the second-straight season a year ago as the Tigers lost to The Woodlands 28-27.

But under the leadership of Adrian Mitchell, the Tigers are continually a team to watch in the Houston area. They have either won or shared the district title in five out of the six seasons he’s been at the helm.

The bar remains at earning another district title in 2024 with six starters back on each side of the ball. Offensively, the Tigers quite pack the punch in their run game. Physical fullback Jeremiah Hutching, center Brandon Dujay, and right tackle Eddie Lartigue, Jr. all will pave the way for running back Ka’Juan Gathers. Mitchell said Gathers has the ability to be an explosive playmaker, while Hutching, Dujay, and Lartigue were all first or second team all-district honorees a year ago.

On the other side of the ball, the Tigers possess another playmaker in outside linebacker Trent Spence. His brother Brad currently stars at Arkansas. Alongside him, fellow linebacker Jose Eljach has great awareness. Those two players will be big as the Tigers will be young up front defensively in 2024.

In the secondary, the Tigers have two more all-district players returning. Cornerback Larry Hankton has great length and is good in coverage, while safety Luis Vasquez is a great tackler and someone opponents will have to be weary of in the middle of the field.

Last year’s district MVP quarterback Tucker Parks graduated, but the offense is still in good shape with four starters on the offensive line back and a backfield full of playmakers. Throw in the defensive experience the Tigers will have too and they should be battling for the top spot in 15-6A yet again this fall.

Klein Forest Golden Eagles

Head Coach: Derrick Vaughn (2nd season; 4-6 record)

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

Klein Forest Key Players and Storylines

Klein Forest has been knocking on the door of the playoffs the last three seasons with at least four wins in each of those campaigns.

This year, the Golden Eagles will look to break through with seven starters back on offense and six on defense.

Dual threat quarterback Justin Williams is back at the helm. Head coach Derrick Vaughn said he’s constant a threat with the way he uses his athleticism.

Out at receiver, both Ja’Karee Jones and Ja’quan McClendon are dynamic athletes that have the skills to get fans out of their seats. Vaughn noted both are “talented with the ball in [their] hands.”

Defensively, linebacker/defensive end Trenton Burkhalter (71 tackles, 23 TFLs) was a frequent visitor to opponents’ backfields a year ago. He plays with “relentless effort” on Friday nights. Joining him in the front seven is Alexander Spencer (39 tackles, four TFLs). He’s another threat off the edge with the way he pursues the football.

In the secondary, Jones and McClendon (45 tackles, two INTs) can go both ways. The Golden Eagles also have last year’s leading tackler Logan White (73 tackles) and ball hawk Byron Worthy (34 tackles, one INT) on the back end. Worthy has “great range” from his safety position.

Vaughn said he has a really cohesive group of players this season. And heading into 2024, he has them locked in “on the details that determine outcomes.” Before this team can give themselves a shot at the playoffs, they must “earn the right to win.”

Klein Oak Panthers

Head Coach: Brandon Carpenter (4th season; 13-18 record)

Last Season: 4-6; 2-5 in district

Klein Oak Key Players and Storylines

The Panthers are not a program that is used to missing the playoffs. They had made it for eight-straight seasons before coming up short the last two years.

Pass defense will be one of the strengths of this team in 2024. Oklahoma commit Courtland Guillory and K.C. Vidito, who was a first team all-district selection in 2023, are a corner tandem that will give opposing quarterbacks problems all season long.

Opposing quarterbacks will also have to be weary of defensive lineman Reggie Ruffin. He was also a first team all-district selection last season.

The Panthers also have a reliable foundation in the trenches on their offensive line. Both Sean Terrell and Conner Cooper are getting looks from the Division I level.

Keep an eye on freshman running back Micah Rhodes. He’s already racking up Division I offers even though he hasn’t played a high school snap yet. Justin Hart will be Klein Oak’s go-to player in its passing attack. He was a first team all-district selection in 2023.

The Panthers will have a new starting quarterback this year, but the pieces are there to support whoever gets the nod behind center. The playoffs will be the goal for this program as they head into year four under Brandon Carpenter.

 Magnolia Bulldogs

Head Coach: Craig Martin (6th season; 37-20 record)

Last Season: 9-3; 7-1 in district (Lost to College Station in area round)

Magnolia Key Players and Storylines

Magnolia will play 6A football for the first time ever this fall. The Bulldogs are coming off their first playoff win in three years in 2023, which capped off a 9-3 season.

This year, five starters are back on offense and seven return on defense.

The Bulldogs will be looking for a new starting quarterback to emerge in fall camp, but there are no such questions at running back with bell cow Colin Leahey. He split time last year, but head coach Craig Martin said he’ll be Magnolia’s “go to guy” in 2024.

Versatile tight end/fullback Carson Smith will also “give Magnolia many options” offensively.

Anthony Wells is Magnolia’s only returning full-time starter on the offensive line. He’ll need to be the Bulldogs’ leader in the trenches.

Defensively, the Bulldogs should be strong after giving up just over 21 points per game a year ago.

They have a force in the middle of the field in linebacker Tyler Covar. The junior has already started 17 games for Magnolia across the past two seasons. Martin said they’ll need him to have a big year.

Martin is also excited about defensive end Josh Garner. Garner broke his foot early last season, but he has had a great spring and looks set to make an impact this fall.

In the secondary, safety Jace Chadwick is an “enforcer” on the back end. He’s a three-year starter for the Bulldogs.

6A football will take some getting used to, but with the personnel at his disposal, Martin is looking forward to this fall.

“I feel cautiously optimistic going into 2024,” Martin said. ” We are returning a good group of kids off of last year’s 9-3 team that was in a very good 5A Division I district. If we can stay healthy on defense and have some guys step up on offense, I think we can make some noise.”

Magnolia West Mustangs

Head Coach: Ben McGehee (4th season; 25-11 record)

Last Season: 7-5; 5-3 in district (Lost to Smithson Valley in area round)

Magnolia West Key Players and Storylines

The Mustangs have had postseason success in all three years under Ben McGehee. But now the question is can they do it at the 6A level?

Four starters return on each side of the ball for the Mustangs this season.

Most importantly, they have gunslinging quarterback Bryson Broadway back behind center. He threw for 2,487 yards and 27 touchdowns a year ago.

His blind side will be well protected with left tackle Jarod Christensen. He was a first team all-district selection last season.

Now, the Mustangs may not have proven horsepower at the skill positions; their leading rusher and three leading receivers from last season all graduated.

However, McGehee is still feeling confident about the talent the Mustangs have heading into this fall.

John Sigler (335 rushing yards and three touchdowns) is ready to step up after serving as Magnolia West’s number two back last season. Receivers Deandre Milliner (110 receiving yards and two touchdowns) and Parker Robinson (165 receiving yards and two touchdowns) are also primed to take on bigger roles this season in the passing attack.

Defensively, linebacker Ryan Langley (94 tackles) and defensive tackle Brandon Mills will lead the Mustang front seven.

Safety Luke Mattingly will be their safety blanket on the back end. The Mustangs will have a lot of inexperience surrounding him in the secondary.

Magnolia West has had a lot of turnover to deal with this season. Still, McGehee thinks his squad has what it takes to compete for a playoff spot this season.

Tomball Cougars

Head Coach: Dave Handal (3rd season; 16-10 record)

Last Season: 8-5; 4-3 in district (Lost to Cedar Hill in regional semifinal)

Tomball Key Players and Storylines

Tomball has a knack for peaking at the right time. The last three seasons, the Cougars haven’t finished better than third in district play, yet they’ve advanced to at least the third round of playoffs each year.

The Cougars have six starters back on each side of the ball. However, there is work to do at the skill positions after their starting quarterback, leading rusher, and leading receiver all graduated.

Head coach Dave Handal expects junior quarterback Jaxyn Faldyn and senior running back Oz Morales (328 rushing yards and four touchdowns) to step up this fall. Fortunately for those two players, they are in good hands up front. Miles Hagan, Colby St. John, and Ryne Laws will all be key players along the offensive line. Tight end/fullback Joey Bruhn was also a second team all-district selection last year.

Defensively, Morales (85 tackles) should be a force at linebacker alongside junior Braeden Schneider (51 tackles). Defensive lineman Lucas Pernas (50 tackles, 5 TFLs) was a second team all-district pick in 2023. And in the secondary, the Cougars possess a number of playmakers in Connor Lowe (61 tackles), Jorge Concepcion, and Gehrig Heckathorn (60 tackles).

For Handal, the goal is simple. Make sure his team is playing its best football in November. So far, that has been working well as the Cougars look to make another playoff run this fall.

Tomball Memorial Wildcats

Head Coach: Joe Dale Cary (1st Season)

Last Season: 10-2; 6-1 (Lost in area round)

Tomball Memorial Key Players and Storylines

The Wildcats won their first playoff game in three years a season ago. Joe Dale Cary will lead Memorial into battle in 2024. He replaces Sam Parker, who took the head coaching job at Canyon Lake. Cary helped Brazoswood snap a 10-year playoff drought back in 2022.

He has a ton of offensive weapons to work with on a unit that averaged over 40 points per game in 2023.

Quarterback Aiden Martin (2,433 passing yards and 30 touchdowns) returns to lead what was a prolific Wildcat aerial attack. However, the top three receivers from last season either graduated or transfer, meaning Russell Russ (326 receiving yards) will be needed as one of the focal points in the passing game. He brings good length at 6’2″ and 200 pounds.

The ground game will give this offense a good balance. The Wildcats have a strong one-two punch with power back Treveon Green (876 rushing yards and 1o touchdowns) and Isaiah Nelson (874 rushing yards and four touchdowns), who can line up at receiver as well.

Linebacker Ethan Lea is the player to watch defensively, He had 112 tackles in 2023, earning first team all-district honors. However, the Wildcats have work to do around him. The other eight of their players that were named first or second team all-district last season all graduated.

This is a team that had big offensive outputs a year ago. They’ll need more of the same this year as they settle in almost an entirely new defense.

 

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