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District 16-6A Season Preview

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District 16-6A sees just one change from last season as Waller replaces Cypress Falls. Cypress Falls finished second in this district last year, so there will be at least one more playoff ticket up for grabs this fall.

Cypress Springs snapped a 20-year postseason drought in 2023. Can anyone else break a playoff drought this year?

Here’s what to watch for in District 16-6A.

Bridgeland Bears

Head Coach: Lonnie Madison (2nd season; 9-2 record)

Last Season: 9-2; 7-0 in district (Lost to Klein Cain in bi-district)

Bridgeland Key Players and Storylines

Lonnie Madison is high on his Bridgeland Bears as they head into the second year under his leadership.

12 starters (five on offense and seven on defense) are back from last year’s district title-winning team.

The Bears will be hard to match in the trenches. They have two Division I tackles in Jonte Newman, a Texas A&M commit, and Ryan Fodje, an Oklahoma commit. Both have great size at six-foot-five.

Defensively, three-year starter Devion Baptiste (38 tackles, six TFLs) will lead the way on the interior of the defensive line. He “controls the line of scrimmage” and also has the school record in bench press at 385 pounds.

Away from the line of scrimmage, quarterback Jett Lewis (2,171 passing yards and 24 touchdowns) is primed for a big season. Madison thinks he’ll excel in his second year in the Bears’ offensive system.

Linebacker Andre Roy is another player to watch defensively. He was a menace off the edge a year ago, finishing with 56 tackles and nine sacks.

Any holes the Bears may have from graduated starters will be helped by having 29 returning lettermen and a 10-0 JV squad to pull from. All signs point to another strong season from a program that is riding a streak of five consecutive playoff berths.

Cypress Lakes Spartans

Head Coach: Tyrone Carter (1st Season)

Last Season: 3-7; 1-6 in district

Cypress Lakes Key Players and Storylines

Tyrone Carter takes over a Cypress Lakes program that has never made the playoffs in its 14-year varsity football history. However, last year’s three wins were the most in a single season for the Spartans in four years.

And more victories look to be on the way with a number of players returning. 31 lettermen are back, including eight starters on offense and nine on defense.

Leading the Spartans up front is center Quinn Dudley. His coaches say he has a great football IQ and a strong work ethic. At the skill positions, Theodis Fields (371 rushing yards and four touchdowns) is looking to build off his sophomore season where he led the Spartans in rushing. And when the Spartans turn to their passing game, keep an eye on Dekendrick Minor (333 receiving yards and three touchdowns). He’s proven to be quite elusive in the open field.

On the other side of the ball, defensive lineman Corbin Phillips is a handful to contain at the line of scrimmage. He’s also a key leader for the Spartan defense. At linebacker, expect to hear a lot of De’shaun Butlers‘ name called this year with his tackling ability. Cornerback Jordan Patton has great ball instincts.

The Spartans are still young after playing a number of sophomores a season ago. But Carter and his coaching staff are setting the bar high. With so many players back, they want to push for the first winning record and playoff berth in school history.

Cypress Park Tigers

Head Coach: Greg Rogers (7th season; 18-44 record)

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

Cypress Park Key Players and Storylines

Cypress Park comes into 2024 looking to snap a 21-game losing streak. Head coach Greg Rogers believes his team should take a step forward this season. He said many of his players have gained playing experience across the last two years.

Just four starters are back on offense. Quarterback Ryan Rogers will be one of seven players stepping into the starting lineup. He’s been waiting in the wings the past two seasons and is ready to seize his opportunity.

Running back/receiver Daquintan Chachere will be a versatile option, while tight end Jordan Boyd has great size up front as a blocker and can also be a threat in the passing game (124 receiving yards and two touchdowns).

Defensively, the Tigers have six starters returning. Linebacker/defensive end Roberto Rousey is one of Cypress Parks’ “strongest players” and has a great football IQ. The Tigers should be strong in the back end. Safeties Franklyn Odor (47 tackles) and Tomi Kafaru (51 tackles) were two of the team’s leading tacklers in 2023.


The Tigers don’t have great size, but Rogers praised his team’s work ethic. With a lot of lessons learned from the past two seasons, the Tigers are hopeful they can add some tallies back in the win column this fall.

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Cypress Ranch Mustangs

Head Coach: William Blaylock (1st Season)

Last Season: 6-5; 4-3 in district (Lots to Klein Collins in bi-district)

Cypress Ranch Key Players and Storylines

William Blaylock made the cross-state trek to take over at Cypress Ranch. Blaylock had previously been the head coach at Lubbock Estacado, where he led the Matadors to playoff victories in both his seasons in charge.

The Mustangs have five starters back on offense and eight returning on defense.

They have a great leader on offense in quarterback Owen Cossette. He was a first team all-district selection a year ago. Cossette has another first team all-district selection protecting him up front in senior offensive lineman Kaden Friedrich.

When Cossette is scanning his options, Blaylock expects him to find Brendan Sadler a lot this season. Sadler can play “inside or outside” and has the ability to “stretch the field.”

The Mustangs are strong in the secondary with Robert Reedus and Matthew Ciers. Reedus can cover from all positions, while Ciers is a playmaker on the backend.

Up front, Niklas Fisher (66 tackles and 10 TFLs) can both “stop the run and rush the passer.” He’s a three-star prospect.

Blaylock said this team has the potential to be great. Many young players got good experience a year ago.

And even though the Mustangs got a bit of a late start to their offseason with Blaylock not being hired till May, they have hit the ground running under the new staff and are ready to take the field this fall.

Cypress Springs Panthers

Head Coach: Oji Fagan (4th season; 14-17 record)

Last Season: 8-3; 5-2 (Lost to Tomball Memorial in bi-district)

Cypress Springs Key Players and Storylines

The Panthers had a season to remember a year ago, clinching their first playoff berth in 20 years. Now, the goal will be to establish themselves as a perennial playoff contender.

Their backfield will need to be revamped after their starting quarterback and leading rusher graduated. However, there’s no such question marks at receiver. Twins Jamon Richardson (256 receiving yards and two touchdowns) and Rashod Richardson (478 receiving yards and seven touchdowns) can keep opposing secondaries on their heels. Both are getting looks at the Division I level. Tajon Townsley may make it a trio of trouble. The Panther coaching staff has been impressed with him after a strong offseason.

Offensive tackle Bryan Brooks has great size as 6’4″ and 270 pounds. He was a second team all-district selection last year as a sophomore.

Defensively, the Panthers can be dominant in their front seven. Defensive tackle Ryan Lynch proved to be virtually unstoppable last year, finishing with 51 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and three blocked kicks. That earned him the district’s Defensive MVP. They also got a pair of move-ins from Cy-Ranch in linebacker Gregory Spires and defensive lineman Jarvis Spires.

Behind them, Paris Melvin Jr. (38 tackles) is the playmaker to watch. Both a defensive back and a return specialist, he has over 25 Division I offers. Alongside him in the secondary, safety Phillip Hager was a second team all-district selection last season.

This year will be a big test for the Panthers as they eye back-to-back playoff berths for the first time in school history. If they can achieve that feat, it will be a testament that Fagan and his squad aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Cypress Woods Wildcats

Head Coach: Cody Simper (4th season; 18-14 record)

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

Cypress Woods Key Players and Storylines

Cy Woods had a rare off-year last season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Turning the page to 2024, the Wildcats have a group of seniors leading the way at the skill positions offensively. Bryant Thomas (593 rushing yards and five touchdowns) should take on an even bigger role in the backfield after Cy Woods’ freshman sensation Wayne Shanks Jr. transferred to Kinkaid.

Out at receiver, Cy Woods has a veteran trio in Ty Cogdill (400 receiving yards and three touchdowns), Kyler Singletary (365 receiving yards and three touchdowns), and Brandon Brown (353 receiving yards and three touchdowns).


Linebackers John Jacobs (47 tackles, four TFLs) and Thomason Strickland (42 tackles, 8.5 TFLs) will anchor the defense. Up front, Harris Ranney (31 tackles, four TFLs) is a threat off the edge while defensive tackle Jason Hemphill will clog up running lanes in the middle at 6’0″ and 320 pounds.

Two one-possession losses is all that separated the Wildcats from the playoffs last fall. This group will be hungry as they get back out on the field in 2024 looking to get back to the postseaosn.

Langham Creek Lobos

Head Coach: Todd Thompson (15th season; 90-70 record)

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

Langham Creek Key Players and Storylines

The Lobos haven’t tasted the playoffs since 2018. However, they have seven starters back on offense and five on defense this season to try and help them snap that drought.

They will have a good foundation on their offensive line with multiple returning starters. Cole Molina is a three-year starter and has played every position on the line. Micah Reed is “big, athletic, and physical,” exactly the qualities you want in the trenches. He was a second team all-district selection in 2023.

Behind them, running back Daymond Ruiz is “tough and reliable.” He was also a second team all-district selection last year.

On the other side of the ball, the Lobos won’t have much experience in their secondary. Langham Creek also graduated four all-district players in its front seven, but head coach Todd Thompson is still excited about some of its returning talent.

At outside linebacker, Myles Jackson is a reliable tackler, while Jhadyn Nelson is  “fast” coming off the edge. On the defensive line, Ezekiel Ayangbile is “big and athletic” and should make his presence felt in the trenches.

Langham Creek hasn’t been far off from the playoffs, having won either four or five games across each of the past four seasons. Heading into this fall, Thompson and company hope this will be the year they can finally break through and snatch a playoff ticket.

Waller Bulldogs

Head Coach: Marcus Mendoza (3rd season; 2-18 record)

Last Season: 2-8; 1-6 in district

Waller Key Players and Storylines

Waller made strides on the field a year ago with a pair of victories, including their first-ever district win at the 6A level. But after playing with the Tomball and Klein schools in the previous realignment, the Bulldogs will now do battle with the Cy-Fair ISD programs.

Head coach Marcus Mendoza said his team is going to be really young this year. Just 12 total lettermen are back. That includes five starters on defense and only two on offense.

The Bulldog offense will have some great speed with running back Robert Carter and receiver Brandon Stewart. Stewart is a threat in the return game too. Junior receiver Allen Haynes has good size and is a potential jump ball threat at 6’3″.

On the other side of the ball, safety Manning Fisher is the quarterback of the defense. He is a three-year starter. Junior defensive lineman Ty Tryon was a first team all-district selection as an offensive lineman last year, while linebacker Thony Tshitenge also earned all-district honors in 2023.

Mendoza has been impressed with his players over the past eight months. He said it is the best offseason the program has ever had and that trust among his players is at an all-time high. With such a sturdy base to build off of, Waller hopes to be in playoff contention this fall.

“We are excited with all the growth that is happening in Waller. All of our new facilities are second to none with everything provided for to be successful in the school building and athletics,” Mendoza said. “Waller ISD is the place to be right now.”

 

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