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6A

District 18-6A Season Preview

 

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This district is getting increasingly competitive from top to bottom. Heights looks set to push Lamar in the race for the district title, while in the race for the final playoff spots, Sam Houston is on its best run in 20 years, Westside is ready to bounce back after missing the playoffs for the first time in 13 years, and new addition Wisdom just had its best season since 1987.

There’s plenty of storylines to watch. Here’s a team-by-team preview in District 18-6A.

Houston Bellaire Cardinals

Head Coach: Herb Kunz (10th season; 39-51 record)

Last Season: 4-7; 4-2 (Lost to Cy-Fair in bi-district)

Bellaire Key Players and Storylines

Bellaire made the playoffs for the first time in three years last fall despite relying on a host of sophomores offensively.

With a year of experience under their belts, the Cardinals will hope to keep flying high in 2024.

The combination of dual threat quarterback Will Hazen and running back Chance Diebner should help the Cardinals have a balanced attack. Hazen has a trio of key returning receivers when it comes to the passing attack with juniors Jack Pennington and Tony Miller and senior Nathaniel Allen.

Defensively, Bellaire returns several of its top playmakers from a year ago. They have a rock solid core of linebackers with Chris Wilson, John Corder, and Rocco Grazier. Keep an eye on Fares Khalil off the edge. He was a second team all-district selection a year ago as was safety Michael Gallien.

Herb Kunz and his staff have to be excited about the players they have coming back this season. With that group, they’ll set their eyes on earning a second consecutive playoff berth this season.

Houston Chavez Lobos

Head Coach: Louie Rodriguez (2nd season; 0-10 record)

Last Season: 0-10 record; 0-6 in district

Chavez Key Players and Storylines

Chavez didn’t win a single game a year ago, but the Lobos were extremely young. They’ll have virtually all of their key players back this year as they look to be increasingly competitive with their 18-6A rivals.

The connection between senior quarterback Chris Cabrero (1,267 passing yards and 11 touchdowns) and receiver Johntta Thomas looks set to be Chavez’s go-to option again offensively. Thomas finished with over 800 yards and six touchdowns a year ago. He was responsible for over half of Chavez’s receiving yards. Running back Marquis Miller (263 rushing yards and two touchdowns) was Chavez’s bell cow a year ago as a freshman. They’ll have high hopes for him with now a year of game time under his belt.

Defensively, the Lobos should be stout up front with defensive tackle Manuel Miller Jr. and defensive end Jeremiah Villareal (31 tackles, 11 TFLs). Behind them, Jaden Glass was a second team all-district selection from his outside linebacker position.

A year ago, Rodriguez said it would be helpful having a young squad because there wouldn’t be bad habits to break. He’ll hope that his coaching staff’s teachings will have taken hold with the Lobos’ returning players as they look to get back in the win column this fall.

Houston Heights Bulldogs

Head Coach: Stephen Dixon (17th season; 92-80 record)

Last Season: 8-4; 6-1 (Lost to Hightower in area round)

Heights Key Players and Storylines

Heights hasn’t won more than one playoff game in a single season since 1932. The Bulldogs weren’t far off from achieving that feat last season as they fell 26-21 to a very talented Fort Bend Hightower team in the area round.

This year’s team looks to potentially have the firepower to break that long-standing record. Houston commit receiver/safety Zaylen Cormier  (763 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns; 27 tackles, two interceptions) is the best player in the district. The District Newcomer of the Year last season, he’ll play an important role on both sides of the ball for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs did lose their starting quarterback to South Oak Cliff, but Dylan Ray (387 passing yards and six touchdowns) did play some at the position last year. He’s also one of their best linebackers (65 tackles). Whoever ends up starting at quarterback will have Rasean Mitchell (378 rushing yards and three touchdowns) alongside them. He’s a versatile option coming out of the backfield.

Paving the way up front for the offense will be SMU commit tackle Devinn Farris. He has great size at 6’5″ and 305 pounds.

Defensively, it starts in the front seven with Ray and defensive end Jordan Clavelle (43 tackles, 17 TFLs). He has double digit Division I offers. Clavelle will have plenty of help at defensive end with Trevon Duncan (27 tackles, 8.5 TFLs) and Joseph Chavez, who both earned second team all-district honors last season. Jaxon Cheshire is also primed for a big season on the defensive line.

The Bulldogs have some holes to fill, but there’s no shortage of playmakers on this roster. Expect them to be a threat in the playoffs again in 2024.

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Houston Lamar Texans

Head Coach: Michael Lindsay (7th season; 48-18 record)

Last Season: 12-1; 6-0 in district (Lost to Atascocita in regional semifinals)

Lamar Key Players and Storylines

Lamar had one of the best defenses in the entire state last year, allowing just 8.5 points per game. Unfortunately, virtually the entire unit is gone. Just one starter returns this year.

But you don’t win 13 district titles in 14 years off the backs of one class. This Texan program knows how to reload.

The lone returnee is defensive tackle Chance Bloodsaw (25 tackles). Head coach Michael Lindsay said he has the potential to star at the college level after this season.

Robert McFarland will be bringing the boom from his safety position, while Lindsay is excited about the potential of senior Ken Abiaghe. He believes he has all the traits to develop into a star lockdown corner for the Texans.

On the other side of the ball, the Texans have just three offensive starters back, but their offensive line is going to be rock solid. Dramodd Odoms is an elite four-star recruit at tackle, while center Danny Stein is a great leader and has a high football IQ.

The Texans graduated quarterback Jordan Reaves, so there are some question marks about who will run the offense this season. However, whoever does settle into the starting role has a stud at receiver Enrico Moore-Espinoza (372 receiving yards and five touchdowns). He has “elite speed and dynamic playmaking” ability.

Lindsay believes the roster still has a lot of talent. 25 lettermen return from 2023. However, this year will be a big test for many of Lamar’s players as they step into starting roles the first time.

But at a program that has found so much success over the past decade and a half, the expectation remains high: another district title and a playoff run come this November.

Houston Sam Houston Tigers

Head Coach: Damin Schexnaydar (1st season)

Last Season: 3-7; 2-4 in district

Sam Houston Key Players and Storylines

Nine wins in three seasons is a stat that may not jump off the page, but for Sam Houston, its a clear sign of the progress the program madeunder the leadership of Charles Brown III. The last time they reached that mark was back in 2001-2003.

Now, Brown III accepted a job on-staff at Mayde Creek, so it’s up to new head coach Damin Schexnaydar, who has been on staff at Sam Houston for the past three seasons, to follow in his footsteps in 2024.

This season, the Tigers return just 10 lettermen from last year’s squad. Among them are five starters on offense and three on defense.

It will certainly help to have playmaking quarterback Trevan Williams back for his senior season. He was a first team all-district a season ago. The Tigers  should be strong in the trenches too led by Israel Camarillo, who the Tiger coaching staff expects to have a breakout junior season.

On the other side of the ball, linebacker Steven Warren had a big year a season ago, making the first team all-district team as just a sophomore. The Tigers are also excited about the potential of junior Jose Valentin. He should be a key part of the Tiger secondary this season.

These Tigers have made major strides across the past couple seasons. They’ll be young this year, but the return of Williams and a couple of other all-district honorees will be vital as they look to continue to make progress on the field this fall.

Houston Westside Wolves

Head Coach: Cedric Allen (2nd season; 2-8 record)

Last Season: 2-8; 2-4 in district

Westside Key Players and Storylines

Westside missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2010 a year ago. That won’t sit well with the Wolves heading into 2024.

Senior Grant Berry will lead the offense this year at quarterback. He has great toughness and is willing to sacrifice himself for his team. He played the back half of last season with a broken hand.

Kevin Ferrygood will be his go-to target at receiver. The sophomore has great athleticism and will be a “match-up problem” for opposing defenses. Up front, senior Ethan Barbosa is a veteran player who will “keep the offensive line focused.” Head coach Cedric Allen believes that unit will be one of the strengths of the team.

Defensively, rover Justin Nwoko will be all over the place. He was Westside’s leading tackler last season and has “great range in the open field.”

In the front seven, outside linebacker Torrien Clark is a “strong, physical player,” while defensive end Avery Hartman always finds a way to get to the ball.

A year ago, the Wolves lost two of their district games by six points or less. They’ll hope to set things right this season as they look to get back in the postseason.

Houston Wisdom Generals

Head Coach:  Jamarkus Branch (1st season)

Last Season: 7-3; 5-3 in district

Wisdom Key Players and Storylines

The Generals had a breakthrough season a year ago, scoring their most wins since 1987 (the program was discontinued from 2000-2011).

But now, they will embark on their first-ever season of 6A football this fall. They’ll have a new head coach leading the way as Jamarkus Branch replaces Vicente Herrera. who stepped down this past offseason.

They have a good core of returners with seven starters back on each side of the ball. The offense must replace quarterback Felix Tuyisaba, who graduated, but the skill positions have no shortage of talent.

Ajani Mayeux (517 receiving yards and eight touchdowns) will see a lot of targets out at receiver after earning Newcomer of the Year last season. Running back Darrion Walker is poised for a big sophomore season after seeing snaps on both sides of the ball in 2023.

On the offensive line, the Generals are high on center Juan Alvear. He made “huge strides last year” and is poised to be a leader in the trenches.

On the other side of the ball, Mayeux proved he can do it all a year ago also taking home first team all-district honors at linebacker (36 tackles). Defensive lineman Michael DDbamson should be a playmaker for the Generals up front.

The secondary will also be a strength. Corner Elyjah Richardson is coming off a solid sophomore season and will be a big part of the Generals’ pass defense.

One of the most impressive parts about Wisdom’s football program is how its players come together. There are over 20 languages spoken on the team, but they all unite as Generals.

And after a hugely successful 2023 season, the Genrals are hopeful they can keep the momentum going even as they make the jump to the 6A level.

 

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