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District 20-6A Season Preview

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It’s the Fort Bend ISD plus George Ranch district.

Hightower and Ridge Point are looking for deep playoff runs again this fall, while three teams welcome in new head coaches.

Here’s what to watch in District 20-6A.

Fort Bend Austin Bulldogs

Head Coach: Trey Herrman (1st Season)

Last Season: 2-8; 0-8 in district

Fort Bend Austin Key Players and Storylines

Fort Bend Austin had a late offseason coaching change, but fortunately for the Bulldogs, it’s a familiar face. Trey Herrmann takes over the program having served as the defensive coordinator last season.

He has 12 years of head coaching experience, having led Bellaire, Alvin, Katy Taylor, and most recently, Danbury.

The Bulldogs have a lot of offensive production to replace following the graduation of dual-threat quarterback Jamal Franklin and his starting running back Thusaun Gibbs.

Look for Mason Cress (287 receiving yards and one touchdown) to have a big role at receiver after he was second in the team in receiving yards as a sophomore last year. Guard Clark Johnson also returns after he earned second team all-district honors in 2022.

On the other side of the ball, the Bulldogs have two of their three leading tacklers back from last year in defensive backs Hampton Phillips (83 tackles, eight TFLs) and Hugh Rolls (80 tackles).

Somtoo Ume-ezeoke (43 tackles, seven TFLs) will be player to watch in the trenches.

The Bulldogs made progress last year winning their two non-district games after a winless 2021. The next step under Herrmann will be getting more competitive with their district opponents.

A year ago, all of Austin’s district losses came by two possessions or more. The Bulldogs will hope to close that gap in 2023.

Fort Bend Bush Broncos

Head Coach: Allen Aldridge (15th Season)

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

Fort Bend Bush Key Players and Storylines

The Broncos will be looking to bounce back after a down year in 2022. They have made the playoffs in eight of the 14 years under head coach Allen Aldridge and will be looking to reach those heights again this fall.

Juniors quarterback Antione Eakins (477 passing yards and three touchdowns) and speedy running back Sincere Timpson (479 rushing yards and three touchdowns) appear poised to lead the backfield this fall, although sophomore quarterback Brody Thornton did earn some playing time last season.

Defensively, the Broncos return a couple of key playmakers in the front seven in defensive tackle Caleb Fountain and linebacker Joachim Nicolau.

Nine of eleven of Bush’s all-district players from last season graduated, so it won’t be easy to bounce back this year. But as experienced as Aldridge is leading the Bronco program, don’t count them out in 2023 as they look to make a playoff push.

Fort Bend Clements Rangers

Head Coach: Bobby Darnell (8th Season)

Last Season: 5-6; 5-3 in district (Lost to Katy in bi-district)

Fort Bend Clements Key Players and Storylines

After 14 years without a playoff berth, Clements has now made the postseason in back-to-back years.

Head coach Bobby Darnell said the next goal the Rangers are building towards is a playoff victory. It’s a feat they haven’t accomplished since a memorable 13-1 season in 2007.

With nine starters back on offense and six returning on defense, Clements has the experience to continue its progress towards that goal.

Darnell said the offensive line led by Carson Talley and Armond Owens will provide a sturdy foundation for the skill players behind them. And the Rangers have no shortage of talent. Quarterback Gunner Chenier (1,538 passing yards and 11 touchdowns) returns along with his second leading rusher from last year, John Lewis (563 rushing yards and seven touchdowns), and his leading receiver, Aidan Zhou (304 receiving yards).

Darnell also wanted to recognize offensive lineman Elmah Parcini, who will be the second female to play on a Clements varsity team this year. She has won the best Offensive Lineman Award on JV twice.

Defensively, Darnell said Clements will lack experience at the inside linebacker position, but the Rangers will be strong at cornerback with both Bryce Mathews and Kenneth Robinson. In the front seven, Denzel Nzewi (44 tackles, four sacks) is the player to watch. He led Clements in sacks a year ago and should be a threat off the edge again this season.

Darnell praised his players for their work on and off the field, mentioning their monthly visit to Brookdale First Colony, a local senior living establishment.

The Rangers hope that maturity and leadership as well as the experience they have returning, especially offensively, will put them in position to compete for their third-straight playoff berth as they look to break through with a long-awaited postseason win.

Fort Bend Dulles Vikings

Head Coach: Bill Garrey (1st Season)

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

Fort Bend Dulles Key Players and Storylines

The Vikings will have a new head coach this year after Shane Byrd decided to take a job outside of teaching. Bill Garrey comes over from Seven Lakes, where he served as the quarterback coach, to take over the Viking program.

He’ll have his work cut out for him right away as the Vikings return just three starters on offense and four on defense. He’s also concerned about the depth and lack of numbers in the program for a 6A squad.

However, one area where the Vikings do not have a concern is on the offensive line. Senior guard Tyler Fleming and junior tackle Jayden Brown are both back to lead the unit. Fleming was an all-district selection last season.

The Vikings did lose much of their rushing attack from a year ago. Garrey believes senior Camden Ross will be one of the players Dulles will lean on in its ground game this season.

Defensively, the Vikings boast safety Carter Truscott, who also played some at receiver last season (28 tackles; 162 receiving yards). Dulles’ biggest strength on that side of the ball will be at linebacker where TJ Shittu (42 tackles) will line up alongside Luke Smith (26 tackles).

Dulles has some work to do, but the Vikings weren’t too far off from a playoff appearance last season. Three of their five district losses were by seven points or less. Garrey said he expects his team to continually grow and improve throughout the season as its new starters continue to gain experience.

Fort Bend Elkins Knights

Head Coach: Trae Grimes (1st Season)

Last Season: 2-8; 1-7 in district

Elkins Key Players and Storylines

The Knights had a whirlwind of a summer after Dennis Brantley announced his retirement in May.

Elkins brought in Pearland Dawson defensive coordinator Trae Grimes to take over the program, and he immediately had plenty of work to do.

Elkins has just three starters returning on offense and only two back on defense.

Despite being inexperienced, Grimes expects the Knights to be “fast, athletic, and explosive” on both sides of the ball.

Elkins will have a new quarterback this year after last year’s starter transferred to Klein Cain. But whoever takes over running the offense will have plenty of protection up front. Grimes believes tackle Jayden Simmons and center/guard Dixon Grimes are ready to lead the offensive line.

Running back Brandon Renfro (137 rushing yards) appears to be in line for more carries in 2023.

On the other side of the ball, Elkins has key players at all three levels. Junior linebacker Benjamin Villareal (38 tackles, three TFLs) is one of the Knights’ leading returning tacklers, while Robert Ramirez should make an impact up front on the defensive line.

They did pick up a key addition in the secondary as speedster Marquis Kiatta (52 tackles and three interceptions) joins the program. He had most recently been at St. Thomas Catholic.

Grimes said he’s been impressed with the way his players have responded to the challenges they’ve faced this summer.

Now this fall, he has a clear idea of what he wants from his team.

“I expect to see a team that plays with relentless effort, is intentional and disciplined with great preparation, and that continue to love each other like a family,” Grimes said.

Fort Bend Hightower Hurricanes

Head Coach: Cornelius Anthony (3rd Season)

Last Season: 10-3; 7-1 in district (Lost to C.E. King in regional semifinals)

Hightower Key Players and Storylines

Hightower didn’t miss a beat in its return to the 6A level. After making a run to the 5A Division I regional finals in 2021, it followed it up with a regional semifinal appearance last season.

And the Hurricanes could be better this season.

They return eight starters on offense and nine on defense. The Hurricane coaching staff believes that veteran leadership should be a recipe for success this season.

The Hurricane offense will boast two of the best players in the entire district in TCU commit running back Jeremy Payne (1,002 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns) and Oklahoma commit receiver Zion Kearney (765 receiving yards and eight touchdowns). Throw in the return of dual threat quarterback Joseph Stewart Jr. (2,833 passing yards and 26 touchdowns; 378 rushing yards and two touchdowns) and the Hurricanes might be on track to improve on the impressive 36 points per game they averaged a year ago.

According to the Hightower coaching staff, the trenches on both sides of the ball are where Hightower’s biggest room for improvement lies. Fortunately, Hightower does have Dailon Ellis (40 tackles, 27 TFLs) to anchor its defensive line.

Behind him, the defensive skill positions are as strong as the offense. Last season’s leading tackler safety Kameron Reddic (67 tackles, five TFLs) is back as is Rice commit cornerback Ephraim Dotson (38 tackles).

Hightower’s coaching staff lauded its players’ dedication to football at all levels of the program. With that drive and a vast amount of experience returning this year, Hightower appears to be gearing up for another deep playoff run in 2023.

Fort Bend Ridge Point Panthers

Head Coach: Rick LaFavers (4th Season)

Last Season: 10-3; 8-0 in district (Lost to Atascocita in regional semifinals)

Ridge Point Key Players and Storylines

Ridge Point is still batting 1.000 when it comes to making the playoffs. The Panthers have advanced to the postseason in all 11 seasons in which they’ve fielded a varsity football team.

Last year, the Panthers made it back to the third round for the second-straight year. It was a nail-biting run that included a double overtime win over Katy Tompkins and a 14-10 win over Houston Lamar.

This season, the Panthers have work to do after graduation gutted their defense. Just two starters are back on that side of the ball.

However, six starters return offensively and there’s the makings of an explosive unit. Arkansas commit Ashton Bethel-Roman (886 receiving yards and eight touchdowns) and Baylor commit Mason Dossett (635 receiving yards and four touchdowns) should give opposing secondaries fits. And that’s not even mentioning three-star prospect junior Dane Jones (488 receiving yards and four touchdowns), who moved in from Shadow Creek.

The offense’s conductor returns as well with Austin Carlisle (2,100 passing yards and 18 touchdowns) back at quarterback. He was the district’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2022.

While the offense is blessed with plenty of talent at the skill positions, head coach Rick LaFavers said the offensive line still needs to do some developing as the Panthers lack depth in the trenches.

On the other side of the ball, defensive lineman Calvin Kalu-Alexander led the Panthers in tackles for loss a year ago with 13. Key cornerback Isaiah Brown (48 tackles) also returns.

Ridge Point has had a lot of success in recent years, but LaFavers emphasized that this year’s team can’t hang their hat on what previous teams have done. After all, it’s a new year, new team.

With the support of Sienna Community behind the Panthers, LaFavers wants his players to keep striving for improvement as they look to be playing their best football when November rolls around.

Fort Bend Travis Tigers

Head Coach: Trey Sissom (9th Season)

Last Season: 4-6; 4-4 in district

Fort Bend Travis Key Players and Storylines

According to Fort Bend Travis’ standards, last season was a letdown. It was the first time that the Tigers had missed the playoffs since 2013.

But the returning starters are there for Travis to make a quick turnaround. Six starters are back on offense, while eight return on defense.

The main thing that would hold the Tigers back are a lack of experience at the quarterback and running back positions. However, if the Tigers can find impact players at those positions, the supporting cast around them will be strong.

Brent Johnson (285 receiving yards and one touchdown) and Jackson Farr both return at receiver. Head coach Trey Sissom also said the Tigers would be strong in the trenches led by 2022 first team all-district tackle Dawson Elliott.

Defensively, the Tigers have several playmakers among their returning starters. Linebacker Tomisin Olorunfemi (62 tackles) was Travis’ leading tackler last season while Temi Osinaike (32 tackles) is back at defensive bac. Up front, Tadrian Smith should be a key player on the defensive line.

Heading into 2023, Sissom and his Tigers are expecting a bounce back year. He believes his players have learned their lessons from a year ago and are ready to battle this fall.

“Our team leadership has created a great of season environment that competes to get better every day,” Sissom said. “The youth from last year are now veterans and they understand the intensity it takes to compete at the varsity level.”

George Ranch Longhorns

Head Coach: Nick Cavallo (6th Season)

Last Season: 6-5; 6-2 in district (Lost to Cinco Ranch in bi-district)

George Ranch Key Players and Storylines

George Ranch made it back to the playoffs last year after missing out in 2021. The Longhorns appear poised to build on their success this fall with seven returning starters on each side of the ball.

The offense will be looking to improve after averaging just 14 points per game a year ago. Quarterback Deion Drinkard (1,290 passing yards and eight touchdowns) and running back Jaden Shelton (1,099 rushing yards and eight touchdowns) are both back to lead that charge.

And while the run game will be supported by an offensive line led by Braden Cain, the passing game is more in limbo than the run game with just one receiver returning from last year’s squad.

Defensively, the Longhorns have a good mix of players returning as their 2022 leading tackler defensive lineman Cody Ford (66 tackles and 13 TFLs) returns along with linebacker Tre Aikens (48 tackles). In the secondary, cornerback Kennard McGuire is getting looks from schools at the next level.

After making it back to the playoffs last season, this year’s goals are clear. The Longhorns have their sights set on competing and giving themselves a shot to win their first playoff game since 2019.

 

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

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