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District 21-6A Season Preview

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The Fort Bend schools slide from 20-6A over to 21-6A for this go-round. The lone change from realignment saw George Ranch left in 20-6A, which means one more playoff spot is available this fall.

Ridge Point has had a stranglehold on this district in recent years, but Hightower is hot on its heels not to mention several other hungry programs heading into this year under second year head coaches.

Here’s what to watch for in District 21-6A.

Fort Bend Austin Bulldogs

Head Coach: Trey Herrmann (2nd season; 5-5 record)

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

Fort Bend Austin Key Players and Storylines

The Bulldogs made notable progress in their first season under Herrmann. Their five wins were the most in a single season for the program since 2014.

There’s a strong foundation to build off of too with eight starters returning on offense and seven back on defense.

Herrman’s son Koen (1,211 passing yards and 253 rushing yards) is back to lead the Bulldogs at quarterback. He has the “ability to make plays when the play breaks down.” Joining him in the backfield is David Bishop, a strong “downhill runner” that can force defenses to have to load the box to slow him down.

Mason Cress will be Austin’s go-to playmaker at receiver. He has the speed to stretch the field and cause defenses problems.

Defensively, Herrmann likes what the Bulldogs have coming back in the secondary with safety Will Herrmann (67 tackles and three interceptions) and corner Jojo Opara leading the way. Herrmann has “the ball skills to make a play on any deep pass,” while Opara is who Austin trusts “on an island against the top receiver.”

Linebacker Coleman Hammond is the returning leading tackler for the Bulldogs. He has a “nose for the football” and “the ability to shed blockers to make plays.”

Herrmann hit the ground running at Austin in his first year as the head coach. Now, he’ll look for his group to “get better every day,” as they aim to continue to make progress this fall.

Fort Bend Bush Broncos

Head Coach: Allen Aldridge (16th season; 77-79 record)

Last Season: 1-9; 1-7 in district

Fort Bend Bush Key Players and Storylines

The past two seasons wouldn’t have been the campaigns the Broncos would have hoped for. They have won just three total games.

However, head coach Allen Aldridge believes they should be more competitive in 2024 with nine starters back on offense and seven on defense.

The Broncos have a couple of danger men at the skill positions. Receiver Anthony Poe is their “go-to player.” He’ll play on the outside and in the slot. Another versatile player is Antoine Eakins. Aldridge called him Bush’s Deebo Samuel. He’ll take snaps at receiver, running back, and even quarterback.

On the offensive line, the Broncos will lean on three-year starter Daniel Bravo.

Defensively, three-year starter Caleb Fountain is Bush’s premier threat on the defensive line. He’s “aggressive at the point of attack,” and “will get around the edge.”

Behind him, linebacker David Nwanodu is the “quarterback of the defense” and will play sideline-to-sideline. Safety Nathaniel Walker had four interceptions a year ago, but is also very adept at tackling in the open field.

Aldridge said Bush won’t have the biggest roster, but its experience will be a big asset. He said the Broncos will need to take it one game at a time as they look to take a big step forward in the win column this fall.

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Fort Bend Clements Rangers

Head Coach: Robert Darnell (9th season; 24-57 record)

Last Season: 4-6; 3-5 in district

Clements Key Players and Storylines

It has been an offseason of change for the Rangers. Just 12 lettermen are back from last year’s team. Among those returners are four starters on each side of the ball from 2023.

For all the turnover, the Rangers’ aerial attack should still be dangerous. Max Cimino (946 receiving yards and six touchdowns) was the district’s leading receiver a year ago. Fellow receiver Cash Talbot (221 receiving yards and three touchdowns) will be a “versatile” option. Clements will just need to find a quarterback to lead the attack following the graduation of second team all-district selection Gunner Chenier.

Defensively, the Rangers will be most dangerous off the edge. Outside linebacker Isaac Amed (39 tackles, 10 TFLs) will be their “best pass rusher.” Head coach Robert Darnell is also excited about the potential of defensive end Hazeem Alakiu. He said he has “huge upside” but is still raw.

The Rangers will face a steep learning curve heading into the season with their lack of experience. However, Darnell is hopeful everything will come together in time for Clements to push for a playoff spot.

Fort Bend Dulles Vikings

Head Coach: Bill Garrey (2nd Season; 1-9 record)

Last Season: 1-9; 1-7 in district

Dulles Key Players and Storylines

Bill Garrey heads into his second year of trying to right the ship at Dulles. A lack of numbers make the job an uphill climb. Last year’s squad had just 33 varsity players.

However, there are some positives to be had heading into 2024. Eight starters are back on offense and seven return on defense.

Garrey believes the Vikings have a good foundation to build on in the trenches.

Junior Charles Houston is back on the offensive line after missing last year due to injury. He has “big potential,” according to Garrey. He’ll be joined by seniors Jayden Brown and Brandon Derokey and junior Morion LeBlanc.

On the defensive line, the Vikings will boast senior Micah Owens (64 tackles, nine TFLs) and junior Jordan Ohakawa (32 tackles, five TFLs). Behind them, linebacker Luke Smith missed nearly half the season due to injury, but still finished with 57 tackles and five tackles for loss. Keep an eye on him this season.

Back on the offense, quarterback RJ Evans looks set to be handed the reigns after starting three games as a freshman in 2023 (301 passing yards and two touchdowns). Garrey said he showed improvement with every snap.

Among his weapons to aim for will be receiver AJ Johnson (107 receiving yards and one touchdown) and junior running back Camron Campbell, who Garrey said has playmaking potential.

Dulles hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2018. With a strong junior class, Garrey will want to continue to see development from his players this fall as the Vikings aim to become more competitive with their district bunkmates.

Fort Bend Elkins Knights

Head Coach: Trae Grimes (2nd season; 2-8 record)

Last Season: 2-8; 1-7 in district

Elkins Key Players and Storylines

The Knights are a united group heading into head coach Trae Grimes’ second year at the school. He loves the way his “kids play hard for each other and love each other like a true family.”

This season, the Knights have seven starters back on offense and six on defense.

The Knights got a big boost when Division I prospect Romin Seymour (1,245 passing yards and seven touchdowns) moved in from Manvel this offseason. He “makes everyone else around him better.” Junior receiver Saxon Gumabong has the potential for a breakout year. He’s an “explosive, quick playmaker” who is “dynamic with the football.”

Jayden Simmons and Dixon Grimes will give Elkins a big, physical presence on the offensive line.

On the other side of the ball, Jordan Mitchell is Elkins’ lockdown corner, while fellow defensive back Ben Villareal (60 tackles, three TFLs) will be the “leader and general” of the Elkins defense.

David Anigbogu is a “fast, athletic linebacker,” who can make plays all over the field. Up front, Grimes expects defensive end Jaden Reed to create problems off the edge for opponents.

Grimes said his team may not have great depth with just 18 lettermen returning, but he wants to see them “relentlessly compete with every opponent” as they look to re-build the Knights into a playoff-caliber program.

Fort Bend Hightower Hurricanes

Head Coach: Cornelius Anthony (4th season; 33-8 record)

Last Season: 12-2; 7-1 in district (Lost to Summer Creek in Regional Final)

Hightower Key Players and Storylines

The Hurricanes have certainly have had no trouble adjusting to the 6A level after moving back up in 2022.

They have won double digit games both years, including advancing to the regional final last season where they fell just short to Summer Creek 35-31.

Cornelius Anthony and his staff have some work to do heading into the season with just three starters back on offense and four on defense. Several of the seniors that graduated a year ago had started since they were sophomores.

Hightower loves to run the football, and it got a big boost when LaDamion McDowell moved in from Pearland. He rushed for 1,495 yards and 32 touchdowns a year ago, and his speed and elusiveness will be a great fit for the Hurricanes’ run-first scheme.

Jayden McAllister will need to be the anchor for the Hurricane offensive line, while Ashford Landheart is a “selfless blocker” at receiver. The Hightower coaching staff believes he’s ready to grow into his own as a “playmaker” in the passing game this year too.

Defensively, the Hurricanes are going to be tough to throw on with lockdown corner Kade Phillips and ballhawk safety Michael Amey. Both are high-level Division I prospects.

Up front, defensive end Devyn Phillip has great explosiveness and will be a threat as a pass rusher.

With many new starters or even new lettermen playing key roles this fall, this district will teach Hightower real quick what it has with its up-and-coming players. The Hurricane coaching staff said only time will tell whether its raw talent will be “their team’s biggest weakness or their team’s biggest strength.”

Fort Bend Ridge Point Panthers

Head Coach: Rick LaFavers (5th season; 38-11 record)

Last Season: 9-3; 8-0 in district (Lost to Lamar in area round)

Ridge Point Key Players and Storylines

Ridge Point is still batting 1.000 when it comes to winning district championships under head coach Rick LaFavers. The Panthers took down Hightower 43-36 last fall in the game that ended up deciding the top spot.

This year, they’ll look to make it five-for-five with six starters back on offense and five returning on defense.

Figuring out how to slow down this Ridge Point offense is a difficult proposition. A year ago, the Panthers averaged 48.3 points per  game.

At quarterback, they have elite dual threat quarterback Austin Carlisle (3,087 passing yards and 34 touchdowns). He holds all the quarterback records at Ridge Point and is “the heartbeat of the team.”

If his arm talent isn’t scary enough, he has speedy receiver Dane Jones (825 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns) to aim for. Jones has been clocked at over 21 miles per hour in games and is great in space with a great catch radius.

The Panthers are also sturdy on the offensive line. Avery Morcho, Hugh Smith, and Jordan Burnett all started last year as sophomores. LaFavers is confident all three will be playing on Saturdays in two years.

Just like the skill positions on offense, the defense has a lot of speed too. Cornerback Bryson Webber (22 tackles, two interceptions) ran the 100 meter dash in 10.5 seconds. Safety Julien George (18 tackles) will be the cornerstone of the secondary. And on top of that, the Panthers also added George Ranch transfer Gil Jackson, a Texas Tech commit.

Up front, the Panthers do lack some depth, but they do have talent. Romaire Smith (22 tackles, five TFLs) started as a sophomore. He’s the son of Robaire Smith, who played 12 seasons in the NFL. And no, you’re not seeing double. Smith’s twin brother Robaire Jr. will also be a threat in the trenches.

Houston-area teams should take notice. LaFavers believes his squad will be even better in 2024. With Division I talent on both sides of the ball, the Panthers have their eyes set on their 10th district title in 11 years and yet another playoff run this fall.

Fort Bend Travis Tigers

Head Coach: Trey Sissom (10th season; 57-37 record)

Last Season: 7-4; 5-3 in district (Lost to Katy in bi-district)

Travis Key Players and Storylines

The Tigers had their winningest season since 2019 a year ago. Trey Sissom’s squad will be gearing up for a repeat effort this season with half of their starters back (six on offense and five on defense).

This Travis offense should be able to move the ball in a variety of ways.

Junior receiver David Brewer was a first team all-district selection a year ago and is already attracting Division I interest. Running back Carmello Ratliff is heading into his fourth year on varsity. He’s a versatile option who can play just about any position offensively. Expect to see the ball in his hands a lot this fall.

On the offensive line, Tristan Clinton is a three-year starter. He’s a “solid run blocker” who will be a big asset for the Tigers in the trenches.

Defensive lineman Tadrian Smith is another three-year starter who will be needed to anchor an inexperienced front. Linebacker Malcolm Graham has “great size and range at 6’3” and 215 pounds.

The secondary is where Travis will be the strongest. Junior Davis Kinney was a first team all-district selection a year ago with five interceptions, while Jayden McCoy is a physical safety. He’s heading into his third year as a varsity starter.

With teams like Katy Mayde Creek and budding 5A powerhouse Richmond Randle on Travis’ non-district schedule, Sissom believes his team will be ready by the time 21-6A action rolls around. He expects his team to be back in the playoffs again this fall as the Tigers look to push for their first playoff win since 2014.

 

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