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6A

District 24-6A Season Preview

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It was a tight battle at the top of this district a year ago as Clear Falls claimed its first-ever district title, sharing the prize with Clear Springs. But that wasn’t all the history.

Brazoswood broke through with its first playoff berth since 2012. After such a memorable season for a couple of its teams a year ago, District 24-6A is shaping up to be just as competitive this season.

Here’s are the key players and storylines to watch for each of the district’s seven teams.

Brazoswood Buccaneers

Head Coach: Joe Dale Cary (2nd Season)

Last Season: 7-4; 3-3 in district (Lost to Shadow Creek in bi-district)

Brazoswood Key Players and Storylines

Head coach Joe Dale Cary had quite the impact in his first year at Brazoswood. He guided the Buccaneers to their first playoff berth since 2012.

This season, the Buccaneers return five starters on each side of the ball.

Running back Jose Trevino had a debut season to remember on varsity, earning the district’s Newcomer of the Year award. He’ll be joined by first team all-district receiver Anthony Trevino as Brazoswood’s leaders at the skill positions.

Their playmaking ability will be crucial as the Buccaneers settle in a new starter at quarterback. First team all-district lineman Colton Doner will be relied upon as the veteran presence on an inexperienced offensive line.

On the other side of the ball, Cary believes his team’s defensive experience will make that unit the strength of the team.

Linebackers Caleb Warren and Mason Donovan both return. Warren was a first team all-district selection a year ago. Behind them, Rene Scorza will be tasked with slowing down other teams’ top receivers from his cornerback position.

A first playoff berth in ten years was a big accomplishment for this Brazoswood program, but Cary isn’t settling. He said it’s time to “flip the script” at Brazoswood as the Buccaneers set their sights on their first playoff victory since a regional final run all the way back in 2009.

Clear Brook Wolverines

Head Coach: Patrick Sanders (2nd Season)

Last Season: 1-9; 1-5 in district

Clear Brook Key Players and Storylines

Clear Brook is in the process of trying to get its program turned around. The Wolverines haven’t had a winning season since 2017 and a playoff berth since 2018.

Head coach Patrick Sanders said his team has made a lot of progress this offseason. They look much more cohesive heading into 2023.

The Wolverines return exactly half of their starters from last season (five on offense and six on defense).

The offense has a big hole to fill as 1,000-yard rusher Jaylon Richardson must be replaced.

Sanders believes receivers Jayden Price and Abiel Gonzales are set to lead the Wolverines at the skill positions. In the trenches, Jude Effinger is back on an offensive line that Sanders said will be the strength of the team this season.

On the other side of the ball, the Wolverines’ leadership will come from their secondary. Jayveon Johnson (50 tackles), Josh Akinola (33 tackles, one INT), and Jaylon Owens (25 tackles) all return from last season. Owens is also a threat for the Wolverines in the return game.

Sanders said he expects his Wolverines to be increasingly competitive this season after four of their five district losses in 2022 came by 20 or more points. If they can do that, they’ll push for their first playoff berth in five years.

Clear Creek Wildcats

Head Coach: Dwayne Lane (6th Season)

Last Season: 2-8; 1-5 in district

Clear Creek Key Players and Storylines

Dwayne Lane had taken Clear Creek to the playoffs the previous three season, but two losses by two points each kept the Wildcats out of the postseason a year ago.

The Wildcats have to replace their starting running back Rocky Ketchum, but his younger brother Dre appears poised to follow in his brother’s footsteps after contributing as a junior last year.

The passing game also appears to be in a good spot with dual threat quarterback Bryson Drake returning with receivers Samuel Sereal and Garrett Carleton. Carleton was a second team all-district selection last season. He’s also a weapon for the Wildcats at kicker.

Defensively, the Wildcats will be strong in the secondary with corner Quinton Gray and safety Cah’lil Ward. Both were first team all-district selections last year.

The Wildcats offense has the pieces in place to take a step forward this year after averaging just under 20 points per game a year ago.

However, the biggest key to improvement for this team could be finding ways to finish games out as those two losses by such narrow margins last year are certainly seared into the Wildcats’ memory.

Clear Falls Knights

Head Coach: Zach Head (7th Season)

Last Season: 9-3; 5-1 (Lost to C.E. King in area round)

Clear Falls Key Players and Storylines

Clear Falls is riding the wave of its first-ever district title a year ago.

The Knights averaged over 30 points per game a year ago offensively, and they’re primed for a season just as successful this year. Nine starters return on that side of the ball, including all five on the offensive line. Senior lineman Jude Edwards was a first team all-district selection last season.

The backfield also returns two key players in quarterback Landon Vessel (1,835 passing yards and 13 touchdowns) and running back Payton Greer (367 rushing yards and two touchdowns), who will be asked to take on a bigger role this season.

Defensively, Clear Falls’ 2022 leading tackler Jackson Waid (94 tackles, eight TFLs) is back along with Division I prospect outside linebacker La’Kell McGowan (61 tackles, 13 TFLs). The veteran leadership those two players bring will be crucial as the Knights return just three starters on that side of the ball.

Clear Falls head coach Zach Head said inside linebacker and defensive back are two positions where the Knights will be searching for new players to step up. Safety Trenton Lee will be one of those players looking to step up and lead the way in the secondary.

After what his team achieved last season, Head said the bar has been set at winning district titles. That will be the goal in 2023 as the Knights look to build off their success from a year ago.

Clear Lake Falcons

Head Coach: Donald Lawrence (1st Season)

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

Clear Lake Key Players and Storylines

After Larry McRae departed to take the offensive coordinator job at Allen, Clear Lake turned to Donald Lawrence to take over the program. Most recently, Lawrence held the offensive coordinator at Langham Creek.

He has a good group of returning players to work with as six starters are back on offense and seven return on defense.

Its backfield remains intact from last year as quarterback Devin Lippold (1,171 passing yards and ten touchdowns) is back with Houston Christian commit running back Elijah Harris (1,012 rushing yards and ten touchdowns).

Lawrence said he’ll be looking for other options besides Harris to emerge at the offensive skill positions.

2022 second team all-district selection Liam Sweeny is back to anchor the offensive line.

Defensively, Lawrence loves the talent the Falcons have coming back on that side of the ball.

Kansas commit Damani Maxson (67 tackles, nine TFLs) is back with fellow Division I prospect junior Cameron Nelson (40 tackles). In front of them, the Falcons also have their leading tackler from last year linebacker Cecil Dressendorfer (117 tackles).

With Lawrence not taking over the program until May, he said the key to this season will be preparation for whatever Friday nights will throw at the Falcons.

 “There is a lot of new information being taught to our kids.  I expect our coaches to teach it in a progression that allows our players to be prepared and confident on game night,” Lawrence said. “I expect our players to understand situational football and our coaches to know their pressure situation calls in advance. If we do these things with great effort and good energy I expect to be in the playoffs this November.” 

Clear Springs Chargers

Head Coach: Anthony Renfro (3rd Season)

Last Season: 8-4; 5-1 in district (Lost to Atascocita in area round)

Clear Springs Key Players and Storylines

The Chargers have missed the playoffs just once in their 15 year history. That lone miss came all the way back in their debut season in 2008. They’ve never had a losing record in school history.

The talent is there for the Chargers to continue that run starting with three-star running back Xai’Shaun Edwards (1,195 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns), a Houston Christian commit. Junior quarterback Julian Salazar (1,123 passing yards and ten touchdowns) is also back after splitting time a year ago.

He has a brick wall protecting him at tackle in Texas A&M commit Blake Ivy. At receiver, there’s no shortage of talent either with promising junior Muizz Tounkara as well as 2022 second team all-district honoree Jairus Williams (391 receiving yards).

The defense had five all-district players in the front seven graduate, but Texas State commit linebacker Michael Sylvalie was the district’s Defensive MVP last season. In the trenches, the Chargers also have Memphis commit defensive lineman Isaiah Johnson.

In the secondary, Clear Springs will rely on corner Ali Schuster and safety Peyton Miller.

Clear Springs shared the district title a year ago with Clear Falls. Look for another strong effort from the Chargers in 2023.

Dickinson Gators

Head Coach: John Snelson (12th Season)

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

Dickinson Key Players and Storylines

Dickinson has made it to the area round of playoffs in six of the past seven years. However, the Gators haven’t cleared that hurdle since a state quarterfinal run in 2015.

This season, Dickinson returns five starters on each side of the ball. Head coach John Snelson said that despite being young in some spots, the returning players hunger should help the Gators as they try and take the next step.

Quarterback John Solomon (1,761 passing yards and 15 TDs; 626 rushing yards and 20 TDs) is a true playmaker. He’s so athletic, he was lining up at running back and in the slot during Dickinson’s scrimmage against Seven Lakes.

He has great support ahead of him in three-star tight end Jeremiah Scoby (464 receiving yards and three touchdowns) and fellow Division I prospect junior tackle Tyler Thomas.

At the skill positions, keep an eye on Malachi McNair (587 rushing yards and three touchdowns) and Leo Browne Jr. (243 rushing yards and four touchdowns), who should both help lead the rushing attack along with Solomon.

On the other side of the ball, good luck throwing against the Gators. Dickinson boasts Arizona State commit Rodney Bimage, UTRGV commit Nick Peace, and Diego Sanchez at cornerback.

In the front seven, both defensive end Ja’Marcus Anderson and linebacker Jontue Fears were all-district selections a year ago.

All of Dickinson’s six losses in the area round have come against Houston powerhouses Atascocita and North Shore.

Those defeats have only provided further motivation for Dickinson’s goals of “DPS”. But the Gators aren’t passionate about drivers’ licenses.

Instead, they’re aiming to win a District title, Practice on Thanksgiving, and go to the State championship game in 2023.

 

 

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

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