By Dr. David Davis
The anticipation of high school football will become a reality this coming weekend as area teams have been fighting through the heat in preparation for their season openers.
There is a mix of a new head coach, the return of a former head coach, and those coaches who are settled in as their teams take the field of competition.
Friendswood Mustangs vs Texas City Stingarees
Friday, August 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Henry Winston Stadium
The Jordan Johnson era begins as Friendswood faces an old nemesis in Texas City.
“I am so excited to return home and, for me and my wife Madeline, to be a part of a community that is so special to me,” Johnson said. “I cannot wait to serve the students, faculty, and community of Friendswood as the AD/Head Football Coach. Friendswood is filled with so many special people that I love and appreciate. I cannot wait for the list to grow as we begin this journey.”
There’s a real positive atmosphere that is evident among the Friendswood gridiron warriors as they are excited to begin the new journey with coach Johnson.
Friendswood has seven offensive and five defensive players returning with 23 lettermen this year. Offensively, Johnson will have some key skill players returning with QB Brock Foster (6-5, 225, 4.8) and QB Michael Butler (5-10, 175) vying to lead the Mustangs on that side of the ball. Foster threw for 380 yards and 4 TDs last year while Butler threw for 350 yards and four scores. WR Adam Buffington (6-1, 170, 4.5) and RB Walker Wintes (5-7, 175, 4.6) return as Buffington had 411 yards and 3 TDs receiving in 2022, while Winters will pace the ground attack. Other offensive line leadership include Luke Bryant, Trent Baker, and Jackson Grantham.
“There have been challenges offensively due to the change in scheme, pace of play, and terminology. Thankfully players have done their part in soaking up information, practicing at a high level, and learning from mistakes.” Johnson said.
Defense will be led by LB Caleb Allen (6- 2, 215, 4.6) who had a banner year as a sophomore with five sacks, and LB Mason Sindelar (5-10, 215, 4.7) who had three sacks and two INTs.
Others making an impact on the defensive side of the ball include DB Sawyer Skeel (6-3, 185, 4.8), DL Cooper Hopkins (6-0, 230), DL Noah Abebe (6-3, 210, 4.8), LB Marcus Quintero, LB Nathan Doremus, DB Nicholas Ruffeno, DL Caleb Goins, and DB Landon Davis.
Texas City Stingarees
Pearland native and Texas City head coach Shone Evans completed his first year in 2022 in guiding Texas City to a 6-5 record while advancing to the bi-district playoffs.
Texas City should be loaded this season with seven offensive and seven defensive starters returning with 20 lettermen from last year’s squad and a trip to the post-season.
Prediction: Friendswood 24 – Texas City 21
Manvel Mavericks vs Shadow Creek Sharks
Friday, August 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Freedom Field
Kirk Martin was named head football coach for the Manvel Mavericks in 2006 when the school opened for the Alvin ISD school district. He was the head coach from 2006 to 2017 and compiled an impressive 108-25 coaching record that included two state title game appearances (2011, 2017) while also advancing to five regional finals (2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016).
Now, in 2023, Martin has returned as the Head Coach/Assistant AD for Manvel once again.
While the offense will be a little younger, Martin isn’t without a talent pool of skilled athletes that will need to get acclimated to his system.
“Offensively we need young or inexperienced guys to take the jobs available and run with it,” Martin said. We have open competition at all of our skill positions. So it’s kind of a wait and see how it goes with those positions.”
Manvel won’t be without talent at quarterback where there are worthy candidates, and the Mavericks should be in great shape regardless of who takes control of the offense. One of those QB candidates is Romin Seymour, a 6-6, 192-pound sophomore, who is the son of former Florida State standout defensive end Roland Seymour.
The other two candidates are move-in quarterbacks: Chase Cobbin from Katy Taylor and junior Jackson Hamilton, the son of former Texans assistant coach Pep Hamilton. Hamilton was Pearland’s quarterback the last two seasons.
“We’ll have to see some live competition to see who the guy is,” Martin said. “I never know until the bullets start flying. I really don’t expect to know until we at least get through the scrimmages, and maybe get through our pre-district games.”
Manvel has five offensive and eight defensive starters returning with 29 lettermen, so the cupboard certainly isn’t bare.
“We’ll have three offensive linemen back, and that will be our strength. Those folks include Micah Williams (6-2, 300), Al McCarter (6-4, 265) and Jaxson Timon (6-4, 245),” Martin said.
Shadow Creek Sharks
Head coach Brad Butler expects his team to be one of the top teams in the Houston area as the winning tradition continues.
“We’ve got a bunch of new starters,” Butler said. “The players expect to win, and we’ve got a strong winning culture, but we need to be mentally and physically tough.”
Speed and aggressiveness will characterize the Sharks on both sides of the ball.
Defensively, the Sharks will be led by defensive end Zion Taylor who is a UH commit. Taylor (6- 2, 240, 4.8) had 17 solo tackles, five assisted stops, six tackles for loss, six sacks, and 10 QB hurries last year. Taylor was teamed up with LB Anthony Williams (6-3, 195, 4.6) who was the district defensive “Newcomer of the Year.” Williams had 19 solo tackles, three assisted stops, eight tackles for loss, and one caused fumble.
Joining Taylor at UH will be FS Maurice Williams (6-2, 190, 4.5) who had an All-District first-team season with 30 solo stops, 13 assisted tackles, one TFL, 2 INTs, 3 fumble recoveries, and one caused fumble. CB Aaden Benjamin (4 INTs) and DB Kyle Peterson will be roaming the defensive secondary for the Sharks. Others to contribute on defense include LB Efren Figueroa and CB Nigel Pringle.
While the Sharks will have a strong defense, they will also have a potent offensive attack that will be led by junior QB Jacorey Watson (6- 0, 175, 4.5) who threw for 952 yards and 13 TDs while rushing for 323 yards on 12 carries and eight scores. Watson is a “gifted athlete” who becomes a multiple threat any time he has the ball in his hands.
Watson will be complimented by RB Tylik Burton (5-9, 170, 4.5) who can explode for a long gain or touchdown from anywhere on the field. The All-District first-team pick had 703-yards rushing on 94 carries for six touchdowns while also gaining 90-yards receiving on 14 catches.
Others to contribute on the offensive side of the ball are WR Ashton Jones (6-3, 175, 4.5), athlete Christian Seriale (5-9, 170, 4.5), WR Chris Stewart (5-10, 165, 4.6), RB Justin Qualls, OL Calvin Peete, OL Andre McDaniel, and OL Chase Murray.
The Sharks also have a talented kicker in junior Aiden Bui (5-9, 160, 4.8) who was a unanimous first-team All-District pick after he hit 58-of-62 PATs and 5-of-8 FGs for 73 total points his sophomore year. Bui gives the Sharks that extra offensive punch in a tight game that can make the difference between a win or a loss.
Prediction: Shadow Creek 17 – Manvel 14
Pearland Oilers vs Clear Falls Knights
Friday, August 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Pearland ISD Stadium
There is no question that Pearland will be a stronger team than they were last year after being under the guidance of coach Gotte and his staff.
The Oilers finished in third place (5-2) last season in the district while advancing to the post-season for the 23rd consecutive year. They closed out the 2022 season with a 6-5 mark after losing to Dickinson 35- 21 in the opening round.
“Last year our two district loses were by a combined 11 points, (4 points to Shadow Creek and 7 points to Dawson) so our goal is to close the gap to our opponents and compete to win a district championship,” Gotte said. “Losing in the first round was a bitter pill to swallow, so we also are working hard to earn the right to win our first-round playoff game and make a run in the playoffs.”
Gotte understands the importance of laying a proper foundation of discipline and hard work; something the Oilers were lacking over the previous few years before Gotte’s arrival.
“After going through our first full off-season, our team averages in every measurable category improved,” Gotte said. “As a team we are stronger, quicker, faster, and more explosive, now the focus is translating that improvement to success on the field.”
Another underlying issue that was drastically evident in the past but no longer, is the players are proud to be Oilers again. The sense of pride has resurfaced that had been lost in recent years.
Gotte has also been impressed with some players who have shown vast improvement since last year. Included on that list is senior QB Cole Morkovsky who has really stepped up to become the field general for the Oilers.
“Cole is a great leader, super smart, throws the ball well and is a good game manager,” Gotte said. “I believe he is quite capable to getting the job done which is what we need at this time. He is at a key position in our offense.”
Gotte also listed WR Luke Allen and OL Elijah Cavitt as two others who have made an impact and impression on the coaching staff for their effort to improve at their respective positions.
Defensively, Gotte listed DL Jaylen Stewart, DB Evan Gracia, and LB Sam Armstrong as key players who have made significant impressions on the coaching staff.
Leading the offense this year will be Cole Morkovsky and RB La’Damion McDowell (5-8, 160, 4.5) who was named 23-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year. McDowell led the Oilers rushing as he had 151 carries for 801 yards and five scores while he also snagged 17 passes for 204 yards and two TDs; WR Patrick Bridges (6-2, 185, 4.6) who had 32 catches for 479 yards and 6 TDs; FB Juan Marines who had 33 carries for 134 yards; five catches for 75 yards and 2 TDs; OL JJ Wheeler (6-4, 240, 4.9); WR Quinton Murray (6-1, 175, 4/7); OL Toby Argo; OL Henry Dines; WR/ DB Evan Garcia, WR Luca Sanchez; and WR Jordan Hernandez.
Leading the defense will be Texas Tech commit DB Ashton Hampton (6-1, 170, 4.5) who had 40 solo stops, 13 assists, 12 TFL, 5 INTs, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 caused fumble, DL Jaden Wincher (6-1, 250) who had 28 tackles, 3 TFL, 5 sacks, DL Jaylen Stewart (6-3- 205, 4.8), CB Lazarus Range who had 34 tackles, 14 assists, 2 TFL, 3 INTs, 1 caused fumble, and DL Amari Wilks.
The Oilers will also have a talented kicker in Jackson Stagg who was an All-District second-team selection. Stagg is an outstanding offensive weapon to have for field goals and extra points which can make the difference in a win or a loss.
Clear Falls Knights
The Oilers were in a position to win the season opener and first game for new head coach B.J. Gotte last year but came up a little short to the Clear Falls Knights 20-17. Pearland missed a field goal late in the fourth quarter and the Knights ran off the final 3:16 time off the clock to escape with a 20-17 win. “We are obviously disappointed in the result,” Pearland head coach BJ Gotte said. “Especially when you feel like you had multiple opportunities to win the game. The kids played hard, and I was proud of them for that, and we competed until the end.”
Clear Falls finished with a 9-3 season record while advancing to the area round of the playoffs. They finished second in the district behind league champion Dickinson. They are a pre-season second place pick behind the Gators in 2023.
The Knights return nine offensive and three defensive starters and 34 lettermen this year. With all five offensive line starters returning to protect starting QB Ky Barker (6-2, 180), the offense will be the early pacesetters for the Knights. Barker threw for 2,017 yards and 14 TDs last season.
Clear Falls will also see help from RB Payton Greer (5-9, 190, 4.5) who rushed for 366 yards and two TDs while catching 22 passes for 226 yards and two scores.
Despite a young defense, the Knights will be led by LB Jackson Waid (6-1, 210, 4.7) who had 94 tackles, 8 TFL, and four sacks. He will get support from DE Le’Kell McGowan (6-4, 210, 4.7) who had 13 TFL, seven sacks, and 61 tackles. Both are DI prospects.
Prediction: Pearland 24 – Clear Falls 17
Dawson Eagles vs Hightower Hurricanes
Saturday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m.
Hall Stadium
Time passes quickly as Dawson head coach Mike Allison begins his sixth year at the helm of the Dawson football program. Allison has certainly continued the foundation that was laid when the school opened in 2007 with former head coach Eric Wells in charge.
Coach Allison has posted a 40-17 record for his first five years while also advancing to the area round of the playoffs all five seasons. The 2022 season began with an uncharacteristic 0-3 non-district start, but Allison rallied his troops to win the next six out of eight games to finish 6-1 in district with their only loss to Shadow Creek 16-10 which could have easily turned out in favor of the Eagles.
Coach Allison is always the first to give credit to his players and dedicated coaching staff regarding their accomplishments. The Eagles have always been a team that will be highly competitive no matter who they are playing.
Dawson returns with four offensive starters and nine defensive starters as well as 31 lettermen from a 6-5 team in 2022 that advanced to the bi-district round of the playoffs. One of the key losses on offense was three-year starting quarterback and Texas Wesleyan commit Colin Johnson.
However, Allison believes that QB Gage Greene (6-2, 180) will be able to step in and provide the leadership and skill set for the Eagles offense. “Gage [Greene] had a strong spring showing and I believe he has the talent to take over at quarterback,” Allison said. “The players have a lot of confidence in him and I like what I saw in our spring game.
“He is an unselfish leader of this team that will be a big part of the success we are looking for on offense.”
Greene will have a lot of help as senior running back Bryce Burgess (5-6, 160, 45) returns to lead the ground attack. Burgess was named the District 23-6A “Offensive Player of the Year” last season. He rushed for 1,023 yards on 141 carries (7.3 yards per carry) and scored 16 touchdowns while he also caught 21 passes for 164 yards and two scores.
“Offensively, we have some dynamic athletes in skill positions,” Allison said. “They have the ability to line up in different positions and do different things to help out the team. We have some experience coming back on the O-Line, and have a few of the underclassmen stepping up and competing for the open spots.”
Another offensive weapon returning is Tony Robertson III who will make an impact on that side of the ball for the Eagles.
“Tony will be returning from a season-ending injury that happened Week One of last season,” Allison said. “He will be a three-year letterman who will be hungry to show what he can do.”
Other players on offense Allison will be looking to for a strong season include WR Braylon Howard, WR Joseph Brown, and OL Torion Armelin.
The Eagles’ strength will be nine defensive starters who will set the pace early.
The defensive foundation begins with the two bookend defensive ends in Charles Anderson (6-7, 245) who had 45 stops, seven TFL, and two sacks and Edward Smith (6- 6, 240) who had 24 tackles, eight TFL, and two sacks. Both have committed to Texas Tech.
Other key defensive standouts include first-team All-District Bryson Burgess (5-6, 165) who had 50 solo stops, 18 assists, and one TFL last season. DB Max Menedez (5-10, 170) who had 31 tackles, and one sack. DB Chase Davis (5-10, 165) and DB Gabe McFarland (5-10, 160) who had 41 tackles seven TFL, and one sack.
Dawson will also have a proven placekicker in junior Ayden Treadaway who can make the pressure PATs and FGs when called upon in the clutch.
Hightower Hurricanes
Dawson led Hightower 17-16 at halftime last season but they weren’t able to protect the lead as the Hurricanes scored 13 unanswered points in the second half to pull out the 29-17 non-district win in the season opener for both teams.
Hightower returns five offensive and eight defensive starters, and 28 lettermen from a 10-3 team that advanced to the 6A Div. II regional semifinals.
QB Joseph Stewart (5-10, 165, 4.5) will return to lead the offensive assault after he threw for 2,833 yards and 26 TDs while rushing for 378 yards and two scores last year. He will have strong help with TCU commit RB Jeremy Payne (5-11, 180, 4.5) in the backfield. Payne rushed for 1,002 yards and 13 TDs while catching 17 passes for 320 yards and three scores.
Other weapons include WR Zion Kearney (6-2, 170, 4.5) who caught 39 passes for 765 yards and eight TDs. RB Austin Bowen (5-8, 165, 4.5) added 560 yards and eight scores to the attack.
The strength of the defense will be in the secondary with DB Kameron Reddic (5-11, 170, 4.5) who had 67 tackles, 5 TFL, and one INT, CB Ephraim Dotson (5-11, 175, 4.5) who had 49 tackles, five INTs, and DB Kade Phillips (6-3, 190, 4.8) who had 41 tackles.
This game should be a great season-opener for both teams
Prediction: Hightower 28 – Dawson 17
