10 high school teams to watch as regular season wraps up
It’s the last week of the high school football regular season. Ten teams to watch before the playoffs begin:
1 Manvel (vs. Pearland, 7 p.m. Friday, Alvin Memorial)
These two have been on a collision course to meet for the District 22-6A title. Pearland has done its job, taking a 9-0 record into the game, while Manvel has rallied from an opening loss to Westfield with arguably the city’s — and perhaps the nation’s — most talented roster. Seven Mavericks are committed to Power 5 college programs with more to come.
2 Jersey Village (vs. Cy-Fair, 7 p.m. Friday, Pridgeon)
The Falcons are out of playoff contention in District 17-6A but that doesn’t mean they’ll go out quietly. Jersey Village can play spoiler — a win over Cy-Fair combined with a Cypress Woods’ win knocks the Bobcats out of the playoffs. The Falcons are also coming off a 74-73 win over Cy Woods where the two combined to set seven school, district or state records.
3 Seven Lakes (vs. Morton Ranch, 7 p.m. Friday, Rhodes)
The Spartans had their bumps, including a loss to Tompkins and a threegame losing streak in the middle of district play. But despite all that, they’re in position to make the playoffs. It comes down to the Spartans against Morton Ranch with the winner taking the final playoff spot in District 19-6A. Watch out for Spartans star running back Brock Sturges.
4 Lamar (vs. Westside, 7 p.m. Friday, Delmar)
Despite sending wave after wave of talent to the next level — the Texans have had 16 signees to Football Bowl Subdivision programs the last five years — HISD’s top program is back at it again. Lamar is 8-1 going into its finale against Westside, which is the last team to beat the Texans (2009). But a Texans win gives them nine wins for the seventh year in a row.
5 Dulles (vs. Travis, 7 p.m. Friday, Mercer)
A year ago, the Vikings were 0-10 in Oschlor Flemming;s first season as a head coach. But what a difference a year and an offseason program can do. Dulles is in position to make the playoffs for the first time in three years. It’s down to Dulles or Travis for the fourth spot in District 23-6A. Dulles will lean on a solid passing attack led by senior Luke Metzer
6 Clear Creek (vs. Clear Lake, 7 p.m. Friday, CCISD Veterans)
The Wildcats are coming off a win over Dickinson, which is huge for multiple reasons. Both teams entered the game at 8-0 and drew the attention from media outlets across the state. But with the win, Clear Creek has a chance this week to complete its first 10-0 regular season. Clear Creek’s offense is powerful but can also score late when it matters.
7 Friendswood (vs. Clear Brook, 7 p.m. Friday, Winston)
The Mustangs have basically clinched a playoff spot, but a win Friday will definitely make it official. They’ll get a test from a Clear Brook that’s performed nicely in Mike Allison’s first year — the Wolverines went from 1-9 in 2014 to fighting for a playoff spot. Friendswood has one of the city’s most electrifying playmakers in quarterback Tyler Page.
8 Huntsville (vs. Willis, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Berton A. Yates)
The Hornets finished fourth in District 19-5A a year ago and hope to be the same this season. With head coach Rodney Southern, now in his second year at Huntsville, the program has a winner-take-all meeting on the road against Willis for fourth place. Quarterback Ricko Bennett is averaging nearly 230 yards passing per game and has 23 touchdown passes.
9 Stratford (vs. Waller, 7 p.m. Friday, Waller ISD)
An early-season loss may have put Stratford a notch beneath undefeated Crosby and George Ranch in Class 5A, but don’t count out the Spartans. Stratford is right outside the AP state top 10 and the loss came with star running back Rakeem Boyd on the sidelines in a walking boot. The Spartans will be a tough out with Boyd, a Texas A&M verbal commitment.
10 Cinco Ranch (vs. Katy, 11 a.m. Saturday, Rhodes)
The Cougars are one of the area’s top programs in Class 6A, but unfortunately — and it isn’t their fault — they’re in the same district as Katy, a seven-time state champion. Cinco Ranch has at least eight wins in eight of the last nine seasons and multiple deep playoff runs, but the undefeated Cougars have just one win over Katy in program history.