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THE WOODLANDS, WESTFIELD AND KATY LEAD A FAMILIAR CAST OF TITLE FAVORITES
District 12-6A
The Woodlands still is auditioning a replacement for graduated QB Eric Schmid, who signed with Sam Houston, but there’s no reason to believe it will relinquish its grip on the district any time soon. Lufkin’s always a threat, and Beaumont West Brook returns 13 starters, but The Woodlands has won 28 consecutive district games, four straight undefeated district titles and five straight overall since finishing second to Lufkin in 2011.
District 15-6A
Klein Collins was a hair off from knocking off eventual Class 6A Division II state champion DeSoto in the state semifinals last year. The Tigers are a trendy Region II-6A pick again. Klein Oak’s new head coach is former Texas A&M standout and NFL player Jason Glenn. Expectations for the consistently playoff-bound Panthers won’t drop and the same can be said for quarterback Mark Murdock and Stratford. Klein hopes its defense leads the way.
District 16-6A
Expect more of the same — Westfield is once again favored and once again features a bluechip defensive lineman. Keondre Coburn should be their fourth All-American in six years. The Trent Miller era begins at Spring, which went from six straight losing seasons to averaging 10 wins a year since 2014. Aldine Davis has its own anchor on the defensive front (Dominic Livingston), while tight end Malcolm Epps (6-5, 218) leads a tall Dekaney receiving unit.
District 17-6A
Staying perfect in this 10-team grouping is a tall task, but Cypress Ranch showed it’s up to the challenge, clinching its second straight undefeated district title with its 25th consecutive district win last year. But after playing in the 6A Division I final in 2014, it ran into Katy in the second round the last two years, and with only 12 returning lettermen it’ll be hard pressed to hold off the competition again.
District 18-6A
This district is home to two of the state’s top five players in Lamar cornerback Anthony Cook and Heights cornerback Jalen Green. But Lamar’s litany of vaunted recruits ensure the limelight won’t stray far away from the Texans. They’re looking for an eighth consecutive district title while Heights, Bellaire and Westside are hoping otherwise. Sam Houston has a new head coach in Blake Besselman, who comes from Fulshear.
District 19-6A
Can someone dethrone Katy? The Tigers have 16 district titles in 18 years and will make another run at it with running Deondrick Glass. Cinco Ranch twins Brant and Blake Kuithe could make things interesting, but so could a talented Katy Taylor roster that includes Max Wright (Texas verbal commitment), Ben Montgomery (UH), Andrew Coker (Florida), Braedon Mowry and Otito Ogbonnia. New coaches begin at Morton Ranch (Ron Counter) and Tompkins (Todd McVey).
District 20-6A
Ridge Point still is a small 6A, but it proved it belongs with the big boys last year, going 11-1 overall and 7-0 in district in its first season after moving up from 5A. Now it’s poised to push for a place among the best big schools in the state. The talent-laden team returns 14 starters, including Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Super Teamers Mustapha Muhammad at tight end and Chad Bailey at linebacker.
District 21-6A
Does Houston’s Region III-6A Division I winner reside here? North Shore and Atascocita certainly make a case. Both teams suffered graduation losses but reload more than rebuild. North Shore running back Kerrion Hadnot was outstanding last season. Atascocita junior offensive tackle Kenyon Green is an LSU pledge. Channelview made the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time ever last year. Kingwood and Summer Creek have designs on a playoff berth as well.
District 22-6A
Graduating most of its starting lineup could bring La Porte closer to the rest of the district, but chances are the title still goes through the Bulldogs as Deer Park graduated even more from a year ago (three total returning starters). Pasadena Memorial and Dobie might be able to play spoiler if things fall into place. Memorial runner back Alex Williams returns as the reigning Offensive MVP, but watch out for Rayburn’s Stanley Hackett.
District 23-6A
One of last year’s most unpredictable district races — surprising Alief Taylor and Dawson finished as district co-champions and former state champs Pearland and George Ranch tied for second – grew more so late in the offseason, with Tony Heath stepping down in June after 20 seasons at the helm. The Oilers return plenty of talent after a rough 2016, but it’s the rival Eagles best situated for a big season.
District 24-6A
Look south for one the city’s most competitive Class 6A districts. Dickinson’s rise under John Snelson makes it a frequent Region III-6A favorite but don’t tell that to Clear Springs, which won the district last year with first-year coach Craig Dailey. Clear Brook had its best season since 1998 last year. Who replaces Friendswood quarterback Tyler Page? Clear Creek is looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2009.