TEAMS TO WATCH
NORTH SHORE 2019: 15-1; Class 6A Division I state champions
North Shore is the state’s marquee program and now zeroes in on a third consecutive state championship, which would cap one of the more impressive dynasties in recent memory. Expect the same offensive fireworks with quarterback Dematrius Davis leading the way and wide receiver Shadrach Banks returning from injury. This defense is never without impact players, and junior defensive back Denver Harris fills that role nicely.
SHADOW CREEK 2019: 16-0, Class 5A Division I state champions
Shadow Creek moves up from Class 5A Division I to Class 6A, where jousting with Pearland, Dawson and Strake Jesuit for District 23-6A supremacy will be a challenge. Possibly sharing a playoff bracket with Katy or Lamar is imposing, too. If anyone is equipped to handle the trek, it’s these Sharks, who are 31-1 with two state championships game appearances and one state title in two years of varsity play.
ATASCOCITA 2019: 12-2; Class 6A Division I regional finalists
Being grouped with North Shore and Beaumont West Brook in a realigned District 21-6A sounds like a nightmare. But the District of Doom nothwithstanding, expectations are still as high at Atascocita as they are anywhere else. There is plenty of talent here as usual, but if there is one offensive lineman worth watching in the Houston area, it’s junior Kam Dewberry.
ST. THOMAS 2019: 9-4, TAPPS Division I semifinalists
St. Pius X’s 2007 team is the last from the Houston area to win a TAPPS Division I football state title. With quarterback Maddox Kopp at the helm, winning it all is in sight after a run to the semifinals last season. This could be Houston’s best team in the private school division.
KATY 2019: 12-1, Class 6A Division I regional semifinalists
Katy is always a team to watch, and title No. 9 seems overdue for Greater Houston’s longtime high school football giant. Transfer running back Brandon Campbell opted out of his senior year over COVID-19 concerns, but Jalen Davis is still in the fold. Not many quarterbacks are as experienced as Bronson McClelland. Defensive back Hunter Washington, linebacker Ty Kana and defensive end Malick Sylla make a usually formidable defense as stingy as ever.
EL CAMPO 2019: 10-3, Class 4A Division I regional semifinalists
The Houston area isn’t packed with Class 4A powers, but El Campo’s rise is exciting. The Ricebirds went from 3-7 in 2018 to 10-3 in 2019 and are boosted by a three-man backfield featuring Johntre Davis, Rueben Owens and Charles Shorter.
LAMAR
2019: 6-4, Class 6A Division I bi-district finalists
COVID-19 currently clouds what schedules will look like for Houston ISD teams, but Lamar’s 67-game winning streak in district play and an attempt at an 11th consecutive district title is the draw here. Also of note, Lamar has not won a playoff game since 2016. A program this proud looks to remedy that in 2020.
MANVEL
2019: 13-1, Class 5A Division II regional finalists
The move up from Class 5A Division II to 5A Division I throws an interesting wrinkle into Manvel’s 2020 prospects. The Mavericks were in a few classics affairs against Fort Bend Marshall in Division II, but it doesn’t get easier in Division I with Foster, Hightower, Angleton and Paetow included in their district.
FORT BEND MARSHALL
2019 record: 14-2, Class 5A Division II state finalists
Marshall’s senior class changed the face of the program with two state championship game appearances in the last two seasons. Just expect different faces to lead the way for the Buffs this time. Quarterback Roland Harvey, who transferred from Westbury, is one to watch.
BRIDGELAND
2019: 8-3, Class 6A Division II bi-district finalist
Say hello to Houston’s dark horse. Bridgeland is in its third year of existence and returns 18 starters from an eight-win program in 2019. Dylan Goffney is one of the city’s better receivers, and Conner Weigman is a rising name among the quarterback ranks.