HS FOOTBALL
The top games around Houston in Week 9.
Heading north
North Forest (5-2, 3-0) was going nowhere fast in nondistrict play. The Bulldogs were 0-3 after three weeks, with losses to Stafford (33-13), Bridge City (56-12) and La Marque (23-16). Then they clobbered Westbury 57-6 in Week 4 — and everything’s gone their way since. Stafford forfeited its win because of an ineligible player, and the Bulldogs rolled to 3-0 in District 11-4A Division I by a combined 149-6. They blanked Scarborough and Washington and handed Yates its first district loss, 44-6, last week behind QB Rashand Jones (140 yards, two TDs passing; 120 yards, two TDs rushing) and OLB Freddie Whitaker (two fumble recoveries, one for a TD, and one interception), moving them within one win of a fifth consecutive playoff appearance. That 0-3 start against a tough slate is a distant memory now.
Playoff certified
The playoff picture is taking shape, with district races beginning to separate the contenders from the teams playing for next season, but
only a handful of Class 6A/5A teams from the Houston area clinched in Week 8, including Cypress Ranch, Klein Collins, Stratford and New Caney. All four teams are undefeated in district. Cy Ranch beat fifth-place Cy Creek to clinch Saturday, Collins and Stratford swept their districts’ bottom four teams, and New Caney, which made the playoffs for the first time in 12 years last season, is among the first teams to secure a return thanks to its win over fifth-place Humble.
All jumbled up
Most districts still have a lot to figure out, including the champion, the final playoff qualifiers and what division they’ll compete in, but a couple districts are tighter than the rest. In District 23-5A, Manvel and Fort Bend Marshall are at the top, but Willowridge, Texas City, Ball and Elkins are tied for third at 2-2, so at least two of them aren’t getting into the playoffs, and Santa Fe, at 1-3, still has an outside shot. In 21-6A, Baytown Sterling, Channelview and Kingwood are tied for fourth at 2-2.
Can’t stop, won’t stop
Cypress Ranch recorded its 22nd consecutive district win last week, knocking off Langham Creek 49-31. It hasn’t lost in district since a 42-39 setback against Langham Creek in 2014. It’s an impressive streak to be sure, especially in this loaded 10-team field, but the Mustangs have a long way to go to equal Katy’s streak. The Tigers won their 51st consecutive district game last week, and their streak includes seven straight district titles without a loss.
Turning to Page
Friendswood QB Tyler Page continued racking up video-game numbers two weeks after becoming the school’s career rushing leader, carrying 25 times for 387 yards and five TDs (39, 4, 71, 8 and 18 yards) in a 52-34 shootout with Clear Falls. The SMU pledge boasts 1,054 yards and 19 TDs on 111 carries (9.5 yards per carry) and 1,059 yards and 12 TDs on 56-of-109 passing in six games.
Recruit watch
The Woodlands senior QB Eric Schmid, who threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-2 win over Oak Ridge last week, recently pledged to Sam Houston State, but several of the Houston area’s top recruits remained uncommitted, including Episcopal DT Marvin Wilson and OT Walker Little, North Shore DE K’Lavon Chaisson, Cypress Ranch WR R.J. Sneed, and Katy DT Corey Bethley.
District dominance
Speaking of Katy, the Tigers are clobbering their district opponents, winning four games by a 21323 combined margin. In last week’s 68-9 win over Morton Ranch, RB Deondrick Glass carried eight times for 149 yards and five TDs. But they’re not the only team rolling through district. Klein Collins outscored its first four foes 20321, and Manvel’s up 202-30 in four district games.
Stratford vs. Klein Collins, 7 p.m. Friday, Klein Memorial Stadium
The Spartans and Tigers spent most of the last month beating up on the bottom of District 15-6A. With the prelims out of the way, it’s time to find out which team is the district’s best.
Deer Park vs. La Porte, 7 p.m. Friday, Bulldog Stadium
This Border Battle dates to 1946, with La Porte leading the series 29-251, including wins in three of the last four meetings, and both teams are playing well going in.
Barbers Hill vs. New Caney, 7 p.m. Friday, Texan Drive Stadium
New Caney clinched a playoff return while idle last week but still faces a tough three-game stretch run, starting with an all-Eagles matchup of two of the area’s most surprising teams.