2023 Football Preview

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A letter from the sports editor...

It’s that time of year again!

After an incredible year for athletics in Fort Bend County last year, we are starting back up just as soon as we seemed to end last season!

Last season, we saw the rise of Da Dirty F in Fulshear, as an electrifying offense led the Chargers to their first-ever playoff win.

We saw Randle, in its first varsity season of action, fall just short of making the playoffs in year one and we saw Needville set up its regular season with a trip to the State

7-on-7 Tournament.

And we saw Terry claim a win in the Battle of the ‘Berg for the third year in a row!

All of this sets up a thrilling year to come in the last year of these district alignments, with plenty of new stories coming in as well!

Foster is entering a new era with Shane Hanks at the helm of the program as he tries to get the Falcons back to the postseason.

And, on top of it all, we have a treat to see every single Lamar Consolidated ISD

program hosting one game on campus this season, something to add some quirks and, as the home teams will certainly hope, a home-field advantage that could be tough to beat.

So sit down, buckle up, and get ready for the ride. It’s going to be a season like none we’ve seen before!

Scinta

Stories by Sam Scinta and Nick Irene. Herald photos by Rhonda and Troy Taormina and Dave Sanders.

Clyde King, Jr. CHAIRMAN, EDITOR & PUBLISHER

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Scott Reese Willey EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Sam Scinta SPORTS EDITOR

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On the Cover: Fulshear’s Davion Godley & Randle’s Leo Garza

Lamar

Stangs Ready for Success

by SAM SCINTA

ROSENBERG — Being close didn't quite cut it last season for the Lamar Consolidated Mustangs foot ball team.

This year, head coach and campus athletic coordinator Kiah Johnson said he is hoping that changes. The biggest point of focus, he said, was discipline and con sistency.

"Having that discipline to show up and do what you're supposed to do at practice to prepare yourself for games, that's something that hurt us last year," Johnson said. "Not being consistent at practice in doing what needs to be done to prepare for the games hurt us.

"I can sit back and make excuses about having a young quarterback and a young offensive line and a new OC. I could make those excuses, because that's easy.

those hurdles."

The Mustangs went 2-4 in District 10 5A D-II while finishing 4-6 overall. That left the team just one game out of the playoff race. Lamar hasn't qualified for the playoffs since the 2019 season.

fin play

One of those losses came in the sixth week of action at fourth-place Huntsville, a 12-7 loss to the Hornets that could have sent Lamar to the postseason had the result been reversed.

That loss was the first in a stretch of four losses in five games to close out the season. One of those other losses is sticking with Johnson, too.

Rival Terry beat the Mustangs 20-3 in the second

My thing is what can we do to prepare us for a game, because I couldn't care less about how young we are. We've got to get over

★ Samir White

Dr. David Thurmond, Dr. Bryan Ping, Dr. Michelle Hessell

Dr. Sadie Bowling, Dr. Cynthia Aswad

Dr. Jessica Rivera, Dr. Tyler Ping, Dr. Andrew Faist, Dr. Emily Rimes (Galvin)

week of the season during the ‘Battle of the Berg', the third year in a row the Rangers have won the coveted rivalry contest.

Ringing the Bell is certainly on Johnson's list of goals for the team this coming season.

"Every game is important, even in the non-district schedule," Johnson said. "But we've got to beat Terry. That game obviously means a lot."

Lamar Consolidated will have to fill the hole left by graduating senior Justin McCullough, who averaged more than 84 yards per contest on the ground as the lead back for them last year.

Another McCullough is Justin's brother Jason, who was also a force the Stangs will miss in 2023 after leading the team with seven sacks and averaging nearly seven tackles per game, all while being the team's second leading receiver.

Returning receiver Simon Omoruyi looks to be senior quarterback Nathan Lowther's top returning target after averaging more than 40 receiving yards a contest last season.

"It really unlocks the playbook," Johnson said of returning his starting quarterback and some key receivers and three starters on the offensive line. "I think a lot of people do not understand how restricted we were last year offensively. It's already, I'd say before we even finished the spring, we were already far ahead of where we even finished last year offensively."

Also expected to play a big role for the Mustangs in 2023 is linebacker and tight end Marvin Farris, who led the team in tackles per game last season at 8.4.

"With Marvin, you're talking about a person who understands work ethic, understands wanting to be great," Johnson said. "He's a kid that you have to send home to get rest because all he wants to do is work out.

"He wants to be great because he wants to win," Johnson added of his senior. "Those are the kinds of kids that make your job easy. He's always asking questions, always asking what we need. That's who Marvin Farris is, and that's the epitome of what you want in your program. He's a special young man."

Johnson, acknowledged the hype surrounding some of the other schools within the district and said it can be a challenge to keep some of his younger players focused on the task at hand instead of worrying about what their rivals are doing.

"It's very hard to control," Johnson said. "Everything is in your hands, on your fingertips, from Twitter to Snapchat to Instagram, and you can't take that away from them. They're in constant communication with friends at other campuses, so they're going to know what's going on in the district.

"If you try to spend all of your energy focused on that, you're going to forget what's really important. My whole thing is to take care of our business right now. If we don't prepare for that first game of the season, how are we going to get better for week one and beyond?"

With all the excitement in and around the district heading into 2023, the Mustangs are hoping to be squarely in the mix of the playoff hunt by the end of the year.

PHOTOS:

1Lamar Consolidated quarterback Nathan Lowther scrambles away from the Terry defender.

2 The Mustangs celebrate after a victory against Westbury.

3 Lamar Consolidated quarterback Nathan Lowther watches the action from the sidelines.

4 Lamar Consolidated Head Coach Kiah Johnson preps his team before gamely.

5 The Mustangs run out to the field.

Terry

Rangers ready to prove doubters wrong

by NICK IRENE

ROSENBERG — The Terry Rangers are gearing up to embrace their underdog role in District 10-5A D-I, with third year head coach Darnell Jackson preparing his team to play spoiler.

So far the 2020s have been challenging for the program, culminating in last year's disappointing 0-8 district finish and a 2-8 overall record.

After a strong start to the 2022 campaign Terry recorded a 3520 victory against Class 6A playoff’s Fort Bend Clements, and also a 20-3 rout in the annual ‘Battle of the Berg’ contest against the Lamar Consolidated Mustangs.

However, a difficult district schedule ultimately marred the season along with a series of injuries which led to an eight-game los-

Terry running back Marcus Townsend is expected to be a vital part of the Ranger offense this season.

ing streak. With 20 seniors gone from last year, Jackson remains optimistic that a new, young crop of Rangers is ready to shape the team's future.

Terry has been outside the playoff bracket since 2016, but a healthy roster gives Jackson confidence that the 2023 season can be different.

"Our No. 1 goal always is to get into the playoffs," Jackson said. "We want to lead the stats in takeaways, touchdowns and yards. But in-house, we really just want to stay healthy. If we can achieve that, we give ourselves a chance to make some noise."

District 10-5A boasts a murderers' row of high-quality opponents, including five teams that secured at least seven wins last year. The season reflected the demanding schedule as the Rangers averaged eight points per district contest. Jackson made it a point this offseason to focus on the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives.

While Terry may lack four to five-star recruits or the most gifted athletes, Jackson believes no one should doubt the Rangers' grit.

"Our kids have that underdog Terry tough mentality," Jackson said. "I truly believe no one is tougher than us. I think we have some of the toughest players on and off the field. We preach that daily in practice, the weight room and the field. Our mentality is to make everything hard, so we emerge as stronger individuals. Our kids are warriors."

Facing Fulshear, Foster, Magnolia West, Manvel and Angleton on the schedule, Terry knows the road to the postseason will be tough. But Ranger seniors have stepped up to lead the way in the past for younger talent, which Jackson sees as a significant improvement from last season.

"We may not have the numbers that others do, but it motivates us and adds fuel to our fire making us prepared to play," he said. "We are becoming a close-knit team, bringing along many of the young guys, which indicates a positive team culture. The older guys are on the same wavelength as the coaches, creating a more player-led team."

Among the leaders is third-year versatile player, Marcus Townsend as he played quarterback, running back, wide receiver and safety for the team. Jackson plans to focus heavily on Townsend in a simplified option-based offense.

Townsend led the team with 546 all-purpose yards and has expressed his determination to build on that performance during his

senior year. His hard work in the gym and offseason has not gone unnoticed by his head coach.

"At SAC Camp, Marcus asked me to put the offense on his back," Jackson said. "It gave me chills. Marcus plays offense, defense, and special teams and is one of our best athletes. He's put in so much work this summer, and he's getting faster and stronger."

Returning senior Cameron Lewis stands out as the team's best offensive lineman and a formidable presence on the defensive line. Junior defensive end Jordan Randle aims to join Lewis in anchoring the defense after gaining valuable experience during his first varsity snaps in 2022.

Jackson believes Randle has been working hard to improve and will be one of the team's leaders moving forward. Perimeter receiver Regohn Johnson is expected to make significant strides in revamping the passing attack, building on his junior season. Calix and Keelin Perry bring veteran leadership and structure to the youthful roster.

"Regohn is a very explosive, fast kid with athleticism among the best," Jackson said. "Calix is a field general. He gets everyone lined up and is a very smart player. He's fluid with great hips and has a great knack for the football."

The varsity roster will also feature newcomers Jayden Robertson and Dameon Sims, both sophomores who are ready to make an immediate impact.

"They are young and we expect them to make a lot of noise this year," Jackson said. "Definitely look out for these guys."

Terry kicks off its regular as they dropped that 35-20 to the game will take

season on Aug. 24 with a rematch against Clements

★ Keelin Perry

The Rangers proudly hoist the Battle of the ’Berg trophy after defeating Lamar Consolidated last season.

Randle

Lions looking to make year two a memorable one

by NICK IRENE

RICHMOND — In its second season of high school football the Randle Lions are anticipating making some history this season.

Of course most of that will be defined by the growth of its young team into a playoff contender. In his second year as head coach, Brian Randle endured a promising yet frustrating inaugural season in 2022, finishing with a 4-6 overall record.

Without any seniors on board last year the Lions went 2-4 in District 10-5A DII falling just short of securing a playoff berth, but their competitive play defied expectations.

Randle led a high-powered offense that averaged 27.8 points per game, securing victories against Pasadena Memorial, Calhoun, Montgomery and Bryan Rudder.

However, the Lions' inexperience and immaturity hindered

their playoff aspirations in several closely contested matches.

One of those was a last-minute drive which led to a 21-17 victory for Lamar Consolidated which could have placed them at .500 (2-2) going into its final two district games.

The season ended sourly as the Lions squandered a 17-0 lead against Huntsville, losing 28-17 in the finale. Reflecting on these defeats, Randle considers them unacceptable if the team aims to reach its full potential.

"We have to keep the games out of the officials' hands and we should do a better job avoiding silly stuff,"

★ Leo Garza

Randle said. "We fumbled a lot and muffed kicks and made a bunch of mental mistakes. We have to get out of our way to be successful. Reps and experience will help with the mental aspect. Things snowballed last year and we weren't mentally strong enough to overcome that.”

With four teams making the playoffs, Montgomery Lake Creek and Brenham are expected to maintain dominance as the top two.

The head coach is highly confident that his roster possesses the quality to secure a playoff berth and potentially make a deep run.

"We got to make the playoffs this year and make sure we grow from where we were last year," he said. "If we can have a 10-win season, that would be amazing. That could mean seven wins in the regular season and three deep in the playoffs. That's our goal.”

During the offseason, Randle aimed to bolster his team's confidence, cultivate leadership roles, and foster personal growth.

"We are all learning from each other and they now know the expectations," Randle said. "Senior leadership is everything and we will have that for the first time. Some of the kids are quiet, but many lead by example.”

Among these leaders are defensive tackle Curtis John-Miller and quarterback Leo Garza.

John Miller, was recognized as an all-district honoree last season, and returns as a cornerstone of Randle's defense, having recorded five sacks last season.

"He's a solid human being who is always on time, knows where he needs to be and just does everything right," Randle said. "The kids respect him. He's the silent leader.”

Garza is coming off a solid junior season, throwing 23 touchdown

passes and seven interceptions. Despite grappling with injuries throughout his career, Garza's determination remains unwavering.

"The poor kid has been banged up since we got him," Randle said. "He tore his ACL during his JV year and now has a shoulder issue from baseball, but just perseveres. He's here and shows up every day and that's big for us.”

Again, Garza will have a talented group of receivers, including Cortney Brown, Jaxon Montelongo, Marc St. Fort, Terry transfer Jalyn Burton, DeMeco Harvey, and freshman track sensation Landon Callis-Williams.

Brown led the team with 50 receptions for 674 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Safety Kevin Williams and defensive end Chace Sims have also demonstrated substantial progress during the spring and summer.

Sims' motivation escalated during the offseason, spurred by offers from Texas Tech University and the University of Houston.

Coach Randle anticipates this newfound energy to inspire the entire team.

"I think the way society has gone now, where everybody gets a trophy, some don't want to say anything to people like they don't want to fuzz at each other," he said. "There wasn't a sense of holding each other accountable because, in reality, that's not OK. You can't be late to work and expect to keep your job. We owe our kids that accountability and to tell them losing is not OK. Our kids are starting to understand that.”

The 2023 season commences with a rematch against Pasadena Memorial on Aug. 24, revisiting last year's opening day. Randle won its first game ever against the Mavericks, 53-17.

Randle’s Dacorian Rubin evades defenders at Traylor Stadium

The Randle Lions rush the field before kickoff.

Randle’s Cortney Brown makes a one-handed grab.

George Ranch

Longhorns look for a return to the postseason

by NICK IRENE

Now a veteran-led squad, the George Ranch Longhorns are looking to build off their successes of last season into a District 20-6A title and a deep run in the postseason.

The Longhorns featured many highs and lows but ultimately were a return to the postseason after missing out in 2021.

George Ranch qualified as the No. 3 seed in District 20-6A but were defeated 49-14 against Cinco Ranch in the bi-district round.

During the regular season, the Longhorns struggled against the top two teams in District 20-6A, Ridge Point and Hightower, but came away with close victories against the rest of the field.

George Ranch lost to the Panthers and Hurricanes by a combined score of 111-0 but showed resilience in wins over Austin, Travis, Bush, Dulles, Elkins, and Clements.

The winning margin averaged about five points per victory, but it showed Head Coach Nick Cavallo that the young roster could dig deep and secure a significant win.

"We wanted to carry that mind-set into this season, that if we are in the game in the fourth quarter, then it has to be a game we win," Cavallo said. "Many kids who played last year are back, so by infusing them with the new kids, we can build off that success we had."

The Longhorns expect to contend for a district championship by winning those close games in 2023, as they did last season, keeping Hight ower and Ridge Point at bay.

"We have two juggernauts at the top, but then you have four or five teams that are comparable, and one play can win those," Cavallo said. "We have to compete in every one of those games and limit our mistakes against that top echelon to have a chance. The big picture is to make the playoffs and be one of the top district representatives."

Plenty of new faces were showcased in 2022, including quarterback Deion Drinkard, running back Jaden Shelton, and defensive linemen Cody Ford and Chase Adams.

Cavallo benefits from having 13 starters returning to the lineup with 6A experience added to their resume.

"The difference last year was that we had about 43 seniors, and this year we are at 32," Cavallo said. "The big differ ence was that we had limited varsity experience last year. Fast forward, and many of these 32 are three-year starters on varsity. It's a much more mature senior class with great leaders. It goes

beyond the X's and O's, extending to workouts and the classroom."

Among those is Shelton, who is coming off a 1,000-yard season in his junior year and returns as the leading receiver after

★ Deion Drinkard

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the departures of Jackson Muckelroy and Gregor Jones.

The youth at the receiving position leaves Cavallo uncertain about its production, with Julius Carter being the only returning wide out from last year.

However, Cavallo expressed confidence in his quarterback Drinkard for his year-to-year improvement to overcome the new corps.

"That question is yet to be answered, but what we saw in the spring is that Deion has grown tremendously in his ability to throw the football with an added touch," Cavallo said. "We have about five or six guys in the receiver room who had a great offseason. Going in, we feel the situation will figure itself out. They haven't had varsity experience outside of Julius. We saw promising things in 7-on-7, but it's hard to predict how it will translate to Friday nights."

Cavallo has many younger talents who stood out in the spring and summer, including junior receiver Baylor Smith, junior Desmond Drinkard, and Jet Roberts.

Shelton will likely again be the focal point of an offense that enjoyed controlling the clock and allowing its defense to come away with big plays.

Ford returns as the top defensive threat on the line, with 55 tackles, 10 for losses, and a teamleading four sacks.

Senior leadership will also fall on top corner Kennard McGuire and leading offensive lineman Braden Cain.

"We had guys like Cody and Chase who played 10-15 snaps a game in their sophomore year, and as juniors, they were starters," Cavallo said. "We have many players on our defense who have been here for a while, and now they are preparing these younger juniors. We have about 20 players with playoff experience."

Cavallo's offseason goal for the six-year head coach was to become a more cohesive and physical unit.

"Many things we tried this offseason were military-style boot camps with the Marines and incorporated numerous team-building exercises," Cavallo said. "During the summer, we extended that to put ourselves in adverse situations, so they have experienced those stressful moments when the season arrives. They will know how to respond and work together as a unit."

The Longhorns begin their 2023 campaign as they did last year, with an Aug. 25 match up against fellow Lamar Consolidated ISD comrade Foster.

PHOTOS:

1The Longhorns are fired up for gamely.

2 George Ranch Nick Cavallo hypes his team.

3 Defensive lineman Cody Ford lines for the next snap.

4 Running back Jaden Shelton scans the field for an open rushing lane.

Foster

The Hanks Era Begins

by NICK IRENE

RICHMOND — Foster Falcon football enters a new era under the guidance of a fresh head coach and a young, eager roster aiming to secure a postseason return.

Previously the Falcons' defensive coordinator, Shane Hanks now assumes the head coach position at Foster High School.

Hanks takes the reins from Shaun McDowell, who departed Richmond to lead the Grand Oaks High School program in Spring.

McDowell left an enduring legacy during his ten-year tenure, boasting an 89-41 record, with playoff appearances from 2013 to 2020.

Hanks remains optimistic that his inaugural year in charge will mark a triumphant return to the playoffs after consecutive absences.

Despite failing to qualify, Foster concluded the previous season with a 7-3 record and a 5-3 standing in District 20-5A.

Starting the season 5-0, the Falcons subsequently stumbled, losing three of their last five games, causing them to miss out on a top-four seed.

Hanks prioritizes adequate preparation, particularly in special teams, which is crucial to keep the team within striking distance in the standings.

"We don't do special teams to get by; we do them to take advantage of things in the game like field position and turnovers," Hanks said. "We had to break things down from just playing the snaps. It's a tall task, but we lost two that we could've won and we can get those games back this year. You may have to go 9-1 or 8-2 to lock in a playoff spot."

The departure of 32 seniors from last year's roster leaves Foster with numerous open slots.

Among the key seniors who graduated last year are quarterback JT Fayard and leading rusher Ashton Ojiaku, who embarks on his freshman season at Rice University. Kendal Stewart, the

leading receiver, joins Colorado University for Deion Sanders' inaugural season as head coach.

Hanks revealed that while three offensive and six defensive starters return, the roster still presents a challenge in filling the gaps.

Nevertheless, Hanks expressed confidence in the new talent infusion and the returning players following a productive offseason.

"We have had a lot of kids make gains in the weight room and have become more mature," Hanks said. "A lot of kids have also made gains in their speed and their agility.

Overall we had a very good offseason. We tried some new things like mat drills to help with their discipline, focus and athleticism."

Standouts during the camp included defensive end CJ White, linebacker Konnor Hanks, running back Addison Ojiaku, end rusher Chijoke Nwankwo, defensive tackle Josiah Hatter, and offensive lineman Grayson Novicke.

With several players yet to experience the spotlight, Hanks intends to prepare them using in-game situation drills during practice.

"While we won't necessarily be a young team, we will be inexperienced under the Friday night lights," Hanks remarked. "We have some JV players to bring up to speed for varsity play, and the best experience comes from being on the field. Practice involved simulations of game-time scenarios, including goal-line stands, to enhance players' awareness."

Anticipating a whirlwind of emotions, Hanks is eager for the opening game at Traylor Stadium to showcase to the community the new-look Falcons.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to coach the opener," Hanks said. "With 27 years of experience, Foster is a great place with

The Falcons take the field at Traylor Stadium.

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strong support, and I feel blessed to be part of it. While there might be some nerves during the opener, once the first hit occurs, I'll be settled."

The Falcons will commence the 2023 season against George Ranch at Traylor Stadium on Aug. 25.

Following that, Foster will face Travis on Aug. 31 at Traylor Stadium in non-district play before launching their league campaign

as the away team against Terry on Sept. 7.

Consecutive home games against Angleton, Friendswood, and Magnolia West will precede a road game against Kempner on Oct. 5.

Foster's season will culminate with a home game against Manvel, followed by a road contest against Magnolia, concluding with the final game against Fulshear on Nov. 3.

The Foster offensive line lines up for the next snap.

Dillon Williams strip sacks the Kempner quarterback.

Blue Jays hope head start leads to success in 2023

by SAM SCINTA

NEEDVILLE - Official 11-on-11 practices opened up at the beginning of August, but the Needville Blue Jays football team has had a few more reps on the prac tice field thanks to the success of its 7-man squad over the summer.

The Jays come into the season off an appearance at the state 7-on-7 tournament in College Station in June.

"I think it gives some of our young kids some confidence," Needville football coach and athletic director Mike Giles said of his team getting run in the state 7-man tournament. "It validates some of the things that we do.

"You've got to see results to get belief," Giles added. "It's hard to get people to believe without seeing. So getting there this year and winning some games and playing with some good teams, it shows that they can play with anybody."

Needville went 1-2 in pool play on the first day of the tournament, beating Snyder 39-28 and falling 35-20 to China Spring and 26-6 to Ponder.

The Jays advanced to bracket play in day two, winning their first-round game 27-20 over Taylor.

In the second round, Needville pushed state-ranked Anna to the brink, forcing overtime in the final seconds before falling 31-25 in the extra frame to the Coyotes. Anna ended up finishing as state runner up at the tournament.

The Blue Jays were led offensively at the state tournament by junior quarterback Keilan Sweeny, with senior receiver Gianni Pisano and junior wideout Kade Ramirez also making a big impact in the passing game.

★ Keilan Sweeny

Dr. Kyle D. McCrea and Dr.

Needville's air attack also features senior receiver and defensive back Austin Anderson, who holds NCAA Division I offers from Houston, Vanderbilt, Arkansas State, Tulsa and Texas-San Antonio, among others.

Anderson was also a member of the Blue Jays' track and field team, placing sixth at the triple jump at the 4A State Track and Field Meet in Austin.

Defensively, the Jays are powered in the middle by senior linebacker and state powerlifter Hunter Brewster, someone Giles said has all the leadership qualities a coach is looking for.

"Hunter is one of those young men that you trust is going to take care of what he needs to," Giles said of his senior. "He carries himself the right way and is a great teammate."

Last season, Needville started the year going 3-1 in its nondistrict slate before a difficult league schedule took hold. The Jays went 1-5 in 4A-1 Region 3 District 12, tied with Iowa Colony for sixth place.

Needville was outscored 243104 across six district games a season ago.

"I would say last year was disappointing," Giles, who is entering his 10th year at the helm of the Blue Jays' football team and athletic department, said. "We were very young. We had a very small senior class and we knew that we were going to be really young coming into it, but we felt there were a few games we could have won and didn't.

"The flipside of that is we have a lot of guys back," Giles added. "So that's the positive part. But last year we played a lot of young guys. We were able to win some games, but not as many as we would have liked. We didn't win the ones we needed to to get into the playoffs, so that will be the first goal."

Giles noted that while his team returns a lot of talent from a season ago, many teams in the district are in a similar spot.

"The difficult thing is everyone in our district is also bringing a lot of guys back," Giles said. "It's a very good district and region. Our region is extremely tough. But we know that, we've been in that fire."

The Jays open play Aug. 25 on the road at Columbia, a team they beat 21-20 in Week 1 last season.

Needville beat Livingston 4419 on the road a year ago in Week 2. The Blue Jays will look to make it two years in a row over the Lions Sept. 1 at Blue Jay Stadium in the team's home opener.

Week 3 features the Jays' first chance at avenging a 2022 loss as Needville travels to Huffman to take on the Hargrave Falcons. Last year's meeting saw Hargrave escape Blue Jay Stadium with a 24-14 win.

The Blue Jays get a crack at last year's district champion in Week 8 when the team hosts El Campo. The Ricebirds beat Needville 48-7 en route to a 6-0 district record and area round playoff appearance a season ago.

Needville closes out its home schedule a week later when the Jays host Bay City. The Blackcats, who advanced to the area round of the playoffs, won last year's meeting 58-0.

The Jays also host Sweeny, Stafford and Navasota this season.

PHOTOS:

1 Alex Coffin goes for the block on the Columbia defender.

2 Keilan Sweeny jukes past the Columbia defender.

3 Running back Da’Shawn Burton rushes past Huffman defenders.

4 The Needville Blue Jay and cheerleaders rally the crowd.

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The Needville Blue Jays are introduced at Blue Jay Stadium ahead of kickoff.

Fulshear builds off of outstanding 2022

by SAM SCINTA

FULSHEAR - It’s easy to say last season was the best in program history for the Fulshear Chargers.

An electrifying offense and distinct brand made waves in 2022, a year that saw the Chargers earn their first playoff win in school history.

They won’t be catching anyone by surprise this year following a meteoric rise in prominence last season.

"I think, for us, football is really the one sport that has had to catch up," Fulshear High School football coach and campus athletic coordinator Nick Codutti said. "(Two years ago) we made the playoffs for the first time in school history, and that was a stepping stone. It was an understanding of when you go to the playoffs, this is what it looks like.

"I was super proud of our kids," Codutti added. "And last year

The Chargers prepare to go to the field before the next possession.

we came out, and I think our season started down 14-0 in the first five minutes of the season, and we went oh no. But these kids fell behind the rallying cry."

Codutti said the Chargers' style of play was intentional as a way to set the program apart.

"For football, we said let's find our niche," Codutti said. "When I got to the job two years ago, my number-one goal was to create an atmosphere and to create an athletic de partment that everyone in Houston knew about. This was a way to do that."

Fulshear plays the wide zone offense, which is a run scheme based on horizon tal movement from the offensive line. The line stretches the field by pushing the blocks in a set direction, opening up holes for the backs to break into the second level of the defense and find open space.

The Chargers bring back several key players from that offense, including star running back and incoming se nior Davion Godley.

Godley, who has a NCAA Division I offer from Stetson University, was a member of Dave Campbell’s Whataburger Super Team last season.

“Davion is the center point of what made our offense work (last year),” Codutti said. “He lead the district in rushing and touchdowns. He was such a huge

part of what made our offense go.

“We averaged over 500 yards a game and 50 points a game, and we ran the ball 70% of the time,” Codutti said. “All I can say is I am glad he’s coming back this year.”

Codutti said that teams are going to have to make sure they know where Godley is trying to go on the field at all times.

“He has to be a focus point for teams this year,” Codutti said. “He is so dangerous with the ball in his hands. He averages 13 yards every time he touches the ball.”

The Chargers won 11 of their 13 contests last season, advancing all the way to the 5A-Region 3 Quarterfinal after going 7-1 in 5A-1 District 10. Fulshear lost 31-13 to Smithson Valley to end its run in the playoffs.

Before that game, Fulshear was averaging 58 points per game in the postseason. The team started the year scoring 45 or more points in five of the first six games of the

season.

The Chargers scored fewer than 45 points just three times all season before the playoffs. Included in last year’s success was beating Foster in the first year of being district rivals in football, something Codutti said was years in the making.

"This was the first time we ever played them," Codutti said. "These kids all know each

★ Patrick Broadway

other, a lot of these kids went to school together at a younger grade. That's why that rivalry happens, because there's that connection.

"When I first got here, we started seeing firsts," Codutti added. "First time we beat them in baseball, first time beating Foster in softball. It was this perfect, unattainable Foster, and now I think you're starting to see that balance shift a little bit."

The rematch between the Chargers and Falcons is Nov. 3, the final regular season game of the year.

This year’s squad opens play Aug. 25 on the road against Strake Jesuit, a team the Chargers beat 74-41 in week one last season.

Fulshear opens its home slate Sept. 2 against Clements at Traylor Stadium. The Chargers had little trouble dispatching the Rangers last season, winning the match up 77-18.

Deuce Barrington will be taking over under center for the Chargers, replacing graduated senior Parker Williams, who took his talents to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Barrington already holds Division I offers from Grambling State and Prairie View A&M.

In a scheduling quirk this season, every Lamar Consolidated ISD team is hosting a contest at its campus. Fulshear’s true home game takes place Week 3 against Magnolia, when the Chargers host the Bulldogs at 7 p.m.

The Chargers get a crack at avenging their only regular-season loss of the year September 28 when Fulshear hosts Angleton at Traylor Stadium. The Wildcats won last year's Week 6 meeting 44-40.

Angleton also finished the season at 7-1 atop the district standings.

Codutti is looking to get a win in the meeting this year as his program works to keep growing its reputation as one of the region's fastest risers.

"Hopefully we're turning this program into the sustainable unstoppable Fulshear," Codutti said.

Davion Godley (25) celebrates with Fulshear senior Jakob Collins (2).

Isaiah Sandoval shows off #WeAreFu1shear

SIGNING DAY

Fulshear’s Jax Medica poses with his younger brother Jace after signing his letter of intent to play football at Texas Wesleyan University during Signing Day festivities Feb. 1 at Fulshear High School.

Foster High School senior Anthony Pocasangre enjoys a cupcake after signing his letter of intent to play football at McMurry University during Signing Day festivities on Feb. 8.

Foster High School senior Kendal Stewart is all smiles after signing on the dotted line to play for new Head Football Coach Deion Sanders at the University of Colorado during Signing Day festivities on Feb. 8.

Foster’s Jalen Austin signs his Letter of Intent to play football at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls on Feb. 1.

Foster’s Ashton Oijaku signs his Letter of Intent to play football at Rice University in Houston on Feb. 1.

Fulshear’s Koleton Faith signs his Letter of Intent to play football at Angelo State University in San Angelo on Feb. 1. Faith plans to major in engineering.

Needville High School senior Pedro Cavazos signed his letter of intent Feb. 24 to continue his athletic and academic career at East Texas Baptist University. Cavazos is a threetime letter-winner in football as a kicker and a four-year letterman with the Blue Jay soccer program.

Needville High School senior Landen Hobbs was all smiles with his family after signing his letter of intent to play football at East Texas Baptist University Feb. 24. Hobbs is a three-year varsity letterman in both football, as a defensive back, as well as a threetime letter-winner in track and field at NHS.

George Ranch’s Gregor Jones signed his Letter of Intent on Feb. 1 to play at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. Gregor is joined by Longhorns Head Football Coach Nick Cavallo, Bailey Lechler, Broderick and his family Amy, Greg, Kent, Erin, Ty and Avery Jones.

Fort Bend County Football Schedule

AUSTIN »

Head coach: Trey Herrmann

Coach's Record at Austin: 0-0 (0 years)

Career record: 52-66 (3 years)

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BUSH »

CLEMENTS»

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GEORGE RANCH »

HIGHTOWER »

(5 years)

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FOSTER »

2022 record: 7-3/5-3 District 10-5A

Head coach: Shane Hanks

Coach's Record at Foster: 0-0

Career record: 3-25 (3 years)

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DATE OPPONENT TIME STADIUM

Traylor

Sept. 22 Friendswood* 7 p.m. Traylor

Sept. 29 Magnolia West* 7 p.m. Traylor

Oct. 5 @Kempner* 7 p.m. Mercer

Oct. 14 Manvel* 2 p.m. Traylor

Oct. 27 @Magnolia* 7 p.m. Bulldog

Nov. 3 Fulshear* 7 p.m. Traylor

FULSHEAR »

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RIDGE POINT »

2022 record: 10-3/8-0 District 20-6A

Head coach: Rick LaFavers

Coach's Record at Ridge Point: 29-8 (3 years)

Career record: 49-39 (8 years)

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KEMPNER »

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Aug. 25 Santa Fe 7 p.m. Mercer

Aug. 31 @Pasadena Mem.

Sept. 8 @Friendswood*

Sept.

Sept.

Oct.

Oct. 13 @Magnolia*

Oct. 21 Fulshear*

Oct. 28 Terry*

TRAVIS »

(11 years)

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George Ranch High School senior Jacques Franklin signed his letter of intent to play football at Alcorn State University in Mississippi during the school’s signing day ceremonies last Tuesday.

George Ranch tight end Jackson Muckelroy is joined by his family, football coach Nick Cavallo, track coach Alicia Dutch and George Ranch High School Principal Heather Patterson as he signs his Letter of Intent to play football at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio on Feb. 1.

Fulshear’s Will Hutchinson signed his Letter to Intent to play football at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Hutchinson is surrounded by many of his family members.

Fort Bend County Football Schedule —CONTINUED—

BRAZOS »

»EAST BERNARD

NEEDVILLE»

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