Fall Sports Preview

A big thanks goes out to several individuals who helped produce the 2023 Fall Sports Magazine for Alvin, Manvel, Shadow Creek and Iowa Colony High Schools. Several coaches took the time out of their busy schedules to allow Michael Edmonds and I to take the photos. Here at the newspaper, Office Manager, Donna Hopkins, created this year’s cover that represented all four Alvin ISD Football programs. Both Donna and Linda Knight did another great job laying out the pages. Marketing Specialists Brenda Groves and Hazel Perez also did an outstanding job contacting the community. Thanks also go out to Group Photography (Alvin), ShellSand Photography, Texas Group Photo and AISD cheer and dance coaches for providing team photos. Working with such awesome individuals is what has made 33 years as sports editor and now managing editor here a real blessing.

Stephen Collins Sports Editor

Getting back to Jerryworld ranks as top priority in Kirk Martin’s return to Manvel

By Stephen Collins Sports Editor

The last time Kirk Martin stepped off the sidelines as the Manvel Mavericks’ head coach, he was more than a front row witness to one of the most exciting, yet heartbreaking defeats in Texas high school state football finals history.

Mavericks’ receiver Jalen Preston was tackled at the one-yard line as time expired on the AT&T Stadium scoreboard clock in Arlington, allowing Highland Park to escape a last second Manvel comeback with a 53-49 triumph for the Class 5A Division I Championship in 2017.

While Martin soon departed for a collegiate assistant coaching post at Syracuse University and returned to the Texas high school ranks a few years later to lead the Colleyville Heritage program, even distance wasn’t enough to prevent the Preston play and several other chain of events in the classic from constantly replaying in his mind.

The haunting memory still lingers with him today.

Enough for Martin to immediately come out with the words “unfinished business” during the AISD’s School Board Meeting last spring, when he was hired for his second stint as Manvel’s gridiron boss.

“There were so many what ifs in that game,” said Martin, who compiled an impressive 108-25 mark at Manvel with a pair of state final appearances. “What if we recover the onside kick, stop them on fourth and 14 (when HP scored the goahead touchdown) or convert a third down to run out the clock.

“It’s easy to be a Saturday morning quarterback and say what you should have done and wished what you would have done. The result is that we lost and it was a tough pill to swallow. But that’s life. Things happen and you got to move on.”

Which Martin intends to do in his second stop at Manvel, starting with a defense,

MANVEL MAVERICKS

which returns eight starters. Defensive end Jalen Charles (6-3, 225), a Memphis State commit, joins tackle and Arizona State commit Mason Fleming (6-3, 250) and a talented linebacker corps, which include Tyler Cooks (6-0, 215), Kaleb Blanton (6-1, 205), Amarion Fuller (6-0, 210), Byron Carter and Fred Kalu.

The secondary is also solid with veterans like Zion Holmes, Louisiana Lafayette commit Avery Demery and Caleb Riggs.

“Mason is a great run stopper and Blanton is committed to Rice,” Martin said. Kalu was voted the greatest leader on the team by his teammates. He’s a terrific leader.

“Caleb is probably our best true cover guy and we also have a couple of younger guys who can plug in either safety or corner. If we can stay healthy, we have a chance to have a real special defense.”

While returning several veterans on defense, Martin and company are also looking at a talented, yet unproven crew on the other

side of the ball after losing eight starters.

“We’re not sure what we got there until we get into some live situations,” he said. “We got holes to fill at running back, quarterback, receiver and some offensive line spots.

“But the offensive line has looked good to me so far and I think they will be a strength for us with Al McCarter (6-4, 265), Micah Williams (6-2, 300) and Jaxson Timon (6-4, 245) coming back.”

Martin has also been impressed by the signal calling trio of Chase Cobbin, Jackson Hamilton and Romin Seymour. Cobbin and Hamilton were move-ins from Katy Taylor and Pearland, respectively, while Seymour is entering his sophomore season.

“I honestly don’t know who will be under center for us until we get into some live situations,” Martin said. “A few of those kids have already received several Division I offers. I will play the best guys no matter how many college offers they have received and I’m not opposed to playing two. As some know, I’ve done that in the past.

“Whoever it is will have a good supporting cast behind them with a good offensive line protecting them.”

Include the receiving threesome of Andre Thompson (5-8, 165, 4.5), Derius Clerkley and Antoine Wilder in the mix along with move-in tight end and Oregon commit Kade Caton and the explosive possibilities for Manvel on offense appear endless.

“We will have some pieces,” Martin said. “We just have to shore up and be all Manvel can be. Our goal is to win a state championship.”

Surviving the 10-5A Division-1 grinder of Fulshear, Angleton, Foster and the Magnolia schools is first on the agenda, though.

“It’s a really good district and I’m excited to play against good teams,” Martin said. “It’s kind of like what we had in the past with Dawson, Friendswood and Texas City.”

Manvel Quarterbacks & Coach

Manvel Offensive Line & Coach

MANVEL MAVERICKS

Manvel

MAVERICKS

Manvel Junior Varsity Team

Manvel Freshmen Team

Lady Mavericks Varsity Volleyball

Lady Mavericks

Junior Varsity Volleyball

Lady Mavericks Freshmen Volleyball

CHEERLEADERS

Manvel Varsity & Junior Varsity Cheerleaders

Manvel Majestics

Varsity Dance Team

Manvel Royals

Junior Varsity Dance Team

Sharks aiming for third straight league crown, deeper playoff run

By Stephen Collins Sports Editor

While Brad Butler has plenty to be excited about with his Shadow Creek Sharks returning five starters on both sides of the ball this fall from their 2022 area finalist squad, the seven-year head coach’s enthusiasm is also tempered a bit with the formidable task of having to fill several gaps left by the loss of 30 lettermen.

“We will have a lot of new faces in the lineup and a lot of our success will depend on how they blend in with our returners,” said Butler, whose team went 11-1 last season and will be going for its third straight 23-6A Championship. “The preseason will be very important for us with the two scrimmages and the (three) non-district games to see how we jell together as a football team and learn to play together with quite a few guys in the lineup.

“We got a lot of good prospects at positions, but you never know how things are going to settle in the end.”

If last year serves as any indication, the

Sharks will probably be just fine in the above department.

Despite losing starting quarterback Duke Butler to injury for most of the season, Jacorey Watson (6-0, 175, 4.5) posted a perfect 8-0 mark under center in leading Shadow Creek to its second consecutive 23-6A crown. After making the switch from being one of Duke Butler’s favorite receiving targets, Watson threw for 952 yards and 13 touchdowns.

“On one level, it hurts not having him at receiver, but he gives us our best chance at quarterback and he did a great job when he came in last year,” Butler said. “He brings the ability to be very dangerous with his feet and also throws the ball very well. We just got to make sure we put the right guys around him.”

Along with Watson being a dual threat, running back Tylik Burton (5-9, 170, 4.5) is coming off a 703-yard campaign with six trips to the end zone last year, while Justin Qualls rattled off 406 yards and seven scores.

Burton has combined for over 1,400

yards on the ground his last two seasons.

Receivers Ashton Jones (6-3, 175, 4.5) and Christian Seriale (5-9, 170, 4.5) also combined for six TD catches in 2022.

Butler also returns a pair of seniors on the offensive line in tackle Calvin Peete (the grandson of the PGA Golfer Calvin Peete) and guard Andre McDaniel.

“We will go through some challenges early, because we have a lot of new faces in there,” Butler said about his offensive line. “Hopefully by the time we get to district, the kids will be jelled together.”

Place kicker Aiden Bui (5-9, 160, 4.8) is also back for Butler and company after converting 58 of 62 PAT’s in 2022 and hitting on 5 of 8 field goal attempts with a long of 41 yards.

“Aiden had a great summer kicking and he gives you a special teams’ weapon you don’t often have,” Butler said.

Shadow Creek brings a talented crew on defense as well with end Zion Taylor (6-2, 240, 4.8), free safety Maurice Williams (62, 190, 4.5) and linebacker Braylen Prude having all committed to Division I schools.

SHARKS SHADOW CREEK

Williams was also named to the Dave Campbell Texas Football Magazine’s Class 6A All-Preseason Team.

“We got a lot of growing to do on both sides of the ball until district,” Butler said.

The formidable 23-6A ranks for Butler and company feature the likes of Pearland, Dawson, Alvin, Taylor, Strake Jesuit, Elsik and Hastings.

“You got to have your A game in this district every week or you can get upset at any point. I got a lot of respect for the coaches in our district,” Butler said. “Everybody knows about Dawson’s twin towers (6-6 Edward Smith) and (6-7 Charles Anderson) at defensive end. Coach (B.J.) Gotte is doing a great job at Pearland in getting them rolling. It’s tough here every week.”

Shadow Creek Quarterbacks & Coach

Shadow Creek Running Backs & Coach

Shadow Creek Receivers & Coach

Shadow Creek Offensive Line & Coaches

Shadow Creek

Defensive Line & Coaches

SHARKS SHADOW CREEK

Shadow Creek

Inside Linebackers & Coach

Shadow Creek Outside Linebackers & Coach

Shadow Creek Head & Student Trainers

Shadow Creek Junior Varsity Team

Shadow Creek Freshmen Team

Shadow Creek Varsity Volleyball

Shadow Creek Junior Varsity Volleyball

Shadow Creek Freshmen Volleyball

CHEERLEADERS

Shadow Creek

Varsity & Junior Varsity Cheerleaders

Shadow Creek Marching Band

DANCE TEAM

Shadow Creek Sapphires Varsity Dance Team

Shadow Creek Jewels Junior Varsity Dance Team

ACKETS

Yellowjackets’ flexbone attack looking to mix it up with Peterson graduation

By Stephen Collins Sports Editor

While coming off their second straight 4-6 season in 2022, the Alvin Yellowjackets once again stood just a few plays away from turning the 500 corner and ending an almost two decade long postseason drought.

The Yellowjackets led Alief Taylor at halftime of a eventual 35-20 defeat, while later watching Strake Jesuit rally in the closing minutes to pin a heartbreaking 4342 setback.

Applying the finishing touches against both the Lions and Crusaders might just punch that elusive playoff ticket for Alvin this fall, if the Yellowjackets can also sustain their recent success against Elsik and Hastings.

As for James Gage, the third-year head coach will let you know in November how good the 2023 Alvin Yellowjackets can be.

“I feel like on any Friday night, we can show up and play well,” Gage said. “But at the same time if we don’t, we can be beaten very easily. You’ve got to play well in this district (23-6A) every week or it’s going to be a long night.

“Our message to the kids is don’t worry about next week. Just worry about playing well and getting better this week. That’s our goal for this year along with ending our 18year playoff drought. Any team in district will beat you if you don’t play well.”

Gage and company will be have to work their way through the 23-6A mix without all-state fullback Dayshawn Peterson (Eastern New Mexico University) for the

first time in three years, though. As Alvin’s primary weapon in the flexbone, Peterson delivered back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and became the first Yellowjacket gridiron player to earn all-state first team honors in over five decades.

“Obviously when you lose a player like Dayshawn, you’re not going to replace him,” Gage said. “You just hope to find guys who step up and do some of the things he did.

“One thing (offensive coordinator) coach (James) Piker and I did all spring and summer was talk about finding different ways to be creative (on offense). How to get the ball on the perimeter and how to get our quarterback involved in the run game to lighten the load on the fullback. When you don’t have that big horse that carries

ALVIN YELLOWJ ACKETS

the ball 20 to 25 times a game, you’ve got to find more ways to be diverse.”

Juniors Kadyn Hopson (5-10, 190, 4.8) and Sammy Fernandez will initially split the fullback duties with both individuals also slated to see time on the other side of the ball.

“Kadyn and Sammy are two juniors who battled it out in the spring and took a lot of reps,” Gage said. They’re both physically tough kids who bring a lot of variety. Sammy is probably a little quicker, while Hopson is a little more of a true fullback, who can get you the tough yardage. Both of them will play early on and hopefully one will settle into the position.

“Both of them will play defense as well and be in the rotation at linebacker. We’re going to have about 20 to 25 kids we’re going to try to play both ways. We want to make sure they’re fresh, but also on the field during crunch time.”

The same holds true under center for Alvin. While senior Brayden Griffin (5-10, 185, 4.8) enters the season as the starting quarterback from 2022, Gage is looking to get reps for Drew Bingham on both

sides of the ball.

“Those kids really had a good competition during the spring and battled it out,” the Alvin coach added. “Brayden started nine games last year and gives us the leadership qualities. Drew will probably start more on defense, but he’s too athletic not to be on offense. He’s got good instincts.”

Gage calls guard Yahir Meza (6-2, 250), who enters the 2023 campaign with 21 games under his belt starting on the Alvin offensive line “the anchor,” while Isaac Fernandez also started several games last year and Clint Smith received the starting nod during district play against Shadow Creek.

“We got eight or nine guys who can play (on the line), which is a good thing,” he said. “We will be able to rotate guys in and out and keep them fresh during the course of a game.”

While losing all-district nose guard Maki Lowe to graduation, the Jackets’ defensive unit has blended into what Gage says “is the most athletic group since he’s been at Alvin.”

“(Lineman) Anthony Contreras 6-0, 250) started every game for us last year as a junior. (Free safety) Riley Pavlas and (linebacker) Ryan Marin are also back. They bring the experience, which can help the kids line up and know the expectations for each level.

“Health will be a big key for us. If we stay healthy, we feel we have a chance defensively. But if we lose two or three guys like a couple of years ago, then we’ve got to start moving people around.”

Gage also has nothing, but praise for returning place kicker/ punter Austin Hill (5-10, 160, 4.9).

“He’s one of the hardest working kids we have and he had a phenomenal offseason and summer,” Gage said. “He gained a lot of strength this offseason and has really worked on his punts and kickoffs. Hopefully he can help us win the special teams battle every Friday night. I’m really expecting big things from him.”

Alvin

Quarterbacks & Coach

Alvin Offensive Line & Coaches

ALVIN YELLOWJ ACKETS

Alvin Running Backs & Coach

Alvin Receivers & Coach

Alvin Kickers & Coach

Alvin Linebackers & Coach

Alvin Defensive Ends, Line & Coaches

Alvin Head Trainers

Alvin Student Trainers

YELLOWJACKETS —

Alvin Junior Players

Alvin Sophomore Players

P l a y P r o u d

D a n c e P r o u d

Alvin Marching Band

Alvin Freshmen Players

Alvin Jacketeers Dance Team

CHEERLEADERS —

Alvin Varsity Cheer

Alvin Junior Varsity Cheer

Alvin Varsity Volleyball

Alvin Junior Varsity Volleyball

Alvin Freshmen Volleyball

PIONEERS IOWA COLONY

Pioneers enter 2023 football season with high expectations

By Stephen Collins Sports Editor

Not many football programs receive raves for an upcoming year after going 2-8 the previous campaign.

Gridiron newcomer Iowa Colony enters 2023 as the exception, however.

Despite fielding only sophomores and freshmen the first time around, head coach Ray Garza’s squad held a first-half lead on several occasions and eight of the Pioneers’ 10 games weren’t decided until late in the fourth quarter.

With Iowa Colony putting juniors on the field for the first time ever this fall, Dave Campbell Texas Football Magazine tabbed the Pioneers among the playoff contenders in District 12-4A Division I with a projected third place finish and also ranked them 21st

in Class 4A D-1.

Garza admitted to being “excited” about the high early expectations.

“It’s exciting not only for the kids, but also for the coaches,” the second-year coach said. “The magazine has been around for a long time and I was always excited to see it as a player and see what the picks were.

On the flip side, last year’s record has nothing to do with this year’s team. Things like that (the DCTFM forecast) don’t win games on Friday night. We still have to go out there and put the best product Iowa Colony has out on the field. People are going to give you their best, so you got to show up and compete.”

Showing up and competing shouldn’t be a problem for a program which has all 11 starters returning on both sides of the ball.

“I’ve never been this excited about a season,” Garza said. “We have all our kids coming back. We also had great numbers working out. They’ve worked real hard through the spring and summer and July 31 (the first day of practice) can’t come soon enough, because I can’t wait to see the fruits of our labor.”

Running back/free safety Jacody Miles (5-7, 165, 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash) earned both all-district newcomer of the year honors and TSWA All-State honorable mention utility player accolades.

“Jacody did many things for us last year on offense, defense and returning kicks on special teams,” Garza said. “We do have a little more depth at places, so that should allow Jacody to get more breaks. He’s a tough kid and we definitely want him out there on the grass, but it’s also good for him

PIONEERS IOWA COLONY

to be able to get more breaks.

Joining Miles will be defensive end Chris Johnson (6-3, 245, 4.8), linebackers Haydon Caston (6-1, 180, 4.4), Henry Kalu and Treshaun O’Neal, receivers Antoine Martin (6-1, 175, 4.4) and Landrew Ward, offensive linemen Jayden Simmons (6-5, 315) and Aden Elizondo and center Tyson Winham.

“Johnson had such a great offseason not only with his work ethic, but also stepping up to be a leader that the guys can count on,” Garza said. “I put Tyson in the same category. He’s one that not only attempts to put his best foot forward (individually), but also showing the next generation of young Pioneers of how it’s done in the weight room.

“Antoine Martin had a great track season, going all the way to regionals. Ran a 10.8 (seconds) in the 100. Definitely has the speed and is a hard worker. Hayden also had a competitive season as a

sophomore and has been up here every day this summer. We also have some young guys like running back Eric Mosley, who are still very young, but who also saw a lot of time on varsity last year. Eric not only ran the ball, but was the lead blocker in some cases as well.”

After splitting the signal calling duties with Kamal Henry last season, Cam Renfro returns under center for Garza in 2023.

“Cam is a competitor and I know he’s more than capable of stepping up when we need him,” Garza said.

Defending 12-4A D-1 Champion El Campo is considered the team to beat in the district once again followed by Bay City, who also advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

“This is such a great district to be part of,” Garza said. “There’s a lot of programs with traditions. They may look different offensive wise and defensively wise, but being coached up isn’t a question.”

Iowa Colony Quarterbacks & Coach

Iowa Colony Offensive Line & Coaches

Iowa Colony Running Backs & Coach

Iowa Colony Defensive Backs & Coaches

Iowa Colony Defensive Line & Coaches

Iowa Colony Receivers & Coaches

Iowa Colony Special Teams & Coach

Iowa Colony Outside Linebackers & Coach

Iowa Colony Inside Linebackers & Coach

Iowa Colony Tight Ends & Coach

Iowa Colony Student Trainers

PIONEERS

Iowa Colony Junior Varsity Team

PIONEERS

Iowa Colony Freshmen Team

Iowa Colony Varsity Volleyball

Iowa Colony Junior Varsity Volleyball

Iowa Colony Freshmen Volleyball

CHEERLEADERS —

Iowa Colony Varsity Cheerleaders

Iowa Colony Junior Varsity Cheerleaders

PIONEERS

Iowa Colony Legends Varsity Dance Team

Iowa Colony Legends

Junior Varsity Dance Team

Iowa Colony Marching Band