VYPE Football 2021 Preview: District 23-6AThe District 23-6A title race will be an intriguing one this year, very likely to go down to the wire.
Any one of the Pearland, Shadow Creek or Pearland Dawson is capable of taking the crown.
Defense is the name of the game in 23-6A, as the playing on that side of the ball is exceptional.
And as tough as the district race will be, the competition for the fourth and final playoff spot will be just as intense.PRESEASON RANKINGPearland
Shadow Creek
Strake Jesuit
Pearland Dawson
Alief Taylor
Alief Hastings
Alief Elsik
Alvin
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)PRESEASON AWARDSMost Valuable Player: Cameron Gray, Pasadena Dobie
Offensive MVP: Demetrias Charles, Channelview
Defensive MVP: Fernando Garcia, Channelview
Breakout Player of the Year: Kam'Ron Webb, Pasadena South Houston
Sleeper Team: Pasadena MemorialPearland OilersPearland is a team to watch out for this year, returning 13 starters from an 8-3 Area playoff finalist. Look out for the Oilers, who are hungry to assume their status as one of the consistent powers in Region III.The defense has playmakers all over the field, led by senior 6-foot, 290-pound DL Amari Deason, senior LB Dylan Dixson, senior 6-foot-3, 217-pound LB K'Von Sherman, senior 5-foot-11, 190-pound DB Izeal Jones and senior DB Deveon Moses. Plenty of ammo.Offensively, Pearland will have a potent running game behind senior 5-foot-10, 195-pound RB Dominic Serna (709 yards, 6 TDs) and junior RB Kennedy Lewis (171 yards, TD). Senior 6-foot- 3, 185-pound Jake Sock is back to run the team under center after throwing for 678 yards and 10 touchdowns to two interceptions.Shadow Creek SharksIt says a lot about the standard and expectations at Shadow Creek that its first year in Class 6A last season was considered "rocky". And yet, the Sharks still made it to the Regional Semifinals.But the undefeated 2019 State Champs "only" went 6-4 last year, and this year could be a rough-go early on with only six returning starters.Junior 6-foot-1, 170-pounder Duke Butler, the coach's son, moves to QB1 after throwing for 198 yards and three touchdowns as a backup last year. He'll be supported by senior 6-foot, 165-pound WR Lawrence Armstrong (276 yards, six TDs) and senior RB Kelvon Brown (765 yards, eight TDs).
The defense is headed by senior DB DeJuan Lewis (66 tackles, INT), senior DB Nick Hudson, senior DL Josh Diaz and junior DL Theorin Randle. Question marks are at the offensive line and linebacker spots.Pearland Dawson EaglesThe Eagles had an outstanding 2020, going 10-1, but only return five starters (four on offense). Junior 6-foot-4, 180-pound QB Colin Johnson (859 yards, 4 TDs) and senior 5-foot-7, 155-pound WR Ashton Stroman (302 yards, TD) have size and speed and will lead the offense.Sophomore RB Bryce Burgess takes over ball-carrying duties. Others to watch on offense include WR Ryan Guillo and RG Jonathan Lopez.Defense will be where Dawson will have to grow up quickly after graduating 10 starters. The key cog is senior6-foot-2, 215-pound DE Amaurion Green (13 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks). Shamar Jones could be a name to remember at OLB as well.Dawson does have a strong special teams weapon in senior kicker/punter Carter Brown, one of the top kickers in the Greater Houston area and committed to Arizona State.