All Games Non-District

Thursday

Morton Ranch vs. Aldine Eisenhower, 7:30 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium

Last year: Morton Ranch 21, Eisenhower 19

• It’s a week of rematches all across the board for Katy ISD and it kicks off with a game between Morton Ranch and Aldine Eisenhower. The Mavericks came out of last years matchup as 21-19 winners and will be trying to have a strong start to the season.
  Morton Ranch has some big playmakers back. Mike Gerald will be a big impact player both offensively and defensively, Ryan Hall will be a workhorse in the running game while Dean Ford and Jerome Ryans will lead the defensive side of things. The Mavericks will lean heavily on the run in the game as they try to ground and pound offensively to create an advantage and help the defense out as well.
  Eisenhower comes off a playoff season like Morton Ranch does and will have a strong defense that they bring bac. Jacorey Carter and Jeemiah Swain are players to watch on the defensive side of things, while Eisenhower’s biggest offensive threat is wide receiver Zaccury Harris. Overall it will be a good early loo to see how the Mavericks stack up this year as they look to build off last season’s playoff appearance.

Seven Lakes vs. Memorial, 8 p.m. at Legacy Stadium

Last year: Memorial 17, Seven Lakes 13

• For the sixth straight year, Seven Lakes will open the season by playing Memorial, in what has become a friendly rivalry between the two schools where they both test each other early in the season.
  Last years game was a very good one, where Seven Lakes went ahead early, but were unable to hold on in the second half in a close 17-13 loss.
  The Spartans will lean on the run game offensively. Seven Lakes returns both of their leading rushers from last year in Barrett Hudson and Jake Farris and those two have a lot expected of them. There will be a new quarterback for the Spartans this year and they will have a chance to prove themselves in the season opener. Defensively, Amani Hooks and Austin Easterling will lead the linebacker unit and will be in charge of slowing down a good Memorial offense.
  The Spartans will have their work cut out for them. Memorial brings back a good quarterback in Jackson Salters and an explosive running back in Cooper Gindorf. Defensively they bring back only two starters and that is where the Spartans can take advantage of inexperience.
  Overall it will give a great opening look at both teams and give Seven Lakes an idea of their strengths and weaknesses after one week of the season.

Friday

Cinco Ranch vs. College Park, 7:30 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium

Last year: Cinco Ranch 41, College Park 13

• Cinco will figure out a lot about where they are with their first game of the season against College Park.
  The Cougars will have new starters all over the field and it will be a chance for players to prove themselves and cement playing time this season. Offensively there will be new players at nearly every position, but the Cougars have talent , and will be able to lean on running backs Domenic Ramirez, Tessiah Young and Kevin Bello to help lead the offense. Connor Brock and Charlie Adamoli might both get reps at the quarterback position while they both try to cement themselves as the starter and it will offer an opportunity for Cinco to learn more about lots of players.
  Defensively, Cinco will expect big performances from their two big time corners in Taytum Johnson and Superior Hill and others will need to step up around them.
  College Park will provide a test for Cinco, especially the Cougars defense. They bring back quarterback Kam Montgomery and wide receiver Connor Dunphy along with other weapons in the pass game and it will be up to the Cinco defense to shut that down. The Cinco defense should be able to find success against the College Park offense but overall it should be a very good matchup between the two teams.

Taylor vs. Cy-Woods, 7:30 p.m. at Berry Center

Last year: Cy-Woods 38, Taylor 17

• It will be a tough matchup for Taylor to start the season as they face a strong Cy-Woods team on Friday at the Berry Center.
  Taylor faced off against Cy-Woods last year as well and came short, but with an improved roster and experience it will be a good first game for Taylor to learn from.
  Taylor has lots of returners this year, with Dante Archie and Ian Flynt chief among them on the offense and Josh Higginbotham stepping in at quarterback. That trio will have a great chance to prove themselves against Cy-Woods while the Taylor defense, led by Ashton Coker and Cyrus Reyes will be tested as well.
  Cy-Woods has talent all over the offensive side of the ball, being led by quarterback Aiden Horton, who threw for 1,330 yards last year to go with 12 touchdowns. They also have strong players at receiver, running back and on the line, which will be a test for a good Taylor defense. Defensively is where Woods has some question marks. The team has a strong secondary but up front they lost some big-time talent and the offensive line of Taylor could take advantage of that.
  Overall, the game should make for an intriguing one that could go either way.

Paetow vs. Conroe, 7 p.m. at Moorehead Stadium

Last year: Paetow 14, Conroe 3

• Paetow got last year started on the right foot when they took down Conroe 14-3 and the Pathers will try to start this season by doing the same thing.
  Last years game was a good one where two strong defenses went back and forth and there wasn’t much scoring. The Panthers will want to come out and show their new offense and what it can offer. Brock Nichols has had a full offseason working as the No. 1 quarterback and will have some weapons to work with. Jabari Bush is a huge target and quarterbacks best friend and there are also options to spread the ball around in the run and the pass game.
  Defensively, the Panthers have talent all around the ball. They bring back some of their most important players and should have a strong unit all around. But they will be tested by Conroe.
  The Tigers return a very strong defense, especially on the back end with Devondre McGee, Isaiah Pruitt and Tice Wiliams being a formidable trio in the secondary. On offense, Conroe could be trying to sort out their starting quarterback and the Panthers could be able to take advantage of that.
  the matchup will give a good look at how sharp Paetow is early on as they have a goal of reaching the playoffs this year.

Jordan vs. Aldine Davis, 7 p.m. at Leonard George Stadium

Last year: Jordan 64, Davis 14

• Jordan has big goals this year and it starts with their opener against Aldine Davis.
  The two met last year in the first game of the season as well, with Jordan dominating from start to finish in a huge win. The Warriors should be able to put another early stamp on the season this year, as they return a huge number of players on both sides of the ball and look to be a clear favorite in the game.
  Jordan’s offense is filled with difference makers, Colin Willetts should have taken another jump heading into his senior year, he is helped out by Andrew Marsh and Zechariah Sample at receiver and Chad Gasper at running back to go along with even more weapons.
  Defensively, Sample and Zion Jones are two of the most important players they have, while they also have strong players on the line which will help incorporate newcomers.
  Davis will have a good defense this year, with starters returning at the linebacker and defensive line level. Offensively, Davis might have trouble against Jordan and it should be a chance for the Warriors to get plenty of players playing time early in the year.

Mayde Creek vs. Westside, 8 p.m. at Legacy Stadium

Last year: Mayde Creek 30, Westside 0

• Mayde Creek will start the year against Westside for the second straight season and it will be a chance for the returners for the Rams to show their improvement against a team they should have an advantage over.
  Mayde Creek came out 30-0 winners in last years matchup, which they dominated from start to finish. This year will be about how far players have come from last year. Cole Jensen will have a full offseason under his belt as the starting quarterback for the Rams and Eric Nelson joins him as a real threat in the backfield both running and receiving. Trey Williams will be the teams No. 1 wideout in what could be a good unit. Defensively, Tevin Lucius and Torian Collier will be the biggest returners.
  Westside will bring back some experience on offense, with Josh Robinson returning at quarterback and both Bryce Harris and Brayden Anderson leading the backfield. The defensive side of the ball has some questions for Westside that Mayde Creek should be able to take advantage of in what should be a strong first game for the Rams.

Saturday

Katy vs. Clear Springs, 7:30 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium

Last year: Katy 49, Clear Springs 16

• Katy’s yearly matchup with Clear Springs comes again in the first week of the season, in what should again give Katy a chance to test out different things against an opponent.
  The Tigers will have a number of players stepping up into bigger roles this season. Gunner Nelson will take over at quarterback and Romel Jordan will take over as the teams primary running back and it will be the first chance fans have to take a look at both. Returners are plentiful on the offensive line but not at the skill positions, Chase Johnsey, Luke Carter and Oliver Ginn are the only players back who have had meaningful playing time at the skill positions but the Tigers should still be able to work well offensively.
  Defensively, the Tigers should be very strong with good players spread across the field. Dakyus Brinkley is a stud on the defensive line while Jed Olotu-Judah is a steady presence in the secondary and Nathan Hall will lead the linebacking unit.
  But that defense will be tested by a veteran offensive group from Clear Springs. The team returns eight starters. Raymond Edwards is the biggest returner for them at running back and can be a force against any defense, while Julian Salazar is a returner at quarterback and Clear Springs has a strong offensive line. Defensively, Michael Sylvalie is the teams top returner and overall it should provide a good test both talent wise and with being able to try out different players and get them playing time.

Tompkins vs. Cy-Ranch, 8 p.m. at Legacy Stadium

Last year: Tompkins 31, Cy-Ranch 23

• Tompkins wants to play the best in their non-district schedule and they will start out with a matchup that is just that against Cy-Ranch.
  Last year’s season opener between the two teams was a great game that Tompkins ended up winning by one score, and the follow up should be just as good. Both teams in the matchup are expected to be top contenders in their districts and some of the best teams in the area.
  Tompkins’ backfield duo of Wyatt Young and Caleb Blocker will lead the way offensively along with a good offensive line unit that returns. Defensively, the Falcons again have a good unit that should be able to compete with any team.
  On the side of Cy-Ranch, they return a strong team that includes Kyle McCray at running back, who ran for 714 yards and 11 touchdowns last year and Carson Littlefield, who had over 1000 yards receiving last season, the pass attack of Cy-Ranch will test the Falcons. Defensively, the Mustangs return six starters on that side of the ball and the teams defensive line is packed with talent. It will be a great strength on strength matchup where both teams will identify things they need to work on before they get to district play.