By: Nick Gradney (@StatZ_G)
11. Kicking things off at number 11 are the Dickinson Gators. The Gators stand at 5-1 with their only blemish is a tough loss to Atascocita in the season opener. Led by senior dual-threat QB John Solomon and Leonard Browne Jr, Dickinson is best known as a rushing team. However, when it’s time to put it in the air, Solomon’s favorite target is 3⭐️ tight end Jeremiah Scoby, who leads the team in receiving yards. The most notable name is Arizona State cornerback commit Rodney Bimage Jr, who is the leader of the defense. Be on the lookout for Dickinson to surprise a few teams this year in the postseason.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WIN: RIDGE POINT
10. CE King is currently 5-1 and 4th in arguably the toughest district in Texas. The Panthers are an experienced team with dynamic playmakers such as QB Darius Clark-James, WR Vincent Jones, WR Rae’G Dailey and rising star RB Dionne Sims. CE King is officially on everyone’s radar and will be a tough out this year.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WIN: ALLEN
9. The Woodlands Highlanders started off slow with 2 losses but since then, they’ve been looking like the team everyone expected. Wisconsin QB commit Mabrey Mettauer have plenty of weapons and one of the best offensive lines in state. The Highlanders have a “bend but don’t break” defense that improves every week. You better bring your A game against The Woodlands if you want to knock them out.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WIN: NEW CANEY
8. The Shadow Creek Sharks at number 8 may seem a bit low to most. However, I don’t believe they’ve reached their peak yet. Although having only 1 loss to an inspired Pearland team without star ATH Jacorey Watson in the 4th quarter, there’s much left to be desired. Shadow Creek can be very dangerous once they have it clicking on all cylinders. Houston Cougar commit Zion Taylor is a force on the defensive line and they have an excellent secondary to back him up. Personnel wise, the Sharks have a stacked roster on both offense and defense and can compete with most on their best day.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WIN: BRIDGELAND
7. Next at number 7, the Willis Wildkats. It’s no secret, when you think of Willis, 5⭐️ QB DJ Lagway is the first person that comes to mind. Lagway can change any game with his arm and legs. This Wildkats have a young budding star in Jermaine Bishop who is a do-it-all athlete. Bishop plays RB, WR and his primary position is cornerback. Willis are undefeated with a potent offense and a stingy defense that don’t give up many points. The Wildkats could play bracket buster this year and spoil someone’s season.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WIN: NEW CANEY
6. Head Coach Mike Rabb have the Katy Jordan Warriors playing at such a high speed in the first half of the season. They community support have been amazing and the boys are straight up balling. Jordan have one of the fastest teams in the city, if not the state. 2026 DL Jimmy-Phrisco Alo-Suliafu is a top 5 prospect in the country and compliments that high powered offensive attack with QB Collin Willets and the explosive WR duo of Zechariah Sample and Andrew Marsh. The Warriors nearly knocked off Katy in a bout a couple of weeks ago and would love to have that one back Katy Jordan is a well coached team – can’t wait to see how far they go.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WIN: CINCO RANCH
5. Summer Creek only loss up to this point was at the hands of perennial powerhouse North Shore in one of the better games of the year thus far. Most North Shore games aren’t close but I’m not sure people realize how good of a team the Bulldogs are. Summer Creek have a dominant defense that includes breakout star DL Chad Woodfork and senior LSU LB commit Xavier Atkins. The secondary is very versatile and there’s no secret they love to run the ball in offense with Lloyd Avant, who is a true game changer. The Bulldogs have a tough remaining schedule but right now, they are most definitely deserving of a top 5 nod.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WIN: KLEIN COLLINS
4. Although there were huge expectations for the Lamar Texans, nobody expected it to look this easy the first half of the season. They are 7-0 for the first time since 2012. You would think they were on a revenge tour judging by the convincing wins against Clear Falls and The Woodlands, two teams who defeated Lamar last season. ATH Jordan Reaves is now the starting quarterback, meanwhile Vanderbilt WR commit Tristen Brown is still the most dangerous player on the field. The Texans defense are filled with veterans that play mistake-free football. Defensive backs Cam Vandible are the ball hawks of the back end and 24′ DL Andrew Hodge lead the team in sacks. Lamar haven’t had a close game yet and it’ll be interesting to see them in a deep playoff run.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WIN: THE WOODLANDS
3. At number 3, sits the Katy Tigers. They’re no stranger to being near the top of the list every year as the goal remains to be a state championship. Katy is the most consistent program in the history of Houston area high school football. This year isn’t much different. Despite losing a tight game to Atascocita early on, the Tigers are still a force to be reckoned with. This is a run first team with a disciplined defense. They may not be as dominant as years past, but even a half step slow is better than most teams at 100%. Legendary head coach Gary Joseph have his guys on a mission to regain the crown this season and prove to doubters that his style can still produce a winner.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WIN: KATY JORDAN
2. Atascocita have looked like a real title contender midway through the season. The Eagles have stars all over the field and can compete with just about any school. LSU wide receiver commit Jelani Watkins transferred over from Klein Forest to give Zion Brown another weapon to add with the two-headed monster Tory Blaylock and Cardae Mack, running backs who will wear down a defense. Atascocita have no holes on either side of the ball. They can run, pass, protect and the defense flys around every play. By knocking off Katy earlier this year, it put any big game doubts to bed and they put themselves in position to be a major threat to “you know who” later in the season. They have the adequate size, talent and coaching staff to go as far as they like.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WIN: KATY
1. Finally, at number one, it’s no surprise them boys from The Eastside remains atop the list. The North Shore Mustangs are again undefeated at this time of the year and hope to stay that way. North Shore have bigger plans than just going unbeaten in the regular season as they look to avenge their only loss last year in the state championship game against Duncanville. 25′ QB Kaleb Bailey is back from a knee injury that kept him out majority of his sophomore campaign and the team have an added chip on its shoulder. The Mustangs lost a ton on defense as well as former head coach Jon Kay but Willie Gaston haven’t missed a beat. 3⭐️ DB transfer from CE King gives Devin Sanchez some help in the secondary and 4⭐️ WR Deion DeBlanc takes the pressure off of North Texas commit, Chris Barnes and company. Until someone in the city beat the Mustangs, there’s no doubt that they are the best team in the Houston area.
MOST IMPRESSIVE WIN: SUMMER CREEK
