< PreviousDISTRICT 24-6A 2628 313029 27 AUGUST 1237654 89 1014131211 15161721201918 22232425 Sept. 3: vs. Katy Thompkins, 7 p.m. Sept. 10: at For Bend Elkins, 7 p.m. Sept. 17: BYE Sept 23: vs. Conroe, 7 p.m. Sept 30: at Clear Lake, 6 p.m. Oct. 8: vs. Clear Falls, 7 p.m. Oct. 15: at Clear Creek, 7 p.m. Oct. 21: vs. Brazoswood, 6 p.m. Oct. 29: at Dickinson, 7 p.m. NOVEMBER Nov. 5: vs. Clear Brook, 7 p.m. 2021 SCHEDULE CHARGERS FAST FACTS Head coach: Anthony Renfro (1st season) 2020 record: 7-4, 6-0 in District 24-6A (lost to Pearland, 44-37, in bi-district round) Returning starters: 7 offense, 2 defense Key players: RB Ky Woods, WR Noah Thomas, WR Ashton Schumann, DB Michael McBride, DL Jake Ferree Hot read Quotable D istrict champions in four out of the last five seasons, Clear Springs’ program now finds itself under new leadership after Craig Dailey departed to take the head coaching job at his alma mater Seguin. Under new head coach Renfro (who was an assistant coach at Clear Springs before being the top guy at La Porte), the Chargers offense is set to transform from Dailey’s I-formation to the spread system that some of the program’s first successful teams utilized. The Chargers should be primed and ready for the offensive switch as they return multiple lettermen at the skill positions. Ahead of first practices, coaches looked at the starting quarterback position as an open competition between senior Cody Kuhlmann and junior Brendan Malloy. The defense will be anchored by McBride and Ferree, who are Clear Springs’ only returning starters on that side of the ball and will be expected to lead their less experienced teammates. — James LaCombe Player to watch Ky Woods, senior, RB W oods’ junior season saw him tally 869 yards and 11 touchdowns on 147 carries to earn first-team all-district and second-team all-county honors, and this season, as the offense changes, it’ll be up to Woods to keep defenses honest by continuing to be a threat running the ball. Woods also has a chance to break the school record for career rushing yards, Renfro said. — James LaCombe “We have a lot of talent on the skill side of the ball, and we have a lot of offensive linemen with experience. Those are two good things that we have going for us.” — Clear Springs head coach Anthony Renfro on the strengths of this season’s team Aug. 27: at Katy, 7 p.m. Clear Springs RB, Ky Woods Photo by Stuart Villanueva/ The Daily News 23 25 282726 24 SEPTEMBER 2930 4321 567 11 10 9 8 12131418171615 19202122 2123 26 25 24 22 OCTOBER 2728 21 3029 34 59 87 6 101112 1615 1413 17181920 31 2527 30 29 28 26 65 78 9 13121110 141516201918 17 21222324 1234 CLEAR SPRINGS 10 | The Daily News | 2021 Football PreviewDISTRICT 24-6A 2628 313029 27 AUGUST 1237654 89 1014131211 15161721201918 22232425 Sept. 2: at Fort Bend Ridge Point, 7 p.m. Sept. 10: vs Katy, 7 p.m. Sept. 17: vs. Dobie, 7 p.m. Sept 24: at Clear Falls, 7 p.m. Oct. 1: vs. Clear Creek, 7 p.m. Oct. 7: at Brazoswood, 7 p.m. Oct. 15: BYE Oct. 22: at Clear Brook, 7 p.m. Oct. 29: vs. Clear Springs, 7 p.m. NOVEMBER Nov. 5: at Clear Lake, 7 p.m. 2021 SCHEDULE GATORS FAST FACTS Head coach: John Snelson (10th season) 2020 record: 5-3 overall, 4-1 in District 24-6A (lost to Pearland Dawson, 35-19, in bi-district round) Returning starters: 5 offense, 6 defense Key players: TE Donovan Green, OL P.J. Wil- liams, QB/WR Luke Martin, CB Vernon Glover Hot read Quotable T he Gators maneuvered the challenges of the pandemic to return to the playoffs in 2020, but had their postseason hopes come to an early end with a loss to Pearland Dawson. Despite the defeat, Dickinson was able to hang its hat on knowing it had made the playoffs for an eighth straight campaign while further contributing its share of departing talent to top-level college programs. Another crop of future Saturday performers, led by Texas A&M commits Green and Williams, will anchor an offense that can strike on any given play. Martin will go from catching passes to throwing them, as he goes into the regular season as the starting quarterback. Defensive- ly, the front line will look to develop, while a talented secondary, led by Glover, will present a group of hard-hitting ballhawks that are ready to challenge the passing attacks of 24-6A title contenders Clear Springs and Clear Falls. — Brandon C. Williams Player to watch Luke Martin, senior, QB/WR T here are challengers who will push Martin, but the senior goes into the regular season as the pivot for the Dickinson offense. The Gators have a wealth of playmakers ready to explode, and if Martin quickly makes the adjustment from catcher to passer, Dickinson’s offense will challenge anyone’s O in a deep Region III-6A. — Brandon C. Williams “I like this bunch. We had a really good summer and will go into the season with great team chemistry.” — Gators head coach John Snelson on how his team handled the summer break Aug. 27: vs. Manvel 7 p.m. DICKINSON TE, Donovan Green Photo by Stuart Villanueva/ The Daily News 23 25 282726 24 SEPTEMBER 2930 4321 567 11 10 98 12131418171615 1920 2122 2123 26 25 24 22 OCTOBER 2728 21 3029 34 59 87 6 101112161514 13 17181920 31 2527 302928 26 65 789 13 121110 14151620191817 21222324 1234 DICKINSON 2021 Football Preview | The Daily News | 11082021 This fall, Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Clear Lake will offer convenient Saturday sports injury clinics. Student athletes at all levels can get back in the game faster, with doctor evaluations and X-rays or other imaging services. 18123 Upper Bay Drive Suite 200 Nassau Bay, TX 77058 713.363.9090 | houstonmethodist.org/athlete SPORTS INJURY CLINICS S P A C E C E N T E R B L V D . N A S A B Y P A S S N A S A P KW Y . B A Y A R E A B L V D . 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WWW.BOSWORTHAC.COM TACL A021270C TACL A9728C 832-769-0556 Since 1959 • Service All Makes & Models • High Efficient A/C & Heating Communicating Smart System Specialist • Air Filtration & Zone Specialist • Planned Service Agreements Free Estimates On New & Replacement Equipment Doing Business in Galveston County for Over 60 Years The UPS Store OPPONENTS DISTRICT 24-6A BRAZOSWOOD BUCCANEERS Head coach: Danny Youngs (3rd season) 2020 record: 1-8, 0-6 in District 24-6A Returning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense Key players: DL Vontroy Malone, LB Carlos Cantu, DB Reid Mitchell, RB Dijon James CLEAR LAKE FALCONS Head coach: Larry McRae (6th season) 2020 record: 2-6, 1-5 in District 24-6A Returning starters: 3 offense, 2 defense Key players: DB Julian Humphrey, DB Car- son Sauer, QB/DB Tyler Durst, WR/DB Hunter Modden CLEAR BROOK WOLVERINES Head coach: John Towels III (2nd season) 2020 record: 4-6, 2-4 in District 24-6A Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense Key players: QB Cameron McCalister, WR Nathan Barnett, RB Trent Lacy, LB Ethan Guinnn 2021 Football Preview | The Daily News | 1314 | The Daily News | 2021 Football Preview DISTRICT 9-5A-I 2628 313029 27 AUGUST 1237654 89 1014131211 15161721201918 22232425 Sept. 3: vs. Texas City, 7 p.m. Sept. 10: vs Houston Wheatley, 7 p.m. Sept. 17: BYE Sept 24: vs. Goose Creek Memorial, 7 p.m. Oct. 1: at Beaumont United, 7 p.m. Oct. 8: at Port Arthur Memorial, 7 p.m. Oct. 15: vs. Baytown Lee, 7 p.m. Oct. 22: at Baytown Sterling, 7 p.m. Oct. 29: vs. Friendswood, 7 p.m. NOVEMBER Nov. 5: at La Porte, 7 p.m. 2021 SCHEDULE TORS FAST FACTS Head coach: Sheldon Bennight (2nd season) 2020 record: 1-8, 0-7 in District 9-5A-I Returning starters: 5 offense, 5 defense Key players: QB Seth Williams, DB Byron Sweeny, LB Keadrian Johnson, OL Mich’le Joseph Hot readQuotable Player to watch Seth Williams, junior, QB W illiams seemed to be just getting into the groove of being the Tors’ starting signal caller before a nasty leg injury ended his 2020 season. With the graduation of some key seniors from offensive side of the ball, the team will now look to Williams as the leader of Ball High’s offense. — James LaCombe “It helped us to find a home for all our players. In the offseason, you watch them play other sports and you watch them compete. You can’t run from competition, you can’t hide from it, and we found out who were competitors and who aren’t. We found out the positions they can play that they can excel at. The offseason really gives you that. That was a huge deal for us. It’s a total 180 from last year, just the circumstances themselves.” — Ball High head coach Sheldon Bennight on having an offseason with the program Aug. 27: at La Marque, 7 p.m. BALL HIGH QB, Seth Williams Photo by Stuart Villanueva/ The Daily News 23 25 28 2726 24 SEPTEMBER 2930 4321 56 7 11 10 9 8 121314 18 17 1615 19202122 2123 262524 22 OCTOBER 2728 21 3029 3459876 101112161514 13 17181920 31 2527 30 29 28 26 65 78 9 13121110 141516201918 17 21222324 1234 BALL HIGH W ith an actual full offseason to work with his team, second-year head coach Bennight said players have made great strides in terms of their discipline and buying into the program, and he expects the Tors to be much better as a team with more of a sense of togetherness in 2021. Junior quarterback Williams has experience at the helm of Ball High’s offense before a sea- son-ending injury cut his time behind center short. Bennight said the Tors will offer multiple looks on offense, where Joseph Cianfrini (who also kicks and punts) and Brice West are expect- ed to step up as top receiving options. “When you’re an option team, you run the option, period; when you’re a spread team, you run the spread, you’re wide open,” Bennight said. “We’re not that. We’re going to find ways to attack a defense and put pressure on a defense vertically and horizontally.” The Tors also will go with multiple looks on defense, with experienced returners Johnson and Sweeny leading the way. “We’re not going to line up and expect to just overpower people, but we are going to be disciplined with what we’re doing, and we’re going to make people beat us instead of us beating ourselves,” Bennight said. — James LaCombeDISTRICT 9-5A-I 2628 313029 27 AUGUST 1237654 89 1014131211 15161721201918 22232425 Sept. 3: at Clear Brook, 7 p.m. Sept. 10: vs. Dobie, 7 p.m. Sept. 17: BYE Sept 24: at Baytown Lee, 7 p.m. Oct. 1: vs. Baytown Sterling, 7 p.m. Oct. 8: at Beaumont United, 7 p.m. Oct. 15: at La Porte, 7 p.m. Oct. 22: vs Goose Creek Mem. 7 p.m. Oct. 29: at Galveston Ball, 7 p.m. NOVEMBER Nov. 5: vs.Port Arthur Mem., 7 p.m. 2021 SCHEDULE MUSTANGS FAST FACTS Head coach: Robert Koopmann (10th season) 2020 record: 3-6, 3-4 in district Returning starters: 4 offense, 6 defense Key players: DL/RB Matthew Reyes, DL Jared Yawn, OL Daniel Goolsby, QB Matthew Dupuis Hot readQuotable Player to watch Matthew Reyes, senior, DL/RB N ot only will Reyes, a four-year letterman, be looked at as a top leader on defense, but the Mustangs’ offense plans to have a running-back-by-committee ap- proach, and Reyes will very much be a part of that committee, Koop- mann said. The key will be striking a balance between contributing in the run game while still keeping him as an effective playmaker on defense, Koopmann said. — James LaCombe “Going in, we’re really optimistic. When we met as a staff the other day, we said we don’t want to mention injuries any more, but we got hit so hard last year. COVID affected a lot of people differently last year, and it just seemed like we had a lot going against us. But, I don’t think we lost a district game by more than four points. So, for our kids to battle through that situation, we feel good about (this season).” — Friendswood head coach Robert Koopmann on getting through the 2020 season’s struggles Aug. 27: vs. Summer Creek, 7 p.m. FRIENDSWOOD DL, Matthew Reyes Photo by Jennifer Reynolds/The Daily News 23 25 282726 24 SEPTEMBER 2930 4321 56 7 11 10 9 8 12131418171615 1920 2122 2123 262524 22 OCTOBER 2728 21 3029 3459876 101112161514 13 17181920 31 2527 302928 26 65 789 13 1211 10 14151620191817 21222324 1234 FRIENDSWOOD A swath of key injuries pretty much derailed Friendswood’s 2020 season, which saw the Mustangs limp their way to a rare sub-.500 reg- ular season record. In 2021, Koopmann and the ‘Stang gang will look to put 2020 behind them and return to contending for a district title. Friendswood comes into the season with a solid foundation to build around, as the offen- sive and defensive lines will be experienced, senior-led and the overall strengths of this season’s Mustangs team. “When your linemen are your base, there’s never a lot of drama, so we’re really excited about that,” Koopmann said. On offense, the Mustangs lack experience at the skill positions but are counting on those players to round into shape, led by first-year starting QB Dupuis, who Koopmann describes as hard working and studious. — James LaCombe 2021 Football Preview | The Daily News | 1516 | The Daily News | 2021 Football Preview 1740 FM 519 (Main Street) • La Marque Mon-Fri 8am - 5:30pm 409-995-0088 Tim Keith Owner Call for a free, friendly consultation and quote. We are the trusted auto repair shop amongst businesses. We offer fleet services for local, governmental & commercial organizations. When you own a fleet, time is valuable. 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OFFICIAL STATE INSPECTION STATION GALVESTON COUNTY’S PREMIER CAUSEWAY RUN 10.09.21 Scan the QR code with your smartphone or visit galvnews.com/pressrun LA PORTE BULLDOGS Head coach: Jackson Tarr (1st season) 2020 record: 5-4, 3-4 in District 9-5A-I Returning starters: 7 of- fense, 5 defense Key players: RB Kobie Garrett, RB Dayshaun Wooley, DB Justin Kay, K/P Levi Hilborn PORT ARTHUR MEMORIAL TITANS Head coach: Brian Morgan (4th season) 2020 record: 9-1, 7-0 in Dis- trict 9-5A-I (lost to Fort Bend Hightower, 41-34, in bi-district round) Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense Key players: QB Jah’mar Sanders, DL Chris- tian Thomas, RB Adrian Hayward, DB Jaylon Guillbeau DISTRICT 9-5A-I OPPONENTS BAYTOWN LEE GANDERS Head coach: Tim Finn (5th season) 2020 record: 7-3, 5-2 in District 9-5A-I (lost to Katy Pae- tow, 70-18, in bi-district round) Returning starters: 4 offense, 7 defense Key players: WR/DB Trudell Berry, DL Marcus Johnson, LB Harold Gibson, DB Jevonte Leday BAYTOWN STERLING RANGERS Head coach: Robert Toomer (4th season) 2020 record: 2-7, 1-6 in District 9-5A-I Returning starters: 4 of- fense, 9 defense Key players: DB Richard Sylvester, DB Ashton Williams, DL Noah Lister, WR Maddox Wilkinson BEAUMONT UNITED TIMBERWOLVES Head coach: Marcus Graham (2nd season) 2020 record: 4-5, 4-3 in District 9-5A-I (lost to Manvel, 63-0, in bi-district round) Returning starters: 3 offense, 7 defense Key players: QB Johnathan Martin, WR/DB Sir Zollocoffer, DB Chandler Rivers, DL Treyvon Mims GOOSE CREEK MEMORIAL PATRIOTS Head coach: Shannon Carter (3rd season) 2020 record: 6-4, 5-2 in District 9-5A-I Returning starters: 5 offense, 4 defense Key players: QB Mason Duke, LB Josiah Rice, OL Riley Banks, OL Ethan DysonMAINLAND FUNERAL HOME A T rAdiTion of Q uAliTy And E xcEllEncE Serving Galveston County Families Since 1951 Michael W. 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NMLS ID: 408167 SCAN ME TO LEARN MORE 800.231.6053 | AMOCOfcu.org 2021 Football Preview | The Daily News | 1718 | The Daily News | 2021 Football Preview FOOTBALL PREVIEW CHEERING SECTION CLOCKWISE: A Clear Falls High School cheerleader gets the crowd hyped during the Knights’ playoff matchup against Katy on Jan. 2 at Legacy Stadium in Katy; a Hitchcock High School cheerleader performs before the Bulldogs’ season-opening matchup against Van Vleck on Aug. 28 at Bulldog Stadium in Hitchcock; members of the Texas City Stingarettes Drill Team stand for the national anthem before Texas City’s matchup with Clear Brook on Sept. 25 at Stingaree Stadium in Texas City; tuba players in the Hitchcock High School marching band stand in the bleachers Aug. 28 at Bulldog Stadium; members of the Clear Springs marching band perform at halftime Dec. 10 at Challenger Columbia Stadium in League City. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News file photos2021 Football Preview | The Daily News | 19 FOOTBALL PREVIEW CHEERING SECTIONNext >