Memorial High School Mustangs
2021 Football Area Finalists look towards 2022 season with high hopes
The Memorial Mustangs are led by 10 returning starters, fresh off a 7-5 season complete with an Area Finalist title. At the helm will be Columbia University quarterback commit Chase Goodwin, who threw 1,301 yards for 13 touchdowns last season. Other players to look out for are All-District linebacker Grayson Lincecum, All-District wide receiver Kyle Siblik, defensive lineman Ryan Kearns and defensive lineman Jackson Stubbs.
Coach Gary Koch is confident that this team’s intensity and attention to detail will propel them far in district and postseason play. They are most often referred to as a team with a solid identity and a unique personality. Due to their experience and athleticism, Koch is confident and excited to take on each game with this squad.
“Every game is important and all district games are unique in their own right,” said Koch.
Matchups to watch will be Week 4 versus Cy-Creek High for the Mustang’s first district matchup, Week 5 versus Northbrook High for the annual homecoming game and Week 9 versus Stratford High for the final home game of the season.
See the full schedule at rankone.com and keep up with Memorial High at @MHSMustangs on Twitter.
Northbrook High School Raiders
Raider Football will bring 13 starters back to the field, setting their sights on competitive and courageous football
With eight of the returning starters bringing experience and leadership on the offensive side of the ball, the team looks forward to keeping their eyes on the goals they have set before them.
Players to watch are wide receiver and running back Marquell Hannah, linebacker Angel Reyes, wide receiver NJ Swinney, defensive back Daniel Espinoza, and quarterback Brandon Dillard.
“This team is special,” Coach Andres Gomez said. “The leaders of our team have been playing in our system for two years now and have really bought into a positive mindset and competitive spirit.”
There is a lot of excitement in the Raiders locker room as the expectation of play has been raised throughout the program. From the freshmen to the senior class, Gomez believes that the Raiders will continue to advance toward a high level of performance.
“The scoreboard does not define who we are. It defines where we are,” Gomez said.
Matchups to watch begin with Week 1 versus Baytown Sterling High, where the Raiders will be debuting new helmet decals designed by the team captains. Other notable games include Week 2 versus Aldine High for Senior Night, Week 5 versus Memorial High for Future Raider Night and Week 10 versus Spring Woods High for the annual Homecoming game. Last season, Northbrook High and Spring Woods High competed in a double overtime thriller and this season's matchup is looking to be just as exciting.
See the full schedule at rankone.com and keep up with Raider Football at @NHS_Raiders1 on Twitter.
Spring Woods High School Tigers
Aiming to improve upon a 4-6 season, Tiger Football looks to bring knowledge and leadership to both sides of the ball
Head Coach Keith Cripps believes that this group of student-athletes is ready to represent Spring Woods High with integrity, determination and courage. Over the spring and summer months, these student-athletes worked daily to improve their performance on and off the field.
“This is a good group of players that committed themselves over the summer,” shared Cripps. “We look forward to seeing the benefits of that hard work during the season.”
The ten returning starters look to put knowledge at the center of their leadership. With only five returning players on the starting offensive roster and five on the starting defensive roster, the Tigers will be looking at underclassmen to step up and perform.
On the field, standouts to watch will be defensive and offensive lineman Matt Emerson, defensive and offensive lineman Jairo Martinez, offensive lineman Isaac Gutierrez, defensive back and receiver Michael Davila and quarterback Travis Ainsworth.
Matchups to watch will be Week 1 versus Houston Sterling High and Week 5 versus Cy-Ridge High for the annual Homecoming game.
See the full schedule at rankone.com and keep up with Tiger Football at @SwhsTigersFB on Twitter.
Stratford High School Spartans
With bold senior leadership at the helm, Stratford Football looks to make a run at the district title
Thirteen Spartan starters will be returning, including 2021 District 17-6A Defensive MVP Cooper King. Joining King are Baylor University tight end commit Hawkins Polley, offensive lineman Hudson Perroni, defensive lineman Hunter Jones and First Team All-District quarterback Nash Rankin. Perroni and Polley were also just named to the Touchdown Club of Houston High School Preseason Offensive Team. The combination of these players' seasoned leadership and athleticism will create a challenge for any opponent.
Head Coach Todd Rankin believes this team is special because they have the ability to win at all levels. The current athletes making up this season's roster won the District Championship as a freshman team and as a junior varsity team. During the 2021 season, these players helped Stratford finish the regular season as district runner-up and went on to make the playoffs for the first time in several years.
“This group does a great job of rising up to challenges on and off the field,” shared Rankin. “They have a tremendous amount of leadership, determination, and focus. Our motto is ‘Earn The Right To Win’ and they put that into everything they do each day.”
Matchups to watch will be Week 1 versus 2021 6A State Semi-Finalist Tomball High, Week 4 versus Cy-Fair High, Week 9 versus in-district rival Memorial High, and Week 10 versus the only team who marked an L on Stratford’s score sheet last season, Jersey Village High.
See the full schedule at rankone.com and keep up with Spartan Football at @StratfordFB1 on Twitter.