Houston High School Football & Basketball Highlights

Alief Taylor welcomes 3-0 Pearland to Crump stadium for both teams’ district opener. Early on, problems for the Oilers on special teams as the snap sails over the punter’s head, Phillip Moore scoops up the loose ball and walks in for the Alief Taylor touchdown, Lions up 10-zip. Pearland’s offense answers right back, as JD Head hooks up with Jeremiah Aaron and there’s nobody between Aaron and the end zone, he coasts in for a 50-yard score that cuts it to 10-7. But Alief Taylor controls much of the first half, as Estoban Torres keeps it on the read option, gets to the edge, and scores from 13 yards out. And then it’s Torres dropping back, he has all day, and he has a wide open Derrick Jones streaking down the field, Torres hits him in stride, it’s a 67-yard touchdown pass and Alief Taylor leads 26-21 at halftime. In the third, it’s the Lions defense, Keshaun Cooper-Owens is untouched on the blitz, he forces the fumble and Bryce Burkett scoops it up and returns it 42 yards to the house, and Alief Taylor smelling a big upset, leading 32-21. But Pearland fights back. Brandon Campbell takes the handoff right down main street, he goes 15 yards to the end zone, and the Oilers are back within four at 32-28. Then in the fourth, head lofts one up into the end zone for Jaden Piece, and a nice job by piece to haul it in for his second score of the night, Oilers take the lead, 34-32. And finally, Head sets up the screen for Campbell, and Campbell takes care of the rest. He takes it 40-yards to put this one on ice, Pearland scores 27 unanswered to storm back and win it, 48-32 over Alief Taylor.

Fort Bend Travis and Elkins each carry perfect 3-0 marks into their district opener Thursday night. Travis leads 7-0 in the first, when Elkins quarterback Cameron George calls his own number, and he gets into the open field. He’s off to the races, 83 yards down the far sideline for an Elkins touchdowns, Knights tie it up at 7 apiece. Then it’s the Elkins defense coming up big. The pass is tipped at the line of scrimmage, and there’s Jalen Harbut there to pull it down for the interception, and he takes it the other way 31-yards for the touchdown, Knights lead it 14-7. It’s tied at 14 in the 2nd, when Travis quarterback Eric Rodriguez fires into the end zone for Jarrell Farr, it’s a 21-yard scoring strike and Travis goes back in front 21-14. Elkins answers right back, as George lofts one up for Savion Sims, and Sims fights his way across the goalline for the touchdown, it’s tied at 21 at intermission. In the third, Rodriguez swings it out to Farr and Farr finds the end zone, it’s a 7-yard score and the tigers lead 28-21. Elkins responds on the ground. Issiah Nixon takes the handoff, makes a man miss in the backfield, and suddenly there’s a big hole. He goes 45 yards to the house, and Elkins evens it back up at 28-28. But the Knights have no answer for the Travis passing attack. Rodriguez throws five touchdowns, three to Farr, and this one puts the tigers up 35-28. Later, it’s Kalen Shankle going right up the gut, 7 yards for the score, and Travis leads 42-28. Same score in the fourth when Rodriguez uses his feet, he adds a 9-yard touchdown run to put this one away, as Fort Bend Travis improves to 4-0 with a 56-28 win over Elkins.

Bridgeland is off to a 4-0 start in just its second year of varsity football, the Bears taking on Cy Woods Friday night. Early on the Bridgeland defense comes up with a big turnover, as Charles Moore knocks the ball loose and Bryce McMorris recovers the fumble for the Bears. Cy Woods’ defense gets the pigskin right back however, Khalil Robinson is sitting patiently in the secondary and picks off the pass to set up the Wildcats with good field position. And the Cy Woods offense cashes it into points, as Christian Scott takes the pitch and he scampers 5-yards for the Wildcats touchdown, Cy Woods up 7-0. More Wildcats in the 2nd, Jackson Jones running the option, he decides to keep it, and look at him battle his way across the Goalline, it’s a well-earned 4-yard touchdown run, wildcats lead 17-0 at halftime. Bridgeland’s defense keeps the Bears in it though. Gavin Kaspar gets the takeaway this time, as he intercepts the pass and returns it into Cy Woods territory. But the Wildcats defense comes up huge once again. Gavin Snow gets his helmet on the football to pop it loose and Tylan Foster scoops it up for Cy Woods, and he takes it 71-yards the other way. There’s a flag on the return, but Cy Woods rolls to a 20-7 victory over Bridgeland.

In district 16-6A, 2-1 Dekaney hosting Aldine MacArthur Thursday night. Dekaney already 7-0 in the first when Daelyn Williams sets up the screen pass for Jacquez Shaw, Shaw breaks a tackle and goes 21-yards for the touchdown, wildcats with a quick 14-0 lead. In the 2nd, MacArthur looking to answer through the air, but there’s Dekaney’s Ronnie Thomas there for the interception, and he’s headed the other way. Thomas picks up some blockers and races 52 yards down the far sideline for the pick-six, Dekaney leads it 21-0. Meanwhile Williams throws for two scores and rushes for two more, as Dekaney dominates this one throughout, with a 56-0 shutout win over Aldine MacArthur.

Cy Lakes is riding a three-game winning streak heading into a Thursday night tilt with Cy Ranch. Cy Lakes strikes first, Sofian Massoud with plenty of time in the pocket, he connects with Khaliq Abdul-Mateen in the back of the end zone, it’s a 14-yard touchdown pass, Spartans lead 7-0. Cy Ranch responds on the ground. Willie Eldridge takes the handoff, bounces it outside, and turns upfield for a 20-yard touchdown run, that evens the score at 7-apiece. Massoud goes back to the air and hits Joshua McMillan in stride, and McMillan turns on the after-burners. He takes it all the way for a 70-yard Cy Lakes touchdown, and the Spartans build a 17-13 halftime lead. More Cy Lakes in the third, Massoud goes up top to Amir Turne, perfect pitch and catch for a 25-yard score, Spartans lead it 31-13. But the Mustangs get a big momentum-changer from their defense, as Robin Neely picks off the pass for Cy Ranch early in the 4th. The Mustangs offense cashes it into points as Dj Ciers swings it out to Drake Dabney, and Dabney shakes free of a defender and trots in for a 14-yard touchdown, suddenly it’s 31-26. Late in the fourth, Ciers buys himself time, then looks deep downfield and sees a wide-open Rodrigo Zelaya, and Zelaya goes the distance, 67-yards for touchdown, and that’s the game winner, Cy Ranch rallies back from an 18-point deficit to win it, 34-31 is the final.

Kinkaid picks up its first win of the season with a 34-32 victory over Dallas St. Mark's.

Katy Tompkins scores 56 first half points to remain undefeated with a 70-21 win over Clear Creek.

AJ Abbott throws a TD pass and rushes for 3 more scores to lead Stratford to a 27-17 win over Cy Ridge.

Malik Johnson scores a pair of first half touchdowns to lead The Woodlands past rival College Park, 34-7.

Fort Bend Elkins and Chavez both looking for perfect 3-0 starts to the season… Early on, Elkins quarterback Cameron George swings it out to Jacory Lee, and how about the moves by lee to get into the open field. He takes it the distance, 61 yards for the Elkins touchdown, knights grab a quick 7-0 lead. Elkins on the move again, George looking into the end zone, but there’s Eric Heslip climbing the ladder for the Chavez interception. Nice defensive play right there. But the Elkins defense answers right back, the pass is tipped and Javian Young snags the interception for the knights. Young has plenty of open turf in front of him, and he trots into the end zone for the pick six, knights up 14-0. It’s 21-0 in the 2nd when Issiah Nixon gets the carry, he has a big hole, slips free from a couple of defenders, and he takes it 28 yards for the Elkins touchdown, it’s 28-0 and the rout is on. Meanwhile the knights defense continues to give the lobos fits. Brandon Armelin delivers the big hit for the sack. Elkins stays unbeaten with a 44-20 win over Chavez.

Let’s head over to Delmar Stadium where Katy Morton Ranch takes on Westside… In the first, Karsten Christopher Junior takes the handoff right up the gut, bounces off a defender and goes 11 yards for the touchdown run, 7-0 Mavericks. Westside answers through the air. Akeem Benjamin airing it out deep for Dorian Washington, perfect pitch and catch for the 37-yard touchdown to cut it to 7-6 after one. In the 2nd, Morton Ranch’s Jaymarcus Wilson goes to the air, he lofts it into the end zone for Josh Gaton, it’s a 12-yard scoring strike, Morton Ranch leads 28-6 at halftime. It’s 35-6 in the third when Westside’s defense comes up big. Daniel Mendoza rips the ball loose and takes it the other way, he takes it 60 yards to the house and that makes it a 35-13 ballgame. But Morton Ranch pulls away, Wilson into the end zone for Gaton, and how about the one handed touchdown catch by Gaton. let’s take one more look, what a grab, and Morton Ranch wins it, 42-19 is the final.

Big rivalry showdown in Rosenberg last night as Lamar Consolidated takes on Terry, before the game, a tribute to the first responders of Rosenberg, as the police line up with Lamar Consolidated and members of the fire department join Terry. Lamar Consolidated already up 7-0 in the first when Taye McWilliams gets the handoff and goes right up the middle, 7 yards for the Mustangs touchdown, Lamar Consolidated up 14-0. In the 2nd, Terry’s Brandon Kyles throws one up for Isaiah Montablo in the back of the end zone, nice pitch and catch, it’s 14-7. Back come the Mustangs. BJ Harris tosses it to Rayshawn Glover, and Glover has plenty of room to run. he scoots 28 yards for the touchdown, Lamar Consolidated leads 28-7 at intermission. It’s 35-7 in the third when Kyles goes back to the air, Alphonso Brown hauls it in for the Rangers Touchdown to trim the margin to 35-14. But Terry can’t slow down McWilliams and the Mustangs attack. He finds paydirt for the third time on the night, and Lamar Consolidated wins the battle of the Berg, 56-28 is the final.

Another great non-district matchup in galena park, as north shore hosts Westfield… 1st quarter, Westfield up 7-zip, but north shore looking to answer. Demetrius Davis drops back to pass, but he sees an opening and takes off. He splits two defenders and he’s gone. 42 yards for the north shore touchdown to even things up at 7 apiece. Westfield answers with the screen pass to Jadon Tucker. He uses the blocks, makes a nice move, and then turns on the jets. 52 yards to the house, and Westfield leads 14-7 at halftime. It’s 14-13 in the fourth when things get crazy. North Shore punting but there’s nick brown flying in to block the punt. That sets up Westfield with great field position. Moments later, Jaden Perkins bobbles the direct snap, but he scoops it up and runs it in for the touchdown. Westfield leads 21-13. Two and a half minutes to play, Davis fires over the middle and connects with his target John Gentry, he slips free of a tackle and takes it the distance. 51 yard scoring strike and North Shore needs a two-point conversion to tie it up. Davis rolls left and hits Charles King in the end zone to tie it up at 21. North Shore gets the ball back and John Villalobos has a 34-yard field goal for the win, it’s good, what a finish, north shore squeaks past Westfield, 24-21 is the final.

Fort Bend Travis and spring both sitting 2-0 heading into a big non-district tilt… The Lions come roaring out of the gate. That’s spring quarterback Aldyn Bradley connecting with a wide open Clyde Lacy, Lacy takes it 52 yards to the house, Spring up 7-0. It’s 14-7 in the second when Bradley decides to keep it. Good decision! He gets to the edge and can walk into the end zone untouched for a 26 yard score, Lions lead 21-7. Travis responds through the air. Eric Rodriguez gets it to parker Washington on the receiver screen, and that is exactly how that play is supposed to work. Washington goes untouched down the sideline, 68 yards for the Tigers touchdown to cut it to 21-13. More Travis, Jarrell Farr gets it on the jet sweep, he cuts back and weaves his way through the Spring defense, 18 yards for the Tigers touchdown and Travis is within two at 21-19. Still in the 2nd, Bradley lofts it up for Bailee Davenport, and what a job by Davenport to reel it in with one hand! Lions lead 28-19 at halftime, but this one gets wild in the 2nd half under the Friday the 13th full moon. Bradley keeps it on the read option and he has a huge hole right through the heart of the Travis defense. He sprints 75 yards down the near sideline, all the way for a Spring touchdown, and the Lions open up a 42-25 lead in the third quarter. Travis rallies back however. Rodriguez fires deep downfield for Washington, and check out the grab by the Penn State commit. He seems to make a highlight reel catch every week! This one pulls Travis within three at 49-46 midway through the fourth. Travis gets the ball back with a change to take the lead, huge hole for Rodriguez on the quarterback draw and he breaks loose into the open field. 51 yard pickup all the way down to the Spring 5 yard line. Moments later, Rodriguez punches sneaks it in for the game-winning touchdown, what a comeback victory for the Tigers! They improve to 3-0 with a wild 53-49 win over Spring.

Langham Creek fired up and ready to take on Cy Ranch in each team’s district opener Thursday night… Cy Ranch strikes first, Elias Pino on the jet sweep, he gets to the edge and then turns it upfield, 20 yard touchdown run and the mustangs lead 7-0. Pino is just getting started. He takes the handoff and uses his speed to get to the sideline, and he turns it upfield again. He races 72 yards down the sideline before he finally gets pushed out of bounds at the 3 yard line. Moments later, Mustangs quarterback DJ Ciers rolls out and eventually fires into the end zone for Kobe banks, Cy Ranch leads 14-0. Still in the first, Ciers rolling to his left this time, he throws across his body and finds pino streaking across the middle of the field, and Pino takes care of the rest, it’s a 41 yard touchdown pass and Cy Ranch leads 21-0 after one. In the second, Ciers fires over the middle for his big tight end Drake Dabney, it’s a 10 yard td toss, one of four first half touchdown passes by Ciers. Langham creek finally finds the end zone as Jordan Shields muscles his way across the goal line for a 2-yard score to cut it to 28-7. But it’s all Mustangs in this one, Willie Eldridge punches it in from a yard out and Cy Ranch rolls past Langham creek, 55-7 is the final.

Another district opener, this one in 14-6a as Tomball memorial visits Cy Woods. Cy Woods gets on the scoreboard first. Trayse Holmes takes the handoff around the right side and into the end zone for a 13-yard score. Cy Woods up 7-0. Tomball memorial answers immediately. Colton Marwill connects with Joseph Manjack and Manjack has all sorts of room to run with it. He’s off to the races, 72 yards for the Tomball Memorial touchdown, and just like it’s 7 to 7. Cy Woods doesn’t waste any time with its own response. Javarian Stewart fields the ensuing kickoff at his own 7 yard line. He sees a lane right up the middle and he explodes through it. One man to beat and he is gone. 93 yard kickoff return for Stewart, and Cy Woods goes back in front 14-7. It’s 21-14 Cy Woods in the third when Marwill hits with Logan Kyle, Kyle slips out of a tackle and he takes it 24 yards for a Tomball Memorial touchdown, and it’s all knotted up at 21 apiece. Later, it’s Marwill back to pass, but this time Reagan Simmons has a read on it, he picks it off for Cy Woods and heads the other way. Simmons takes it all the way to the house for a Cy Woods touchdown, it’s 28-21 Cy Woods. Tomball memorial answers right back though, this time on the ground. Carbrey Barnes goes right up the middle, huge hole, it’s a 24-yard touchdown run that evens it up 28-28. Same score, six seconds left, Michael Fernandez has a 24-yard field goal to give Cy Woods the win...and it’s good, Cy Woods knocks off previously unbeaten Tomball memorial, 31-28 is the final.