Convenience Big Store: Playing in December: Elite teams from Houston eyeing region crowns

November 30, 2023

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Playing in December: Elite teams from Houston eyeing region crowns

The Houston high school football schedule is pretty cut and dry when the calendar reads December.

Just a couple games apiece on Friday and Saturday in the fourth round, four of which will be played in the Houston area.

All of which have major importance.

We are down to seven UIL teams vying to reach state while TAPPS state football gets underway today.

We took a look and made predictions on six games this week.

In Class 6A Division I, North Shore (13-0) and Atascocita (11-2) meet for the second time this season. Westfield (11-2) and Duncanville (11-1) rekindle a highly-competive matchup from this juncture a year ago.

In Class 6A Division II, Summer Creek (12-1) and Hightower (12-1) gives Houston either a new team in the state semifinals in the Bulldogs or a Hurricanes program that hasn't reached that point since 2011.

In Class 5A Division II, Huntsville (8-5) is the proverbial team that got hot at the right time as Hornets look to knock off last year's state runner-up in Port Neches-Groves (12-1) at NRG Stadium.

In Class 4A Division II, the red-hot Bellville Brahmas (13-0) take on another team that has taken off in the playoffs in Jasper (9-4).

In TAPPS Division I, St. Thomas (12-0) eyes a state title for the first time since 2001 against a tough Dallas Parish Episcopal (9-3).

Follow the Chronicle for complete coverage.

Three things to watch

Slam Duncanville: Westfield hung with the eventual state champion Duncanville Panthers a year ago in the Mustangs' most physical game of the season. They return Saturday for another shot at the Panthers. Duncanville will be challenged by a Westfield offense that scored 77 points against Rockwall last week and are averaging 47 points per contest. Duncanville has allowed 10.8 points per game.

Hornets' nest: Can the Huntsville Hornets keep this thing running to a regional championship? A week ago, they further proved that anything is possible. After getting dropped by Randle by 29 points to conclude the regular season on Nov. 3, Huntsville returned three weeks later to defeat the Lions 14-13 in the regional semifinals. Now, the Hornets — led by talented linebacker Shiloh Jones — will attempt to knock off a red-hot Port Neches-Groves, which has won 23 of its last 25 games.

Bellville tolls: Bellville has been an absolute juggernaut this season and now a regional championship bout in on the agenda. The No. 3-ranked Brahamas manhandled Silsbee last week and now bring the show to Woodforest Bank Stadium in south Montgomery County. Bellville is outscoring teams 727-69 this season and are looking to take a trip to the state semifinals for the first time since 2012.

Note to coaches: Submit scores and stats on game nights by emailing hssports@houstonchronicle.com.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

*The next high school sports newsletter will release Sunday morning (Dec. 3) instead of Saturday this week.

Rob Tate, Deputy High School Sports Coordinator

rtate@houstonchronicle.com

Athlete of the Week

Congratulations to Cypress Lakes basketball player Aniah Alexis, who was voted Girls Athlete of the Week. In a 63-27 win over Clear Falls, the Rice signee scored 36 points, pulled down 17 rebounds and added six steals, two assists and one blocked shot. Over her last four games, Alexis is averaging 33.8 points per game.

Congratulations to Summer Creek football player Blake Thomas, who was voted Boys Athlete of the Week. Thomas had a strong performance at quarterback during Summer Creek's 52-15 victory against Stratford. He completed 11 of 14 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 133 yards and two scores on 12 carries.

Check Monday's newsletter for a new set of polls.

Shout out

NCAA volleyball tournament

The NCAA volleyball tournament begins today and runs through the next three weeks. Several standouts who got their start in the Houston high school scene years back will be prominent in deciding the next national champion.

Stat of the day

24: The number of rebounds by Katy Taylor senior Timya Grice in a 58-43 District 19-6A win over Seven Lakes Tuesday night. The 24 rebounds set a program record for the Mustangs. Grice also scored 34 points for the double-double.