Convenience Big Store: CORRECTED: Watch these Houstonians in the NFL playoffs

January 9, 2025

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Houston area has plenty of representation in the NFL playoffs this weekend

Correction: An earlier version of the High School Sports newsletter included content from Monday's edition.

Happy Friday!

Football fans across the country are in for a treat this week with the college football semifinals and the NFL playoffs in full swing. Here is a look at some of the Houston-area players to watch for Saturday and Sunday when the pros kick things off.

🏈 Texans vs. Chargers

This game will be a homecoming for Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater, who graduated from Clements High School. Slater, a former first-round pick out of Northwestern, is now a two-time Pro Bowler after earning his second selection this season. The Texans, meanwhile, are rich with local players, including defensive ends Danielle Hunter (Morton Ranch) and Jerry Hughes (Fort Bend Austin) and guard Kenyon Green (Atascocita).

🏈 Ravens vs. Steelers

A couple of reserve offensive lineman fittingly highlight the Houston area in this clash between bitter AFC North rivals. Steelers center Ryan McCollum played for Klein and Texas A&M, while Ravens guard Josh Jones got his start at Fort Bend Bush and the University of Houston.

🏈 Bills vs. Broncos

Former Westfield and UH standout Ed Oliver leads the way for this matchup. Oliver, a former first-round pick, will be joined on the Buffalo defense by linebacker and La Porte grad Terrel Bernard. The Broncos do not have any Houston-area players, unless you want to make a stretch to Brenham High School and claim receiver Courtland Sutton.

🏈 Eagles vs. Packers

QB1 for the Eagles was once QB1 for Channelview. Jalen Hurts is the Houston-area guy to watch in this one, which should not be too hard considering he will have the ball in his hands every offensive play for Philadelphia. Hurts has been working through concussion protocol, but optimism is high that he will return to the lineup this week. Punter Braden Mann (Cy-Fair), safety Trisin McCollum (Galveston Ball) and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo (Katy) are also on the roster.

🏈 Commanders vs. Buccaneers

Commanders guard Sam Cosmi (Atascocita) has enjoyed a strong season with his resurgent team after signing a four-year extension in the offseason. Dorance Armstrong (North Shore) is also on the Washington roster. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, have a strong Houston-area precense with five-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans (Galveston Ball), 2023 All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (The Woodlands), safety Zyon McCollum (Galveston Ball), quarterback Kyle Trask (Manvel) and kicker Chase McLaughlin (Cypress Woods).

🏈 Vikings vs. Rams

Vikings reserve cornerback Dwight McGlothern (Klein Oak) is the only Houston-area representative in this game.

✅ Be sure to follow me on X at @JonPoorman for all the latest news. Follow our high school sports account at @HoustonChronHS.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

Jon Poorman, High School Sports Editor

jpoorman@houstonchronicle.com

Athlete of the Week

🏆 Congratulations to La Porte basketball player Cody Miller, who was voted Boys Athlete of the Week. Read more about his accomplishments here.

🏆 Congratulations to Klein Oak basketball player Clarah Obenofunde, who was voted Girls Athlete of the Week. Read more about her accomplishments here.

🔄 Check out the Monday newsletter for a new set of polls.

📩 Nominations can be sent to jpoorman@houstonchronicle.com

Shout out

🏀 Coaching milestone

Seven Lakes boys basketball coach Shannon Heston secured his 250th career coaching victory with a 68-66 triumph over Cinco Ranch on Tuesday. His Spartans are currently 22-5 overall and 6-2 in District 19-6A action, second behind 7-0 Jordan. Seven Lakes was ranked No. 17 in the state in Class 6A by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches this week.

Stat of the day

🏀 26.9: The average number of points scored per game by Alief Taylor star Nataliyah Gray. Gray currently ranks fourth in the state in that categorey, at least among the teams who enter stats in MaxPreps. She is also averaging 13.8 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 2.4 steals and 2.1 assists per outing.