The Fieldhouse -- VYPE Alumni in College; TWHS Tennis

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THE FIELDHOUSE
By Austin Staton

VYPE Alumni Association

VYPE Magazine has featured hundreds of Houston-area athletes over the past four years and it’s our pleasure to check up on our former favorites.

Stanford: As the consensus top quarterback prospect for the 2012 NFL Draft, former Stratford standout Andrew Luck is off to a hot start for fourth-ranked Stanford and has asserted himself as the early favorite for the Heisman Trophy. Through the first four games of the season, Luck has posted 11 touchdown passes while completing 71 percent of his attempts for 1000-plus yard as the Cardinal offense is averaging 45.8 points per game. Defensively, former Nimitz standout and current senior DB Michael Thomas has notched 18 total tackles while spearheading a defense that allows just over 10 points per game.

Texas: In a loaded backfield, Pearland’s Fozzy Whittaker is averaging 5.0 yards per carry and has posted a team-high four rushing touchdowns as Texas is back in the national spotlight after posting a 5-7 record last year.

OU: As one of the most sought-after recruits in the 2011 class, Brookshire Royal’s Brandon Williams made his collegiate debut against Ball State as he tallied 58 yards on 11 carries for the Sooners. Defensively, Pearland’s Sam Proctor has notched nine tackles in the secondary while Strake Jesuit’s David King has been a force on the pass rush posting eight tackles, one sack and a pass breakup.

Boise State: The Broncos are again one of the elite programs in college football this season and two local prospects are part of the reason for their success. Coming off of ACL surgery in 2010, Cy-Creek’s D.J. Harper has 41 carries for 158 yards and a touchdown in addition to four receptions for 34 yards and a score. Defensively, second team preseason all-American and former Kempner standout, George Iloka, is forcing opposing quarterbacks to think twice before throwing his way. Through four games, Iloka has notched 15 total tackles, one pass breakup, one pass defended and a forced fumble.

Baylor: With arguably their most talented team in 15-plus years, Baylor football is off to a fast start thanks to the help of a few Houston products. Sophomore Sam Holl (Katy) and junior Chance Casey (Crosby) are key components in the Bears’ secondary as Casey leads the team with 30 tackles and five pass breakups while Holl ranks fifth on the team with 19 tackles and one interception. Senior linebacker Elliot Coffey (Clements) has totaled 25 tackles and has posted three pass breakups. Offensively, tight end Jordan Najvar (Klein Oak), who transferred from Stanford last season, has been a critical piece to the offensive success as he is averaging 8.9 yards per reception with a touchdown catch.

Alabama: After sitting out the 2010 season, freshman wide receiver DeAndrew White (North Shore) is averaging nearly 10 yards per reception for second-ranked Alabama. Junior DL Damion Square (Yates) has posted five tackles and is responsible for a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry for one of the nation’s most feared defensive units.

West Virginia: Dustin Garrison wasn’t a highly recruited prospect despite being named the MVP of the 5-A State Championship game. For West Virginia, they’re relishing in the Pearland products success. With four rushing touchdowns and averaging nearly eight yards per carry through the first five games of the season, Garrison has taken the Big East by storm as he ran for a career-high 291 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Mountaineers 55-10 win over Bowling Green. Garrison’s performance was a single-game school record for freshman runners and produced the second-best single game performance in school history.

Pepperdine: Crucial to The Woodlands runner-up finish at the 2010 state volleyball tournament, Katie Messing is making her presence felt for 20th-ranked Pepperdine. Halfway through her freshman season, the standout outside hitter ranks third on the team with 2.42 kills per set while hitting at a .200 clip.

Michigan: The Woodlands College Park’s Lexi Erwin is off to a fast start for her sophomore campaign at the University of Michigan. The 6-foot-1 outside hitter ranks second on the squad with 3.36 kills per set while hitting at a .229 clip. Defensively, Erwin has tallied 2.08 digs per set while notching 22 blocks. Erwin has a team-high 206.5 points while being named MVP of the Michigan/adidas Invitational.

Oklahoma State: Sixth-ranked Oklahoma State is known for their offensive prowess but it was their defensive efforts against Texas A&M in September that turned the heads of national pundits. Led by Justin Gilbert (Huntsville) and Brodrick Brown (Westfield) the Cowboys are off to a 4-0 start. Gilbert has posted 15 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Additionally, the sophomore is a special teams threat as he is averaging 24 yards per return including a 96-yard touchdown return – the third of his career. Brown ranks sixth on the team with 16 tackles including two interceptions and five pass breakups.

SMU: Despite seeing action in just four games last season, J.J. McDermott is quickly making an impact this season for SMU football. In four starts, the senior from Cinco Ranch has posted four wins including an upset win on the road against 20th-ranked TCU. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder has completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for 1482 yards while recording eight touchdown passes.

Oregon: Fresh off of a national championship appearance, Darron Thomas (Aldine) has the Ducks off to a 3-1 start as he has completed 61 percent of his passes for 842 yards and 12 touchdowns. On the ground, Thomas has averages 6.6 yards per carry with two scores to his credit.

Highlanders Climbing Team Tennis Charts

There may be a shift in power in the Texas team tennis world. While Memorial, Klein, Clear Lake and Clements are in the Texas Tennis Coaches’ Association Top 25, The Woodlands is making their move.

“This is the best year we’ve had so far in school history,” coach Reef Merhi said. “We’ve never cracked the top four since this school opened. We’ve had a couple of trips to the regional finals but just haven’t been able to get past Klein. I think we have a good shot at making the final four this season.”

The girls’ team has been dominating and is led by junior captain Alex Huie, who hasn’t lost a match in singles or doubles in three years. Sophomore Catherine Wythe, who has been a little banged up this season, is also a superb talent in the girls’ game. Both will be Division I college players.

On the boy’s side, Rohan Hari and Scott Golub have been leading the Highlanders.

On the Class 4A level, Montgomery continues to represent Houston in the Top 5 followed by Stratford, Friendswood and Kingwood Park.

Thoughts and Prayers

Caney Creek High School baseball player Dustin Kellogg died when he was struck head on by an 18-wheeler. The 6-foot-4  Kellogg was drafted in the 34^th-round by the Houston Astros, and was playing in the Florida Gulf Coast League before his passing.