Saturday, January 24, 2026
New class; new district for Manvel in 2012
January 24, 2026
MANVEL — Manvel has been competing in Class 4A over the past four years. The Mavericks scaled to the highest pinnacle in the football world by winning the District 24-4A title and 4A Region III Division II crown while
advancing to the 4A Division II state finals before coming up a little short against Aledo.
A 15-1 mark set a new school record in 2011 and now becomes the new measuring stick for the future with only a 16-0 mark that will satisfy all upcoming Manvel teams.
Now that Manvel has reached such acclaim, they now find themselves in uncharted territory after the University Interscholastic League (UIL) moved them up to Class 5A.
The UIL realigns all teams every two years based on the flexibility of enrollment for each high school across Texas. In Manvel's case, their enrollment had increased enough to move them out of 4A and into 5A.
The realignment also moved them to a new district. The Mavericks will compete with the five Pasadena ISD schools, Pearland, and Alvin.
"We are excited about playing up with the big boys in 5A," head coach Kirk Martin said. "We believe our old district being as tough as it was prepared us for this challenge. Making a deep playoff run the past two years should help as well. We also know that this year is this year and last year was last year."
Here are the teams and records of the other teams in District 22-5A that Manvel will have to face.
Pearland (11-3) won the 2010 Class 5A Division I state title and advanced to the 5A Region III Division I state quarterfinals in 2011. The Oilers are currently ranked as high as No. 7 in the state in some pre-season polls.
Pasadena Dobie (7-4), Pasadena (5-5), Pasadena Sam Rayburn (4-6), Pasadena Memorial (3-8), Pasadena South Houston (3-8), and Alvin (4-6).
Some publications have Manvel winning the District 22-5A title with Pearland coming in second while others have the teams reversed. There is no question that those two teams will finish 1-2 either way as 22-5A will be one of the weaker districts in the area.
" I believe the key to our success will be our young players growing up quickly and our seniors coming together and leading us," Martin said. "We've had a lot of pre-season hype. We must stay focused and take them one at a time. The worst thing that we can do is get caught up in the hype. If we don't start sniffing ourselves too much and just keep our nose to the grind stone and do the work we will be fine."
One of the biggest questions being asked is Manvel going to go to a single quarterback offense this as opposed to the dual quarterback that they have had over the past four years.
"We only have one starting quarterback this year," Martin said. "We hope to develop another one or two as the year progresses. I believe our senior quarterback Shane McCarley will have an unbelievable year. He is the best I've seen in high school."
McCarley shared the QB position last year, but still was 113-for-185 for 1,867 yards and 23 TDs with only four interceptions. He also had 393 yards rushing and 12 more scores.
While Martin will go with the single signal-caller in McCarley, there will be a two-headed rushing monster in senior running backs Richard Rose and Selwyn Green.
Rose (32-163 yards, 6 TDs) got hurt last season in the third game which allowed Green (113-910 yards, 12 TDs) to step in and prove his worth in helping the Mavs to the state semifinals. Now, both will return with Rose being more of a power runner while Green is small with speed and elusiveness.
The offensive line will be anchored by All-Stater Travis Romero (6-3, 315), but Martin will be looking for some help to surround him.
Wide receiver Austin Bennett, who has already given his verbal commitment to the University of Oklahoma is a sure-handed receiver as he had 30 catches for 626 yards and eight TDs last season. Kyrion Parker, a Texas A&M commit, will be another dangerous wide receiver. Add Carlos Thompson (5-100 yards, 2 TDs) and Kwadre Wilson to the mix and McCarley will have a lot of choices to throw to on offense.
Defensively, the Mavs should be fairly strong as as DE Trey Silvers had 10 sacks last year. Jonathan London and Kwandre Wilson will also play defensive end with a three-man rotation. Junior Coda Martin (6-7, 245) will get time at defensive end and start at tight end.
At defensive tackle, UTEP commit Dewan Edmonson (6-2, 270) will lead the charge. He had 75 tackles and eight sacks last season. Kaylon Harris will also join the starting lineup as he has a very active motor.
The biggest task on defense will be replacing all four linebacker slots with Bryce Spencer, Ryan Green, Brandon Pitre, Nick Rodriquez and Corey Williams vying for those open positions.
Jared Ambres is back at free safety as is Carlos Thompson. A&M commit Tavares Garner will also be the left corner. Zack Silvers and Demarco Corner will also find time in the defensive backfield.
Other players that Martin will be watching include: DT Kyle Tamasse (6-0, 270), sophomore LB Collin Scott (6-1, 205), DB Qyalen Clay, WR Ky'Rion Parker, and LB Shane Jackson.
Manvel opens the season on the road at Spring on Friday, August 31 and then return home on Friday, September 7 for an early test to find out just how tough Class 5A really is when they face the North Shore Mustangs.
Once the Mavs pass that test, they will find their new 22-5A district not as tough as the 24-4A league they left. The biggest test of all will be facing the Pearland Oilers on Friday, November 2 at The Rig in a game that might decide the district champion.
"One thing for sure. We will always go into every game expecting to win," Martin said. "I don't know any other way to approach it. We will need to stay healthy. I think our success will depend on what kind of team chemistry we have.
"We will need to stay focused on the team concept and not get caught up in individual accomplishments or accolades."
Copyright © 2026 by Dr. David Davis. All Rights Reserved.