We are thrilled to showcase the remarkable talent and unwavering commitment of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff across all five of our exceptional Klein ISD high schools.
I’m deeply grateful for the countless hours of hard work and dedication put in by these committed individuals who make our fall sports possible.
In our top-performing school district, we continue to be so proud of the longstanding tradition of excellence, not only on the field but also in the classroom. This fall, as you witness the performances of our student-athletes, you will see the results of the collective investment made by parents, coaches, teachers, and community members. Together, we continue to foster academic and athletic success within our Klein ISD community.
This season is sure to be filled with exhilarating competition and outstanding sportsmanship from our student-athletes, and we are so thankful to have fans like you. Your presence in the stands, cheering on our teams under the bright lights, is a testament to the unity and spirit that defines our incredible Klein, Texas community.
Thank you for being the best fans anywhere and for your unwavering support of Klein ISD's Athletic Program. We look forward to seeing you at our games, cheering on our student-athletes. Your support makes the difference!
Gratefully,
WHETHER IT’S THE GOLDEN EAGLES, BEARKATS, HURRICANES, PANTHERS OR TIGERS, KLEIN ISD HAS SOME OF THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED CHEERLEADERS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. THEY SET THE TONE AT THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS AND ARE THE AMBASSADORS OF HYPE. FROM PAINTING SIGNS TO FIRING UP THE CROWDS AT VOLLEYBALL AND FOOTBALL GAMES, LET’S GIVE THEM A HAND.
\\ By Matt Malatesta
KINSLEE SMITH HAS BEEN ON A VOLLEYBALL JOURNEY.
She had a front-row seat as a freshman when Klein advanced to the State Finals in 2020. Now, she’s a senior and has a deeper perspective on the sport.
“I was pulled up from the junior varsity for the playoffs when we went to State, and I learned so much from just watching,” she said. “Those girls had a mindset. They had a goal to get to State, and they did it through hard work and dedication. We were so talented that year.”
Smith now leads Klein as the QB of the offense at setter. She is coming back
off an injury last season more inspired than ever.
“Last year, best year, right?” she laughed. “We are just trying to have fun and make some memories this season. As I look back on my high school career and think, ‘What would I have done without volleyball?’ It is such a big part of my life. When I came in as a freshman, I was super shy. The sport has given me so much confidence and I have matured over the years. I’ve learned so many life lessons as well.”
Now, the senior gets to pay it forward as her sister, Jaicee Smith, joins her on
varsity as a freshman.
“We’ve always dreamed about playing together. It will be special this season,” she said. “We are going to get on each other’s nerves, but that’s just part of it.”
Smith should reach the 2,000-assist milestone this season as her career wraps up. So, what’s next?
“I would like to play in college,” she said. “I have some opportunities, but I’m looking for the perfect spot that will feel like family. I’m going into Sports Marketing. I’m not exactly sure what that looks like right now, but I want to be in the business of sports.”
Let the journey continue.
WE ARE JUST TRYING TO HAVE FUN AND MAKE SOME MEMORIES THIS SEASON. I LOOK BACK ON MY LIFE AND HIGH SCHOOL CAREER AND THINK, ‘WHAT WOULD I HAVE DONE WITHOUT VOLLEYBALL?’ IT IS SUCH A BIG PART OF MY LIFE.
THE BEARKATS ARE BACK. KLEIN HIGH WILL TAKE THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS OF PLAY WITH VIGOR THIS FALL. THE FOOTBALL TEAM IS LED BY COACH SHANE HALLMARK AS THEY BATTLE FOR A PLAYOFF SPOT. IT WILL BE A GROUND-AND-POUND OFFENSE AND A TOUGH DEFENSE THAT WILL LEAD THE WAY IN 2023, HALLMARK’S LONG-TIME WINNING FORMULA. CAN THE BEARKATS GET BACK TO THEIR WINNING WAYS ON THE VOLLEYBALL COURT? KLEIN IS ONLY THREE YEARS REMOVED FROM A STATE FINAL APPEARANCE. SENIORS KINSLEE SMITH, FAITH WILLIAMS, ALEXIS WADDY AND KENZIE FRAZIER HOPE TO BRING THE MAGIC BACK. KATIE KOONTS AND REAGAN SMITH WILL LEAD THE GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY EFFORTS, WHILE LANDEN SMITH AND CALEB THEODORE PACE THE BOYS. AMBER JOHNSON IS THE QUEEN OF THE COURTS FOR TENNIS, WHICH SHOULD HAVE A BANNER SEASON.
Standing at 6-feet 5-inches, it’s hard to miss Pyle when he steps onto the field, and he’s gotten plenty of recognition for his efforts.
The Nebraska-commit and All-American is looking forward to his final year at Cain.
Welcome to the 411, where we get a more indepth look at Cain senior star Gibson Pyle.
VYPE: Talk about your tenure at Cain.
PYLE: “It’s been a great time here at Cain, starting as a sophomore. We’re definitely going for another district title and looking for an undefeated season. It took a lot of hard work to get here, but I’m proud and excited for this last ride.”
VYPE: What do you feel like you’ve improved on over the summer?
PYLE: “Definitely my overall strength, speed, and my knowledge of the game. I’ve talked with my coach about it and improving my football IQ enables me to play faster.”
VYPE: You’re also an AllAmerican recipient and will play in the All-American game. What does that mean to you?
PYLE: “It means everything to me. I remember years back, watching the AllAmerican Game with my Dad and saying, ‘I want to play in that one day’. To go out there and earn that invite, it’s a huge honor.”
VYPE: Talk about Nebraska. What did you love about it? How excited are you to go there?
PYLE: “Nebraska just feels like home. I took a bunch
of visits to several schools and Nebraska stood out the most. There’s a home environment with what Coach [Matt] Rhule is doing there. It’s truly amazing. I think that they are going to shock the world this year.”
VYPE: Outside of football, what do you have interest in?
PYLE: “I like to spend time with my family and friends. My stepdad has a lake house, so I like to go up there to tube, water ski and spend time in the water. That’s something I really like to do.”
VYPE: When you’re watching football, who do you like to watch?
PYLE: “Quenton Nelson (Indianapolis Colts). He’s probably my favorite player. He’s just a mean offensive guard. Then, there’s Tyron Smith (Dallas Cowboys). As soon as I started playing O-Line, he was one guy I tried to model my game after.”
VYPE: Offensive linemen don’t really get all the love, but they’re so important to the game. What is it like having that behind-the-scenes type of workmanship?
PYLE: “There’s really no other position like it. There are five guys working together, and you’re only as strong as that weakest guy. So, it’s definitely an interesting position. I love everything about it. You may not get your name in the paper all the time or get the glory, but it’s a really fun position and it’s a brotherhood.”
THE KLEIN CAIN FOOTBALL TEAM MADE SCHOOL HISTORY IN 2022, EARNING A CO-DISTRICT 15-6A TITLE. THERE WILL BE NEW FACES FOR COACH JAMES CLANCY’S BUNCH, BUT THE BAR IS SET. THE HURRICANES ARE LED UP FRONT BY ALL-AMERICAN GIBSON PYLE AND JABARI MCALMONT (RICE-COMMIT) ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE. THEY WILL BE PROTECTING NEW QB ISSAC MOORING III. TYLER EDWARDS WILL LEAD THE DEFENSE. CAIN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM CONTINUES TO BUILD ITS CULTURE UNDER SECOND-YEAR HEAD COACH SARAH BAERENWALD. THE ‘CANES WILL BE ANCHORED BY JAYLYNN MCNEILL, WHO IS COMMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA. KELLY PAWELKA AND SOPHIE HOFF HAVE TREMENDOUS EXPERIENCE AS SENIORS AND WILL ALSO LEAD THE CHARGE TO A PLAYOFF APPEARANCE. SENIOR FELICITY HAMILTON LOOKS TO IMPROVE ON A SENSATIONAL JUNIOR SEASON ON THE CROSS-COUNTRY PATHS, WHILE THE CAIN TENNIS TEAM ARE THE FAVORITE TO WIN THE DISTRICT. TENNIS REACHED THE AREA ROUND A YEAR AGO.
Klein Cain Tennis
Ray Chatham
Felicity Hamilton
Klein Cain Football
Kelly Pawelka
Issac Mooring III
Mikaela Erwin
Demi Pham
Jarrod Penright and Michael Wilson
Klein collins
Having grown up in an athletic family, the dream has always been to be a Division I athlete dating back to elementary school.
“I’ve been in pads for as long as I can remember,” he said. “I just love the game and now that I have the opportunity to play in college… I’ve been praying for this. I have put so much work into my craft and it has paid off.”
The 5-foot, 10-inch defensive back has verbally committed to the University of North Texas and will be on campus in 2024.
“I really like their scheme on defense, and I see that they have a plan for me,” he said. “They also offer architectural engineering, and that is what I want to pursue as a career.”
Maybe he should be in marketing? Gant has taken advantage of his popularity and built his own brand… CG13.
“With NIL becoming so popular, I just thought I should create my own brand and get ahead of the process,” he said. “It was just for fun at first, but then it started to be a little business. I do jackets, hoodies, hats – things like that.”
Gant’s father, Chris Gant, was a star at the University of Pittsburgh for basketball, and Junior only recently hung up the high tops.
“I played basketball until my junior year, and it really helps your football skills,” he said. “Your reaction time and footwork are so important in basketball, and the safety position is very
similar to playing defense on the court. I’m glad I kept with it.
“My Dad has always coached me up my entire life and has guided me through my athletic career. He’s been at this level and has given me some great advice.”
As he embarks on his last season of high school football, he has set some lofty goals.
“Klein Collins has never been to State, and that is our goal,” he said. “We have the talent and the chemistry to do it. I also just want to have fun with
my guys one last time. This feels like the stuff you see in movies, right?
“I’m looking to get six interceptions and about 70 tackles. I’m going to leave it all out there.”
Sounds like a plan, my man.
COULD THIS BE THE YEAR OF THE KLEIN COLLINS TIGERS? COACH ADRIAN MITCHELL WILL HAVE HIS MOST TALENTED TEAM SINCE TAKING OVER THE PROGRAM. THE TIGERS ARE LOADED AT EVERY POSITION. QB TUCKER PARKS (WESTERN KENTUCKY) WILL NAVIGATE THE OFFENSE AS A THREE-YEAR STARTER. HE WILL HAND THE BALL OFF TO MICHAEL WILSON (CENTRAL ARKANSAS), WHO WILL RUN BEHIND A YOUNG OFFENSIVE LINE LED BY KELVIN WILLIAMS AND BRADY MARSHALL. THE DEFENSE IS STINGY AS CHRIS GANT, JR. WILL PATROL THE SECONDARY. MOVE-IN TRENT SPENCE WILL ADD ATHLETICISM AT LB, AND ANTOINE MILON, MASON FAYE AND LOGAN TAYLOR WILL ANCHOR THE DEFENSIVE LINE. THE TIGERS ARE VYING FOR A DISTRICT TITLE BUT HAVE STATE ASPIRATIONS. STEPHEN WAGNER TAKES OVER THE VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM AND WILL LEAN ON SENIORS KRISTINA COTE AND OLIVIA MURILLO. TENNIS COACH JAMES LONGORIA CONTINUES TO SUCCESSFULLY BUILD HIS PROGRAM AS THEY LOOK TO ADVANCE TO THE PLAYOFFS, WHILE THE CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM HAS TRAINED TO GO THE DISTANCE IN THE DISTRICT MEET AND BEYOND. TENNIS STAR SOPHIA ZLATKOVA ADVANCED TO STATE LAST YEAR AND IS LOOKING FOR GOLD IN 2023.
TRENTON “TJ” BURKHALTER, JR. IS AS VERSATILE AS THEY COME.
The junior DE for Klein Forest has established himself as one of the program’s top competitors on the gridiron, having earned second-team, alldistrict honors in 2022.
Given all the college camps he’s attended, Burkhalter may have the chance to play at the next level, holding offers from Mississippi Valley State and Midwestern State.
While he hopes to hear from more colleges in the coming months, Burkhalter’s primary focus still remains at home.
“For me, I’m really more focused on the team right now,” he said. “I want to help us make it to the playoffs.
With recruiting, if I do well during the season and get some offers, I’d be excited. But the team is the top priority right now.”
It’s no secret that the Klein Forest football program will look slightly different now that coach Darrick Vaughn has taken the reins. However, Burkhalter feels that this will give him and his teammates the opportunity to thrive in a new system.
“We’re definitely a lot more focused,” said Burkhalter. “We lost a lot of players, which kind of hurts, but I definitely think that our team is coming together. Coach Vaughn is really big on discipline and attention to detail, and he’s trying to make sure we get the little things right. I think that will
benefit us in the long run.”
When football ends, Burkhalter sheds the pads and prepares to enter the wrestling ring. In fact, he’s so adept in the ring that he was the individual district champion at 215-pounds a year ago.
No wonder he’s become a force off the edge.
“I think going back and forth with football and wrestling really helps with my stamina and physicality on the defensive line,” he said. “People don’t always realize the kind of conditioning you need for wrestling – you get worn out a lot quicker. So being trained that way year-round is incredibly valuable for me.”
What’s something that many people might not
know about the Klein Forest junior?
“I’m in FFA as well. I’m really big on livestock,” Burkhalter said. “I’ve shown steers for the past two years, and I’ve been working with FFA since the sixth grade. I actually showed at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and ended up winning $6,000.
“I definitely see that in my future, which is why I intend to major in something agriculture-wise once I go to college. I grew up around horses since some of my family would participate in rodeos, so it just feels right.”
Suffice it to say, whatever path Burkhalter chooses to take, the future is bright for this Golden Eagle.
KLEIN FOREST QB JAYLEN BRAGG HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO MAKE A NAME FOR HIMSELF, DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE’S ENTERING HIS SECOND SEASON WITH THE PROGRAM.
The incoming senior has adapted nicely to Forest, after transferring in following his sophomore year. But that doesn’t mean it was easy for the Golden Eagles signal-caller.
“Transferring schools is already difficult as it is,” said Bragg. “But, transferring as a quarterback is even harder in my opinion, because you have to undertake that leadership role in a new place. So, I came in and I just wanted to establish myself as a leader on the team, and my teammates accepted me.
“I feel like the whole transferring process has helped me to persevere –look through the bad times and push on.”
If his junior season was any indication, Bragg has shown that he can sling it just as well as anybody. Additionally, his explosive acceleration is enough to give any defensive coordinator a headache. But, according to the dualthreat Bragg, those aren’t even his greatest assets.
“As a player, I feel like my pocket movement and awareness helps me to stand out,” he said. “I can thank my trainer, J.P. Tillman, for that. I’ve learned how to evade the blitz and progress as a runner and passer.”
However, what’s most interesting about Bragg are the lengths he has gone to in order to improve throughout his football journey.
“My brother started playing football when I was about six, and I wanted to follow his footsteps,” Bragg said. “But, I ended up getting sick. I was diagnosed with HSP (an autoimmune disease), and I was out of the game for about four years.
“That’s really what kept me going whenever I came back. I really missed the sport and it was that drive to get back on the field that fueled me.”
That drive of his might
very well lead to his aspirations becoming a reality, someday.
“Obviously, I want to go to college and play football, and hopefully get a shot to play pro,” he said. “If that doesn’t work out, I’m thinking about going into the radiology field – doing something in the medical field because of my history with it. My main goal right now is getting that shot to go to the next level.”
Before he can look to the future, Bragg will steer the
ship for the Klein Forest offense one last time. After finishing 5-5 and narrowly missing the playoffs in 2022, it goes without saying that he’ll be dead-set on changing the narrative.
“This year I feel like it’s KF versus everybody,” he said. “I don’t think 5-and-5 really showed how good we were last year. If you look at the box score of all those games, we were up in the fourth quarter. We just need to finish games. It’s kind of like a ‘revenge tour’ this season.”
Liliana Ugarte and Ulises Avila
Samuel Vazquez
THERE IS A NEW LEADER AT KLEIN FOREST AS FORMER NFL RUNNING BACK DARRICK VAUGHN TAKES OVER THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM. HE IS BRINGING IN A CULTURE OF “COMMON PURPOSE, SHARED HONOR AND MUTUAL DEPENDENCY” INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM. QUARTERBACK JAYLEN BRAGG AND DEFENSIVE END TJ BURKHALTER WILL MAKE THE TRANSITION A LITTLE EASIER FOR THE NEW COACH. THE VOLLEYBALL TEAM IS LED BY NEWLY-HIRED HEAD COACH KIERRA RIGGS, AN 8-YEAR HEAD COACH VETERAN, WHO LOOKS TO BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO THE GOLDEN EAGLE PROGRAM. SENIORS AALIYAH GONZALES AND RAINA BUI WILL BE CALLED UPON TO LEAD THE WAY, WHILE AALIYAH WELCH WILL PLAY A BIGGER ROLE ON OFFENSE THIS SEASON. LILIANA UGARTE AND ULISES AVILA WILL PACE THE CROSS-COUNTRY EFFORTS, WHILE MAX CAMACHO AND LAUREN GONZALES HEADLINE THE TENNIS TEAM.
\\ By Matthew Ogle
In addition to taking over as the head football coach, Vaughn will be the high school’s athletic director. With 19 years of experience in education, the Golden Eagles’ newest head man has a clear understanding of what he hopes to accomplish.
“My coaches were a big influence on my life growing up, so I just want to give back,” said Vaughn. “I believe in being a servant leader. I’m here to serve these young men and women, to help them become great members of society.
“This is my second stop in Klein ISD, and I believe in our shared vision – promise to purpose,” Vaughn said. “I understand our role is to help these kids excel in the classroom and in athletics.”
Vaughn’s experience in football, in particular, speaks for itself.
He’s already won a state championship with Dekaney (5A-DII) in 2011, not to mention he played defensive back in the NFL (Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans) between 2000 and 2003, which feeds into his coaching tactics.
“I’m more of a defensivestyle coach,” he said. “Last year, they had a lot of success on the defensive side of the ball. So, having Coach (Kyle) Kelley and his staff back will be huge. It gives me the opportunity to assist with the offense and give them a viewpoint from a defensive perspective.”
Not long after being introduced to the Klein Forest roster, Vaughn has already begun to recognize the potential he sees in the team.
“When I first came here, on the first day of Speed and Conditioning Camp and SSI (SportSpecific Instruction), I was thoroughly impressed,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent
here. We, as coaches, have to put it all together. Last year we finished 5-5, so our sole goal is to turn that into a playoff team.”
Despite all the talent at his disposal, particularly that of his seniors, Vaughn emphasized that he’ll employ the skill of everyone on the roster to build upon last season’s successes.
“It’s going to take the
efforts of everybody to succeed,” said Vaughn. “We believe in the core values –having a common purpose, shared honor and mutual dependency. So, everyone is going to be called upon to get the job done.”
It’s been over a decade since the Golden Eagles reached the postseason. Could this be the year they flip the script?
Bailey Karsnia
Klein oak
While she may have tempered her expectations in her sophomore year, Butler would go on to excel in the postseason. She would place third overall at Regionals, before qualifying for the UIL-6A State Meet.
After finishing 16th
overall at State, the standard has been set for the incoming Klein Oak junior. Her expectations have obviously changed.
“This year, I’m hoping to end up on the podium at State,” said Butler. “After having success last year, I feel like I have the confidence in myself and my team to reach those
goals.”
Given her knack for running, it might come as a shock that cross country wasn’t always Butler’s go-to sport.
“Initially, I played soccer,” she said. “I think one of the main reasons I enjoy soccer is because of all the running associated with it. In seventh grade, I joined
cross country because it came natural to me. Ever since then, I’ve loved competing.
“I really enjoy setting goals and breaking boundaries that a lot of people can’t do,” she said. “Also, it’s the team, they make it what I love. If it wasn’t for the team, I probably wouldn’t enjoy cross country as much as I do.”
Butler still continues to play soccer for Klein Oak in addition to cross country. After all, she is the starting center back for the varsity team.
Both sports give her the opportunity to incorporate another passion of hers.
“I love making videos,” Butler said. “I have a YouTube channel, and I like to put a GoPro on my head during soccer warm-ups or during some runs. It’s just for fun, and everyone needs a hobby. Making videos is mine.”
While she doesn’t intend to play soccer in college, Butler has aspirations of continuing to compete in cross country when she graduates in 2025.
“Running in college is definitely something I see myself doing,” said Butler. “My decision will be based on how I relate to the team and the coaches at a university. I just want to go to a college that has a good running program, good people and good coaches. I still have time to think it over, obviously, but it will be determined by those factors.”
Expect more big things to come for Klein Oak’s Lydia Butler as she continues to build her running resume.
WHAT IS THE POWER PROGRAM INSIDE THE KLEIN OAK PANTHER ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT?
CROSS COUNTRY HEADLINES THE FALL AT KLEIN OAK AS THE GIRLS TEAM IS LED BY A BONA FIDE STATE CONTENDER LYDIA BUTLER. BUTLER FINISHED THIRD IN THE REGIONAL MEET IN 2022 AND HAS HER EYES SET ON A BIG FINISH AT STATE THIS YEAR. STELLA PHILLIPS WILL FOLLOW CLOSE BEHIND. THE PANTHERS SAY GOODBYE TO STAR CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE JACK BOYD, SO HUNTER HENDRY WILL NEED TO PICK UP THE SLACK. VOLLEYBALL COACH DAVETTE MCCALL HAD A BANNER FIRST SEASON, FINISHING THIRD IN DISTRICT LAST SEASON. LAUREN DALE, BELLA DIMICELI, TORI LEGGIERO AND ALANA TROTMAN WILL BE THE HEADLINERS OF THE PANTHER PROGRAM IN 2023. KLEIN OAK FOOTBALL HOPES TO GET BACK INTO THE POSTSEASON CONVERSATION IN 2023. QB LUCAS SCHEERHORN HAS ANOTHER YEAR OF EXPERIENCE UNDER HIS BELT AND WILL BE THE ALPHA IN THE LOCKER ROOM. HE WILL THROW TO AUSTIN HEFLIN. THE DEFENSE WILL BE SOLID WITH JAXSON DICUS, WILL LEBLANC, LEE’ONTAE & ANDRE DANGERFIELD, KYLE WILT, KOLIN GARNER AND TY JONES. THE TENNIS TEAM IS OFF TO A HOT START WITH THE POSTSEASON IN THEIR SIGHTS.
Klein Oak Football
Klein Oak Volleyball
Rebecca LaFluer
Aiden Cervantes
Tori Leggiero
Klein Oak Girls Tennis
Lee’ontae Dangerfield
Diego Miranda
Lauren Dale
Klein Oak Girls Cross Country
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