A Short History of Summer Creek
The Summer Creek Bulldogs meet Katy in the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Katy beat Summer Creek 35-7 at Turner Stadium in the third round that season and played the Bulldogs in 2021 at Rice Stadium with Katy winning a 34-31 contest in the fourth round. In the seasons after meeting back-to-back, Summer Creek advanced to state in 2023 (14-2) and followed up with a trip to the state semifinals in 2024 (12-3).
Since the school started playing football in the 4A ranks in the 2010 season, it was tipped for big things given its location in an area with a proven track record of producing football talent and its potential for growth. Head coach Kenny Harrison, who made his early career at Port Arthur Memorial, has been the one to take this program to the next level after Brian Ford started the program as its first head coach until Harrison took over in 2018. It took Harrison four seasons to produce his first 10-win team, and Summer Creek has produced double digit wins in four of its last five seasons.
What about THIS Year?
The Bulldogs’ only loss this season so far came against CE King in 23-6A district play on October 9th. King jumped out to a 42-0 lead by early in the second quarter before the Bulldogs scored 28 unanswered to make the final score look less nuclear. Summer Creek played close games against Atascocita (38-35) and Shadow Creek (37-32).
Since losing to King, Summer Creek has won six games in a row capped by a 27-0 shutout of North Shore to finish the regular season. Atascocita lost a thriller to Dickinson in bi-district and Shadow Creek was blown out by King (51-6) in the second round. King, of course, is playing Jordan in the other regional semi where the winner faces the victor of Katy versus Summer Creek.
Is Spinks their Answer?
Summer Creek is running a spread offense this season after junior quarterback #8 Noah Spinks moved in from Flower Mound over the off-season to take over the position after Blake Thomas graduated as the most successful QB in program history. Spinks is a left-handed passer, and accuracy going to all parts of the field is his strongest attribute. He presents a much different look from previous Bulldog QBs in his distribution where previous Summer Creek offenses were built around the run.
Spinks doesn’t have a run element designed for him in the offense, but he is a capable athlete. Spinks is best when getting the ball out quickly and when he has a clean pocket. Execution breaks down when he is forced off platform or hit. When he is comfortable, he distributes the ball with the poise of a Vegas blackjack dealer and is as nonchalant as Steph Curry shooting a basketball. The Bulldogs have a wildcat package where junior receiver Trey Brown (#10) takes the snap and runs.
Their Go-To Offensive Studs
At running back, Summer Creek has two talented juniors in #26 Braylin Causey and #25 Keshawn Jackson. Both are physical loads as runners (both over 210 pounds) and do a good job of maximizing the simple run design of the offense with taking direct handoffs in the shotgun and plowing forward. While this Bulldog offense is not as run dominated as Katy is used to seeing, these two are talented players the defense must respect.
On the perimeter, the Bulldogs have the most gifted group of receivers in the state alongside Duncanville. Junior #4 Benny Easter (6’2 190) is committed to Texas Tech and is one of the most exciting players in the state and country. Easter is the player who most often breaks an opponent by consistently getting over the top. Junior Trey Brown (#10), senior Jamicah Jones (#3), and senior Holden Miller (#1) complete the group most often seen on the field together. All four have game-breaking speed. Also, #18 Tyler Hosea (6’3) presents a big body target from his slot position as a safety valve for Spinks.
And Their Defense?
The Summer Creek defense has most often lined up in a 4-2-5 this season to combat the heavy spread offense focus of their opponents. They are long and athletic up front. Senior #6 Amontre Harris stands out immediately for his size at defensive end. He is a team captain and typically towers over everyone (6’4, 220) walking out for the coin toss. He is committed to SMU. Junior Jaylon Howard (#28, 6’2 225), senior Brinley Tita (#12, 6’2 225), and senior #90 Caiden Anderson round out the defensive line starters. Tita is a gifted pass rusher and disruptor from the interior line. On the second level, senior #2 Tyson Joiner (5’10 200) is one of the best athletes on the team and is a fake threat on punts from his upback position. Joiner is flanked by senior #7 Joseph Carroll (6’1 200).
The secondary is led by senior corner Marrel Davis (#27). Davis (6’0 190) is committed to Texas State. Junior #5 Caleb White starts on the opposite corner. Talented sophomore safety #24 Savion James has been a revelation for the Bulldogs this season and is accumulating college offers. James is a tremendous all-around athlete (44’6 triple jump, 365 squat at 170 pounds, 4.6 GPA!). Senior #20 Anthony Thomas lines up as a third safety (bandit, robber, and about 50 other names people use to define this role). Senior #9 Kingston Richard (6’2) pairs up with James to cover the deep halves at safety.
What to Know for Friday
Summer Creek is best characterized as explosive on offense given the ability of the receivers to get over the top and make plays after the catch and they are strongest on defense when able to pass rush and cover with their talented secondary. The teams that have enjoyed the most success against the Bulldogs defense, King and Atascocita, have been able to pop explosive runs. North Shore reverted to a drop-back style game in the shotgun, marginalizing its running backs and even designed runs for its athletic quarterback, and this is what allowed Summer Creek to play to its strengths in that game and completely shut down the Mustangs attack. Summer Creek was able to target Kaleb Maryland (NS QB) effectively as a result and cover the receivers well. The Bulldogs present a big threat in the return game and maintain a live punt fake threat as mentioned above.
I will have more from Katy’s perspective, and what I would offer in the meantime is to watch the Katy-Atascocita game back if able or read the review I posted from that game. I say this with love, but that’s a great example of what Katy can’t do here (multiple turnovers, two fake punt conversions allowed, etc.) The encouragement is you’ll see that Katy can compete against this type of opponent with a clean effort and running the ball well. Sound fundamentals are Katy’s ticket to giving itself an opportunity.
