SportzBuzz - December 2025

For the fourth time in the last five seasons, the Kinkaid Falcons are SPC 4A Football Champions. The Falcons secured this year’s title with a 31-21 victory over the rival Episcopal Knights in the title game. “We had an extremely young team to start the season after graduating the bulk of starters from last year’s team,” said Falcons head coach Nathan Larned. 

“We had a revamped offensive line, a new quarterback, new receivers, and, as a whole, it was a pretty green team. Our lack of experience showed in our first couple of games, but we realized this group was also very talented. They grew up in a hurry and did a great job to come on strong as the season went on to win another championship.”

In the title game victory, junior running back Wayne Shanks Jr. led the way for Kinkaid with a lofty 234 rushing yards and two touchdowns. For the season, Shanks, who has collegiate offers from over a dozen major collegiate football programs, rushed for nearly 1,800 yards and 24 touchdowns. If all that weren’t enough, he also caught another six touchdown passes along the way.

“Wayne is just tremendous and can do it all out of the backfield,” said Larned. “He has great speed, vision, and power. He’s the full package and is also the humblest and most hard-working kid on top of it all. Wayne is the best player on the team and one of the best people.”

On defense for Kinkaid in the SPC final, Tommy Crosswell and Nate Chambers both had big games, with each coming up with critical interceptions in the victory.

The SPC championship also capped off an outstanding season for junior quarterback Ross Wynne, who threw for 1,916 yards and 21 touchdowns in his first season as a full-time starter. “Ross is an athletic kid who can make throws from all angles. He was just learning the position this season so I’m looking forward to seeing his growth for next year,” said Larned.

For Larned, the SPC championship marked his 100th victory since becoming the Falcons head coach 12 years ago, while winning eight SPC championships in that 12-year span. “I think our success begins with our community. Our parents and administration allow us to focus on our job without any interference, which isn’t always the case at other schools. Plus, we’re able to hire some great coaches and, of course, you need to have talented players.”

REGIONAL CHAMPION Memorial Mustang Sophie Peterson holds up the championship banner after winning the UIL 6A Region III Cross Country Meet. Also pictured are runner-up Casey Scherpereel of Katy Taylor and third-place finisher Lauren Acopa of Katy High School.

It was a sensational season in cross country for Memorial Mustangs junior Sophie Peterson, who finished 10th in the state at the UIL 6A State Cross Country Meet. Peterson posted the top 10 finish in a time of 18 minutes flat over the 5K course (3.1 miles).

“I was just so thankful to be competing with so many talented girls and just really happy to see how far I’d come,” said Peterson. “Finishing top 10 in the state was a big goal for me, and I’m definitely looking to place even higher next season.”

No runner placed any higher than Peterson at the UIL 6A Region III Cross County Meet leading into state, where Peterson finished first in a winning time of 18 minutes and two seconds. “I knew going in that I would have a chance at the title, but I was coming off a hard training week and there’s of course a lot of girls challenging for the title. I was happy with the way I competed and closed in on the finish, which is always the best way to end a race.”

Peterson’s success this season has been even more rewarding considering previous setbacks she faced, including a stress fracture in her foot as a freshman and then battling pneumonia leading into last year’s state cross country meet. “I think those setbacks just really drew me to appreciate the smaller things in running,” said Peterson.

“Sometimes we take for granted even the ability to race healthy and I think that’s really impacted how I’ve raced this season. It’s made me a whole lot more grateful, and I’m just really excited to see what I can do this coming track and field season.”

Editor’s note: Todd Freed is the host and executive producer of H-Town High School Sports, which airs Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on CW39 and Monday-Thursday on AT&T SportsNet SW. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email [email protected].