Now, we find ourselves on “Black Monday,” the day when NFL teams have historically parted ways with underperforming coaches after missing the playoffs.

Vikings quarterback J.

The NFC’s No. 1 seed, two division titles and two playoff spots are on the line in Week 18.

Kirk Cousins is set for his return on Sunday to Minnesota, his NFL home from 2018 through 2023.

Drew Allar threw for two touchdowns and ran for another TD as No. 8 Penn State slipped past Bowling Green 34-27.

Rebuilding the Rams took less than one season.

The Falcons have a veteran squad coming back led by Princeton-commit Jackie Onyechi, who was a TGCA All-State selection, a GHVCA pre and postseason team selection and the District 20-5A Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. Onyechi finished the year with a team-leading 364 kills and 66 blocks.

Bijan Robinson has a new number with a big Atlanta history, a newly signed contract and huge expectations no rookie Falcons running back has faced in recent years.

DAVIS BASEBALL IS HOME TO A TOP-SHELF ATHLETE IN SENIOR JULIAN SCOTT. As they returned to the diamond this Spring, the Falcons knew they could lean on their ace, who was coming off a stellar 2022 season that saw him walk away with the 2022 District MVP.

Shane Hanks, who has been a long-time assistant for the Falcons, was named the head coach, and the transition has been seamless as Foster remained consistent in their offseason and upcoming Spring practices.

TOMPKINS BASEBALL IS EMBARKING ON ANOTHER SEASON OF BALL. After finishing with the top spot in their district, followed by a three-round run in the UIL 6A Postseason, the Falcons are hungry for the opportunity to build on last season's momentum.

AFTER GOING 23-4-1, THE FOSTER GIRLS FINISHED THEIR REGULAR SEASON BY SETTING ANOTHER SCHOOL RECORD. THEY ACCOMPLISHED THIS WHILE ALSO CRUISING TO THE DISTRICT TITLE WITH A RECORD OF 15-1. LEADING THE FALCONS WAS SENIOR MIDFIELDER HANNAH BOLIN, AND SHE BELIEVES HER TEAM HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCED HER GAME.

Last year, Tompkins Volleyball met a disappointing end to their promising postseason, in which they fell to Ridge Point in the third round of the playoffs. However, this season has been a different story.

It’s Regional weekend for the UIL Volleyball playoffs, as teams are on the cusp of the State Tournament.

Channelview – home of Philadelphia Eagle Jalen Hurts – took care South Houston, 35-28, in an important district contest over the weekend.

HOUSTON - After some upsets up top and other squads continuing to play well against Class 6A competition, it was time to shake up the rankings.

SOMETIMES IT JUST TAKES THAT ONE TEAM TO BREAK THE MOLD. TO SILENCE THE CRITICS AND TO PROVE THE DOUBTERS WRONG.

FOOTBALL

It was a very busy weekend on the tournament volleyball scene with some of the biggest tournaments of the year happening in Week 1.

The Falcons have finished second in district play in each of the last two seasons and are hoping this is the year they break through. Coach Morgan Hunter will have plenty of talent at her disposal.

KATY—Ridge Point wanted Tompkins.

RICHMOND—Foster’s softball program has plenty of tradition.

KATY— Last season’s trip to the regional semifinals was bittersweet for Foster senior Nicholas Arellano.

Huffman Hargrave athletic director/head football coach Mike McEachern was approved late Thursday night as the athletic director at Pflugerville ISD.

KATY—A year removed from the best season in program history, Tompkins’ baseball players and coaches feel they’re even better this year.

Brookshire Royal’s boys soccer team had a nice season last year. The Falcons were regional semifinalists, going 22-4-1 overall.

KATY—Thirty-eight games into the season, Tompkins’ girls basketball team is still searching for its identity. The defense is leaky. The offense is discombobulated.

Welcome to the 2022 softball season.

Richmond Foster wrestling added another layer of program-building Saturday afternoon, as the Falcons won the first girls regional championship in program history at the Region III-5A meet at Anna High School.

KATY—It’s not often that Tompkins’ girls basketball players don’t adhere to coach Tamatha Ray’s game-plan. But a lack of focus recently led to a pair of district losses and forced the defending back-to-back 19-6A champs to regroup.

Congratulations to Foster High School's Chancellor White, our KPRC 2 & UTMB Health Athlete of the Week!

KATY—Before Friday’s District 19-6A showdown against rival and No. 2 state-ranked Tompkins, Seven Lakes girls basketball coach Angela Spurlock had a chat with her star player, sophomore post Justice Carlton.

FOSTER BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER ENJOYED PROGRAM BEST SEASONS IN 2021 AS BOTH REACHED THE REGIONAL SEMIFINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

A SpaceX rocket has carried 52 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from California.

The 2021 soccer season was a score for Lamar CISD. Foster was the headliner, as the Falcons’ boys and girls reached the Regional Semifinals for the first time.

The Falcons found themselves in the playoffs a year ago but fell short to Grand Oaks in the opening round.

No. 3 Katy Tompkins Falcons

KATY—The only thing that could stop Tompkins sophomore Wyatt Young on Thursday night was dehydration. And even that didn’t last long.

Another year has come and gone at Frassati Catholic High School.

KATY — Though Katy's football players would like to say that Friday's District 19-6A showdown against heated rival Tompkins was just another game, it wasn't.

KATY — Tompkins sophomore running back Caleb Blocker is a longtime admirer of former Seattle Seahawks star Marshawn Lynch.

Fulshear, Foster and Terry all enjoyed successful spring tennis seasons, culminating in impressive performances at the Region III-5A tournament, and they're hoping to carry that into this fall.

KATY — In a Week 2 53-43 win at Clear Springs, Tompkins showed it can win a game on its offensive skill. On Saturday, however, the Falcons got back to who they are, a physical, playmaking defensive-minded team.

Jersey Village junior Darius Johnson missed the 2020 season with an injury, but spent his time rehabbing and working hard to make sure he had a spot with the 2021 Falcons.

KINGWOOD - This is not the same Barbers Hill team from a year ago. In fact, it is one that has gone through an entire offseason, summer and now preseason with a chip on its shoulder.

Kinkaid, like the rest of the Southwest Preparatory Conference teams, just played a seven-game schedule in 2020 and did not play for a traditional SPC Championship.

BROOKSHIRE — Within the lobby of Brookshire Royal's cozy football fieldhouse, cluttered with gold trophies and framed pictures of past teams, a sign in red lettering awaits visitors to the left when they walk in.

HOUSTON - Huffman is heading to the UIL State Tournament. This marks the first trip to the UIL State Tournament for the Falcons in program history. "Our first game against Grand Oaks really set the tone for this season," Harvey said. From that game, Huffman rattled off 17-straight wins, not losing in November or December, and then suffered its lone loss of the season in district play to Hardin-Jefferson in January. Next up for Huffman is Boerne in the UIL Class 4A State Semifinals on Monday.

Huffman has set the standard when it comes to Class 4A softball here in the city. Garrett Gatesis back for his fourth year as head coach of the Falcons and will get win No. Huffman was primed to make a run back to the state title game in 2020 but unfortunately says goodbye toKaty Janes(HBU) and Kenzie Gates (San Jacinto). Padgett was 5-0 with a 0.636 ERA, while Haygood had 62 strikeouts with a 4-2 mark. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE 2021 VYPE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL MAGAZINEAdCLICK HERE TO PURCHASE 2021 VYPE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL PHOTOSCLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL DIGITAL MAGAZINE

This time around, the Falcons get defending Class 6A State Champion North Shore. North Shore pounced on undefeated Pearland Dawson on Thursday night, racing out to a 24-0 halftime lead and eventual 38-7 victory for the Mustangs. On Christmas Eve day, North Shore (12-0) will face Katy Tompkins (10-0) at Legacy Stadium with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. Last year they reached the State Quarterfinals, where they fell to North Shore in a wild 76-49 game. Westfield won the meeting 42-24 moving on to face the winner of Skyline and back-to-back state runner-up Duncanville next week.

Jackson and the Falcons were dominant in their 49-7 win over Goose Creek Memorial in the Bi-District round of the 5A-I Region III playoffs. "He's [Jackson] a once in a lifetime type of guy," Foster head coach Shaun McDowell said. Jackson, who finished the game with two touchdown receptions (23 and 15 yards), looked the part of a D1 recruit. His second score, he showcased his speed on a screen play he took 23 yards, blowing by four different Patriot defenders. With one game down, Jackson and the Falcons are happy with the win, but have bigger goals in their sights.

Tammy Ray enters her eighth season leading the Katy Tompkins girls basketball program. Also back in the lineup is District 19-6A Defensive Player of the Year and Tarleton State-commit Crystal Smith (12 ppg) and Newcomer of the Year Fiyin Adeleye (8 ppg). About Athlete Training + HealthAthlete Training + Health's mission is to use best practices of health and performance to provide a world-class training environment for active adults and athletes of all ages and abilities. Our multi-field, state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with advanced pro-style weight rooms and dedicated areas for adult and youth athletes. ATH's highly-skilled coaches deploy training strategies that elevate – regardless of age or ability – athletes' performance to the highest level through consistent evaluation and education.

Foster has become a perennial playoff team, making it five-straight years and advancing to the Regional Quarterfinals the past two seasons. Also coming back is first-team, all-district selection and ULL-signee Alicia Blanton, who averaged 11.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. About Athlete Training + HealthAthlete Training + Health's mission is to use best practices of health and performance to provide a world-class training environment for active adults and athletes of all ages and abilities. ATH's highly-skilled coaches deploy training strategies that elevate – regardless of age or ability – athletes' performance to the highest level through consistent evaluation and education. A key component of ATH is its forward-thinking approach to collaboration with hospital systems, professional sports teams, universities and independent school districts to raise the bar for health and performance training.

As we get back to the fields of play, let's take a look at what we have to look forward to in Lamar Consolidated ISD. Dylan Garrett, Lamar Consolidated FootballLamar Consolidated struggled this season but one of the Mustangs' bright spots coming back is QB Dylan Garrett. Terrence Harrold, Terry FootballHow about the Terry Rangers? This content is brought to you by Texas Citizens BankTexas Citizens Bank is a Houston community bank dedicated to concierge banking for owner-managed businesses. Learn how Texas Citizens Bank can help you grow your business at TexasCitizensBank.com.

For the second year in a row, and fourth time in five seasons, the Frassati Falcons Volleyball team won the TAPPS Area Championship. It took some gutsy play by the Falcons to secure the win, including exceptional defensive play and their cool-under-pressure execution. Alexis Bodunrin, along with Briers, Liepman, and Kacprzak combined for 22 big touches on the block which kept the Crusaders' big hitters at bay. Liepman and Kacprzak each had massive solo blocks which helped turn the momentum the Falcons' way. The Falcons employed an aggressive service game as well - Webb, Munguia, and Briers each contributed two aces, while Alexis Bodunrin pounded in four.

The Frassati Catholic Falcons Volleyball team won a big Bi-District Playoff game against the St. Augustine Lady Knights on Saturday, and will move on to the Area Championships against St. Michael Catholic Academy in Austin this week. The Falcons won in four with strong performances all around including the game ending block by Cat Briers and Alexis Bodunrin. The Falcons kept a small but steady lead through game two, and managed to hold on to to win 27-25. Game four was point-for-point the whole way, and the Falcons prevailed 25-23, ending with a big block by Cat Briers and Alexis Bodunrin. Looking ahead, the Falcons take on St. Michael's Catholic Academy in Austin on either Tuesday 11/10 or Wednesday 11/11.

Is Katy Tompkins under-appreciated? The Falcons will cruise through the next three weeks and then it's Katy week. About Athlete Training + HealthAthlete Training + Health's mission is to use best practices of health and performance to provide a world-class training environment for active adults and athletes of all ages and abilities. ATH's highly-skilled coaches deploy training strategies that elevate – regardless of age or ability – athletes' performance to the highest level through consistent evaluation and education. A key component of ATH is its forward-thinking approach to collaboration with hospital systems, professional sports teams, universities and independent school districts to raise the bar for health and performance training.

Frassati Catholic Cross Country had a strong showing at the District Championships on Saturday, October 24, at The Woodlands Christian Academy. The outing was highlighted by the girls team finishing second in the district. Ashlyn Miller led the girls team with a 2nd place finish, Annie Perry came in 5th, and Grace Delahoussaye finished 10th. Season best times were posted for Grace Delahoussaye, Mary Maggio, Lucy Simon, Denise Simon, Lauren Sharpless, and Anna Turner. Andrew Langley, Dustyn Bedia, Collin Dufrene, and Nathan Bartsch, Lucas Rivera, and Joseph Dinh all posted season best times in the race.

It was a big Tuesday night at The Woodlands Christian Academy as the Warriors took on Frassati Catholic. In the end, TWCA was victorious sweeping the Falcons, 3-0. VYPE Media's Bradley Collier was on hand for the game. Check out some of the best photos of the night!

Frassati Catholic traveled over to The Woodlands Christian Academy on Tuesday to battle it out with the Warriors. The Falcons fell short 3-0 to the Warriors but it was a hard-fought match. VYPE Media's Bradley Collier was on hand for the match. Check out some of the best images below!

It was a big Tuesday night at The Woodlands Christian Academy as the Warriors took on Frassati Catholic. In the end, TWCA was victorious sweeping the Falcons, 3-0. VYPE Media's Bradley Collier was on hand for the game. Check out some of the best photos of the night!

The Patriots went back to work Saturday, Oct. 17, one day after a fifth player on the team tested positive for COVID-19 and one day before their twice-postponed game against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos had COVID-19 news of their own Saturday: Running backs coach Curtis Modkins has tested positive and won’t make the trip to New England. Elsewhere, the Jacksonville Jaguars said that a practice-squad player tested positive. The Jaguars also placed defensive end Josh Mauro on the regular COVID-19 list. The Falcons had to shut their facility Thursday but reopened Friday after one nonplayer tested positive.

Jones had been listed as questionable after missing practice throughout the week with a hamstring injury. Even so, the winless Falcons’ secondary gets a boost with safeties Keanu Neal (hamstring) and Ricardo Allen (elbow) returning from injuries. ___PHILADELPHIA AT PITTSBURGHEagles: TE Hakeem Butler; RB Jason Huntley, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, QB Nate Sudfeld, DE Casey Toohill. Falcons: S Jaylinn Hawkins, WR Julio Jones, CB A.J. Ravens: RB Justice Hill, WR Chris Moore, QB Trace McSorley, DT Broderick Washington, DT Justin Ellis, OL Tyre Phillips.