Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Cy Woods All-Time Roster: Number 44

Now on to 44. This is a number that has been worn exclusively by linebackers at Cy Woods.

Arnold Gacita was the first player to wear 44. He made the varsity in 2008, his junior year, and became a starter in 2009, earning 2nd-team All-District honors in District 15-5A. He was limited by an injury late in the 2009 season, which opened the door for....

Arnold Gacita, 2008-09

...Daylan Skidmore, one of the most recognizable names from the early days of Cy Woods football. Daylan was promoted to the varsity in 2009, his sophomore year, and was given #23. He announced his arrival onto the scene with impressive showings in the playoffs and then became a full-time starter in 2010.

Daylan was a two-time team captain in 2010 and 2011 and was a 1st-team All-District 17-5A selection in both seasons.

Daylan Skidmore truly embodied what it means to be a Wildcat football player. He was, without a doubt, the face of Cy Woods football during his senior season. Even as an underclassman, he took the initiative and stepped up to become a leader for Cy Woods football. He was tenacious and one of the most fearless players on the field. Daylan was someone who commanded respect from teammates and opponents, and indeed, he is still well-respected by his peers and held in high regard by the coaches at Cy Woods. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to call him a teammate.

Daylan continued his football career at Harding University, a Division II school located in Searcy, Arkansas. As a redshirt freshman in 2013, he led the Bisons in tackles, becoming the first freshman in six seasons (and only the second since 1981) to lead the team in that category. In 2014, Daylan was a 2nd-team All-Great American Conference selection. He was also selected as a team captain twice in college and led his team in tackles all four years.

Daylan Skidmore, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2009-11; wore #23 in 2009

Photo from his Facebook page.
Daylan Skidmore, Harding Bisons, 2012-16

Ayman Elayyan wore #44 in 2012. He too was a starter, and while he did have some massive shoes to fill in the wake of Daylan Skidmore's departure, he performed well.

Ayman Elayyan, 2012

Hector Larios, a starting outside linebacker, wore #44 in 2013. He also played a little bit of safety as well.

Hector Larios,, 2013

Keith Watson was promoted to the varsity in 2013, his sophomore year, and was given #14. He switched to #44 as a junior in 2014 and moved into a starting role in 2015. His younger brother, Damian, currently plays basketball for the Wildcats.

Keith Watson, 2013-15; wore #14 in 2013

Blake Brown, a linebacker, wore #44 in 2016. His older brother, Zach, was a defensive back in 2011 and 2012.

Austin Kennedy was a starting linebacker in 2017.

Austin Kennedy, 2017

Jason Christenson made the varsity in 2018, his junior year, and immediately became a starting defensive end. As a senior in 2019, he earned 1st-team All-District 14-6A honors. 

Jason will continue his football career at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Photo by Tom Dendy
Jason Christenson, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2018-19
Drake Bulldogs, beginning in 2020

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