Previously on Cy Woods Football...
The Cats wrapped up a critical 3-game stretch on Halloween against Jersey Village. The 1st quarter started off well enough as they held a 14-3 lead after the first 12 minutes, but the Falcons took flight and left them in the dust with a 35-10 run in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. The Cats were down by as much as 44-24, but 2 Nick Hooper passing touchdowns got them right back in the game. However, the defense just couldn't get that last stop in order to get the ball back in the offense's hands one last time. And so, the Falcons foiled the Wildcats' bid to clinch a playoff spot with the 44-38 decision.
And now.... here we are. The season finale. The mission is simple... a Cats win and they're in.
The Enemy: Cypress Springs Panthers
2013 Record: 3-7, 2-7 (t-8th) in District 17-5A
In the other Halloween game, the Panthers faced Langham Creek at the Berry Center. They put up a spirited fight against the district leaders, but ultimately lost 44-28.
The Panthers opened the year by shutting down Mayde Creek 21-3. To open district play, they were nipped 21-14 by Jersey Village in the final minutes of the game. The Panthers then got smashed 56-20 by Cy-Fair, but rebounded to top Ridge 21-17. They probably felt that they let games against Falls and Ranch, which they dropped 36-33 and 38-29 respectively, get away, and then Creek crushed them, 70-24. But, they got back in the win column with a 48-24 victory over Lakes.
Players to Watch
QB Francisco Almanza, QB Taye Barber, RB Delano Burkes, WR/RB O'Shae Clark, WR Donell Dunn, WR Kendrick Simpson, OL Anthony Mahoney, DL Jeffery Orise, DB Andrew Perkins, DB Kejuan Reynolds, DB Bobby Wilson, DB Tyreek Lovings, LB Lawrence Ghansah
All-Time Series
Woods leads 6-0.
Previous Meetings
October 4, 2013: Woods 57, Springs 14 (Homecoming VI)
October 5, 2012: Woods 48, Springs 13
November 5, 2011: Woods 47, Springs 0
November 6, 2010: Woods 51, Springs 41
October 16, 2009: Woods 23, Springs 13
October 17, 2008: Woods 48, Springs 14 (Homecoming I)
2¢ on Springs
The Panthers have historically been at the bottom of the district when it comes to football; their last playoff appearance came in 2003. The closest they've come since then was a 3-way tie for 4th in 2008, but Langham Creek won the tiebreaker over them and Falls.
Last year, Springs was the district's feel-good story with their 3-0 start, but they finished the year by dropping their final 7 games. However, that was a significant leap forward from the previous 2 seasons, when they won just 1 game combined. No longer minnows, they have become a tough out in the district.
Their #1 quarterback, Brian Harden, was injured against Creek, and he will not play in this game. Harden, a shifty dual-threat QB, had been enjoying a solid senior season, so that's definitely a tough loss for the Panthers. Stepping in under center is junior Francisco Almanza, who has really thrown the ball well since assuming the reins. Also, remember this name for Springs: Taye Barber. He's a freshman who will see a bit of time at the QB spot, as well. Barber celebrated his varsity debut with 160 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns against Lakes.
Donell Dunn, who started as a sophomore at WR last season, has emerged as one of the top receivers in the district. He's coming off a 251-yard, 3 TD performance against Langham which puts him just 24 yards away from a 1,000-yard season. O'Shae Clark has turned in a good sophomore season; he entered last week 5th in the district in receptions. Burkes is a returning starter who gives them a nice option at running back. He was held to just 51 yards on the ground against Langham, which dropped him from 3rd to 5th in the district. Mahoney is a 3-year starter on the offensive line.
The Panther defense is led by Lawrence Ghansah, a 3-year starter who has become one of the better defensive players in the district. They have a skilled secondary; Bobby Wilson leads them with 3 picks. Andrew Perkins, if I remember correctly, was tied for 2nd in interceptions last season. Lovings and Reynolds were all significant contributors last season, and Orise is a returning starter on the defensive line.
Last Time These Two Teams Met
On Homecoming VI, it was all Wildcats. They just blew the Panthers out of the water, going up 37-7 at halftime and cruising to a 57-14 win. They got 3 field goals from Chase McLaughlin, who finished the night with 13 points. Nick Hooper shredded the Panther secondary to the tune of 334 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mason Roberts (102) and Zac Duncan (104) both topped 100 receiving yards and both scored a touchdown. And, on his debut, R.J. Harmon scored on a 20-yard run early in the 4th quarter.
Facts & Figures From This Series
- Woods' 6 wins against Springs are the most wins that they have against one opponent. This series has been as one-sided as it gets.
- The last 3 meetings have been at the Berry Center; the first 4 took place at Pridgeon.
- Woods has scored 40 or more in every meeting except for one; the Panthers, on the other hand, have scored 14 or less in every meeting except for one.
JV & Freshman Game Information
JV at Springs, freshmen at Woods. 5 and 7 on Wednesday. Remember... the varsity is playing on Thursday.
For Freshman Games: Directions to Springs
Just for clarification, the wildcats have three ways to make the playoffs;
ReplyDelete1. Beat Cy Springs, regardless of what anyone else does; or
2. Jersey Village beats Cy Fair, Woods beats Fair on tie-breaker; or
3. if neither of these happen, Cy Creek beats Cy Ranch, Woods gets in by winning three way tie breaker between Jersey Village and Cy Creek.
Any of these three happen; Woods gets the #2 seed in the Div 2 bracket - facing Houston memorial in the first round.