Cy Creek 40, Cy Woods 35: Almost.

2015 Record: 1-4, 1-3 in District 17-6A

Note: I didn't go.

So, the first half of this season is in the books, and I have to say, it hasn't been pretty. Through the first 5 games of the 2015 season, the Wildcats have:

- Had a sieve of a defense.
- Had to play from behind in every game.
- Allowed 234 points (most ever, through the first 5 games... and in any 5-game stretch in Cy Woods history)
- Allowed at least 30 points in every game (this has never happened in any 5-game stretch in Cy Woods football history before this season; they did allow 30+ in 4 straight last year, though)
- Committed 52 penalties (43 in district play surely has to be the most out of all 10 CFISD teams)
- Committed 13 turnovers (again, probably the most in the district)

You add all of those up and... you get a 1-4 record. And now, the Wildcats' playoff hopes are literally hanging by a sliver.

On Saturday, the Wildcats almost erased a 33-14 halftime deficit.... but that 1 score for Creek in the 2nd half proved to be the difference as they hung on for a 40-35 win. Had the Cougars not scored that touchdown, this would've been about the biggest comeback in Woods history. But instead.....

Having to play from behind and starting out slowly have been the stories of the season so far for Cy Woods. It's not like they're trailing 7-0 for 15 minutes, either. The Cats have consistently found themselves down multiple scores in every game this year, and well, if you've watched sports for a long time, those aren't components for success.

They beat Ridge as a team, but every loss has also been a team effort across the board. Costly turnovers from the offense. Defense ends up having to defend a short field, and then they can't get the opposing team off the field or keep them off the scoreboard. As a result, the hole ends up getting deeper. This cycle is freaking brutal.

But, I'm always the optimist. Despite all of this, nothing has been decided. Don't tell me it's over... it ain't over until the math says it's over. On a more positive note, it looks like the offense is clicking on all cylinders. Now if only they could start the clicking when the game starts....

The Cats' cardinal pants also made their debut and they looked so clean. I loved the white/cardinal look from the early days.

So, What Happened Was...

The Wildcats' opponent got the jump on them once again.

Luke Allen connected with Caleb Horn and Tre Earls for touchdown passes of 25 and 41 yards, respectively. Earls added a 7-yard TD run to put Creek up 21-0. Jordan Johnson put the Cats on the board with a 94-yard touchdown reception, and then Gabe Sequeira added a 31-yard field goal.

End 1st: Creek 24, Woods 7

Sequeira hit his 2nd field goal of the evening, this one from 30. Tre' Hart scored on a 39-yard catch. Allen found Horn for another touchdown, this one from 37 yards out.

Halftime: Creek 33, Woods 14

Bryson Powers' 6-yard run represented the only scoring play of the 3rd quarter.

End 3rd: Creek 33, Woods 21

Earls scored from 2 yards out to put the Cougars up 40-21. Suddenly, the Cats came alive in the final 5 minutes of the game. R.J. scored on a pass from 1 yard out, and they recovered the onside kick. Jacob Kainer then found Tre' from 33 yards out to make it a 5-point game. The Wildcats went to the well one more time and got another onside kick. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be, as Kainer got picked off by Chance Steverson, sealing the Wildcats' fate.

Final: Creek 40, Woods 35

Ground

Again, Bryson Powers had most of the carries. I imagine that teams are gearing towards stopping R.J. and C.J. They're due to bust out any time.

Bryson Powers: 19 carries, 154 yards, TD
R.J. Harmon: 7 carries, 34 yards
C.J. Jones: 5 carries, 46 yards

Air

Bryson Powers.... or Brett Favre? This kid slings it like Colton Huntsman used to. Jacob Kainer almost slung his way into Cy Woods lore.

Bryson Powers: 20-37, 291 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
Jacob Kainer: 1-3, 33 yards, TD, INT

Jordan Johnson's 94-yard touchdown catch is now the longest play from scrimmage in Cy Woods history. His 157 receiving yards is the highest output since Fredrick Anderson put up 164 against Langham Creek in 2010.

Jordan Johnson: 6 catches, 157 yards, 2 TD
Jared Taylor: 5 catches, 60 yards
C.J. Jones: 4 catches, 33 yards
Tre; Hart: 3 catches, 84 yards, 2 TD
R.J. Harmon: 1 catch, 1 yard, TD

Defense

The defense had no answer for Creek QB Luke Allen, who threw for some ungodly amount of yards in the 1st half. On the bright side, they only allowed 7 points in the 2nd half and held the Cougars to 73 yards rushing in this game. That total is a bit deceiving since the Cats got sliced through the air all evening, but if that's a positive sign, I'll take it. I'm all about trying to be positive here.

Wait a minute...  Creek got 30 first downs? That's what Varsity Wires said they had. I wasn't there, but if that number's true, then sheesh.

Special Teams

Luis Reyes may have missed a 24-yard field goal, but he hit all 5 of his extra points and successfully hit 2 onside kicks. He's proving to be the best onside kick artist in the district.

Man of the Match

Tre' Hart and Jordan Johnson get the nod. Tre' caught 2 touchdowns and recovered 2 onside kicks. Gotta love Tre' Hart.

It was a historic night for Jordan. Career-high in receiving yards, longest play in school history...

Looking Ahead

It's Homecoming Week!

The 8th Annual Cypress Woods High School Homecoming Game will take place on Friday, October 9 at 7:00 at the Berry Center. The Wildcats will play host to the Cypress Lakes Spartans.