Wildcats Through The Years: 2015

The next edition of Wildcats Through the Years takes a look back on the 2015 Cypress Woods Wildcats football team.

Summary

Record: 5-5, 5-4 (5th) in District 17-6A
Did not qualify for playoffs
Points scored: 444 (44.4 per game)
Points allowed: 407 (40.7 per game)
Largest margin of victory: 50 vs. Cy Lakes (70-20)
Largest margin of defeat: 37 vs. Cy Falls (20-57)
Most points scored: 73 vs. Jersey Village
Most points allowed: 74 vs. Jersey Village
Fewest points scored: 20 vs. Cy Falls
Fewest points allowed: 7 vs. Cy-Fair

Individual records set

Most points scored by a kicker (career): Luis Reyes, 143
Most rushing yards in a game: C.J. Jones, 346 vs. Jersey Village
Most receiving touchdowns (career): Jordan Johnson, 14 (tied record)
Most receiving touchdowns (single season): Jordan Johnson, 10 (tied record)
Longest scoring play from scrimmage: Jordan Johnson, 94-yard TD reception vs. Cy Creek

Team records set

Most points scored in a game: 73 vs. Jersey Village
Most points allowed in a game: 74 to Jersey Village

Statistical Leaders

Passing: Bryson Powers, 93/174 (53.5%), 1546 yards, 19 TD, 10 INT
Rushing: C.J. Jones, 108 carries, 948 yards (8.8 yards per carry), 10 TD
Receiving: Jordan Johnson, 25 catches, 710 yards (28.4 yards per catch), 10 TD
Interceptions: Keith Watson, 2

Schedule and Results

Week 1: L 62-21 vs. Klein Collins (game played at NRG Stadium)
Week 3: W 59-31 vs. Cy Ridge (Berry)
Week 4: L 57-20 @ Cy Falls (Berry)
Week 5: L 44-25 vs. Cy Ranch (Pridgeon)
Week 6: L 40-35 @ Cy Creek (Pridgeon)
Week 7: W 70-20 vs. Cy Lakes (Homecoming VIII @ Berry)
Week 8: W 48-33 @ Langham Creek (Pridgeon)
Week 9: W 44-7 vs. Cy-Fair (Berry)
Week 10: L 74-73 vs. Jersey Village (Pridgeon)
Week 11: W 49-39 @ Cy Springs (Berry)

The Rundown

The 2015 Cypress Woods Wildcats nearly overcame a 1-3 start in district play to sneak into the playoffs. Unfortunately, that slow start, and a lackluster defense, were the main factors that prevented them from advancing to the playoffs.

Entering the season, the Cats had questions to answer on the offensive side of the ball, especially with Nick Hooper, a two-year starter at quarterback, departing. Ultimately, Bryson Powers won the quarterback battle, while Austin Goffney, who saw playing time in the first 3 games of the season, wound up transferring. Sophomore Jacob Kainer showed his upside before he went down with an injury. Entering the season, R.J. Harmon and C.J. Jones were touted as the best running back tandem in the district. However, while C.J. continued to build upon his breakout 2014, R.J. was sidetracked by various nagging injuries and never got to truly display his skills in his final season.

The Wildcats returned 3 of their 4 starting receivers from 2014; Jordan Johnson, Jared Taylor, and Tre' Hart. Jared and Tre' had solid seasons, but Jordan was simply on another level. Had the passing game been utilized more often, he would have shattered Isaiah Battle's records.

Skylar Schulz, the lone returning starter on the offensive line, was joined by Jonathan Laven, Mario Treviño, Ryan Kenny, and Josh Beardmore.

The defense struggled mightily in 2015; they only held two of their opponents to 20 points or less. The Cats actually allowed more points in the regular season (407) than they did in 2014 (360), a season in which they ended up allowing 455 points, the most in school history.

Kason Franklin and Myles Wilson were joined in the secondary by Ryan Olvera, Terrell Brown, James Fontenot, and a promising sophomore in Collin Fewox. Brandon DePrato, Keith Watson, and Austin Greaves returned to lead the linebacking corps. Neil Chambers emerged as a key contributor out of the middle linebacker spot. Caleb Smith, Jordan Frazier, Adrian Garcia, Stace Ivie, and Tobi Orundami were the main defensive linemen.

Week 1: L 62-21 vs. Klein Collins (Game played at Reliant Stadium)

Chapter 8 of Cy Woods Football began on August 29, 2015 at Reliant Stadium. Unfortunately, the Wildcats were completely dominated in all facets of the game as they had no answer for the Tigers' vaunted running game falling 62-21 in their first game of 2015. Bryson Powers scored the first points of the season on a 2-yard run in the 1st quarter. Tre' Hart provided a bright spot as he put up 128 receiving yards, including a 56-yard touchdown reception in the 3rd quarter.

Week 3: W 59-31 vs. Cy Ridge


The Cats managed to bounce back from their Opening Day drubbing with a win to open up district play, despite a lethargic start to this game. After falling behind 21-7 following the first quarter, the Wildcats outscored Ridge 52-10 over the final three quarters to secure their first win of the season. C.J. Jones had 4 receptions for 103 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Bryson Powers finished 14-18 through the air for 223 yards and 5 touchdowns. On defense, Kason Franklin returned an interception 96 yards for a touchdown, and Brandon DePrato recovered a fumble in the endzone for another Woods score.

Week 4: L 57-20 @ Cy Falls

I did not attend this game due to prior commitments, but Desmond Hite and Shannon Vaughns wreaked havoc against a hapless Wildcat defense.

Week 5: L 44-25 vs. Cy Ranch

The Wildcats fell behind early to their hated rivals, Cy Ranch, and never seriously threatened the Mustangs. They had a better showing in the 2nd half of this game, but a 28-6 halftime deficit proved to be too much to overcome. Bryson had 176 passing yards and 2 touchdowns and added 117 more yards on the ground. R.J. Harmon had a rushing and a receiving touchdown; he had 67 receiving yards and 73 rushing yards.

Week 6: L 40-35 @ Cy Creek

The Cats' slide continued against the Cougars, who jumped out to a 33-14 halftime lead. Woods fought back valiantly, but a last-gasp heave from Jacob Kainer was picked off by Chance Steverson, sealing the Wildcats' fate. Jordan Johnson caught 6 passes for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns; his 94-yard touchdown reception in this game is now the longest play in Cy Woods history. Tre' Hart also caught 2 touchdown passes and also recovered 2 onside kicks as the Wildcats mounted a furious rally late in the ballgame.

Week 7: W 70-20 vs. Cy Lakes (Homecoming VIII)

The Cats snapped their 3-game losing streak in emphatic fashion with a 70-20 victory over Cy Lakes on Homecoming weekend. Eight different players scored touchdowns for the Wildcats; Keith Watson scored once on defense with an 82-yard interception return and once on special teams when he recovered a blocked punt at the Spartans' 3-yard line. Jared Taylor caught 3 passes for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Matt Ficalora scored his first touchdown at the varsity level with a 45-yard run that represented the final Wildcat scoring play of the evening.

The Cats also set a new school record for scoring in a single quarter with 42 in the 1st quarter.

Week 8: W 48-33 @ Langham Creek

Once again, Cy Woods the playoffs for the playoffs. Their first test was a Langham Creek squad featuring two of the state's most dynamic players in Quartney Davis and Toneil Carter. The specter of a 3-game losing streak to the Lobos also loomed large for Woods, but the Cats exorcised those demons with a 48-33 victory to give their faint playoff hopes a massive boost. C.J. and Bryson ran roughshod on the Langham defense; C.J. ran for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Bryson, who also threw 2 touchdown passes to Jordan Johnson, ran for 159 and 2 touchdowns. The Cats committed 19 penalties in this game, but they did not turn the ball over, either.

The defense bent, but it did not break. They also kept the Lobos off the scoreboard in the 3rd quarter, which proved to be the difference in this game.

Week 9: W 44-7 vs. Cy-Fair

This iteration of the Battle of the Cats was firmly in Cy Woods' favor, as they absolutely dominated the Bobcats in all facets of the game in a 44-7 victory that seemed even more lopsided than the score itself. Unlike last year's tilt, overtime was not needed.

Both of Jordan Johnson's catches resulted in touchdowns, and C.J. continued to be C.J., tearing the Bobcat defense apart for 180 yards and a touchdown.

Week 10: L 74-73 vs. Jersey Village

This game was played almost 8 months ago, and I'm still in shock. It was definitely a game that might not happen for at least another decade. A historic night on offense for the Wildcats was all for naught as eternal nemesis Deshun Qualls stuck a dagger in Woods' playoff hopes by successfully converting a 2-point conversion to put the Falcons up 74-73 with 1:09 left in the game. The Cats' last-ditch effort went for naught, and their playoff fate effectively fell into the Falcons' hands; a Jersey Village win over Cy-Fair the following week would give them the final playoff berth in District 17-6A. Unfortunately, the Falcons failed to do the Wildcats a solid, losing 21-13.

C.J. Jones ran for a school-record 346 yards and scored 4 rushing touchdowns for the second time in his career. Jordan Johnson caught 4 passes for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns; in this game, he tied the Cy Woods single-season and career records for touchdown receptions. Bryson ran for 174 yards and 3 touchdowns. And yet, all of that offensive production was not enough for the Wildcats to get the win. Sports can be terrible, sometimes.

Week 11: W 49-39 @ Cy Springs

Sadly, Cy-Fair's win over Jersey Village eliminated the Wildcats from playoff contention. However, the Class of 2016 ended their time as Wildcat football players on a positive note as they topped Cy Springs 49-39 on a rainy Saturday afternoon at the Berry Center. With no quarterback, C.J. Jones basically functioned as the offense. He was 4-10 as the quarterback, but 3 of those completions were touchdowns. C.J. also ran for 141 yards and 2 scores. Keith Watson, in his final game, most likely set a school record with 4 sacks in this game.

A non-playoff season is definitely an unusual event for Cy Woods football. As I said following the season finale, it's never fun when your fate is out of your hands, like it was with the 2015 Wildcats.

Despite missing the playoffs, a few players emerged as key contributors for the Wildcats, most notably Jacob Kainer, Jack Barrientez, Collin Fewox, and Neil Chambers.  The Cats also have some top prospects like Semaj Trahan and Jake Tesch waiting in the wings, as well. C.J. Jones, Kason Franklin, and Myles Wilson will be counted upon to assume leadership roles for the Cats as they head into 2016. Missing the playoffs can put a huge chip on one's shoulder, and I hope that the players returning to the program use 2015 as motivation. As Wildcat football players, they know that they have a tradition to restore and uphold. I expect them to do more than their part in the preseason so that they can experience playoff football once again. They will have to do more, because the other teams in Cy-Fair ISD are getting better every year, and as they found out in 2015, there is almost no margin for error in a district that is as competitive as 17-6A. Slow starts can be reversed, but more often than not, it can really put a team in a bind, because they don't have any leeway to slip up again.

The next chapter will cover the 2016 Cy Woods football team.