Photo credit: Billy Schuerman, The Crimson Connection
For a third straight season, the Cypress Woods Wildcats lost their season opener to the Klein Collins Tigers in a game that was not particularly close. The Tigers seized control in this game in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 21-0 on their way to a 42-14 victory on Opening Night.
I was not at this game; in fact, I will not be attending any Cy Woods games this season because I am keeping track of stats for games at Rhodes Stadium in Katy on behalf of the Houston Chronicle. On the other hand, Varsity Wires has been gracious enough to lend me their stats to use, so the days of me keeping track of Cy Woods stats with a notebook are over.
Well.... it was the same script from the last two seasons. The Tigers ran the ball at will and imposed their will on the Wildcats, who were powerless to stop them. While this game goes down in the record as a loss, it doesn't have any playoff implications. It is, however, extremely clear that the Wildcats have a lot of work to do. There is plenty of talent on this football team, but much of it is unproven, and these kids are going to have to grow up in a hurry if they want to contend for a playoff spot.
Wildcats, don't let the loss damper your excitement for a new season, and in the grand scheme of things.... this is just one football game that Cy Woods happened to lose. Nothing more, nothing less. Can we not declare the season over after one non-district game, please?
Klein Collins played an excellent game, Cy Woods... not so much. Games like these happen... just hope that it doesn't occur on a regular basis. Woods managed just 120 yards of offense, which I believe is the second-lowest total that they have amassed in a game. Katy held them to 44 in that playoff massacre in 2013.
So, What Happened Was....
The Tigers showed why they are one of the top teams in the city, and probably the state.
Following a Wildcat turnover, D'Anthony Doyle put Collins on the board first with a 13-yard touchdown run. The first points of the 2016 season belong to Jacob Kainer, who responded with a 2-yard run on their third offensive series.
The offense suffered a significant blow when C.J. Jones was carted off with an injury in the first quarter. He is the veteran of the unit and was expected to carry a significant load in the early going, but a lot of new faces will have to step up in his absence.
End 1st: Cy Woods 7, Klein Collins 7
Unfortunately, the Wildcats came undone in the 2nd quarter. Old friend Bryson Powers scored twice on a 1-yard run and a 4-yard run; Doyle struck again with an 8-yard run.
Halftime: Klein Collins 28, Cy Woods 7
Jack Barrientez opened the second half scoring with a 37-yard touchdown run. However, Bryson responded with an 18-yard touchdown run of his own.
Ground
Jack Barrientez's 37-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was the Wildcats' longest play from scrimmage on Saturday. Jack mainly lined up as a receiver last season, but he played running back as a freshman, and the Wildcats value versatility among their offensive skill players.
All statistics for this game were provided by Varsity Wires.
Jack Barrientez: 10 carries, 55 yards, TD
Jacob Kainer: 7 carries, 8 yards, TD; lost fumble
Semaj Trahan: 6 carries, 21 yards
Khari Keaton: 2 carries, 8 yards
Jake Tesch: 1 carry, -1 yard
C.J. Jones: 1 carry, -4 yards
Air
The passing game, which, as I have said countless times in the offseason, will feature a completely new cast of characters, struggled, which was to be expected. Even though Jacob Kainer is a returning letterman, he is a new face in the sense that this is his first season as the #1 quarterback. I don't expect him to have a hard time very often, but should he falter, Semaj Trahan will be waiting in the wings.
Jacob Kainer: 6-15, 52 yards, INT
Semaj Trahan: 1-6, -2 yards
Khari Keaton: 2-2, 0 yards
Jack Barrientez: 3 catches, 0 yards
Jake Tesch: 1 catch, 18 yards
Tanner Sherrill: 1 catch, 14 yards
Brennan Niles: 1 catch, 9 yards
Connor Faulk: 1 catch, 7 yards
Matt Ficalora: 1 catch, 4 yards
Sam Landingham: 1 catch, -2 yards
Defense
Once again, the Klein Collins rushing attack imposed its will on the Wildcat defense... the tandem of Bryson and D'Anthony Doyle simply overwhelmed Cy Woods.
Tory Spears, a defensive back who was making his varsity debut, led the team with 7 tackles.
Tackles
Tory Spears 7
Kason Franklin 6
Sean Despres 6 (1 assisted, 2 for loss)
Elijah Strang 6 (2 assisted)
Myles Wilson 4 (2 assisted)
Micheal Young 3 (1 assisted)
Tyvon Alexander 2 (1 for loss)
Collin Fewox 2
Christian Jones 2
Matt Roberts 2
Cody Eggleston 2 (1 assisted)
Neil Chambers 1 (for loss)
Brock Gunderson 1
Hunter Magallan 1
Ryan Kenny 1 (for loss)
Cameron Howland 1
Ellington Shephard 1
Chris Statom 1 (assisted)
Fumbles forced: Cameron Howland 1
Fumbles recovered: Cameron Howland 1, Ellington Shephard 1 (forced by Howland)
Special Teams
Luis Reyes is probably the district's best kicker, and now he'll be handling punting duties full-time as well. He hit both of his extra point attempts and averaged nearly 45 yards per punt. I hope that he will not have to punt 6 times in a game any more this season.
Luis Reyes: 2-2 XP; 6 punts, 269 yards (44.8 yards per punt), long of 58
The Wildcats had plenty of opportunities in the return game. I imagine that teams will still kick away from C.J., but Semaj and Jake Tesch are home run threats themselves, and they could make some unfortunate team pay.
Jake Tesch: 2 punts returned, 17 yards, long of 12; 1 kick returned, 13 yards
Semaj Trahan: 3 kicks returned, 47 yards, long of 19
C.J. Jones: 1 kick returned, 26 yards
Deon Jones: 1 kick returned, 11 yards; lost fumble on return
Man of the Match
Eh... looks like I'll go with Jack Barrientez, who was the only offensive player to get much of anything going against the Tiger defense.
Looking Ahead
The Wildcats will open District 17-6A play against Cy Springs on Friday, September 9 at Pridgeon Stadium.
The freshmen are not off, however; they'll take on Cy Park on Thursday.
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