Record: 4-5, t-5th in District 17-6A
Did not qualify for playoffs
Points scored: 259 (28.7 per game)
Points allowed: 270 (30 per game)
Largest margin of victory: 30 vs. Cy Creek (59-29)
Largest margin of defeat: 28 vs. Cy-Fair (21-49)
Most points scored: 59 vs. Cy Creek
Most points allowed: 49 vs. Cy-Fair
Fewest points scored: 9 vs. Cy Springs
Fewest points allowed: 20 vs. Cy Lakes
Team Records Set or Tied
Fewest points in a season: 259 (previous: 284)
Longest playoff drought: 3 seasons (currently active)
Longest losing streak: 4 (tied with loss to Cy Springs)
Longest play from scrimmage: 99 yards (Jacob Kainer touchdown pass to Jack Barrientez vs. Cy Ranch)
Statistical Leaders
Passing: Jackson Jones, 31-59 (52.5% completion), 708 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Jackson Jones, 138 carries, 532 yards (3.9 YPC), 7 TD
Receiving: Jack Barrientez, 9 receptions, 351 yards (39 yards per catch), 5 TD
Interceptions: Matt Roberts, 2
Schedule and Results
Week 1 vs. Klein Collins canceled due to Hurricane Harvey
Week 3: L 27-9 vs. Cy Springs (Pridgeon)
Week 4: W 35-34 @ Cy Ridge
Week 5: W 42-35 vs. Jersey Village (Homecoming X at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium)
Week 6: L 31-24 @ Langham Creek (CF-FCU)
Week 7: L 24-21 @ Cy Falls (CF-FCU)
Week 8: W 31-20 vs. Cy Lakes (CF-FCU)
Week 9: L 49-21 @ Cy-Fair (CF-FCU)
Week 10: W 59-29 vs. Cy Creek (Pridgeon)
Week 11: L 21-17 @ Cy Ranch (CF-FCU)
The Rundown
Coming off their worst season in school history, expectations for the 2017 Cypress Woods Wildcats were minimal, even though they would return their starting backfield and most of their offensive production from 2016.
In the offseason, the Wildcats underwent a radical change in offensive philosophy. A team that once aspired to be the high school version of the Greatest Show on Turf was grounded, literally. Starting in 2017, the Cats would adopt the triple-option offense run by the likes of Navy and Georgia Tech. Despite the lack of expectations from outside the Cy Woods community, the players and coaching staff showed optimism and excitement as the season drew near.
Jacob Kainer, coming off a tough first season as the starting quarterback, was looking forward to showing off what he could do in a new system. Unfortunately, he never really got that opportunity due to an injury he suffered before the season opener against Cy Springs. As a result, Jackson Jones, a sophomore, was thrown into the gauntlet and despite the growing pains associated with having a sophomore starting quarterback, was able to hold his own in one of the toughest districts in Texas.
Jack Barrientez turned into the Wildcats' primary offensive option but also had to play both ways as a starting safety after Tory Spears suffered an injury against Springs. Bobby Dodson started the season as the starting A-back, but an injury pressed Darion Morgan into duty. Jake Tesch had a delayed start to his season also due to injury but turned into a weapon at B-back once he returned. Arkievrick Vitatoe, a move-in from Louisiana, emerged as another option at B-back and in the return game as well.
Defensively, Spears and Collin Fewox returned to form a solid duo at safety, but after Tory got hurt, Jack had to move to the defensive side of the ball. Mac Bird racked up the tackles in the early part of the season before a serious medical emergency cut his season short. Tobi Orundami left the team shortly after the 2016 season opener against Klein Collins, but he worked his way back into the program and became a key contributor on the defensive line.
If Cy Woods' 2017 season could be summed up in one phrase, it would definitely be "what if." What if they entered the season fully healthy? What if they had a chance to test-drive the new offensive system before delving into district play? What if they didn't run a fake punt in their own territory against Langham Creek?
Season
Chapter 10 of Cy Woods football was originally scheduled to begin on September 1, 2017, when they were supposed to take on Klein Collins at Pridgeon Stadium. However, one week earlier, Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Texas coast, forcing football out of everyone's minds. As a result, the beginning of the season was delayed; in District 17-6A's case, the schedule would solely consist of district games once the season could begin.
Cy Woods and Cy Springs kicked off football season in Cy-Fair ISD on September 14 at Pridgeon Stadium. For everyone in attendance, the game represented a sign of normalcy returning after its violent upheaval.
Week 3: L 27-9 vs. Cy Springs
The Cats entered the 2017 season armed with the knowledge of a new offensive system, but due to the storm, were unable to implement it in a game situation, let alone a situation simulating an actual football game.
Yes, every school in Southeast Texas was affected by Harvey. Cy Woods' pain was not unique. With that being said, a coaching staff of a football team implementing a brand-new offensive system would have definitely loved to have an evaluation period of that new system before their team played games that really mattered in the standings.
The Cats came out tentative on offense, which was completely understandable considering that again... there was no evaluation period. The coaches were essentially handed a blank slate and were forced to populate it with information as the season progressed.
Cy Woods' first points of the 2017 season came on a 30-yard field goal from Jared Swonke in the first quarter. The Wildcats lost four fumbles in this game and the Panthers scored 14 points off of those miscues. Jack Barrientez scored the first Wildcat touchdown of 2017 on a three-yard run in the third quarter, which brought them to within 12 points.
Woods was not completely out of this game... until Kevonne Hyde ripped off a 51-yard run to the Wildcats' one-yard line with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game. One play later, Xayvion West sealed the Cats' fate with a one-yard touchdown run, giving Cy Springs their first-ever victory over Cy Woods in a football game. The Panthers, despite ten penalties, did not commit a turnover and got big plays when they needed to have one.
Photo by Kyle Ransleben, The Crimson Connection
Jack Barrientez got well-acquainted with the Cy Springs defense on Opening Night.
Week 4: W 35-34 @ Cy Ridge
The Rams would have a little rebuilding to do after graduating the most successful senior class in their program's history, but they would still pose a formidable challenge. After all, this was a team that dominated the Wildcats in their previous meeting despite Woods somehow holding a halftime lead.
Cy Woods scored first, but the Rams were firmly in control as they took a 21-6 lead into the intermission on the strength of two touchdowns on fourth down. Ridge's other touchdown came on third and 19, so the defense had trouble winning on the late downs in the first half.
The Cats received a momentum boost when they forced a turnover on the first drive of the second half and they managed to turn the miscue into points when Jackson Jones floated a ball towards the outstretched arms of Cullen Sherrill, who outran everyone to the end zone for a 50-yard touchdown reception. Jackson added a four-yard touchdown run to start the final period but the Rams turned him away from the goal line on a two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game at 21.
Arkievrick Vitatoe scored on a two-yard run with 3:23 remaining and Jackson got into the end zone for the two-point conversion, which gave Woods a 27-21 lead and set the stage for a frenzied finish. The Rams responded with a touchdown to re-take the lead, and then Jack Barrientez took a screen pass and somehow weaved his way through the Ridge secondary for a 68-yard touchdown to put Woods back in front. Ridge had one more touchdown in them and they decided to go for two and the win... and the Cats ended up thwarting that attempt.
Once again, Mac Bird led the way on defense with 13 tackles; 5.5 of those resulted in a loss of yardage. Matt Roberts intercepted a pass at the end of the first half and Tyler Redgrave opened the second half with by recovering a fumble. Jackson only completed two passes, but they both resulted in touchdowns.
Week 5: W 42-35 vs. Jersey Village
Next up for Cy Woods... the Jersey Village Falcons on Homecoming. JV had proven to be a serious thorn in the Wildcats' side as they came in owning a four-game winning streak that started with a 42-0 beatdown in the 2013 season finale. In 2015, Deshun Qualls and the Falcons ended Cy Woods' playoff hopes in one of the wildest, most dramatic games in Texas high school football history. Needless to say, the Cats had some demons in need of exorcising. What better time to do it than on Homecoming?
This was the triple-option at its best. The Cats put up 422 yards on the ground and Jackson Jones completed all four of his pass attempts for 110 yards, while Jack threw a 33-yard touchdown pass. Bobby Dodson ran for 146 yards and a score.
Woods took control with an early outburst, but the Falcons were right on their tails. JV got a couple of touchdowns in the third to take a 35-28 lead into the fourth, but Jack's 33-yard touchdown pass to Cullen Sherrill and Jackson's 26-yard scoring run put the Cats back in front. Unlike the previous week, however, the Wildcat defense tightened up and got the stop they needed to close out this game and secure Cy Woods' first win over Jersey Village in five years.
Now, unfortunately, I'm going to have to speed through the rest of this season's games because I've sat on this for entirely too long.
Week 6: L 31-24 @ Langham Creek
The Wildcats outgained the Lobos on offense, had more first downs, had one less penalty, dominated the time of possession... and lost. Unfortunately, they also trailed 31-9 at one point. Woods had enough about themselves to claw back into the game, but their comeback bid ultimately fell short.
Week 7: L 24-21 @ Cy Falls
Jacob Kitterman's 22-yard field goal with 34 seconds left broke a 21-21 tie in the Eagles' favor.
No further comment.
Week 8: W 31-20 vs. Cy Lakes
The Cats won this game despite only gaining 241 yards on offense. Jake Tesch and Jack Barrientez both scored two touchdowns to pace the Cats: Jake scored on a 21-yard run and a 53-yard reception, while Jack scored on an eight-yard run and returned an interception 69 yards. Jackson Hosemann recorded 10 tackles and sealed the deal with an interception deep in Spartan territory.
Week 9: L 49-21 @ Cy-Fair
Well... this one got ugly in a hurry. Cy Woods trailed 42-0 at halftime and never really threatened the eventual state champions. On the bright side, Tanner Sherrill finally caught his first touchdown pass.
Week 10: W 59-29 vs. Cy Creek
The Cats' slim playoff hopes received a brief lifeline as they blew out the Cougars in their penultimate game of the regular season. Jackson Jones threw for three touchdowns and ran for three more touchdowns. The defense picked off Cougar quarterback Mateo Renteria three times and also recorded three sacks.
Week 11: L 21-17 @ Cy Ranch
This iteration of the Battle of 290 was a far cry from the debacle of 2016... but the Mustangs still found a way to eke out a victory over the Wildcats. Jacob Kainer threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to Jack Barrientez on the first play of the game; this is the longest play from scrimmage in Cy Woods history.
Despite absolutely no foundation to build their new offensive system upon, the 2017 Cypress Woods Wildcats managed to improve on their win total and remained in the playoff hunt until the final week of the season. The Wildcats lost their starting quarterback shortly before the season opener but they found their quarterback of the present and the future in Jackson Jones. With the exception of one game, the Cats were competitive; they outplayed some clearly superior opponents and had their chances to pull off some upsets, but for... reasons, they couldn't seal the deal.
Had a few bounces gone their way, the Cats would have made their return to the playoffs. No time to wallow over the what-ifs, though. Let's hope that the kids continue to work in order to return Cy Woods football to prominence.
Cy Woods scored first, but the Rams were firmly in control as they took a 21-6 lead into the intermission on the strength of two touchdowns on fourth down. Ridge's other touchdown came on third and 19, so the defense had trouble winning on the late downs in the first half.
The Cats received a momentum boost when they forced a turnover on the first drive of the second half and they managed to turn the miscue into points when Jackson Jones floated a ball towards the outstretched arms of Cullen Sherrill, who outran everyone to the end zone for a 50-yard touchdown reception. Jackson added a four-yard touchdown run to start the final period but the Rams turned him away from the goal line on a two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game at 21.
Arkievrick Vitatoe scored on a two-yard run with 3:23 remaining and Jackson got into the end zone for the two-point conversion, which gave Woods a 27-21 lead and set the stage for a frenzied finish. The Rams responded with a touchdown to re-take the lead, and then Jack Barrientez took a screen pass and somehow weaved his way through the Ridge secondary for a 68-yard touchdown to put Woods back in front. Ridge had one more touchdown in them and they decided to go for two and the win... and the Cats ended up thwarting that attempt.
Once again, Mac Bird led the way on defense with 13 tackles; 5.5 of those resulted in a loss of yardage. Matt Roberts intercepted a pass at the end of the first half and Tyler Redgrave opened the second half with by recovering a fumble. Jackson only completed two passes, but they both resulted in touchdowns.
Week 5: W 42-35 vs. Jersey Village
Next up for Cy Woods... the Jersey Village Falcons on Homecoming. JV had proven to be a serious thorn in the Wildcats' side as they came in owning a four-game winning streak that started with a 42-0 beatdown in the 2013 season finale. In 2015, Deshun Qualls and the Falcons ended Cy Woods' playoff hopes in one of the wildest, most dramatic games in Texas high school football history. Needless to say, the Cats had some demons in need of exorcising. What better time to do it than on Homecoming?
This was the triple-option at its best. The Cats put up 422 yards on the ground and Jackson Jones completed all four of his pass attempts for 110 yards, while Jack threw a 33-yard touchdown pass. Bobby Dodson ran for 146 yards and a score.
Woods took control with an early outburst, but the Falcons were right on their tails. JV got a couple of touchdowns in the third to take a 35-28 lead into the fourth, but Jack's 33-yard touchdown pass to Cullen Sherrill and Jackson's 26-yard scoring run put the Cats back in front. Unlike the previous week, however, the Wildcat defense tightened up and got the stop they needed to close out this game and secure Cy Woods' first win over Jersey Village in five years.
Now, unfortunately, I'm going to have to speed through the rest of this season's games because I've sat on this for entirely too long.
Week 6: L 31-24 @ Langham Creek
The Wildcats outgained the Lobos on offense, had more first downs, had one less penalty, dominated the time of possession... and lost. Unfortunately, they also trailed 31-9 at one point. Woods had enough about themselves to claw back into the game, but their comeback bid ultimately fell short.
Week 7: L 24-21 @ Cy Falls
Jacob Kitterman's 22-yard field goal with 34 seconds left broke a 21-21 tie in the Eagles' favor.
No further comment.
Week 8: W 31-20 vs. Cy Lakes
The Cats won this game despite only gaining 241 yards on offense. Jake Tesch and Jack Barrientez both scored two touchdowns to pace the Cats: Jake scored on a 21-yard run and a 53-yard reception, while Jack scored on an eight-yard run and returned an interception 69 yards. Jackson Hosemann recorded 10 tackles and sealed the deal with an interception deep in Spartan territory.
Week 9: L 49-21 @ Cy-Fair
Well... this one got ugly in a hurry. Cy Woods trailed 42-0 at halftime and never really threatened the eventual state champions. On the bright side, Tanner Sherrill finally caught his first touchdown pass.
Week 10: W 59-29 vs. Cy Creek
The Cats' slim playoff hopes received a brief lifeline as they blew out the Cougars in their penultimate game of the regular season. Jackson Jones threw for three touchdowns and ran for three more touchdowns. The defense picked off Cougar quarterback Mateo Renteria three times and also recorded three sacks.
Week 11: L 21-17 @ Cy Ranch
This iteration of the Battle of 290 was a far cry from the debacle of 2016... but the Mustangs still found a way to eke out a victory over the Wildcats. Jacob Kainer threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to Jack Barrientez on the first play of the game; this is the longest play from scrimmage in Cy Woods history.
Despite absolutely no foundation to build their new offensive system upon, the 2017 Cypress Woods Wildcats managed to improve on their win total and remained in the playoff hunt until the final week of the season. The Wildcats lost their starting quarterback shortly before the season opener but they found their quarterback of the present and the future in Jackson Jones. With the exception of one game, the Cats were competitive; they outplayed some clearly superior opponents and had their chances to pull off some upsets, but for... reasons, they couldn't seal the deal.
Had a few bounces gone their way, the Cats would have made their return to the playoffs. No time to wallow over the what-ifs, though. Let's hope that the kids continue to work in order to return Cy Woods football to prominence.
