Photo courtesy of Phlox Photography.
Photo galleries for this game and all Cy Woods sub-varsity games can be viewed by clicking here.
The good news: On Saturday at the Berry Center, the Cypress Woods Wildcats became the first team in District 14-6A to clinch a playoff berth as they dispatched the Cypress Springs Panthers 31-15.
The (extremely) bad news: The Cats will be without the services of their starting quarterback, Jackson Jones, who suffered an injury early in this game, for the foreseeable future.
As a result, Trey Craft, a sophomore who's only been on the varsity for two weeks, got thrust into action as the primary quarterback for the remainder of the contest.
The good news, part 2: Trey was able to gain some much-needed experience as he took all of the snaps at quarterback after Jackson went down. He got the opportunity to commandeer the Wildcat offense at the highest level and he managed to keep his head above water.
The less bad but still not good news: If Craft is the QB1 moving forward, he's going to have to grow up, like, immediately. Because... guess who's next? That's right, Cy Ranch. They're certainly going to be licking their chops at getting to face whoever gets the start at quarterback for Woods and they would absolutely love to hang the first district loss on the Cats' record on Saturday.
The Cats shouldn't be winning games against winless teams by two scores, but... a win is a win. One step closer to the playoffs. I didn't think I'd almost fall asleep during a Woods game, but I was getting close to it. Just... a lethargic scene.
I'm a firm believer in the "next man up" philosophy, but right now, the next man up at quarterback for Woods is a sophomore who has three quarters of varsity football experience. It is a little tough to not feel a little squeamish about this development. But then again, C.J. Jones, who probably hadn't played quarterback since little league, completed four passes and three of them went for touchdowns when he got pressed into duty for his one career start at quarterback for Woods back in 2015.
Well then, on to Ranch.
One more note: This is the Wildcats' seventh consecutive win in district play, which ties a program record that they set in 2011. That season, they won their last seven games in District 17-5A play after losing the first two to Cy Falls and Cy-Fair.
What Happened
Trayse Holmes opened the scoring with a one-yard run and on his only passing attempt of the night, Jackson Jones hit Amari McDonald for a 53-yard touchdown. After that, he was finished for the game.
End of 1st Quarter: Woods 14, Springs 0
The only scoring play of the second quarter belonged to Cy Springs. The Cats lined up to try a field goal but the snap was botched and after a scramble for the ball, Chris Williams picked up the ball and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown.
Halftime: Woods 14, Springs 7
JaVarian Stewart provided some fireworks to start the second half when he capped off the Cats' first offensive series with a 42-yard touchdown run. A minute later, Reagan Simmons intercepted a Jeremiah Mosley pass and returned it 27 yards for a pick-six. Cy Woods was lining up for a field goal attempt when the third quarter ended.
End of 3rd Quarter: Woods 28, Springs 7
This kick attempt went off without a hitch and Michael Fernandez nailed a 36-yard field goal. The Panthers scored the final points of the night with a 12-yard run from Terrance Sneed and on the conversion, Julian Macfie hit Marcus DeJesus for two points.
Final: Woods 31, Springs 15
Ground
The Cats did plenty of damage once they got to the edges. Aside from making a couple of incorrect reads, Trey kept the offense moving and didn't commit any egregious errors.
As always, the box score and stats are provided by Varsity Wires.
Trey Craft: 11 rush, 41 yards
Trayse Holmes: 9 rush, 63 yards, TD
JaVarian Stewart: 6 rush, 65 yards, TD
Rudy Mejia: 5 rush, 58 yards
Jeshurun Williams: 4 rush, 11 yards
Christian Scott: 3 rush, 27 yards
Team: 1 rush, -2 yards (Craft took a knee to end the game)
Air
After Jackson left the game, the Cats essentially shelved the passing game. Moving the ball through the air probably isn't happening if a team is on their fourth quarterback.
Jackson Jones: 1-1, 53 yards, TD
Trey Craft: 2-6, 25 yards
Amari McDonald: 1 rec, 53 yards, TD
Cameron Sowell: 1 rec, 13 yards
Ryan Faulk: 1 rec, 12 yards
Defense
Well, I didn't hear all of it, but I did hear Coach Beerwinkel go off on some of the defensive kids at the start of the second half for a rather lethargic effort. He may look rather unassuming at first glance, but when this man talks, you had better damn well listen. By now, you should be rather familiar with his reputation. Just look at the defenses he helped build and then later oversaw at Ridge when he was there for 12 seasons. He knows what he's doing.
The second-stringers played for almost the entire third quarter and a good chunk of the fourth. I don't know if Coach Beerwinkel was trying to send a message to the starters or if he figured that Springs' offense wouldn't be able to move the ball much regardless of who was on defense for Woods, but evidently, the starters heard that message loud and clear. Again, this was a winless Springs team, but the backups did a pretty decent job.
22 different Wildcats recorded at least one tackle and this week, Tylan Foster and Gavin Snow tied for the top spot with six apiece. Kahlil Robinson intercepted Jeremiah Mosley to end the first half and Reagan Simmons picked Mosley off for a pick-six in the third quarter. Simmons has returned both of his interceptions this season for touchdowns, which has never been done before in Cy Woods football history.
Special Teams
Michael Fernandez has simply gotten better as the season has progressed. Once again, he hit all of his kicks, or more accurately, the ones he attempted.
Michael Fernandez: 1-1 FG (made 36), 4-4 XP; a second field goal was not attempted due to a bad snap.
Trajan Armstrong's services as a punter were only needed one time in this game and his one kick went for 38 yards.
Jeshurun Williams: 2 punt returns, 7 yards; long of 4
Christian Scott: 2 kick returns, 22 yards; long of 21
Man of the Match
In lieu of a man of the match this week, I would like to wish Jackson Jones a full and speedy recovery. We've seen that he's a fine football player, but from everything I've heard about him off the field, Jackson is an even better person. I can't even begin to imagine what's on his mind, seeing his senior season cut short by an injury with his team on the cusp of the playoffs.
Although your time on the field may be done, you're still a captain of this football team and you still have your duty as a leader to fulfill. They'll need your support as much as you need them in this trying time in your life. Get well soon, man.
Sub-Varsity Results
Freshmen (1-0 as a combined team) - W 14-7 @ Cy Springs; both teams combined to play as one.
JV Gold (2-5) - L 20-6 @ Cy Falls
JV Cardinal (4-4) - W 40-6 vs. Cy Springs
Looking Ahead
The Cypress Woods Wildcats will take on those horses from Cy Ranch at 1:00 on Saturday, October 26, at Pridgeon Stadium. Cy Woods will be the home team in this contest.
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