This post will be divided into two parts... a look back at 2016, and then a look ahead to the 2017 season.
If you would like to chime in with any of your own observations, feel free to do so. Also, if you would like to tell me that I have no idea what I am talking about, go right ahead. My email is on the right side of the page.
Seeing 2-8 as the record for the Cy Woods football team was definitely unsettling. The 2016 season surpassed worst-case scenario territory and was, for lack of a better term, appalling. There were many more lowlights than there were highlights, that's for sure.
I had a chance to talk with Coach Zachos, and he told me that he has rarely ever been a part of a team that finished with such a poor record. This past season was definitely humbling for him and the entire coaching staff. The negative factors that resulted in the first losing season in school history back in 2012 resurfaced in 2016, only these factors were magnified.
He talked about when Cy Woods faced Katy Taylor in the second round of the 2010 playoffs, a game which they won 67-7. As the score became more lopsided in the first half, he and the rest of the coaches saw the body language on the Taylor sideline and it was one of total surrender. At halftime, they conferred and agreed that this feeling of defeat and resignation could happen to Cy Woods as well. These coaches are not oblivious to the potential pitfalls that can doom a program; they can certainly mitigate those factors, but sometimes those factors end up burying a team, which was what occurred in 2016.
At the end of the day, though, this is sports. Whether your team made the playoffs or not, the slate is wiped clean every year and everyone gets to do it all over again. No doubt, this is the first real down period for Cy Woods football, and it will be interesting to see how this team responds. As Coach Jones always liked to say, it's time for this program to do some soul-searching.If you would like to chime in with any of your own observations, feel free to do so. Also, if you would like to tell me that I have no idea what I am talking about, go right ahead. My email is on the right side of the page.
Seeing 2-8 as the record for the Cy Woods football team was definitely unsettling. The 2016 season surpassed worst-case scenario territory and was, for lack of a better term, appalling. There were many more lowlights than there were highlights, that's for sure.
I had a chance to talk with Coach Zachos, and he told me that he has rarely ever been a part of a team that finished with such a poor record. This past season was definitely humbling for him and the entire coaching staff. The negative factors that resulted in the first losing season in school history back in 2012 resurfaced in 2016, only these factors were magnified.
He talked about when Cy Woods faced Katy Taylor in the second round of the 2010 playoffs, a game which they won 67-7. As the score became more lopsided in the first half, he and the rest of the coaches saw the body language on the Taylor sideline and it was one of total surrender. At halftime, they conferred and agreed that this feeling of defeat and resignation could happen to Cy Woods as well. These coaches are not oblivious to the potential pitfalls that can doom a program; they can certainly mitigate those factors, but sometimes those factors end up burying a team, which was what occurred in 2016.
In recent years, teams in District 17-6A have rebounded from 2-8 records to make deep playoff runs: Cy Ridge went from 2-8 in 2014 to the Division II, Region III final in 2016. Cy Falls finished 2-8 in 2013 and ended up making a run to the third round of the playoffs in 2015. Precedent seems to be on the Wildcats' side, but with that being said, there won't be any excuses for the next two seasons.
Yes, you read that tweet correctly. Only Jersey Village is ranked lower than Cy Woods, and they have beaten Woods in each of the last four seasons. Heading into the 2017 season, the Cats are not being thought of as a playoff-caliber squad, and rightfully so. After all, they are coming off a 2-8 season in which they looked like a shell of the team that was once a perennial district power.
Here's how the Wildcat football program fared at all levels of competition in 2016:
Varsity: 2-8, 2-7 (t-7th) in District 17-6A
JV Cardinal: 8-2, 8-1 in District 17-6A
JV Gold: 4-5, 4-4 in District 17-6A
Freshman Cardinal: 7-3, 7-2 in District 17-6A
Freshman Gold: 7-3, 7-1 in District 17-6A
Notes
There was one JV game against Cy Ridge and one freshman game against Cy Creek, which were both won by Cy Woods. I counted those wins towards both cardinal teams.
There was one JV game against Cy Ridge and one freshman game against Cy Creek, which were both won by Cy Woods. I counted those wins towards both cardinal teams.
The freshman gold team played Klein in Week 5, as Jersey Village had only one freshman team.
2016 Superlatives
2nd-team All-District 17-6A
OL Brock Gunderson
LB Cody Eggleston
WR Jack Barrientez
DB Myles Wilson
And now, my superlatives.
Most Valuable Player/Offensive Player of the Year: RB/WR Jack Barrientez
Before the season, I felt that Jack would be in line for a breakout year. He showed promise as his role in the offense expanded towards the end of 2015. He had a strong showing in the offseason and spring football and carried that momentum over into 7-on-7 season. C.J. Jones' extended absence in 2016 thrust him into the spotlight, and he responded by leading the Wildcats in receiving and rushing, topping 1,000 all-purpose yards on the season.
Jack does it all. He makes plays on the ground and in the passing game, and when the ball isn't in his hands, he helps his teammates make plays. He will enter his senior season as the Wildcats' top offensive threat.
Defensive Players of the Year: DL/LB Cody Eggleston and DB Myles Wilson
A two-year letterman, Cody stepped into a starting role in 2016 and ended up as the Wildcats' best defensive lineman. Actually, I was not sure what his primary position was, since he could line up at defensive end or outside linebacker.
In fact, Cody single-handedly outproduced every other Cy Woods defensive lineman this past season: he led the team in sacks and quarterback hits, finished second on the team in tackles for a loss, intercepted a pass, and he even blocked a field goal to boot.
Cody Eggleston certainly made the most of his opportunities as a Wildcat and he was rewarded with a chance to play college football. He'll play for Rhodes College, a Division III school in Memphis.
For three years, Myles Wilson has been one of the few bright spots on a defense that has struggled to keep opposing offenses off the scoreboard. Nevertheless, he has provided a reliable, steady presence for the Wildcat defense and was a true team player in his three seasons. He moved over to linebacker and led the Cats in tackles and fumble recoveries, and he also scored on a two-point conversion. When injuries sapped the depth from the secondary, Myles returned to his safety spot and continued his fine play.
I remember Myles when he was a ball boy and now he's on his way to being an outstanding young man. I wish him well in his future endeavors.
2017 Preview
Now, let's look ahead to what lies in store for Cy Woods football for 2017, shall we?
In Varsity Wires' way-too-early 2017 power rankings, the Wildcats slotted in at #9.
2016 Superlatives
2nd-team All-District 17-6A
OL Brock Gunderson
LB Cody Eggleston
WR Jack Barrientez
DB Myles Wilson
And now, my superlatives.
Most Valuable Player/Offensive Player of the Year: RB/WR Jack Barrientez
Before the season, I felt that Jack would be in line for a breakout year. He showed promise as his role in the offense expanded towards the end of 2015. He had a strong showing in the offseason and spring football and carried that momentum over into 7-on-7 season. C.J. Jones' extended absence in 2016 thrust him into the spotlight, and he responded by leading the Wildcats in receiving and rushing, topping 1,000 all-purpose yards on the season.
Jack does it all. He makes plays on the ground and in the passing game, and when the ball isn't in his hands, he helps his teammates make plays. He will enter his senior season as the Wildcats' top offensive threat.
Defensive Players of the Year: DL/LB Cody Eggleston and DB Myles Wilson
A two-year letterman, Cody stepped into a starting role in 2016 and ended up as the Wildcats' best defensive lineman. Actually, I was not sure what his primary position was, since he could line up at defensive end or outside linebacker.
In fact, Cody single-handedly outproduced every other Cy Woods defensive lineman this past season: he led the team in sacks and quarterback hits, finished second on the team in tackles for a loss, intercepted a pass, and he even blocked a field goal to boot.
Cody Eggleston certainly made the most of his opportunities as a Wildcat and he was rewarded with a chance to play college football. He'll play for Rhodes College, a Division III school in Memphis.
For three years, Myles Wilson has been one of the few bright spots on a defense that has struggled to keep opposing offenses off the scoreboard. Nevertheless, he has provided a reliable, steady presence for the Wildcat defense and was a true team player in his three seasons. He moved over to linebacker and led the Cats in tackles and fumble recoveries, and he also scored on a two-point conversion. When injuries sapped the depth from the secondary, Myles returned to his safety spot and continued his fine play.
I remember Myles when he was a ball boy and now he's on his way to being an outstanding young man. I wish him well in his future endeavors.
2017 Preview
Now, let's look ahead to what lies in store for Cy Woods football for 2017, shall we?
In Varsity Wires' way-too-early 2017 power rankings, the Wildcats slotted in at #9.
Here are our "Way Too Early Power Rankings" for the 2017 football season.— Varsity Wires (@VarsityWires) December 5, 2016
Varsity Wires went 3/4 in preseason predictions this season. pic.twitter.com/illGh6Of9P
Yes, you read that tweet correctly. Only Jersey Village is ranked lower than Cy Woods, and they have beaten Woods in each of the last four seasons. Heading into the 2017 season, the Cats are not being thought of as a playoff-caliber squad, and rightfully so. After all, they are coming off a 2-8 season in which they looked like a shell of the team that was once a perennial district power.
The good news is that there is still talent in the pipeline; three of the four sub-varsity teams posted winning records in 2016. The problem facing the Wildcats is that depth may become a factor moving forward. I was able to watch the JV play Lakes and Creek and if memory serves me right, only 30 kids suited up on the Cardinal team in both of these games. The Gold team probably had around 40 kids for those two games.
Winning at the sub-varsity level is nice, but it's time for those results to translate to the varsity level again. Expect some of the kids from the class of 2020 to challenge for spots on varsity, as well.
Winning at the sub-varsity level is nice, but it's time for those results to translate to the varsity level again. Expect some of the kids from the class of 2020 to challenge for spots on varsity, as well.
Who's coming back?
If any of these players are not coming back, please let me know and I will amend this section accordingly.
Italics - will be a junior in 2017
QB Jacob Kainer
QB Semaj Trahan
ATH Jack Barrientez
RB Bobby Dodson
RB Nijah Surtain
WR Connor Faulk
WR Cullen Sherrill
WR Tanner Sherrill
WR Jake Tesch
WR Angel Laca
OL Brock Gunderson
OL Ethan Agnew
OL Tim Dendy
DL Trevor Reed
DL Christian Jones
LB Tyler Redgrave
DB Matt Roberts
DB Collin Fewox
DB Tory Spears
Who could help in 2017?
Football-wise, 2016 was a wasted year for Semaj Trahan. However, I expect that he will have an expanded and more defined role in 2017. I honestly thought that he should have stayed at cornerback (at least for this season) because he would have had regular playing time instead of wallowing away on the bench as the third-string quarterback.
Two kids on the JV who particularly stood out play in the secondary, which has been an area of serious need for Cy Woods in recent years. Deontae Cook and Jamil Akum were a pair of headhunters on the Cardinal team. They both look the part, and it wouldn't surprise me if they nabbed starting spots in 2017. That's about all I have as far as a scouting report since I did not really get to see this team a lot.
Christian Scott, a running back, is probably Cy Woods' top prospect in the Class of 2020. I think he'll make a push for some playing time on varsity; he might make the team to begin the year. His frame is sort of reminiscent of Samuel Stewart when he was a freshman, and he could become that every-down running back that Sam was.
Jackson Jones, a quarterback, finished the season in a platoon on the JV cardinal team after starting on the Freshman cardinal team. His older brother, Jake, was a starting cornerback in 2014. Jackson has the frame and the dual-threat capability that the Wildcats covet in their quarterbacks. He could break in as a receiver while he waits for his opportunity under center or continues to get reps at quarterback with another season on the JV.
The Wildcats are certainly in a rebuilding phase, and this spring will give the coaching staff a long look towards who they can count on to be on the field in 2017.
Issues
1. The offense
The Cy Woods offense, which was once arguably the most feared unit in Texas, was a shadow of its former self in 2016.
Then again, it would probably be reasonable to expect an offense playing nine sophomores to struggle. These kids were thrust into the fire, and predictably, they showed flashes of their upside while struggling to adapt to the speed of varsity football.
In terms of offensive yards per game, the Wildcats had the second-fewest in District 17-6A. The most significant factor to these struggles was an anemic running game that suffered grievously from the absence of C.J. Jones. They did not have anyone to fill the void at running back until Jack Barrientez, who moved back to his original position, found his footing late in the season.
I would imagine that the passing game gets re-tooled, as well. In terms of size, the receivers coming back are the biggest that Woods has ever had, so I think they could start taking more shots down the field. The Sherrill twins present serious matchup problems for any defensive back and Angel Laca brings track speed to the table.
These three can stretch the field, but the ball needs to get to them on a more consistent basis. The Wildcats used three quarterbacks and three other players recorded a pass attempt in 2016. Collectively, they completed less than 50% of their passes, and they were the only team in the district to hold this dubious distinction.
The offense also needs to stay on the field. Cy Woods' 31.1% third-down conversion rate on offense was the worst in the district. They faced third down 122 times, which was the fourth-most in District 17-6A, and converted 38 of those situations, which was the third-fewest. A young offense needed to find its rhythm, but unfortunately, they rarely found it because they had to get off the field after failing to convert on third down time and again.
Unlike 2016, where virtually everyone on offense not named C.J. Jones was an unknown commodity entering the season, Cy Woods will not have to lean on one single player to carry the burden of playmaking while the others try to adjust to the varsity level in 2017. Jack Barrientez will enter the season as the focal point of the offense, but fortunately, the majority of his supporting cast will have a year of varsity experience.
2. The defense
The Wildcats were once again at or near the bottom of the district rankings when it comes to defense. At this point, I think I have run out of original things to say about the defensive struggles.
Cy Woods will not only have to replace a majority of their starters from 2016, they will have to bring in an entirely new cast of characters (yet again) as only six players will return on this side of the ball in 2017.
On paper, it looks like the secondary should finally have a few more playmakers. Collin Fewox and Tory Spears should form one of the top safety tandems in the district in 2017, while Matt Roberts returns as a backup at cornerback. Jamil Akum and Deontae Cook, who I have already mentioned, should bring a physical edge that Cy Woods has sorely needed from its secondary players.
The front seven, on the other hand, will have to be rebuilt from the ground up. Christian Jones is the only returning starter on the defensive line. Niko Thompson, Chris Sturghill, and Matt Mori are a few prospects who could join him in the trenches. The linebackers could potentially have four new starters: Tyler Redgrave, the only returning linebacker, will compete for a starting spot with a host of JV players such as Austin Kennedy, Caleb Rutherford, Colin Paterson, and Jackson Turnbow.
As the old saying goes, there's no place to go but up for this defense, but I have my doubts as to whether this defense can make any appreciable improvement. The secondary should improve, but the new faces in the front seven will have to adapt in a hurry. With running backs like Trenton Kennedy, Jaelon Woods, Alex Jacobs, Jireh Thompson, Kendon Flowers, Jack Hook, and whoever Cy Ranch is trotting out all returning in 2017, they will be tested often.
3. Turnovers
No team was intercepted more times than Cy Woods. Overall, the Wildcats committed the second-most turnovers and had the second-worst turnover differential in the district.
Jacob Kainer is a good player, and I still feel that he can be a top player in this district. But, he simply cannot turn the ball over the way he did this past season.
In Closing
Yes, getting back into the top four in 2017 is going to be a Herculean task for Cy Woods football, especially considering how the overall quality of football in Cy-Fair ISD has improved every year. It's not an impossible task, but it is highly improbable.
Everyone has their opinions. I'm just some guy who used to play football at Cy Woods and enjoyed his time as a Wildcat so much that he became the self-appointed historian of the program. I am always the optimist, but even I find that a bit difficult these days... a 2-8 season tends to sap some of the optimism away. Varsity Wires has their way-too-early power rankings and they don't really regard Cy Woods as a playoff team. It's a radical departure from the Cy Woods teams that harbored legitimate state title aspirations, that's for sure. I'm sure that when Dave Campbell's Texas Football releases their high school football preview issue, the Wildcats will most likely occupy one of the bottom four spots in their District 17-6A projection.
Don't get too worked up about what people outside the program are saying about you. Go out and prove them wrong, but remember that you're not going to accomplish this by getting mad about their opinions on social media.
You've heard the spiel about 950,000 times, but it's true: your actions will determine whether you have proven your skeptics wrong. Don't cut corners in workouts and drills. Hit the weight room and the track after school. Hone your skills in 7-on-7 football. Track season is getting underway; ask if you can compete at a meet. That way, you have an opportunity to check out your potential opponents on the football field next season. Yes, the other schools in the district will most likely have football players who are running. jumping, or throwing. Embrace the competition.
Thinking of a state championship at this point.... I hate to say it, is wildly unrealistic. Scale your goals back a little bit. What I feel that the Wildcats should strive for in 2017 is to be a playoff team. Find a way to be a top-four team in this district again. Anything else after that is gravy.
There you have it. Thanks for hanging in there and I appreciate you all for putting up with my nonsensical ranting and raving. Here's hoping that 2017 will be a happier and more satisfying season for Cy Woods football. Go Wildcats.
If any of these players are not coming back, please let me know and I will amend this section accordingly.
Italics - will be a junior in 2017
QB Jacob Kainer
QB Semaj Trahan
ATH Jack Barrientez
RB Bobby Dodson
RB Nijah Surtain
WR Connor Faulk
WR Cullen Sherrill
WR Tanner Sherrill
WR Jake Tesch
WR Angel Laca
OL Brock Gunderson
OL Ethan Agnew
OL Tim Dendy
DL Trevor Reed
DL Christian Jones
LB Tyler Redgrave
DB Matt Roberts
DB Collin Fewox
DB Tory Spears
Who could help in 2017?
Football-wise, 2016 was a wasted year for Semaj Trahan. However, I expect that he will have an expanded and more defined role in 2017. I honestly thought that he should have stayed at cornerback (at least for this season) because he would have had regular playing time instead of wallowing away on the bench as the third-string quarterback.
Two kids on the JV who particularly stood out play in the secondary, which has been an area of serious need for Cy Woods in recent years. Deontae Cook and Jamil Akum were a pair of headhunters on the Cardinal team. They both look the part, and it wouldn't surprise me if they nabbed starting spots in 2017. That's about all I have as far as a scouting report since I did not really get to see this team a lot.
Christian Scott, a running back, is probably Cy Woods' top prospect in the Class of 2020. I think he'll make a push for some playing time on varsity; he might make the team to begin the year. His frame is sort of reminiscent of Samuel Stewart when he was a freshman, and he could become that every-down running back that Sam was.
Jackson Jones, a quarterback, finished the season in a platoon on the JV cardinal team after starting on the Freshman cardinal team. His older brother, Jake, was a starting cornerback in 2014. Jackson has the frame and the dual-threat capability that the Wildcats covet in their quarterbacks. He could break in as a receiver while he waits for his opportunity under center or continues to get reps at quarterback with another season on the JV.
The Wildcats are certainly in a rebuilding phase, and this spring will give the coaching staff a long look towards who they can count on to be on the field in 2017.
Issues
1. The offense
The Cy Woods offense, which was once arguably the most feared unit in Texas, was a shadow of its former self in 2016.
Then again, it would probably be reasonable to expect an offense playing nine sophomores to struggle. These kids were thrust into the fire, and predictably, they showed flashes of their upside while struggling to adapt to the speed of varsity football.
In terms of offensive yards per game, the Wildcats had the second-fewest in District 17-6A. The most significant factor to these struggles was an anemic running game that suffered grievously from the absence of C.J. Jones. They did not have anyone to fill the void at running back until Jack Barrientez, who moved back to his original position, found his footing late in the season.
I would imagine that the passing game gets re-tooled, as well. In terms of size, the receivers coming back are the biggest that Woods has ever had, so I think they could start taking more shots down the field. The Sherrill twins present serious matchup problems for any defensive back and Angel Laca brings track speed to the table.
These three can stretch the field, but the ball needs to get to them on a more consistent basis. The Wildcats used three quarterbacks and three other players recorded a pass attempt in 2016. Collectively, they completed less than 50% of their passes, and they were the only team in the district to hold this dubious distinction.
The offense also needs to stay on the field. Cy Woods' 31.1% third-down conversion rate on offense was the worst in the district. They faced third down 122 times, which was the fourth-most in District 17-6A, and converted 38 of those situations, which was the third-fewest. A young offense needed to find its rhythm, but unfortunately, they rarely found it because they had to get off the field after failing to convert on third down time and again.
Unlike 2016, where virtually everyone on offense not named C.J. Jones was an unknown commodity entering the season, Cy Woods will not have to lean on one single player to carry the burden of playmaking while the others try to adjust to the varsity level in 2017. Jack Barrientez will enter the season as the focal point of the offense, but fortunately, the majority of his supporting cast will have a year of varsity experience.
2. The defense
The Wildcats were once again at or near the bottom of the district rankings when it comes to defense. At this point, I think I have run out of original things to say about the defensive struggles.
Cy Woods will not only have to replace a majority of their starters from 2016, they will have to bring in an entirely new cast of characters (yet again) as only six players will return on this side of the ball in 2017.
On paper, it looks like the secondary should finally have a few more playmakers. Collin Fewox and Tory Spears should form one of the top safety tandems in the district in 2017, while Matt Roberts returns as a backup at cornerback. Jamil Akum and Deontae Cook, who I have already mentioned, should bring a physical edge that Cy Woods has sorely needed from its secondary players.
The front seven, on the other hand, will have to be rebuilt from the ground up. Christian Jones is the only returning starter on the defensive line. Niko Thompson, Chris Sturghill, and Matt Mori are a few prospects who could join him in the trenches. The linebackers could potentially have four new starters: Tyler Redgrave, the only returning linebacker, will compete for a starting spot with a host of JV players such as Austin Kennedy, Caleb Rutherford, Colin Paterson, and Jackson Turnbow.
As the old saying goes, there's no place to go but up for this defense, but I have my doubts as to whether this defense can make any appreciable improvement. The secondary should improve, but the new faces in the front seven will have to adapt in a hurry. With running backs like Trenton Kennedy, Jaelon Woods, Alex Jacobs, Jireh Thompson, Kendon Flowers, Jack Hook, and whoever Cy Ranch is trotting out all returning in 2017, they will be tested often.
3. Turnovers
No team was intercepted more times than Cy Woods. Overall, the Wildcats committed the second-most turnovers and had the second-worst turnover differential in the district.
Jacob Kainer is a good player, and I still feel that he can be a top player in this district. But, he simply cannot turn the ball over the way he did this past season.
In Closing
Yes, getting back into the top four in 2017 is going to be a Herculean task for Cy Woods football, especially considering how the overall quality of football in Cy-Fair ISD has improved every year. It's not an impossible task, but it is highly improbable.
Everyone has their opinions. I'm just some guy who used to play football at Cy Woods and enjoyed his time as a Wildcat so much that he became the self-appointed historian of the program. I am always the optimist, but even I find that a bit difficult these days... a 2-8 season tends to sap some of the optimism away. Varsity Wires has their way-too-early power rankings and they don't really regard Cy Woods as a playoff team. It's a radical departure from the Cy Woods teams that harbored legitimate state title aspirations, that's for sure. I'm sure that when Dave Campbell's Texas Football releases their high school football preview issue, the Wildcats will most likely occupy one of the bottom four spots in their District 17-6A projection.
Don't get too worked up about what people outside the program are saying about you. Go out and prove them wrong, but remember that you're not going to accomplish this by getting mad about their opinions on social media.
You've heard the spiel about 950,000 times, but it's true: your actions will determine whether you have proven your skeptics wrong. Don't cut corners in workouts and drills. Hit the weight room and the track after school. Hone your skills in 7-on-7 football. Track season is getting underway; ask if you can compete at a meet. That way, you have an opportunity to check out your potential opponents on the football field next season. Yes, the other schools in the district will most likely have football players who are running. jumping, or throwing. Embrace the competition.
Thinking of a state championship at this point.... I hate to say it, is wildly unrealistic. Scale your goals back a little bit. What I feel that the Wildcats should strive for in 2017 is to be a playoff team. Find a way to be a top-four team in this district again. Anything else after that is gravy.
There you have it. Thanks for hanging in there and I appreciate you all for putting up with my nonsensical ranting and raving. Here's hoping that 2017 will be a happier and more satisfying season for Cy Woods football. Go Wildcats.
