Ten Years, Ten Best Players - #1: Colton Huntsman

Closing out the countdown with a man who pretty much owns the Wildcats' record book on offense.

#1: Colton Huntsman, QB, 2008-10

College: Air Force

Photo by Don Carson

Records Held and Accomplishments at Cy Woods

Two-time 1st-team All-District (15-5A, 2009; 17-5A, 2010)
Two-time team captain
Most passing yards in a season - 2,874, 2009
Most career passing yards - 5,651
Most career passing touchdowns - 51
Most career rushing yards - 2,285
Most career rushing touchdowns - 42

Notable Games

2008 vs. Cy Springs - 14 rush, 127 yards, 3 TD; first varsity game
2009 vs. Klein Oak - 16-23, 442 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT; 16 rush, 71 yards, 4 TD
2010 vs. Cy Creek - 7-11, 287 yards, 2 TD; 17 rush, 104 yards, 2 TD
2010 vs. Cy Ridge - 18-30, 284 yards, 5 TD; 15 rush, 68 yards, TD
2010 vs. Clear Creek - 15-24, 199 yards, INT; 22 rush, 191 yards, 2 TD

Ah, I remember Colton Huntsman's first game at the varsity level. He was moved up when Lucas Devilliers went down with an injury and his very first start came on Homecoming. Colton didn't do much with regards to passing that night; it was his running ability that got him the attention. He was basically the change-of-pace quarterback as a sophomore and he provided Wildcat fans with a preview of what was to come. I saw him during JV games and it looked like he was simply on a different plane talent-wise from everyone else.

Colton Huntsman was someone who not only was the best player on the field, he elevated the level of play from his teammates week in and week out. No situation was too daunting for him. He wasn't the fastest, but the way he made his cuts upfield were absolutely effortless. It was as if he was gliding across the field. He also had an amusing tendency to get caught from behind once he reached the end zone. He made his fair share of mistakes on the field, but they'd almost always get negated because he would respond with multiple huge plays in succession. Whether it's breaking off a 30-yard run or connecting with Isaiah Battle or Johnathan Cross through the air, watching Colton Huntsman play football was poetry in motion.

I've seen hundreds of players pass through this program and without a doubt, the two best players to ever come through are Bryce Callahan and Colton Huntsman. If Cypress Woods High School had a Johnny Manziel-like figure, it would be Colton, without a doubt.

After Cy Woods, Colton played at the Air Force Academy and after a lengthy training process, is now licensed to fly the F-22 Raptor. 

Ten Years, Ten Best Players - #2: Bryce Callahan

The countdown of the ten best players from the first decade of Cy Woods football is almost complete. This man is the first person from Cypress Woods High School to rise to the top level of the sport.

Yes, he is the first Wildcat to play in the National Football League. He's #2 on this list mainly because I didn't want to mess with the numbering format. This is more of a 1A/1B type of thing.

#2, or #1: Bryce Callahan, DB, 2008-09

College: Rice (2010-15)

Pro: Chicago Bears (2015-18), Denver Broncos (2019-present)

First photo taken by Don Carson. Last two photos from Getty Images; sources included in links.

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Accolades at Cy Woods

Most career interceptions (13)

Most career return touchdowns (4)

1st-team All-District 15-5A, 2008 and 2009

PFWA 1st-Team All-State, 2009

THSCA All-Star, 2009

Accolades at Rice

2nd all-time in interceptions (13)

Sporting News Freshman All-American, 2011

Conference USA All-Freshman, 2011

Honorable Mention All-Conference USA, 2011

2nd-team All-Conference USA, 2013-14

Armed Forces Bowl, 2012

Conference USA champion, Liberty Bowl - 2013

Hawaii Bowl, 2014

East-West Shrine Game, 2015

Bryce Callahan was special. The things he did on the field were absolutely insane. Returning punts, ball-hawking in the secondary, burning everyone as a receiver... Bryce was a game. changer. He was also a track star for the Wildcats, although to be honest, that sort of bored him. If he really, truly set his mind to it, he probably would've been a state qualifier in the sprints and jumps.

He intercepted six passes in 2008 and picked off seven more in 2009. He returned a punt for a touchdown in year one and took three more back to the house the next year. The first year was just a preview of what was in store for Cy-Fair ISD football. Once he assumed his final form, he was an absolute terror for opposing teams.

After Cy Woods, Bryce Callahan signed to play football at Rice and played a starring role during one of the most successful periods of Rice Owls football. He redshirted his first season but eventually, he became a leader of the Owl defense. Despite his success at the college level, Bryce went undrafted.

However, he wouldn't have to wait very long for a shot at the NFL as he signed with the Bears shortly after the draft. He was actually waived midway through his rookie season, but he fought for his place in the league and hasn't looked back since. 

Once upon a time, Bryce Callahan dazzled under the lights of Pridgeon Stadium and the Berry Center. Now, ten years later, he's taking on greats such as Aaron Rodgers and Larry Fitzgerald and Adrian Peterson. 

He's on his path to stardom, I'm just a regular guy who happened to play with a future NFL player. I'm glad that I could play a small role in his road to the league. Always got love for my brothers and I'll be keeping track of his career, wherever it may take him.

Ten Years, Ten Best Players - #3: Daylan Skidmore

The #3 player on the countdown of the ten best players from the first decade of Cy Woods football is the greatest linebacker in Cy Woods history. The previous sentence was not an opinion.

#3: Daylan Skidmore, LB, 2009-11

College: Harding

Photo by Don Carson

I'm highly sure that Daylan Skidmore is Cy Woods' all-time leader in tackles and tackles for loss. 

That picture probably sums Daylan up. For two years, he was the heart and soul of the Wildcat defense. He served as a team captain in both of his full seasons on the varsity and also earned 1st-team All-District 17-5A honors in 2010 and 2011.

Alright, by now, you probably know that I'm pretty lazy, so I will just copy what I said about him in his entry in the All-Time roster.

Daylan Skidmore truly embodied what it means to be a Wildcat football player. He was, without a doubt, the face of Cy Woods football as a senior. Even as an underclassman, he took the initiative and stepped up to become a leader for Cy Woods football. He was tenacious and one of the most fearless players on the field. Daylan was someone who commanded respect, and indeed, he is still well-respected by his peers and held in high regard by the coaches at Cy Woods. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to call him a teammate.

Every Wildcat who plays defense should aspire to play with the passion that Daylan Skidmore did. He refused to let his opponent beat him. When that happened, though, he picked himself up and looked to return the favor. And he did just that every single time.

Ten Years, Ten Best Players - #4: Nick Hooper

Number four in the countdown of the ten best players from the first decade of Cy Woods football is a guy whose name appears quite a bit in Cy Woods' record book.

#4: Nick Hooper, QB, 2011-14

College: Texas A&M (as a student)

Photo by Cameron Brooks

Notable Games

2011 vs. Cy Springs - 7 rush, 101 yards, TD; first freshman to appear in a regular-season game for Cy Woods, first freshman to score a touchdown at the varsity level for Cy Woods

2012 vs. Cy Ranch: helped lead Wildcats to an overtime win after Mason Roberts went down with an injury

2013 vs. Cy Springs: 13-19, 334 yards, 3 TD; 16 rush, 68 yards, TD

2014 vs. Cy Ridge: 12-16, 356 yards, 5 TD

2014 vs. Langham Creek: 27-37, 448 yards, 2 TD, INT; 22 rush, 155 yards, 2 TD - school record for passing yards in a game and total yards in a game

2014 vs. Cy-Fair: 15-23, 254 yards, TD, 3 INT; 28 rush, 93 yards, 3 TD; game-winning 6-yard TD run in overtime

Records held at Cy Woods

Most rushing touchdowns in a single season (includes playoffs) - 22, 2014

Most rushing attempts in a single season and career - 224 (2014), 490

Most passing yards in a game - 448, 2014 vs. Langham Creek

Most offensive yards in a game - 603, 2014 vs. Langham Creek

Nick Hooper might have been the closest thing to Colton Huntsman. The moment he set foot into Cy Woods, he was destined to become the next big thing for the Wildcats. Like Colton, Nick could beat opponents as a gunslinger or a runner. Pick your poison...

Hooper took a rather circuitous path towards becoming the starting quarterback: he made his varsity debut deep in a blowout win as a running back. He began his sophomore year as a starting wide receiver and the third-string quarterback behind Nate German and Mason Roberts. When Mason was knocked out of the Cy Ranch game with an injury, Nick stepped in and led the Cats to a victory over a hated rival.

Nick engineered one of the most explosive offenses in school history. With weapons such as R.J. Harmon, C.J. Jones, Jared Taylor, Tre' Hart, and Jordan Johnson, the 2014 Cy Woods Wildcats lit up the scoreboard on a weekly basis, ultimately falling just five points shy of a school record. 

Nick Hooper received offers to play college football from a number of programs, but in the end, he elected to go to A&M strictly as a student. I think he would have done well for himself had he decided to play college football.

Ten Years, Ten Best Players - #5: Isaiah Battle

Halfway home. The next player to be featured in the countdown of the ten best players from the first decade of Cy Woods football is a game-breaking wideout and probably one of the most clutch players in program history.

#5: Isaiah Battle, WR, 2008-09

Colleges: Blinn, Texas State

Cy Woods accomplishments

- Unanimous 1st-Team All-District 15-5A, 2009
- District 15-5A Offensive Player of the Year, 2009

- Texas Sports Writers Association Third-Team All-State, 2009
- Houston Chronicle Second-Team All-Greater Houston, 2009
- School's all-time leader in receiving yards (1,224)
- Most receiving yards in a season (1,109, 2009)
- Most receptions in a season (66, 2009)
- 2nd all-time in receptions (73)
- Most receptions in a game (10, 2009)

Notable Games

2009 vs. Klein Oak - 6 catches, 147 yards, 2 TD
2009 vs. Cy Creek - 8 catches, 153 yards, TD
2009 vs. Langham Creek - 6 catches, 168 yards, 2 TD
2009 vs. Cy Falls - 10 catches, 163 yards, TD
2009 vs. Dallas Skyline - Game-winning 44-yard TD reception with 0:31 left in game

When the Cypress Woods Wildcats needed a big play through the air, they turned to Isaiah Battle. We called him Predator, and for good reason. Isaiah was cold-blooded and he had evil intentions every time he caught a pass. Without a doubt, he was the most dominant wide receiver in Cy Woods football history.

Not only was Isaiah dominant, we knew that he would show up during the biggest games. He helped lead the Wildcats down the field during the game-winning drive against Cy Creek. He tore Klein Oak apart and that was a game in which Oak was favored by 40 points. But his shining moment in a Cy Woods uniform came in the third round of the playoffs against Skyline. With the game tied with less than a minute remaining in regulation, he cemented his status as a great when he caught a Colton Huntsman pass and dashed into the end zone with what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown, giving the Wildcats their payback over the Raiders.

Isaiah was a unanimous first-team All-District 15-5A selection in 2009 and was named Offensive Player of the Year. He also earned third-team All-State honors and also received an invitation to play in the Bayou Bowl, a post-season All-Star game featuring high school players from Texas and Louisiana.

Isaiah Battle is the only Cy Woods player to record over 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. He might be the only person to accomplish this feat for a while. That's alright, though. Among Cy Woods wide receivers, Isaiah Battle has no peers. He is the greatest wide receiver in Cy Woods football history.

Ten Years, Ten Best Players - #6: Fred Anderson

The next player in the countdown of the ten best players from the first decade of Cy Woods football is the first 1,000-yard rusher in school history. That record has since been broken but he still has a couple more records in his possession.

#6: Fredrick Anderson, RB, 2009-10

College: Prairie View A&M

- First player in school history to record 1,000 rushing yards in one season.
- Previously held school single-season record for rushing yards (1036) and touchdowns (20).
- Holds school single-season record for most touchdowns (30; 20 rushing, 10 receiving) and points scored (180). All records were set in 2010.

Notable Games

2009 vs. Round Rock Westwood: 15 rush, 163 yards (first game)
2010 vs. Cy Ranch: 15 rush, 175 yards, 2 TD; 4 catches, 55 yards, 2 TD
2010 vs. Langham Creek: 2 catches, 164 yards, 2 TD
2010 vs. Cy Ridge: 5 rush, 47 yards, TD; 5 catches, 92 yards, 3 TD
2010 vs. Clear Creek: 15 rush, 120 yards, 4 TD

When I first met Fredrick Anderson... he was trouble. I got love for him, but I'll be honest... I thought that he was heading down a treacherous path. He definitely fit the "talented athlete with a troubled life" template to a T. This game and being a part of this team saved Fred. That's all I can say about his personal life.

Fred was supposed to make the varsity as Jeremy Conley's backup in 2009, his junior year. Instead, he got into a bit of trouble. (I don't know what happened and I couldn't share those details if I did. Again, not my business.) He was only able to officially join the team for the playoffs, where he stepped into a starting role when Jeremy Conley got hurt. For those four weeks, Fred finally got a chance to show everyone what he was truly capable of on the field.

When Fred finally became the feature back next to Colton Huntsman, he was absolutely special. A true dual-threat weapon at the running back position. No one at Cy Woods made scoring touchdowns more effortless than Fred did. Teams couldn't just focus on Colton Huntsman on offense... they'd have to account for Fredrick Anderson and he could turn short gains into touchdowns just like that. That tandem of Colton and Fred was poetry in motion.

After Cy Woods, Fred played for four seasons at Prairie View A&M as a running back. He led the Panthers in rushing yards in his first two seasons.

Ten Years, Ten Best Players - #7: Alfred "Bama" Pullom

Next in the countdown of the ten best players from the first decade of Cy Woods football... a true game-changing defensive back.

#7: Alfred "Bama" Pullom, DB, 2010-12

Alfred Pullom moved to Cy Woods from Alabama, which is how he got his nickname. Sometimes the origin story of a nickname is quite simple. Bama made the varsity as a sophomore in 2010 and eventually became a two-year starter at safety for the Cats and one of the top safeties in Texas. Together with Jamaul Tompkins, Bama was a part of the most feared secondary in Cy Woods history... they were the safeties, while Josh Holley and Deonte Davis locked opposing receivers down at cornerback.

After Cy Woods, Bama played three seasons at Baylor and played in two bowl games. He had an interception in the Cotton Bowl against Michigan State in 2014.

Ten Years, Ten Best Players - #8: Dominique Robertson

Continuing the countdown of the ten best players in the first decade of Cy Woods Football is one of the most feared linebackers in Wildcat history.

#8: Dominique Robertson, LB, 2008-09

1st-team All-District 15-5A
Team captain
Holds school record in high jump (6-6)
College: Tulane
What's he doing now: Coach at Cy Falls

Notable Games

2009 vs. Cy Falls: Forced fumble that was recovered for a touchdown, 2 sacks
2009 vs. Cy-Fair: Returned interception 60 yards
2009 vs. Round Rock Westwood:



The other guy came at him first. He didn't take too kindly to getting tossed aside, so Dominique had no choice but to defend himself there. Dominique wasn't looking for a fight... he just stood his ground and hit back when the other guy got in his face.

Bryce Callahan might have been the most talented player on the 2009 Cypress Woods Wildcats defense, but in my opinion, Dominique Robertson was not only in the same tier as Bryce athletically, he was the heart and soul of that unit. He was probably the most athletically gifted linebacker to ever come through the program; it was clear that he had the heart and the talent to match. Dominique was one of the most passionate competitors that I have ever seen on the football field and a man who I would want to have on my side in a battle.

On occasion, he'd line up as a defensive end in pass-rush situations and it just wasn't fair. Opposing linemen had absolutely no chance of containing him. Case in point: Westwood's left tackle in the clip above.

Dominique Robertson was a unanimous 1st-team All-District 15-5A selection in 2009. After Cy Woods, he played college football at Tulane, where he battled Bryce and the Rice Owls in Conference USA.

Ten Years, Ten Best Players - #9: Justin Washington

One of the most dominating defensive linemen in Cy Woods history.

#9: Justin Washington, DL, 2008

Unanimous 1st-team All-District 15-5A selection, 2008

Justin Washington formed probably the best defensive line in Cy Woods history in year one with Josh Theut, Anthony Villamagna, and Glenn Etienne. All four of them received opportunities to play college football, but Justin had the most successful football career after Cy Woods. He went on to play at the University of Arizona, where he earned Freshman All-American honors in 2010 after recording six sacks and also blocking a kick.

The last time I saw him, I know that he was working in Cy-Fair ISD. I'm not sure in what capacity, however.

Ten Years, Ten Best Players - #10: Samuel Stewart

It's time to officially begin the countdown of the ten best players from the first ten years of Cy Woods football.

#10: Samuel Stewart, RB, 2011-13

College: Rice

Notable games

2010 vs. Katy Taylor - first freshman to appear in a varsity football game for Cy Woods

2011 vs. Cy Lakes - 8 rush, 43 yards, TD; 3 catches, 141 yards, 2 TD

2011 vs. Cy Creek - 13 rush, 178 yards, TD

2011 vs. Eisenhower - 11 rush, 93 yards, TD; 4 catches, 66 yards, TD

2013 vs. Cy Lakes: 23 rush, 247 yards, 2 TD; at the time, he set a school single-game record for rushing yards.

When I first saw Sam, he didn't look like a typical freshman. In contrast to the gawky assemblages of limbs, he was already well-built. Sam looked like someone who could become a cornerstone player for the program and he did just that. As a sophomore, Sam led the team in rushing yards; to this day, he is still the only sophomore to lead Cy Woods in rushing yards in a single season. And just like any other running back at Cy Woods, Sam turned himself into a weapon. He lined up as a slot receiver during his sophomore year and showed that he could have been a fine wideout. 

Sam finished his Cy Woods career with 1,784 rushing yards, which puts him in fourth place all-time. With 21 rushing touchdowns, he's tied with Fredrick Anderson for third place in that statistic. Sam also held the Cy Woods single-game record for most rushing yards in a game with 247 against Cy Lakes in 2013, a record that has since been broken. He also caught 12 touchdown passes, which puts him in a tie for second with Jeff Bogan in Cy Woods history. He could have owned those records had he not battled injuries during his junior year.

After concluding his outstanding career at Cy Woods, Sam played for the Rice Owls. Unfortunately, a neck injury he suffered in 2017 ended his career.

Ten Years, Ten Best Players - #11: Jeremy Conley

This next series profiles the ten best players through the first ten years of the Cypress Woods Wildcats football program.

Where do I even begin with this? I've played with and seen many outstanding players in this program and it was quite torturous to just whittle the list down to ten people.

Well, I'll take a creative liberty here. 2018 is the tenth anniversary of the inaugural varsity football season for Cypress Woods High School, but this will also be the eleventh incarnation of the varsity football team at Cy Woods. I was also planning on doing this during the off-season and have it run concurrently with the ten best games series, but it's been a hectic summer at the job. So instead, I will make this a weekly feature during the season.

#11: Jeremy Conley, RB, 2008-09

Notable games

2009 @ A&M Consolidated: 13 carries, 172 yards, 3 TD
2009 vs. Klein Oak: 9 carries, 81 yards; 3 receptions, 124 yards, TD
2009 vs. Cy Falls: 6 carries, 108 yards, TD; 4 receptions, 52 yards, 2 TD

There were about 15 other people that I considered putting at #11, but I feel pretty safe with this selection.

Jeremy Conley is the template for every Cy Woods running back: elusive, lightning-quick, and a threat to score every time he touched the ball. No doubt, Jeremy was the coldest running back I have ever seen. What he also had that sets him apart from many of the running backs who have come through Cy Woods was his pure strength. Pound for pound, Jeremy was probably the strongest person in the program while we were at Woods. Jeremy also competed in powerlifting so he was truly a blend of brute force and pure speed.

I have no idea how he didn't earn any legitimate offers to play college football. Maybe Division I FBS would've been a bit much for him, but this guy overcame a torn ACL sophomore year and he worked extremely hard to return to his pre-injury form. I don't doubt that he could've held his own at the FBS level although he might've had to redshirt and then bide his time before getting a chance. Jeremy definitely would have been a good FCS player and he could've dominated Division II.