Cy Woods All-Time Roster: Number 42

42. The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.

42 also holds a revered place in sports lore as it is retired all throughout Major League Baseball in honor of Jackie Robinson, a man who broke the barriers of racial discrimination in professional sports when he became the first African-American to appear in a Major League Baseball game for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947.

Also, the Arizona State Sun Devils have retired 42 in honor of Pat Tillman, who wore 42 during his career in Tempe. Tillman, who earned the last football scholarship available at ASU when he began his career, excelled as a linebacker despite being undersized for the position. He led the Sun Devils to the Rose Bowl in 1997 and was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year that season.

Pat Tillman eventually moved on to the NFL and played four years with the Arizona Cardinals. After the 2001 season, he spurned a multi-million dollar contract offer from the Cardinals to enlist in the Army, in response to the events of September 11, 2001. He served several tours of duty in Afghanistan and was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2007.

A running back was the first player to wear this number, but ever since 2008, this has mainly been a preferred number for linebackers at Cy Woods.

Logan Junkin, the Junk Man, was a backup running back in 2008.

Logan Junkin, 2008

Travis Calda took this number in 2009, but he was injured and did not play.

Travis Calda (front), 2009

Christian Limbrick made the varsity in 2010, his junior year, and was a rotational player at both outside linebacker spots. He became a starter in his senior season as part of a feared trio with Daylan Skidmore and Deoundrei Davis.

Christian Limbrick, 2010-11

Colin McDade, a backup middle linebacker, wore #42 in 2012.

Colin McDade, 2012

Elijah Pierson was a two-year letterman for the Wildcats, making the varsity as a junior in 2013. Against Cy Creek that year, he made the tackle that kept the Cougars out of the end zone on 4th & goal in the dying seconds of regulation. Elijah was a key member of the defense in 2014 for the Wildcats as part of a solid stable of linebackers. His oldest brother, Alex, played as a safety in 2010.

Elijah Pierson, 2013-14

Neil Chambers made the varsity in 2015, his junior season, and emerged as one of the Wildcats' top performers on the defense. He was a two-year starter at linebacker.

Trajan Armstrong was given this number after he was called up in 2018, his junior year. He led the Wildcats in tackles in his first game, a blowout victory over Cy Park. Trajan also runs track for the Cats.

Photo by Tom Dendy

Trajan Armstrong (far right), 2018-present

Cy Woods All-Time Roster: Number 43

43 is a number that has been worn exclusively by defensive players.

Justin Washington, a starting defensive tackle in 2008, was the first Wildcat to wear 43. He was an absolute force on the line of scrimmage. That defensive line from Year One... they were nothing to mess with. Against Georgetown in 2008, he cleared a path for Josh Theut, who blocked a possible game-tying extra point to preserve a Cy Woods lead.

Justin remained a Wildcat in college as he played at the University of Arizona (boo); he earned Freshman All-American honors after posting 46 tackles (33 solo, 11.5 for loss) and 6 sacks in 2010. He also blocked a kick that year.

Justin Washington, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2008

View image | gettyimages.com

Justin Washington (left), Arizona Wildcats, 2009-13

Corey Senior, a defensive end, switched to 43 in 2009 after wearing #66; he left the program in the middle of that season.

Corey passed away in March 2020. I remember him as someone who really enjoyed lifting and he turned that into a passion when he became a bodybuilder. We weren't particularly close, but the people who I came up with all have a special place in my heart.

Corey Senior (1991-2020), 2008-09; wore #66 in 2008

Dominic Wilson, a defensive tackle, made the varsity as a junior in 2010 and in his two years, he became a key contributor to the defense and became a starter in his senior year. Dominic stood out because he was the only person on the field to wear a neck restrictor.

Dominic played college football at Ohio Wesleyan, a Division III school located in Delaware, Ohio, a small city near Columbus.

Dominic Wilson, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2010-11

Photo from his profile on Ohio Wesleyan's athletics page.

Dominic Wilson, Ohio Wesleyan Bishops, 2012-16

Taylor Holmes, an outside linebacker, was one of the first call-ups during the 2012 season. He would go on to form a solid duo with his classmate, Nick Csatlos; both were two-year starters for the Wildcats.

Taylor, who served as a team captain in his senior season, is now playing at Houston Baptist. His older brother, Trent, was a running back for the Wildcats from 2010-12 and now runs track at the Air Force Academy. Their younger brother, Trayse, is a freshman running back/linebacker at Cy Woods.

Taylor Holmes, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2012-13

Photo from his profile on Houston Baptist's athletics page.

Taylor Holmes, Houston Baptist Huskies, 2014-present

Everett Scott, a backup cornerback in 2014, was the most recent Wildcat to wear #43.

Everett Scott (front, right), 2014

Cody Eggleston, a defensive end/linebacker, made the varsity as a junior in 2015 and mainly played as a backup. In 2016, Cody became a starting outside linebacker and earned 2nd-team All-District honors.

Cody now plays college football at Rhodes College, a Division III school in Memphis.

Cody Eggleston, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2015-16

Rhodes Lynx, 2017-present

Cy Woods All-Time Roster: Number 44

Now on to 44. This is a number that has been worn exclusively by linebackers at Cy Woods.

Arnold Gacita was the first player to wear 44. He made the varsity in 2008, his junior year, and became a starter in 2009, earning 2nd-team All-District honors in District 15-5A. He was limited by an injury late in the 2009 season, which opened the door for....

Arnold Gacita, 2008-09

...Daylan Skidmore, one of the most recognizable names from the early days of Cy Woods football. Daylan was promoted to the varsity in 2009, his sophomore year, and was given #23. He announced his arrival onto the scene with impressive showings in the playoffs and then became a full-time starter in 2010.

Daylan was a two-time team captain in 2010 and 2011 and was a 1st-team All-District 17-5A selection in both seasons.

Daylan Skidmore truly embodied what it means to be a Wildcat football player. He was, without a doubt, the face of Cy Woods football during his senior season. 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 from teammates and opponents, 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.

Daylan continued his football career at Harding University, a Division II school located in Searcy, Arkansas. As a redshirt freshman in 2013, he led the Bisons in tackles, becoming the first freshman in six seasons (and only the second since 1981) to lead the team in that category. In 2014, Daylan was a 2nd-team All-Great American Conference selection. He was also selected as a team captain twice in college and led his team in tackles all four years.

Daylan Skidmore, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2009-11; wore #23 in 2009

Photo from his Facebook page.

Daylan Skidmore, Harding Bisons, 2012-16

Ayman Elayyan wore #44 in 2012. He too was a starter, and while he did have some massive shoes to fill in the wake of Daylan Skidmore's departure, he performed well.

Ayman Elayyan, 2012

Hector Larios, a starting outside linebacker, wore #44 in 2013. He also played a little bit of safety as well.

Hector Larios,, 2013

Keith Watson was promoted to the varsity in 2013, his sophomore year, and was given #14. He switched to #44 as a junior in 2014 and moved into a starting role in 2015. His younger brother, Damian, currently plays basketball for the Wildcats.

Keith Watson, 2013-15; wore #14 in 2013

Blake Brown, a linebacker, wore #44 in 2016. His older brother, Zach, was a defensive back in 2011 and 2012.

Austin Kennedy was a starting linebacker in 2017.

Austin Kennedy, 2017

Jason Christenson made the varsity in 2018, his junior year, and immediately became a starting defensive end. As a senior in 2019, he earned 1st-team All-District 14-6A honors. 

Jason will continue his football career at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Photo by Tom Dendy

Jason Christenson, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2018-19

Drake Bulldogs, beginning in 2020

Cy Woods All-Time Roster: Number 45

Continuing on to #45.

Jeff Marshall, a defensive end in 2009, was the first player to wear 45. Jeff was on the A-team as a freshman, but he decided to focus on baseball. When that decision didn't pan out, he returned to football and began at the bottom of the depth chart as a defensive end. Despite this, Jeff emerged as a starter and became one of the Cats' top defensive linemen.

Jeff Marshall, 2009

Mark Lamping, a backup linebacker, wore #45 in 2010.

Mark Lamping, 2010

Liam Dwyer was the next player to wear #45; he was a backup defensive end in 2013.

Liam Dwyer, 2013

Slade Ortiz, a backup running back in 2014, was the most recent Wildcat to wear #45.

Slade Ortiz, 2014

Tyler Redgrave, a linebacker, made the varsity in 2016, his junior year, and was mainly a backup and a special teams player. His younger brother, Riley, is a linebacker. His youngest brother, Kristian, is a B-back.

Tyler Redgrave, 2016-17

Ryan Colwell, a linebacker, was given this number after his call-up in 2018, his junior year.

Juan Rojas, a B-back/linebacker, was given this number after he was called up for the 2019 playoffs, during his freshman year. Juan is the fifth freshman to appear in a varsity football game for Cy Woods, following his classmates, Sam Myers and Dylan Rogers.

Photo courtesy: Phlox Photography

Juan Rojas, 2019 playoffs

Cy Woods All-Time Roster: Number 46

The number 46 lends itself to a well-known defensive formation in football. So, naturally, everyone who has ever worn 46 at Cy Woods has been a defensive player.

Nick Burbridge, a defensive end, wore #46 in 2008. His brother, Chris, was a defensive lineman in 2009.

Nick Burbridge, 2008

Marshall Frye, a linebacker, was assigned #46 upon his promotion to the varsity in 2009, his junior year. He would switch to 32 in 2010.

Marshall Frye (in front of Daylan Skidmore), 2009-10; wore #32 in 2010

Kris Khalil, a backup linebacker, wore 46 in 2010 as Marshall Frye decided to change numbers. His younger brother, Zack, was a wide receiver in 2013.

Kris Khalil (left), 2010

Hunter Richardson, a backup linebacker, wore #46 in 2011. He also swam and played water polo for the Wildcats. 

Tre'Von Taylor, a starting defensive end in 2013, was the next player to wear 46. He had to sit out the early portion of that season due to circumstances beyond his control. Once he was cleared to play, he seized a starting job and emerged as a standout on a fine defensive unit. Tre'Von is currently an outside linebacker at Texas A&M—Commerce.

Tre'Von Taylor, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2013

Photo from his Twitter account, which is private.

Tre'Von Taylor, Texas A&M—Commerce Lions, 2014-present

Caleb Smith, a defensive end, got a cup of coffee as a sophomore in 2013, when he was promoted to the varsity for the Cy Lakes game. He wore #35 that evening. When he was called up again for the playoffs, he wore #95.

Caleb became a full-fledged varsity player as a junior in 2014 and wore #46. He's expected to be a starting defensive end in 2015.

Caleb Smith, 2013-15; wore #35 for one game in 2013

Alejandro Martinez was a defensive back in 2017.

Alejandro Martinez, 2017

Riley Redgrave, a linebacker, made the varsity in 2019, his junior year. He started the season as a starter before Gavin Snow's emergence relegated him to a backup role. His older brother, Tyler, was a defensive end who earned two varsity letters for the Wildcats in 2016 and 2017.

Photo courtesy: Phlox Photography

Riley Redgrave, 2019-present

Cy Woods All-Time Roster: Number 47

Moving on to 47...

Tarjei Brokken, a backup wide receiver in 2008, was the first player to wear 47. Tarjei has entered the coaching ranks; while attending North Texas, he coached youth football in the Denton area and is now a coach at Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena, where he's in charge of the freshmen.

Tarjei Brokken, 2008

Jeremiah Sutton, a backup punter, wore 47 in 2009.

Jeremiah Sutton, 2009

Gideon Ibemere (pronounced "e-BEM-uh-ray," not "EYE-buh-mere"), a backup kicker, wore 47 in 2010. Coach Neill was unable to pronounce his last name, so he just referred to Gideon as "The Kicker." Gideon also starred on the soccer team at Cy Woods. He's definitely one of the more interesting people I've met. He has family in Nigeria and Italy and came to Cy Woods from Tulsa via Cincinnati.

In his post-football life, Gideon is an artist. In addition to creating art, Gideon also played fútbol at Austin College, a Division III school located in Sherman, Texas. In the 2014 season, he tied for 3rd on the team with 2 goals in 15 appearances.

Gideon Ibemere, Cypress Woods Wildcats, 2010

Photo from his profile on Austin College's Athletics page.

Gideon Ibemere, Austin College Kangaroos, 2013-15

Grant Rebhun, a backup linebacker, wore #47 in 2012.

Elijah Kinnison, an outside linebacker, made the varsity in 2013, his junior year. He made a few starts, and then became one of the primary backups at outside linebacker as a senior in 2014. He also ran track for the Wildcats, specializing in the 400.

Elijah Kinnison (delivering hit), 2013-14

Ellington Shephard, a defensive back, wore #47 in 2016.

Ellington Shephard, 2016

The Happy Birthday Post

On July 11, 2014, Cy Woods Football (the blog) came to be.

I hatched the idea for this blog following the 2014 spring game. Eventually, I worked up the stones to pitch the idea to Coach Faith and he was extremely receptive to the idea of bringing some more exposure to the Cy Woods football program.

I feel that this blog is a way for Wildcats of the past to reconnect with their days as a Wildcat football player, and to see how the Wildcats of the present and future are performing. Again, this isn't a place for me to relive glory days. I am simply a former player who has seen virtually every Cy Woods game, and I want to share what I observe. Also, I want to show the community where this program came from. I believe that this blog is a way for the members of the Cy Woods community, and current and aspiring Wildcat football players to learn how the Wildcat football program came to be, and the tradition that they are expected to uphold as Wildcats once they become students at Cy Woods.

We didn't become successful in an instant. We had guys who were hungry. We had guys who were amped to build a tradition and a culture of success. But, they knew that building that tradition and that culture of success would be a process, and that process was completed in 2008... and it still continues to this day.

This blog is strictly a labor of love, and I am grateful for the chance to share this labor of love with all of you.

Now, I'd like to acknowledge a few people.

I would like to thank Mr. Don Carson, Cameron Brooks, Billy Schuerman, and Matt Ramos for allowing me to use their outstanding photographs on the website.

I'd also like to thank Zac Babb, former TSRN commentator and proprietor of Varsity Wires. I hope you're doing well in Denton. Thank you for giving me the chance to cover this year's State 7-on-7 Football Tournament in College Station. I look forward to contributing more for VW in the future

Another shoutout goes to Adam Coleman. In such a short period of time, he has done a tremendous job in getting the Cy-Fair ISD community engaged in their schools' sports teams. What he has done for CFISD sports is absolutely incredible. Now that he's moved on to the Houston Chronicle, it's more of the same. He's done such an outstanding job as a promoter of Houston high school sports. I primarily rely on Adam to get exposure for the blog, which seems rather unfair, because I am the one writing and I am relying on someone else to get my material out there. He probably thinks that I shouldn't apologize for this, but I will do so anyway.

I would also like to thank Jayne Hansen, proprietor of one of the best Astros-related blogs on the Internet, "What the Heck, Bobby?" In 2013, Ms. Hansen gave me the opportunity to write for her blog, which is dedicated to the Houston Astros minor league system. I mainly write the recaps. but the blog also features player interviews and transaction reports. Since its inception in 2011, WTHB has amassed a following ranging from Astros fans, friends and family of players in the Astros' organization, and members of the Astros' front office and coaching staff. Jayne has played a huge role in shaping what I would like to do in the future. I started out recapping minor league baseball games, and now here I am, with a blog devoted to my high school's football team.

And finally, I'd like to thank my grandpa, Thac Ta. My grandpa had such a great passion for writing, and he actually established his own little publishing house for Vietnamese authors in the Houston area, and for each of the four seasons, they published a compilation of short stories, essays, and other musings in Vietnamese. My grandpa passed away in 2014, and I never truly realized this until I found myself reminiscing about the time I spent with him recently, but I feel that this blog serves a way for me to pay tribute to him.

The 2015 season was something out of the ordinary, as the Wildcats did not participate in the playoffs for just the second time in school history. But, with a new year comes a new season. As the adage goes, hope springs eternal. The road back to the playoffs will not be easy, especially in one of the most cutthroat districts in Texas. However, I think the kids who will be returning will be determined to get a taste of playoff football once again, especially Kason Franklin, C.J. Jones, Myles Wilson, and Luis Reyes. Those four have been there before, and they would like nothing more than one last playoff run with their brothers to close their high school careers. No doubt, the 2016 Cy Woods Wildcats will have a lot to prove.

Cy Woods All-Time Roster: Number 48

The countdown rolls on with 48.

Garrett Landry, a linebacker, made the inaugural team in 2008, his junior year. Unfortunately, he did not play because of an injury; he tore the ACL in his right knee. He re-tore the ACL before the 2009 season started.

From what I have heard when I was still at Cy Woods, Garrett was talented when healthy; it was a shame that he never got to play a single down for the Wildcats.

Garrett Landry, 2008-09; did not play in either season

Dylan Thompson switched to 48 for his senior season; he wore 65 in 2009. Dylan was selected to serve as a team captain in 2010 and remained a defensive tackle. However, he also played some middle linebacker, a position he played when he was a JV player.

Dylan Thompson, 2009-10; wore #65 in 2009

Connor Beardmore, a backup linebacker, wore 48 in 2012. He was also a swimmer at Cy Woods. His brother, Colton, was a wide receiver for the Wildcats in 2009 and 2010.

Connor Beardmore, 2012

Brandon Love, a defensive end, made the varsity in 2014, his junior year, and wore #48. After getting a taste of varsity football, he became a starter for the Wildcats in 2015.

Brandon Love (middle), 2014-15

Daniel Campos, another defensive lineman, wore #48 in 2016.

Jake Johnson, a defensive back, wore #48 in 2017. His two older sisters were both volleyball players at Cy Woods.

Jake Johnson, 2017

Michael Fernandez, a kicker, made the varsity in 2019, his junior year. Michael hit a game-winning 24-yard field goal with six seconds left to take down Tomball Memorial.

Photo courtesy: Phlox Photography

Michael Fernandez, 2019-present

Cy Woods All-Time Roster: Number 49

On to the 40s.

Robin Sumlin, a defensive end in 2008, was the first player to wear 49.

Robin Sumlin, 2008

Tyler Bartz, a linebacker, wore #49 in 2009. Playing on the outside, Tyler was one of the primary backups before he went down with an injury early in the season. His father, Jay, is a biology teacher at Cy Woods and his younger brother, Trevor, swam for Cy Ranch.

Tyler Bartz, 2009

Geoffrey Davis, the next player to wear 49, was a backup running back in 2012.

Geoffrey Davis, 2012

Jamey Wright, an outside linebacker, wore 49 in 2013.

Jamey Wright, 2013