Know Your Enemy: Cypress Springs Panthers

Week 3: Cypress Woods Wildcats vs. Cypress Springs Panthers
6:30 PM, Thursday, September 14, 2017
Pridgeon Stadium

Photo by Billy Schuerman

This is also the 212th post on the blog. 

The Cypress Woods Wildcats were originally supposed to start the 2017 season against Klein Collins on September 1, but Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Texas coast and threw everyone into flux; the first two weeks of the season were canceled, which means that all ten teams in District 17-6A will now have a nine-game season consisting solely of district contests. 

Hopefully, the start of the high school football season is another sign of normalcy returning. However, there are still many in our community who are still picking up the pieces and still in need of our help. In addition, towns such as Rockport, Refugio, Corpus Christi, Victoria, and Beaumont/Port Arthur all bore the brunt of Harvey's fury. As Texans, we look out for our own. Please, don't forget the communities of the Texas coast. 

I'm sure that area charities are still accepting donations. Houstonia Magazine has a list of local charities that you can donate to. Also, there are many, many opportunities to contribute financially toward the Harvey recovery. For starters, there is J.J. Watt's Houston Flood Relief Fund and Mayor Sylvester Turner's Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. And if you wish to volunteer, here are several Texas organizations that you can contact. This recovery will take a long time so do what you can, give what you can.

Now... on to football. Cy Woods and Cy Springs will open up the 2017 football season in District 17-6A on Thursday.

The Enemy: Cypress Springs Panthers

2016 record: 3-7, 2-7 (t-7th) in District 17-6A
Did not qualify for playoffs

All-Time Series

Cy Woods leads 9-0.

Previous Meetings

September 9, 2016: Woods 69, Springs 34

November 7, 2015: Woods 49, Springs 39

November 6, 2014: Woods 70, Springs 44

October 4, 2013: Woods 57, Springs 14 (Homecoming VI)
October 5, 2012: Woods 48, Springs 13
November 5, 2011: Woods 47, Springs 0
November 6, 2010: Woods 51, Springs 41
October 16, 2009: Woods 23, Springs 13
October 17, 2008: Woods 48, Springs 14 (Homecoming I)

Players to Watch

DB Leon O'Neal, QB Xayvion West, ATH Taye Barber, WR Jah'marae Sheread, DL Josh Jolivette, LB Chandler Ojiaku, DL Jose Cirlos, DL Kolbi Lewis

2¢ on Springs

The Panthers have been regarded as a sleeping giant, but three straight 3-7 seasons following two years of improving win totals may have stagnated their momentum somewhat. Springs is still loaded with tremendous upside, but moral victories don't guarantee a playoff berth, and they feel that they are well past the "moral victory" stage. With dynamic athletes like Leon O'Neal, Taye Barber, and Jah'marae Sheread, 2017 may be the best chance for the Panthers to end the district's longest active playoff drought. One thing is for sure: these are not the Cy Springs Panthers who routinely brought up the rear in Cy-Fair ISD football.

Springs boasts one of the most explosive trios in the city in West, Sheread, and Barber. Xayvion West is the district's leading returning passer, and he didn't even enter last season as their starting quarterback. Barber, a TCU commit, has taken extremely well to a super-utility role that has maximized his impact on games. Sheread, who is also a serious threat in the return game, is coming off a 1,000-yard season. The three of them should put up obscene numbers in 2017.

Where the Panthers finish this season will most likely hinge on how well their defense, which turned in one of the worst performances in CFISD football history in 2016, improves in 2017. They were the only team in District 17-6A to allow more than 500 points last season. They'll turn to Leon O'Neal to lead the defense. O'Neal led the district with 147 total tackles last year. He is also one of the country's most highly-sought after recruits and pledged to Texas A&M in the offseason. With 8 returning starters on the defensive side of the ball, Springs leads the way in that category, so that should certainly help facilitate a turnaround.

Last Time These Two Teams Met

Cy Woods lit up the new-look Pridgeon Stadium, racing out to a 62-21 lead after three quarters and cruising to a 69-34 victory. Jacob Kainer threw for 303 yards and five touchdowns and added 128 yards and three more touchdowns on the ground. 

Sub-Varsity Game Information

JV teams play at Cy Springs, while the freshmen are at home. Game times are 5:00 and 7:00 on Wednesday.

Location of Cypress Springs High School

Hurricane Harvey

I originally posted this on What the Heck, Bobby?

At last. After nearly five consecutive days of endless rain, Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey has finally made his exit from the Greater Houston area. I'm fortunate that my family and I sustained minimal losses from Harvey, but withstanding the storm does not mean that everything will instantaneously return to normal.

For many along the Texas coast, their perception of "normal" has been shattered and for them, there is a very real possibility that it may never be repaired. This is only the beginning of a long and arduous healing process. With that being said, the images I have seen this weekend of first responders working round the clock to coordinate rescue and evacuation efforts and the influx of volunteers from Texas and the nation lending a helping hand to these efforts truly give me hope.

Now, the rebuilding process begins and we all have a part to play in it. Not just in Houston, but all along the Texas coast as well. Houston may get the headlines because of its status as the 4th-largest city in the United States, but towns such as Rockport, Refugio, Corpus Christi, and Victoria all bore the brunt of Harvey's fury. As Texans, we look out for our own. Please, don't forget the communities of the Coastal Bend.

There are many, many opportunities to contribute financially toward the Harvey recovery. And if you wish to volunteer, here are several Texas organizations that you can contact. This recovery will take a long time so do what you can, give what you can.

Wildcats Through the Years: 2016

The next chapter of Wildcats Through the Years profiles the 2016 team.

Photo credit: Matt Ramos, The Crimson Connection

Summary

Final record: 2-8, 2-7 (t-7th) in District 17-6A
Did not qualify for playoffs
Points scored: 284 (28.4 per game)
Points allowed: 403 (40.3 per game)
Largest margin of victory: 35 vs. Cy Springs (69-34)
Largest margin of defeat: 39 vs. Cy Ranch (13-52)
Most points scored: 69 vs. Cy Springs
Fewest points scored: 10 vs. Cy Falls
Most points allowed: 62 vs. Langham Creek
Fewest points allowed: 24 vs. Cy Creek

Team Records Set or Tied

Unfortunately, the records this team set were all of the ignominious variety.

Worst record: 2-8
Worst record in district games: 2-7
Fewest points scored in a season: 284
Worst point differential: -119
Longest losing streak: 4 (tied, also longest in a single season)

Individual Records Set or Tied

Receiving touchdowns, career: C.J. Jones, 14 (tied)
Points scored by a kicker, career: Luis Reyes, 187

Statistical Leaders

Stats from Varsity Wires

Passing: Jacob Kainer - 105-203 (51.7%), 1,578 yards, 14 TD, 9 INT
Rushing: Jacob Kainer - 142 carries, 514 yards (3.6 yards per carry), 10 TD
Receiving: Jack Barrientez - 39 receptions, 467 yards (12 yards per catch), 7 TD
Tackles: Myles Wilson - 96
Interceptions: Collin Fewox - 2
Sacks: Cody Eggleston - 4.5

Schedule and Results

Week 1: L 42-14 @ Klein Collins (Klein Memorial)
Week 3: W 69-34 @ Cy Springs (Pridgeon)
Week 4: L 36-21 vs. Cy Ridge (Cy-Fair FCU)
Week 5: L 58-46 @ Jersey Village (Pridgeon)
Week 6: L 62-35 vs. Langham Creek (Cy-Fair FCU)
Week 7: L 27-10 vs. Cy Falls (Cy-Fair FCU)
Week 8: W 36-33 @ Cy Lakes (Cy-Fair FCU)
Week 9: L 35-17 vs. Cy-Fair (Homecoming IX at Pridgeon)
Week 10: L 24-23 @ Cy Creek (Pridgeon)
Week 11: L 52-13 vs. Cy Ranch (Cy-Fair FCU)

The Rundown

After missing out on the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion in 2015, the Cypress Woods Wildcats had to say farewell to nearly all of their offensive production. Stalwarts such as Jared Taylor, Tre' Hart, Jordan Johnson, and R.J. Harmon all departed. In addition, starting quarterback Bryson Powers transferred to Klein Collins. That left C.J. Jones, Jack Barrientez.... and a myriad of unknown quantities.

Jacob Kainer, who saw some action as a sophomore before suffering a serious injury, took over the starting quarterback spot with Brighton Gullickson as his backup. C.J. was injured early in the season opener and never fully recovered from his injury. His absence left a massive void in the offense that had to be filled by Jack Barrientez and Nijah Surtain. Jack responded with a breakout year of sorts as he was the Cats' most productive (and often the only reliable) offensive option by far; not only did he lead the team in receiving yards, but he also finished with one fewer rushing yard than Jacob.

Aside from Jack, however, the Cats' options on offense were severely limited. Brennan Niles managed to lead the team with 19 yards per catch. Owing to the lack of depth, the Wildcats were forced to thrust a host of sophomores into prominent roles on the offense. By the end of the season, eight of them had featured on offense in some fashion. Jake Tesch was also the primary punt returner. Nijah was also the primary kick returner. The Sherrill twins, Cullen and Tanner, showed flashes of their upside at wide receiver, and Connor Faulk and Brock Gunderson were starters from day one at slot receiver and left tackle, respectively. Ethan Agnew also stepped into a starting role on the offensive line following his promotion to the varsity.

The defense was once again the team's Achilles' heel, especially against the run; the Wildcats allowed all but two of their opponents to run for 200 yards. In recent years, the Cats managed to mask this deficiency because they outscored their opponents on a regular basis. This was not the case in 2016, where a young offense's growing pains put the defense in a bind more often than not. Kason Franklin and Myles Wilson returned for one final season. Among the other veterans joining them were Ryan Kenny, Cody Eggleston, Neil Chambers, Collin Fewox, and Elijah Strang.

Regular Season

Chapter nine of Cy Woods Football began on August 27, 2016, as the Cats traveled to Klein Memorial Stadium to take on the Klein Collins Tigers. For the first time since 2010, the Wildcats opened their season with a true road game.

Week 1: Klein Collins 42, Cy Woods 14

Jacob Kainer scored the first points of the 2016 season with a two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Unfortunately, the Tigers, like they did in the previous two meetings, completely dominated this affair, outgaining the Wildcats 420-120 on offense. The vast majority of those yards came via the running game. Bryson Powers shredded the Wildcat defense for three rushing touchdowns and his backfield partner, D'Anthony Doyle, scored two of his own. Jack Barrientez scored on a 37-yard run in the third quarter for Cy Woods' only other points.

Week 3: Cy Woods 69, Cy Springs 34

The Wildcats rebounded from their season-opening drubbing by doling out a drubbing of their own, christening a renovated Pridgeon Stadium with a 69-34 victory over the Panthers. Jacob Kainer finished 9-13 for 241 yards and four touchdowns through the air and also ran for 133 yards and three touchdowns. Jack Barrientez caught four passes, two for touchdowns, for 109 yards. Cy Woods blew this game wide open by outscoring Cy Springs 27-7 in the third quarter to extend their 35-14 halftime lead into a 62-21 laugher.

So... after lighting up the scoreboard, would things return to normal for the Wildcat offense?

Week 4: Cy Ridge 36, Cy Woods 21

Sadly, the answer was no. Semaj Trahan provided one of the few highlights in this game by returning an interception 87 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Jacob Kainer scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter, and despite allowing a touchdown right before halftime, the Cats led 13-8 at the intermission despite being held to just 27 yards of offense.

Jacob caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Jack, and Connor Faulk ran the ball in for two points for the Cats' only score of the second half. The lackluster outing from the offense put the defense in a bind, and the Rams eventually opened the floodgates by scoring 28 unanswered points to close out the game. The Cats were bludgeoned on the ground with Trelon Smith and Alex Jacobs, who both ran for over 100 yards with two rushing touchdowns.

Week 5: Jersey Village 58, Cy Woods 46

Despite the improved output on offense, it was more of the same on defense as the Falcons turned the tables on the Cats in the second half, outscoring them 41-15 after Cy Woods had held a 31-17 halftime lead. Jacob Kainer had an excellent performance, throwing for 333 yards and two touchdowns and running for 123 yards and three more scores.

The Cats had no answer for Jersey Village running back Jireh Thompson, who ran for 242 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries. They also had no answer for Falcon quarterback Alec Wechsler, who threw for 368 yards and four touchdowns; three of those touchdown passes came in the fourth quarter.

Week 6: Langham Creek 62, Cy Woods 35

At this point, I'm beginning to sound like a broken record. The Lobos scored on their first five offensive possessions and also returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the first half. Jacob threw for 262 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw the two pick-sixes. Cullen Sherrill caught two touchdown passes.

Week 7: Cy Falls 27, Cy Woods 10

For the second time in 2016, the Wildcats lost to a previously winless team. The offense sputtered once again and a decent outing from the defense was wasted. Matt Ficalora scored the Cats' lone touchdown on a 32-yard pass from Brighton Gullickson in the fourth quarter. They had a chance to creep closer, but Brighton threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

With a fourth consecutive defeat, the Wildcats tied the longest losing streak in school history. It was also the first time that they have lost four straight in the same season.

Week 8: Cy Woods 36, Cy Lakes 33

Effectively out of the playoff picture, Cy Woods needed a 99-yard drive on their final possession of the game just to steal a win from the suddenly not-so-hapless Spartans. Hard to believe that Cy Lakes narrowly missed finishing 4-6 in 2016.

Jacob's topsy-turvy season continued as he finished 16-28 for 264 yards and four touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns went to Jack Barrientez, who ran for 123 yards and a touchdown of his own. After converting a fourth-and-13 with a 14-yard run, Jacob threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Nijah Surtain, who dashed 32 yards to the house with just 23 seconds remaining in the contest.

Week 9, Homecoming IX at Pridgeon: Cy-Fair 35, Cy Woods 17


Not a happy Homecoming for the Wildcats as this loss not only eliminated them from playoff contention, it also condemned them to a losing season for the second time in school history. The Wildcats were held to just 246 yards on offense but still managed to hang around before the Bobcats put the game away with a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Jack Barrientez ran for 96 yards on nine carries and scored on a three-yard touchdown.

Week 10: Cy Creek 24, Cy Woods 23

The Cats set a record they did not envision setting when the season began: most losses in a single season. They were unable to come away with a victory after Luis Reyes' 39-yard field goal sailed wide left with eight seconds to go; he was iced twice before finally getting the opportunity to attempt the kick. The Cats led 23-10 after the third quarter, but couldn't hold that lead.

Jack had another outstanding game, running for 111 yards and a touchdown and catching four passes for 63 yards and another touchdown. Collin Fewox shined on defense, posting 15 tackles and intercepting a pass.

Week 11: Cy Ranch 52, Cy Woods 13

Nothing caps off a rough season like getting dismantled by your most hated rival in the final game of the season. The Cats fell behind 38-6 at halftime and nearly suffered their worst loss in school history until C.J. Jones caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Brighton Gullickson late in the fourth quarter.

In Conclusion

Two consecutive seasons without the playoffs. Worst season in school history. Everything that could have possibly gone wrong for Cy Woods football went wrong in 2016. For a team that has enjoyed so much success from the start, the last two seasons have left many in the community scratching their heads, wondering what has happened to this once-proud program.

I can't talk ill of the kids who fought when given the opportunity. They just couldn't match up physically or athletically against their opponents, but they fought.

Every school goes through down periods; this just happens to be the first real down period for Cy Woods football. Everyone in the program feels a sense of responsibility for what happened in 2016 and I've seen a renewed focus from both the kids and the coaching staff this offseason; they're determined to get the program back on track and back to where it was for most of its history.

Fortunately, a majority of the players who went through a baptism by fire in 2016 all have a year of varsity football experience under their belts. On paper, the Cypress Woods Wildcats should be much improved on both sides of the football.

Precedent also appears to be on their side as well; teams finishing with 2-8 records in District 17-6A have seen improved fortunes; Cy Ridge went 2-8 in 2014 and was the last Cy-Fair ISD team standing in the playoffs two years later. Ditto for Cy Falls, who advanced to the third round in 2015 after finishing 2-8 in 2013.

With that being said, this is the first time in Cy Woods football history that no one is considering them as a playoff contender. They are literally out of sight, out of mind. That's fine; they usually do better when the spotlight is being shined somewhere else. The Cats face an uphill battle just to return to the top 4 in District 17-6A, but any improvement from 2016 will be gladly welcomed. That's what makes sports great: no matter how your teams fared in the previous season, they always get another shot to make amends for a poor season or to build upon sustained success.

Time to revive 212 once again.

2017 Schedule

Here is how the 2017 schedule shapes up for Cy Woods as they look to return to respectability after nearly collapsing into the cellar with a 2-8 record in 2016.

The schedule is essentially the same order of opponents from last year, only the games are played on different days. This is technically the tenth football team, but the ninth season since Cy Woods began varsity football.

Cy Woods will play all ten of its regular-season games at the two Cy-Fair ISD stadiums this year. They'll also have two Saturday day games on the docket.

Homecoming X is September 29 against Jersey Village at CF-FCU. It will also be the first time that the Wildcats will face the Falcons at the Stadium Formerly Known as the Berry Center. This is not the earliest Homecoming game for the Cats; Homecoming II (2009) against Cy Ridge was the district opener that year.

212! Cy Woods leaps into the 2017 season with Klein Collins at Pridgeon Stadium. They'll play @JerseyVillageHS in their Homecoming game. pic.twitter.com/3HkvdnTFNT

— Varsity Wires (@VarsityWires) April 7, 2017

Spring Football Schedule

In one month, the Cypress Woods Wildcats will formally begin their preparations for the 2017 football season.

Sprng Ball Practice Schedule:
April 24, 26, & 28
May 1- 5
Sat. May 6 @ 10am
May 8 -12
May 15
May 16 Spring Scrimmage @5 &7pm

— Cy Woods Football (@CyWoodsFB212) February 10, 2017

Time to find out who made the most of their offseason. Time to find out who's going to step up and emerge as a key player. Time to put the nightmares of 2016 behind.

New Power Clean Record!

Max Sweet, a senior (to-be) defensive lineman, set a new record in the weight room yesterday with a 335-pound power clean. The previous record was 310 pounds, set in 2012 by Marquise White.

Regardless of whether one is bench pressing, squatting, or power cleaning it... lifting 335 pounds worth of weights is an impressive feat. Congratulations, Max!

Max Sweet power clean 335!! #212 #newRecord #hardworkpaysoff pic.twitter.com/wDpBjVfvu3

— Cy Woods Football (@CyWoodsFB212) March 8, 2017

He got some love on Channel 11, too! (video from Trent Bird)

@Max_Sweet94 boys on the news what's up👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/nNKwf0JvjY

— tbird (@legendarybird_) March 9, 2017

2016 Recap, and a Look Ahead to 2017

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.

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.

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.

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.

Here are our "Way Too Early Power Rankings" for the 2017 football season.

Varsity Wires went 3/4 in preseason predictions this season. pic.twitter.com/illGh6Of9P

— Varsity Wires (@VarsityWires) December 5, 2016

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.

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.

Golden Eagle Invitational Recap

Cy Woods track and field participated in the Golden Eagle Invitational at Cy Falls on Thursday. While the boys had a pretty rough outing, the girls took first place for the second consecutive meet. As usual, here are some of the highlights from the meet:

- The Alecs were the only first-place finishers on the boys' side. Alec Hernandez won the 800m with a time of 1:58.7. Alec Esposito won the 1600m with a time of 4:35.14, and Sam Covington placed sixth with a time of 4:42.2.

- Tory Spears finished second in the triple jump with a mark of 42'8".

- Angel Laca placed fourth in the 200m with a time of 22.87 seconds.

- Max Sweet finished fifth in the discus and the shot put.

- Braedon Maddox finished fifth in the pole vault by clearing 13'6", setting a new personal best in the process. Trent Bird finished sixth.

The Lady Wildcats put up 114 points, finishing 36 points ahead of the second-placed team, Cy Ranch.

- Kennedy Bailey finished first in the 100m hurdles, as usual. She finished third in the 300m, but nevertheless, the Cats got eight points from the event thanks to Emerald Carter's fifth-place finish.

- Emerald finished fourth in the long jump with a mark of 17'5".

- The 4x100 relay team finished second to the vaunted Hightower team with a time of 48.24 seconds.

- The 3200m proved to be a boon for the Lady Wildcats; they scored 20 points from the event with Lina Spjut's win (12:09), Faithe Green's second-place finish (12:13.08), and Amber Byrd's fifth-place showing (12:24). Amber also took third in the 1600m with a time of 5:31.

- In the throws, Lawrenee Hart won the shot put with a throw of 40 feet, 2.5 inches. Isabelle Faith finished third in the shot put and fourth in the discus, and Rachel Jackson took third in discus.

- Only four girls took part in the pole vault, and Lizzie Bradley cleared 11 feet to finish in second place.

Cy Woods track and field returns to action on Friday, March 3 at Sam Houston State.

2017 Will Taylor Relays

This past Saturday, the Cypress Woods Wildcats track and field team made the journey to Memorial High School to take part in the Will Taylor Relays, and overall, it was a solid Saturday afternoon for both teams. The boys finished fifth as a team. Cy-Fair ISD sent three teams to Memorial; they were the top boys' team, just edging out Cy-Fair by 0.5 points.

On the other hand, the girls took first place with a total of 158 points, finishing ahead of second-placed Katy by 26 points. Here are a few noteworthy performances from Saturday...

- Cy Woods' pole vaulters all set personal bests on the afternoon, including Trent Bird, who tied a school record by clearing 14 feet. He finished third in the competition. Mac Bird and Braeden Maddox both cleared 12 feet, 6 inches.

- Angel Laca continued his strong start to the season by finishing third in the 200m with a time of 22.29 seconds. He had a slight improvement on his time from Cy Ridge.

- After failing to advance out of the heats at Cy Ridge, Vincent Pennington rebounded to finish second in the 110m hurdles. 

- Alec Esposito finished fourth in the 1600m with a time of 4:30.91. The boys won the distance medley relay with a time of 10:42.39.

- Kennedy Bailey notched two more victories in the hurdle events: She won handily in the 100 but had to fend off a late challenge from a Cinco Ranch runner to take the 300.

- Iquo Ating had an impressive showing, leading the Lady Cats to wins in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays. She ran an excellent leg in the 4x200 which swung the momentum of the race to the Wildcats. Iquo also won the 100m with a time of 12.39 seconds. Freshman Jordan Perry finished third in the 100m with a time of 12.7 seconds.

- Lawrenee Hart, a junior thrower, finished second in the shot put and fourth in the discus. Cy Woods' girls ended up getting 15 points from the event; Isabelle Faith finished third and Rachel Jackson placed 6th. Rachel also finished second in the discus.

I talked with Coach Crumedy for a little bit while watching the shot put and he tells me that he's still trying to get some of his girls to buy in. From my practice observations, they do play around a bit too much at times. What I saw on Saturday was that he has a solid group that will step up to deliver winning performances. They all had an outstanding showing at Memorial, and they should be proud of getting first place overall. Let's keep it going.

The next meet for Cy Woods track and field is the Golden Eagle Invitational at Cy Falls on Thursday. The sub-varsity has their first meet of the season at Cy-Fair on Wednesday. 

2017 Ram Tough Relays Report

Starting today, this blog will also be a track and field blog.

On Saturday, the Cypress Woods Wildcats participated in their first track meet of the season, the Ram Tough Relays at Cypress Ridge High School. A few Wildcat football players have taken to the track in order to better prepare themselves for the upcoming season, and here is a quick recap with a few notable results.

Angel Laca, a senior wide receiver, won the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.42 seconds. He also ran the first leg of the 4x400-meter relay; the Cats wound up finishing third overall behind Beaumont Central and Langham Creek. Derrick Brooks ran in Angel's heat in the 200 and posted a respectable time of 22.99 seconds.

Matt Mori, a junior defensive lineman, ran the 800 and finished with a time of 2:10 despite a strong start. Though he wasn't pleased with his results, he has been running well in practice, so he should improve upon that time as the season progresses. He might be a candidate to run the 400, as well.

On the girls' side, Jordan Perry, a freshman, won her heat in the 100m and finished sixth in the final. Not a bad result for your first high school track meet. Kennedy Bailey did what she usually does, sweeping the 100m and 300m hurdles.

Cy Woods track and field will return to action at the Will Taylor Relays at Memorial High School on February 18.

2016 All-District Wildcats

Despite a 2-8 season, a few Wildcats played well enough to earn All-District accolades in 2016. However, for the first time in team history, no Cy Woods player was a first-team selection; four Wildcats were second-team selections, and Luis Reyes was an Honorable Mention.

2nd Team All-District 17-6A

OL Brock Gunderson
LB Cody Eggleston
RB/WR Jack Barrientez
DB Myles Wilson

Honorable Mention All-District 17-6A

K/P Luis Reyes

Academic All-District

Sophomores

WR Connor Faulk
WR Tanner Sherrill
WR Cullen Sherrill
RB Jake Tesch
OL Brock Gunderson

Juniors

RB/WR Jack Barrientez
RB Bobby Dodson
OL Tim Dendy
QB Jacob Kainer
DL Christian Jones
DB Collin Fewox
DB Matt Roberts

Seniors

OL Trent Allman
LB Arshdeep Bala
LB Trent Bird
LB Blake Brown
DL Daniel Campos
LB Hayden Chalmers
LB Sean Despres
LB Cody Eggleston
WR Matt Ficalora
DB Kason Franklin
QB Brighton Gullickson
OL David Heskin
DL Johnathan Hunter
OL Stephon Jones
LB Collin Joyce
DL Ryan Kenny
WR Matt King
WR Sam Landingham
WR Brennan Niles
LB Yussef Nuñez
DB Ellington Shephard
LB Cory Tomchesson
DB Myles Wilson
OL Mark Witson
DL Mitchell Wolverton

Congratulations to Brock, Cody, Myles, Jack, and Luis for earning All-District honors. For Luis, Cody, and Myles, they get to leave Cy Woods with positive recognition for their performances on the football field. Jack was primed for a breakout in 2016, and he delivered by recording over 1,000 all-purpose yards on the season.

This should also be the first accolade that Brock Gunderson earns in what should be a long and prosperous football career as he looks to not only follow in his brother Cole's footsteps, but to leave his own impression on Cy Woods football.

Finally, congratulations to the Wildcats who were Academic All-District players. In addition, Brennan, Trent, and Sam were 2nd-team Academic All-State selections. Sometimes... it's not all about football. They put in their work on the field and off it, as well.

Cy Ranch 52, Cy Woods 13: The End

Final 2016 record: 2-8, 2-7 in District 17-6A

Photo credit: Matt Ramos, The Crimson Connection

A tumultuous and torturous season is finally over. Two years removed from a playoff run, the Cy Woods Wildcats have fallen to the bottom of the table. This fall from grace was capped off with a crash landing in the form of a 52-13 dissection at the hands of the Cy Ranch Mustangs in the 2016 season finale.

Too long, didn't read version: The 2016 iteration of the Battle of 290 was no contest.

Changes are coming.....

So, What Happened Was....

The Mustangs scored on all six of their possessions in the first half to cruise to a 38-0 lead on a hapless Cy Woods squad in the first half before Jacob Kainer finally put the Cats on the board with a six-yard touchdown run with no time left.

Halftime: Ranch 38, Woods 6

Ranch scored two more times for good measure in the third quarter and were on the verge of handing Woods its worst-ever defeat before C.J. Jones caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Brighton Gullickson with under two minutes remaining in the game.

Final: Ranch 52, Woods 13

Ground

Yes, injuries happen, but it really is a shame that we didn't get to see a fully healthy C.J. Jones get a chance to shine on the football field this season. As he has done so many times in the past, he led the Cats in rushing in his final game, and he broke off a couple of nice runs.

C.J. Jones: 13 carries, 57 yards

Brighton Gullickson: 6 carries, 30 yards

Jacob Kainer: 7 carries, 25 yards, TD

Matt Ficalora: 2 carries, 16 yards

Angel Laca: 1 carry, 14 yards

Bobby Dodson: 3 carries, 14 yards

Semaj Trahan: 2 carries, 3 yards

Air

C.J.'s touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was the 14th of his Cy Woods career, moving him into a tie at the top of the all-time leaderboard with Gary Tesch and Jordan Johnson.

Jacob Kainer: 1-14, 17 yards

Brighton Gullickson: 4-12, 31 yards, TD, 2 INT

C.J. Jones: 1-1, 46 yards

Semaj Trahan: 0-1

Brennan Niles: 2 catches, 31 yards

Tanner Sherrill: 1 catch, 46 yards

Matt Ficalora: 1 catch, 14 yards

C.J. Jones: 1 catch, 3 yards, TD

Bobby Dodson: 1 catch, 0 yards

Defense

Um... I will plead the fifth. This is the third straight year in which the Wildcat defense has allowed over 400 points in a season. The problem here is that two of these seasons are non-playoff seasons.

Tackles

Micheal Young - 10

Elijah Strang - 7

Neil Chambers, Tre Minix - 5

Cody Eggleston and Tory Spears - 4

Kason Franklin, Collin Joyce, Evan Alexander, Ryan Kenny - 3

Matt Roberts, Myles Wilson - 2

Blake Brown, Trent Bird, Joaquin Garza, Matt Ficalora, Yussef Nuñez, Christian Jones, Hayden Chalmers, Hunter Magallan - 1

Sacks: Neil Chambers 1 (7 yards lost), Cody Eggleston 1 (2 yards lost)

Fumbles forced: Tre Minix

Fumbles recovered: Jake Tesch

Special Teams

Luis Reyes converted on the final extra point attempt of his career. He will finish his Cy Woods career with 187 points, an all-time record for a Wildcat kicker.

C.J. Jones: 2 kicks returned, 64 yards

Tre Minix: 2 kicks returned, 39 yards

Micheal Young: 1 kick returned, 16 yards

Other Happenings

The student section took part in the Mannequin Challenge, and Cami Beardmore recorded it all. Pretty cool stuff. They also threw powder in the air, apparently.

CYPRESS WOODS #MannequinChallenge #212 pic.twitter.com/MINOTiTncG

— Cameron Beardmore (@BeardmoreCami) November 5, 2016

The Wildcats' Mannequin Challenge attempt made it to the Chronicle, too!

Wow our #Mannequinchallenge made it in the Houston Chronicles! Check out the story here:https://t.co/PC0Ointf6h

— Cameron Beardmore (@BeardmoreCami) November 7, 2016

Looking Ahead

It's the offseason.

Know Your Enemy: Cypress Ranch Mustangs

Week 11: Cypress Woods Wildcats vs. Cypress Ranch Mustangs
7:00 PM Friday, November 4, 2016
Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union Stadium

Previously on Cy Woods Football...

The Wildcats suffered the ignominy of setting a a new record for losses in a season, falling to Cy Creek 24-23 after Luis Reyes' 39-yard field goal attempt went wide to the left with eight seconds remaining.

Jack Barrientez ran for 111 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries and also caught four passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. Collin Fewox had an outstanding night on defense with 15 tackles and an interception.

This year's iteration of the Battle of 290 features two squads heading in opposite directions. While Cy Ranch is preparing for the playoffs, Cy Woods will be wrapping up its season on Friday night.

Well, it is still a rivalry game, even though the fortunes of these two teams are in different strata. On a rivalry pitting two Division II schools in South Dakota, Ryan Nanni of SB Nation wrote: "Rivalry history only matters for 364 days a year. The day of the game is different." Time to write the next chapter in the book.

The Enemy: Cy Ranch Mustangs

2015 record: 10-2, 9-0 (1st) in District 17-6A
Lost 59-20 to Katy in 6A Division II, Region III Area round

Cy Ranch season-to-date: 9-0, 8-0 (1st) in District 17-6A

W 42-35 @ Cinco Ranch
W 26-7 vs. Cy Falls
W 35-7 @ Jersey Village
W 24-17 vs. Cy-Fair
W 58-20 @ Cy Creek
W 73-45 vs. Cy Springs
W 49-31 vs. Langham Creek
W 56-7 @ Cy Lakes
W 27-24 vs. Cy Ridge

All-Time Series

Series tied 3-3.

Previous Meetings

September 26, 2015: Ranch 44, Woods 25
September 27, 2014: Ranch 38, Woods 35
October 19, 2013: Woods 54, Ranch 0
October 20, 2012: Woods 40, Ranch 37 (OT)
September 23, 2011: Woods 68, Ranch 21
September 24, 2010: Ranch 38, Woods 35

A Few Players to Watch

QB Blake Nevins, RB E.J. Thompson, RB Holden Gourley, WR R.J. Sneed, WR Keric Wheatfall, OL Cole Blanton, OL Samir Martula, DL Harrison Loveless, LB Amaud Willis-Dalton, LB Daniel Whitmire, LB Lawson Pyles, DB Rance McInnis, DB Shemar Bartholomew, DB Alex O'Connor

2¢ on Ranch

Since their run to state in 2014, the Cypress Ranch Mustangs have firmly established themselves as the kings of the mountain known as Cy-Fair ISD football. No doubt, this is a team with serious title aspirations.

To go undefeated in this district is not an easy task. To go undefeated in this district two years in a row is completely unheard of.... until possibly now. In District 17-6A's current configuration, no team has finished with an undefeated record in district play in two consecutive seasons. Cy Ranch has a chance to do exactly that on Friday night. The fact that they are in this position is a testament to that program, and the willingness that they have shown to become better in all aspects of the program.

The one thing that has impressed me most about Ranch this year is how mentally tough they are. On the rare occasions in which they are tied or trailing in games, they just keep grinding away. They just play their game, regardless of what the scoreboard says. They make few mistakes, and they punish their opponents for their miscues.

Blake Nevins is at the controls of the Mustang offense, and he is also their starting point guard in basketball. If I am not mistaken, he has not committed a single turnover this year. No interceptions, no fumbles lost... he has done his job.

E.J. Thompson, once again, is their workhorse back. He's a tank who will consistently chew up five, six, seven yards a play. Holden Gourley is the home-run threat. The two of them will be running behind an imposing offensive line led by Cole Blanton and Samir Martula. Blanton is one of the top offensive linemen in the country in the class of 2018. The Mustangs have literally run over their opponents this year; as a team, they have rushed for over 200 yards in all but two games this season.

R.J. Sneed and Keric Wheatfall haven't put up eye-popping numbers this season, but they are still integral players in that offense, and they have burned the Cats quite a bit in the last two years.

The secondary was thought to be a question mark for Cy Ranch entering the season, but most of those concerns seem to be quelled. Rance McInnis is just a sophomore, but he has been one of the breakout stars of the district as a shutdown safety. His partner in the defensive backfield, Alex O'Connor, is a sure tackler who has really built on a promising sophomore season. Shemar Bartholomew and Ryan Fields have really come into their own as the season has progressed at the cornerback spots.

The Mustangs' front seven is one of the best in the city and arguably the state. Harrison Loveless is the anchor of their defensive line, while Amaud Willis-Dalton does it all; he leads the Mustangs in sacks and has also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Lawson Pyles, Daniel Whitmire, and Deondrick Montgomery round out an outstanding quartet of linebackers.

Last Time These Two Teams Met

The Mustangs got the jump on the Wildcats, storming out to a 27-6 halftime lead. Woods managed to mount up a response in the second half, but that deficit was simply too much to overcome, and the Mustangs came out on top 44-25, giving them a winning streak for the first time in the Battle of 290.

Sub-Varsity Game Information

The JV will play their final games at Cy Ranch. Game times are at 5:00 and 7:00.

Location of Cypress Ranch High School

Haha, that's funny.

Cy Creek 24, Cy Woods 23: Heart. Break. City.

2016 Record: 2-7. 2-6 in District 17-6A

Photo credit: Matt Ramos, The Crimson Connection

A long season just got a little bit longer, because despite a valiant effort, the Cy Woods Wildcats fell 24-23 to Cy Creek after Luis Reyes' 39-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left with eight seconds remaining in the game.

No Cy Woods football team had lost more than six games in a season... until now. To say that it's been a tough year is a rather large understatement.

With their fates already sealed, the Cats could have just gone through the motions in this game and been content with getting smacked 55-0. On the contrary, I did not see anybody quit in this game; they played as though they were still in a playoff chase, and it makes me sick to see them put forth that amount of effort, only for them to fall short of a victory.

Creek missed a game-winning field goal against Woods in my senior year (that one was not even close), so I suppose both teams are even now.

This was the first time that Woods went with the white/gold uniform combination, and it looked excellent. What was not excellent: the PA announcer. I was not aware that Cy Woods changed their mascot to the Tigers.

So, What Happened Was...

This game had a heated beginning. Tyler Redgrave got into it with Pryce Pearson during the opening kickoff, and Tyler ended up losing his helmet in the process. In retaliation, he ripped off Pearson's helmet and chucked it about ten yards. Obviously, his actions resulted in his ejection.

Hopefully this serves as a lesson for him. Things do get testy on the football field, but there are times where you just have to be the bigger man.

Jacob Kainer was picked off on the second play of the game, and the Cougars turned that into three points with a 22-yard field goal from Ryan Nealy. After Creek ran a fake punt on fourth down.... inside their own 15-yard-line and fumbled the ball away, Luis responded with a 31-yard field goal with four minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Yes, that fake punt was a thing that actually occurred in this game.

End 1st: Woods 3, Creek 3

Jack "Barren-tinez" scored twice in the second quarter; his first came on a 34-yard run. Then, with just over two minutes remaining, Brighton "Gullilckson" saw that Jack was totally uncovered, lobbed the ball to him, and Jack took it from there, scoring from 31 yards out. Creek found the endzone right before halftime as Miles Battle scored on a 14-yard pass from Mateo Renteria.

Halftime: Woods 17, Creek 10

Brighton scored on a two-yard run, which was the only scoring play of the third quarter. The extra point was not attempted due to a bad snap.

End 3rd: Woods 23, Creek 10

Battle scored twice in the fourth quarter, and both of his touchdown catches came on fourth-down plays. The first went for eight yards in the back corner of the endzone and it looked as though he was out of bounds. The official closest to the play did not see it that way, though, and the replay looked like it showed that he had a foot down. The second came when he caught a screen pass and outran everyone for a 42-yard touchdown. The extra-point attempt following that touchdown was moved back because of a false start, and the retry was nearly blocked by Tre Minix, but Nealy was able to convert the PAT.

Following a punt, the Wildcats regained possession with 2:45 left. Jacob Kainer did what he was supposed to do; put Woods in a position to win the game. It all fell to Luis Reyes, who came on for a 39-yard attempt to win the game. He was iced twice, and that strategy, unfortunately, paid off, because the kick went wide left.

The extra point that didn't get kicked turned out to be the difference in this game.

Also, the fourth quarter continues to be absolute torture for the Wildcats; they have now been outscored 117-36 in the final period this season.

Final: Creek 24, Woods 23


Ground

Jack Barrientez continues his star turn.

Jack Barrientez: 18 carries, 111 yards, TD
Jacob Kainer: 10 carries, 31 yards
Brighton Gullickson: 8 carries, 19 yards, TD
Jake Tesch: 1 carry, 4 yards

Air

Connor Faulk was targeted a fair amount in this game, especially when the Wildcats needed first downs, and he made the most of his chances; four of his six receptions resulted in first downs, and he was the team's leading receiver in this game. There is a lot of upside with this wide receiver group with him and the Sherrill twins; all three of them are just sophomores, and they are just scratching the surface of their potential.

Jacob Kainer: 11-21, 107 yards, INT
Brighton Gullickson: 5-10, 92 yards, TD
Jack Barrientez: 0-1

Connor Faulk: 6 catches, 58 yards
Jack Barrientez: 4 catches, 63 yards, TD
Matt Ficalora: 3 catches, 37 yards
Brennan Niles: 1 catch, 17 yards
Jake Fennis: 1 catch, 14 yards
Jake Tesch: 1 catch, 10 yards

Defense

Although the secondary had their hands full with Miles Battle, the defensive unit turned in an inspired performance. Collin Fewox was in on seemingly every play on Thursday. I really like what I saw from Collin in this game... he's fearless and he's playing with an edge that has been sorely missing from the Cy Woods defense for a few years now. He also intercepted a Mateo Renteria pass near the goal line to stop a potential Creek scoring drive, and Cody Eggleston also had an interception; he looked sort of surprised that the ball hit him in the hand at first, but he stuck with the play and was able to secure the ball.

Tackles

Collin Fewox - 15
Neil Chambers - 14
Cody Eggleston - 10
Tre Minix - 7
Johnathan Hunter - 5
Elijah Strang - 5
Micheal Young - 4
Evan Alexander and Collin Joyce - 3
Hunter Magallan, Myles Wilson, Ryan Kenny, and Christian Jones - 2
Connor Faulk, Adrian Venzor, Hunter Husbands, Trevor Reed, Trent Bird, and Ethan Agnew - 1

Interceptions 
Collin Fewox 1, returned 29 yards
Cody Eggleston 1

Fumbles recovered
Evan Alexander 1

Special Teams

Keep your head up, Luis. The great thing about this game is that no matter the result of your last run, reception, or kick, you will get another chance to do it again.

Luis also took a vicious hit on a punt after a bad snap forced him to scramble after the loose ball, and somehow he managed to get the kick away. No penalty was assessed because he became a runner when he ran to recover the ball and kicked it rugby-style. I'm amazed that (1) he was not seriously hurt, and (2) that kick was not blocked.

Luis Reyes: 1-2 FG (made 31, missed 39), 2-2 XP; 7 punts, 233 yards

Tre Minix: 2 kicks returned, 38 yards
Jake Tesch: 1 kick returned, 14 yards; 1 punt returned, 4 yards
Myles Wilson: 1 kick returned, 5 yards
Jake Fennis: 1 kick returned, 5 yards

Man of the Match

Without a doubt, Jack Barrientez has been the Wildcats' most valuable player this season.

An honorable mention goes out to Collin Fewox. That kid is tough, and he really plays with some reckless abandon.

Looking Ahead

The Wildcats will close out 2016 with a showdown against the Cy Ranch Mustangs at the Berry Center at 7:00 on Friday, November 4. Cy Woods will be the home team.

Know Your Enemy: Cypress Creek Cougars

Week 10: Cy Woods Wildcats @ Cy Creek Cougars
7:00 PM, Thursday, October 27, 2016
Pridgeon Stadium

Previously on Cy Woods Football...

On Homecoming, the Wildcats fell to Cy-Fair by a final of 35-17. This loss ensured that Cy Woods will finish with a losing season for just the second time in school history and also eliminated the Wildcats from playoff contention. Jack Barrientez ran for 96 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, but he failed to record a catch for the first time this season.

Now, all the Wildcats have left to play for is pride.

The Enemy: Cy Creek Cougars

2015 record: 7-5, 6-3 (4th) in District 17-6A
Lost to Strake Jesuit 44-28 in 6A Division II, Region III Area round

Cy Creek season-to-date: 3-5, 3-4 (5th) in District 17-6A

L 53-42 vs. Klein Oak
L 54-20 @ Langham Creek
W 53-49 vs. Cy Lakes
W 46-26 @ Cy Springs
L 58-20 vs. Cy Ranch
W 44-31 @ Jersey Village
L 27-20 vs. Cy-Fair
L 32-20 @ Cy Ridge

All-Time Series

Cy Woods leads 5-3.

Previous Meetings

October 3, 2015: Creek 40, Woods 35
October 3, 2014: Woods 35, Creek 21
November 1, 2013: Woods 21, Creek 14
November 2, 2012: Creek 39, Woods 14
October 21, 2011: Woods 49, Creek 31 (Homecoming IV)
October 22, 2010: Woods 61, Creek 35
October 9, 2009: Woods 21, Creek 20
October 10, 2008: Creek 54, Woods 25

Players to Watch

QB Mateo Renteria, RB/WR Jack Hook, WR Miles Battle, WR/RB Mason Biggers, WR/RB Kaleb O'Bryant, WR Geonardo Sutton, WR/RB Caleb Horn, DL Jacari Tatum, DL Jowell Aponte, LB Derek Craft, LB Dakwa Davis, DB Ladarius Anthony, DB Eric Harris

2¢ on Creek

The Cougars are loaded with skill players, but a suspect defense has befallen them in 2016.

Mateo Renteria has put up outstanding numbers, but his abysmal yards per carry figure comes from having to play the role that guys like Luke Allen and Chuckie Keeton played before him. Renteria is a great pocket passer, and that's where his talents are best utilized. Miles Battle is one of the top receivers in the state and is flirting with a 1,000-yard season. When his career at Creek is done, he may very well be the best skill player that the school has ever produced.

Kaleb O'Bryant, Mason Biggers, Jack Hook, and Caleb Horn are all players cut from the same mold, as they can all hurt opposing defenses with their versatility. Hook and Horn lead the Cougars in rushing, while Biggers and O'Bryant are threats in the return game. Hook is also second on the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, and Horn is second in receptions. Geonardo Sutton has become a key cog of this potent offense as a sophomore, and he'll be another youngster to watch in the coming years.

Jacari Tatum and Jowell Aponte are three-year starters on the line. Derek Craft leads the linebackers; he had a strong sophomore campaign in 2015 and currently leads the Cougars in tackles. He and Dakwa Davis are disruptive forces on the outside.

Ladarius Anthony is a part of a deep secondary, leading Creek with three interceptions. Eric Harris is a hard hitter. Alberto Walford has had a fine first season as one of the Cougars' key reserves. He's just a sophomore, while Harris and Anthony are juniors, so Creek's secondary has some legit talent. This is a physical group with some really solid tacklers; Harris ranks third on the team in tackles, while Trevis Earls, Nick Burns, and Anthony are all right behind him.

Last Time These Two Teams Met

The Cougars got the jump on the Wildcats with a 24-7 lead after the first quarter. However, Woods mounted a valiant and furious fourht-quarter rally that fell just short when a last-gasp heave from Jacob Kainer was picked off by Chance Steverson, preserving a 40-35 Creek victory. Jordan Johnson had 157 yards on six receptions and two touchdowns, one of which went for 94 yards, the longest play from scrimmage in Cy Woods history.

Sub-Varsity Game Information

Freshmen at Creek, JV at Woods. Game times are 5:00 and 7:00 on Wednesday.

Note: This will be the last game of the year for the freshmen.

Location of Cypress Creek High School

Cy-Fair 35, Cy Woods 17: Homecoming Crashed

2016 Record: 2-6, 2-5 in District 17-6A

Photo credit: Billy Schuerman, The Crimson Connection

It's been a rough year for Cy Woods, and this 35-17 loss to Cy-Fair on Homecoming has condemned them to a losing season for the second time in school history. In addition, the Wildcats have been eliminated from playoff contention for a second consecutive year.

Well.... Cy Woods should probably consider looking ahead to 2017. A season like this has basically guaranteed that changes are coming to this program, right?

Also, football's dumb now. On a serious note, all programs go through down periods, and it looks like it is Cy Woods' turn to suffer this fate. All you can really do is hope that this downturn doesn't last long.

So, What Happened Was...

Trent Kennedy opened up the scoring with a 45-yard run with just over four minutes to go in the opening period. Less than 30 seconds later, Cy Woods responded with a three-yard run from Jack Barrientez.

End 1st: Woods 7, Fair 7

A 45-yard field goal from Luis Reyes gave the Wildcats their only lead of the game. Kennedy scored again from five yards out, and Cam Arnold threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Brock Wright.

Halftime: Fair 21, Woods 10

Jacob Kainer's 11-yard touchdown run was the only scoring play of the third quarter.

End 3rd: Fair 21, Woods 17

The Bobcats put this game away thanks to a six-yard touchdown pass from Arnold to B.J. Chambers and a one-yard run by Kennedy.

Final: Fair 35, Woods 17

Ground

Cy Woods' longest run in this game? 74 yards. Their next-longest? 18. Jack made both of these runs. That 74-yard run is now the longest offensive play of the season for the Wildcats. Outside of those two plays, however, the Wildcats gained just 86 yards on 35 carries.

Jacob Kainer: 15 carries, 28 yards, TD
Nijah Surtain: 11 carries, 62 yards
Jack Barrientez: 9 carries, 96 yards, TD
Brighton Gullickson: 2 carries, -8 yards

Air

I've never seen a Cy Woods team have so much difficulty passing the ball. Jack failed to record a catch for the first time this season.

Jacob Kainer: 5-12, 68 yards, INT
Brighton Gullickson: 0-2

Jake Tesch: 1 catch: 20 yards
Cullen Sherrill: 1 catch, 14 yards
Nijah Suratin: 1 catch, 13 yards
Matt Ficalora: 1 catch, 11 yards
Brennan Niles: 1 catch, 10 yards

Defense

Myles Wilson has been the Wildcats' best defensive player by far. These kids are continuing to fight, but once again... they can only hold out for so long.

Tackles

Myles Wilson - 13
Neil Chambers - 11
Tre Minix, Evan Alexander, Hunter Husbands, and Cody Eggleston - 6
Collin Joyce - 4
Elijah Strang and Micheal Young - 3
Johnathan Hunter - 2
Matt Ficalora, Tanner Sherrill, and Trent Bird - 1

Sacks: Elijah Strang 1 (3 yards lost)

Special Teams

Luis Reyes scored five points with a 45-yard field goal and two extra points. The field goal is his longest since hitting a 48-yarder against Cy Lakes in 2014. Luis also successfully executed an onside kick and punted the ball four times; his longest boot of the night went for 61 yards.

Luis Reyes: 1-1 FG (made 45), 2-2 XP = 5 points; 4 punts, 205 yards (51.25 yards per punt), long of 61

Jake Tesch: 3 kicks returned, 64 yards; 1 punt returned, -2 yards
Nijah Surtain: 2 kicks returned, 33 yards

Key Stat

Third down has haunted the Wildcats all season, and in this game, it was no different.

Cy-Fair went 6-11 when facing third down. By contrast, Cy Woods was just 1-9.

Man of the Match

Give Jack Barrientez the ball.

Looking Ahead

The Wildcats will take on Cy Creek at Pridgeon Stadium on Thursday at 7:00. Cy Woods will be the visiting team in this game.

Know Your Enemy: Cy-Fair Bobcats

Week 9: Cy Woods Wildcats vs. Cy-Fair Bobcats
7:00 PM, Friday, October 21, 2016
Homecoming IX at Pridgeon Stadium

Photo credit: Don Carson

Previously on Cy Woods Football...

The Wildcats got themselves off the mat, topping Cy Lakes 36-33 to snap a four-game losing streak. Jack Barrientez accounted for 165 yards of offense and scored three touchdowns, and Jacob Kainer threw for 241 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Myles Wilson had 13 tackles, and Collin Fewox had 11; Collin also secured the win with an interception. 

It's Homecoming at the Woods! It's also the first game in a rather tough stretch to end the year; the Cats will take on the other three playoff teams from 2015 to close out this campaign, and in order for them to make the playoffs, they'll need to win all three of these games and have a bunch of results from around the district to go their way. So far, I'm not seeing any scenarios that will result in Cy Woods making the playoffs. Isn't it fun when you don't control your destiny?

The Enemy: Cy-Fair Bobcats

2015 record: 6-5, 6-3 (4th) in District 17-6A

Lost to Eisenhower 36-28 in 6A Region III, Division I Bi-district round

Cy-Fair season-to-date

L 23-20 vs. The Woodlands

W 44-13 @ Cy Lakes

W 57-21 vs. Cy Springs

L 24-17 @ Cy Ranch

W 45-3 vs. Jersey Village

W 35-16 vs. Cy Ridge

W 27-20 @ Cy Creek

All-Time Series

Cy Woods leads 5-3.

Previous Meetings

October 22, 2015: Woods 44, Fair 7

October 25, 2014: Woods 38, Fair 31 (OT)
October 12, 2013: Fair 30, Woods 23
October 13, 2012: Fair 49, Woods 20
September 17, 2011: Fair 14, Woods 0
September 18, 2010: Woods 28, Fair 14
October 23, 2009: Woods 21, Fair 7
October 24, 2008: Woods 42, Fair 20

Players to Watch

QB Cam Arnold, RB Trent Kennedy, WR B.J. Chambers, TE Brock Wright, OL Austin Deculus, DL Hunter Adams, LB Jace Bobo, LB Dylan Higgins, LB/DB Zach Nelson, DB Kyle Cervenka, DB Erick Hallett, DB Taylor Gray

2¢ on Fair

Ah... Cy Woods' original rivals. Although Cy-Fair disdain has taken a backseat to Cy Ranch disdain, this game has always had an emotionally charged atmosphere, because, in case you have forgotten, Cy Woods originally consisted of kids who would have gone to Cy-Fair (I was in that group) and sophomores who attended Cy-Fair, but lived in the new Cy Woods attendance zone. 

It's been a while, but I haven't forgotten the fact that Cy-Fair accused Cy Woods of being copycats and stealing their tradition when they first met on the football field.

With the Bobcats, you pretty much know what they will do on offense. On the other hand, trying to stop them is an entirely different story since they are so effective at what they do. Cam Arnold has been an effective signal-caller and has provided some balance to the Bobcats' offensive attack, and he has two legit weapons in B.J. Chambers and Brock Wright. Chambers really caught my eye during 7-on-7 season as he hauled in literally everything that was thrown his way. Brock Wright is headed to Notre Dame and is essentially Rob Gronkowski 2.0. Christian Richmond hasn't featured much in the offense yet, but this sophomore has shined in the return game and, well... you've probably already seen this punt return, but here it is again. He'll be one to watch in the coming years.

Let's be real though... Cy-Fair has always prided itself on its run game, and they have yet another fine running back in Trent Kennedy, who seized the starting job as a sophomore, and now as a junior, he's become one of the top offensive players in the district. Blake Faecher, who is also known for his baseball prowess, will also feature in the running game, and Jaelon Woods is another sophomore who's also waiting in the wings. Paving the way for the Bobcat running backs is an imposing offensive line led by the LSU-bound Austin Deculus, who has started every game since he was a sophomore. 

Cy-Fair still had the best defense in District 17-6A last season despite having to replace some marquee names. These kids definitely made a name for themselves last season. Now, they're all one year older, and once again, they are the district's best defense in terms of both yardage allowed and points allowed. The Bobcats have solid players at every level of their defense. Hunter Adams, Derrick Jackson, and Arnold Crayton man the trenches. Dylan Higgins and Kyle Allison lead the linebackers. Jace Bobo shared the district's Defensive Newcomer of the Year award with Cy Ridge lineman D'Juan Matthews last year. Patrick Atkinson has also emerged as a playmaker, and Allison is a super-utility player of sorts; he can line up anywhere in the Bobcat defense.

Erick Hallett is a hawk in the secondary and has also returned a punt for a touchdown this year. While Hallett is the hawk, Kyle Cervenka is the headhunter. He and Higgins both lead the Bobcats in tackles this season. Taylor Gray, who was last year's starting quarterback, has made a seamless transition to the secondary and leads them with three interceptions. Zach Nelson is also another utility-type player who can play any of the secondary spots. 

Last Time These Two Teams Met

In one of the more shocking results in 17-6A last season, the Wildcats totally dominated the Bobcats in all facets of the game and cruised to a 44-7 victory. Cy Woods winning may not have been a massive surprise, but the manner in which they won was definitely the story. Jack Barrientez caught six passes, including his first touchdown at the varsity level, for 95 yards, and C.J. Jones ran for 180 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.

Sub-Varsity Game Information

The JV teams will play at Cy-Fair and the freshmen are at Woods. Game times, as always, are 5:00 and 7:00.

Location of Cy-Fair High School

Haha, that's funny.