Minggu, 01 November 2015

Know Your Enemy: Cypress Springs Panthers

Cypress Woods Wildcats @ Cypress Springs Panthers
1:00 P.M. Saturday, November 7, 2015
Berry Center


Previously on Cy Woods Football...

In a game that we may not see again for decades, Cy Woods fell 74-73 to Jersey Village thanks to an otherworldly performance from Falcon QB Deshun Qualls. Not even otherworldly performances from C.J. Jones and Jordan Johnson were enough for Woods. C.J. rushed for a school-record 346 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Jordan had 199 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns. Bryson Powers ran for 188 and 3 scores of his own. Josh Marvin, a linebacker who had seen the field sparingly before this game, had 2.5 sacks and an interception.

Playoff Update

The Wildcats' playoff hopes, which took a significant hit after their loss to Jersey Village, received a lifeline when Cy Ranch defeated Cy-Fair 26-10 on Saturday afternoon. Once again, the final playoff spot will be decided in the final week of the season. 

A 3-way tie at 5-4 between Cy Woods, Cy-Fair, and Langham Creek is still possible, but since the Wildcats beat both the Lobos and the Bobcats, they would advance in this situation. So....

It all comes down to Friday night's game between Jersey Village and Cy-Fair at Pridgeon Stadium. If the Falcons win, then a Cy Woods win over Cy Springs will put them in the playoffs. On the other hand, if the Bobcats win, the Wildcats will be eliminated, regardless of the result of their game with the Panthers.

However, if Langham Creek wins and Cy Woods and Cy-Fair both lose, then the Lobos would make the playoffs. Why? Well, a loss for Woods will drop them to 4-5 in district play, and Langham defeated Cy-Fair 49-21. 

The Enemy: Cypress Springs Panthers

2014 record: 3-7, 2-7 (8th) in District 17-6A
Did not qualify for playoffs

Cy Springs season-to-date

W 51-12 vs. Mayde Creek
W 48-24 @ Jersey Village
L 56-14 @ Cy-Fair
L 45-28 vs. Cy Ridge
L 63-37 @ Cy Falls
L 59-20 vs. Cy Ranch
L 59-52 @ Cy Creek
W 21-13 vs. Cy Lakes
L 69-36 @ Langham Creek

(A Few) Players to Watch on the Other Side

QB Taye Barber, RB Jonathan Toliver, WR Jah'marea Sheread, WR Donell Dunn, WR O'Shae Clark, WR Drake Carter, OL Marcus Royal, DB Bobby Wilson, DB Abraham Bakare, OL/DL M.J. Tupolo, DE Corey Brown, LB Maveke Kenneh, LB Eric Carter

All-Time Series

Cy Woods leads 7-0.

Previous Meetings

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)

2¢ on Springs

While the Panthers are still trying to break out of the bottom half of the district, there's no doubt that the culture of this program has changed for the better. If I remember correctly, Adam Coleman mentioned that they had the most players (from varsity all the way down to freshmen) in their program. Don't know if that's still true this year, but that is definitely a sign that the kids are buying in to the philosophy that the coaches are pitching.

Donell Dunn was one of the breakout stars in the district in 2014 as he led the way with 1,234 receiving yards. He has put up some solid numbers in 2015 despite getting some extra attention from opposing defenses, and this attention has allowed Drake Carter to flourish, and Jah'marea Sheread, a sophomore, to emerge. O'Shae Clark is another dependable option in the passing game. Having weapons like these guys on the outside is a pretty nice way to break in a sophomore quarterback.

Taye Barber was called up as a freshman late in the 2014 season, and as the running quarterback, he provided Panther fans with an electrifying glimpse of the future. In his first full season on the varsity, he's leading the district in touchdown passes. Barber is, without a doubt, has been one of the breakout players in CFISD in 2015, and he surely has to be the frontrunner for Offensive Newcomer of the Year and an All-District candidate. He will be protected by an offensive line led by Marcus Royal and M.J. Tupolo; Royal was a 1st-team All-District 17-6A selection as a sophomore in 2014.

The Panthers are the district's leading pass defense, but that's also a bit misleading, as they've been sliced and diced in the running game all season. Bobby Wilson is the leader of the Panther secondary. He'll be joined by his younger brother (?), Brandon, and Abraham Bakare. Wilson may be undersized, but he's a fierce competitor. Tupolo is capable of playing both ways. Joining him on the line is Corey Brown, an athletic defensive end. Maveke Kenneh is a two-year starter at linebacker.

Last Time These Two Teams Met

The Wildcats outgunned the Panthers as they scored 63 points in the 1st half on their way to a 70-44 victory. R.J. Harmon ran for 180 yards and 3 touchdowns, while C.J. Jones ran for 124 and one touchdown of his own. C.J. also caught 4 passes for 54 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The 63 1st-half points is a Woods record; the previous mark, 56, was done twice: against Jersey Village in 2008 and Cy Lakes in 2012.

For Freshman Games: Location of Cypress Springs High School



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