See 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.

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.

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

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.

Know Your Enemy: Cypress Lakes Spartans

Week 8: Cy Woods Wildcats @ Cy Lakes Spartans
7:00 PM Thursday, October 13, 2016
Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union Stadium

Photo credit: Billy Schuerman, The Crimson Connection

Previously on Cy Woods Football...

The Wildcats lost 27-10 to Cy Falls, giving the Eagles their first win of the season and the Wildcats their fourth consecutive loss, which ties a rather undesirable record. Matt Ficalora caught a 32-yard touchdown pass for the only Cy Woods touchdown.

Now, the Cats will have to contend with a Cy Lakes program that looks to be finally getting themselves off the ground after six torturous seasons.

At this point, I just hope that the kids just play hard. That's really all I'm expecting from here on out.

The Enemy: Cypress Lakes Spartans

2015 record: 1-9, 0-9 (10th) in District 17-6A
Did not qualify for playoffs

Cy Lakes season-to-date

W 33-21 @ Mayde Creek
L 44-13 vs. Cy-Fair
L 53-49 @ Cy Creek
W 31-14 vs. Cy Falls
L 43-30 @ Cy Ridge
L 69-25 @ Langham Creek

All-Time Series


Cy Woods leads 6-0.

Previous Meetings


October 9, 2015: Woods 70, Lakes 20 (Homecoming VIII at the Berry Center)
October 10, 2014: Woods 52, Lakes 10
September 28, 2013: Woods 34, Lakes 14
September 29, 2012: Woods 63, Lakes 13
October 6, 2011: Woods 63, Lakes 14
October 7, 2010: Woods 34, Lakes 0

(A Few) Players to Watch

QB Tyrese Miller, RB Ansar Richardson, WR Ted Solomon, ATH Colin King, WR Reginald Breggs, WR Nate Green, DB Brenden Lemon, DB Julian Hall, LB Frank Reed, LB Al'qwaylon Fils

2¢ on Lakes

For better or for worse, the path of the Cy Lakes football program will always be tied to Cy Ranch's path in some way, shape, or form. Both of these schools began competing in varsity football in 2010, and while Ranch has turned into one of the state's top programs, it has been infinitely rougher sailing for Lakes, a team that entered this season with just five wins in six seasons.

In 2016, however, Spartan football has become one of the feel-good stories in the early going of this year in Cy-Fair ISD athletics, and one of the chapters in this story involves snapping a 22-game losing streak in district play dating back to the end of the 2013 season.

You may be tempted to scoff at the fact that this is the first time that Cy Lakes has won more than one football game in a season, or that this feel-good story involves a team that still has a losing record on the season. If you are thinking about scoffing... please don't. One could probably argue that Cy Lakes should be a .500 team right now. Personally, I've found myself rooting for them a little bit this year, because a good Cy Lakes team simply makes this district better.

Whatever Coach Patton is preaching to his team, they are all in on his philosophy, and day by day, they are changing the perception of Cy Lakes football. By all accounts, they're not content with winning just two games. Although, realistically, a playoff spot may be out of reach for 2016, they could mount a legitimate challenge for one as soon as next season.

Tyrese Miller, a left-hander, saw some playing time as a sophomore last year. Now, he has taken the reins of the offense as the #1 quarterback. Colin King and Ted Solomon, who were the previous two starting quarterbacks, still play integral roles in the Spartan attack. King, a three-year letterman, has shown off his versatility at all of the offensive skill positions. Solomon has formed a solid tandem with Nate Green at the receiver spots, which also features a deep threat in Breggs. Solomon also doubles as the punter, and he is second in the district in average yards per punt.

Brenden Lemon, who was the Spartans' only non-honorable mention All-District pick (he was a 2nd-team selection) last season, is one of five players in the district with three interceptions. He leads a secondary that also includes Julian Hall, who has two picks of his own, D'Andre David, and Braelon Herman, a three-year starter. Frank Reed and Al'qwaylon Fils lead a linebacking corps with pretty good depth; Allen Moreira, Tyler Dudley, Emmanuel Iruru, and Jude Keelen will also feature at the second level of the Spartan defense.

Last Time These Two Teams Met

It was a happy homecoming for the Wildcats as they stormed out to a 42-6 lead after the first quarter and strolled to a 70-20 victory. Jared Taylor caught three passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, and C.J. Jones ran for a touchdown and caught another touchdown.

Sub-Varsity Game Information

Freshmen at Lakes, JV at Woods. Game times are 5 and 7 on Wednesday.

Location of Cypress Lakes High School

Know Your Enemy: Cypress Falls Golden Eagles

Week 7: Cy Woods Wildcats vs. Cy Falls Golden Eagles
7:00 PM, Friday, October 7, 2016
Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union Stadium

Previously on Cy Woods Football...

Langham Creek scored on its first five offensive series and returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a 62-35 victory. Cullen Sherrill's two catches both went for touchdowns, so there's that.

Well, on to the second half. The Wildcats are looking for something... anything, to get themselves back in the District 17-6A playoff picture.

The Enemy: Cypress Falls Golden Eagles

2015 Record: 10-3, 7-2 (2nd) in District 17-6A

Lost 28-21 to North Shore in 6A Division I, Region III semifinal

Cy Falls season-to-date

L 25-0 @ Alief Taylor

L 26-7 @ Cy Ranch

L 22-14 vs. Langham Creek

L 31-14 @ Cy Lakes

L 41-24 vs. Cy Springs

All-Time Series

Cy Falls leads 5-3.

Previous Meetings

September 17, 2015: Falls 57, Woods 20
September 20, 2014: Woods 48, Falls 47
October 25, 2013: Woods 37, Falls 15
October 26, 2012: Falls 35, Woods 10
September 10, 2011: Falls 28, Woods 12
September 11, 2010: Falls 28, Woods 20
November 7, 2009: Falls 46, Woods 43
November 8, 2008: Woods 70, Falls 20

Players to Watch

QB T.J. Goodwin, RB Christian Anderson, RB Jordan Ramos, RB Chhay Hok, ATH Starrland Baldwin, DL Cordell Ijoma, DL Kory Toliver, LB Blake Thompson, LB Addy Bikacic, DB Davion Morris, DB Levi Fields

2¢ on Falls

One year after they were the last Cy-Fair ISD team standing, the Eagles are in danger of being the first team eliminated from playoff contention. This is a matchup pitting the district's worst offense (Cy Falls) and the worst defense (Cy Woods) against one another, so something's got to give...

The Eagles' defense has definitely been their strength this season, and they have standouts at all three levels. Cordell Ijoma and Kory Toliver are imposing presences in the trenches. Blake Thompson set the Cy Falls single-season record for tackles last season, and he is arguably the face of Cy Falls' defensive unit. He'll be joined by Bikacic and Tommy Dinh, among others. Davion Morris, a three-year letterman, is the leader of the Eagles secondary; he and Cy Ranch's Rance McInnis currently lead the district with three interceptions apiece.

On the other hand, Cy Falls has a brand-new cast of characters on offense, and they have yet to score 100 points on the season. They have to replace two 1,000-yard rushers (Desmond Hite and Shannon Vaughns), a three-year starter at quarterback (Casey Rosellini), and a three-year starter at cornerback and wide receiver (Jorren Pollard). In addition, they also lost their offensive coordinator.

T.J. Goodwin has shown flashes, but he's enduring growing pains as a sophomore. To replace Hite and Vaughns, the Eagles have a three-back rotation of Christian Anderson, Chhay Hok, and Jordan Ramos. Hok is also the team's leading receiver. Starrland Baldwin can make an impact anywhere on the field, whether on offense, defense, or the return game.

Last Time These Two Teams Met

Desmond Hite and Shannon Vaughns went on a rampage in a 57-20 Cy Falls victory. They both ran for well over 100 yards with three touchdowns, and Hite also caught a touchdown pass. That is probably all you really needed to know about this game.

Sub-Varsity Game Information

The JV will play at Cy Falls, while the freshmen will be at Cy Woods. Game times are 5:00 and 7:00 on Thursday.

Location of Cypress Falls High School

Know Your Enemy: Langham Creek Lobos

Week 6: Cy Woods Wildcats vs. Langham Creek Lobos
7:00 PM Thursday, September 29, 2016
Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union Stadium

Photo credit: Billy Schuerman, The Crimson Connection

Previously on Cy Woods Football...

On Saturday, in the 100th game in school history, the Wildcats squandered a 31-17 halftime lead to Jersey Village, who flipped the script by outscoring them 41-15 in the second half to come away with a 58-46 victory. Jacob Kainer finished 22-31 for 333 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 123 yards and three scores. Jack Barrientez caught seven passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Myles Wilson recorded five tackles and recovered two fumbles, returning them (or one of them) for a total of 42 yards.

No doubt, they let that game get away. However, a short week gives them a chance to get back to work and minimize the time spent wallowing over the loss. The Wildcats will kick off Week 6 with a crucial matchup against a Langham Creek squad that is currently in a three-way tie at 2-1. This will be a chance for them to close out the first half of their schedule on a positive note, and also a chance for them to muddle up the early playoff picture in District 17-6A.

The Enemy: Langham Creek Lobos

2015 record: 5-5, 5-4 (6th) in District 17-6A
Did not qualify for playoffs

Langham Creek season-to-date

W 29-28 @ Klein Oak
W 54-20 vs. Cy Creek
W 22-14 @ Cy Falls
L 23-17 vs. Cy Ridge

All-Time Series

Cy Woods leads 5-3.

Previous Meetings

October 16, 2015: Woods 48, Langham 33
October 17, 2014: Langham 55, Woods 31 (Homecoming VII)
September 13, 2013: Langham 48, Woods 20
September 14, 2012: Langham 32, Woods 31 (Homecoming V)
October 14, 2011: Woods 50, Langham 44
October 15, 2010: Woods 55, Langham 27 (Homecoming III)
October 31, 2009: Woods 42, Langham 7
November 1, 2008: Woods 58, Langham 20

(A few) Players to Watch

RB Toneil Carter, QB Jacob Walls, QB Kacey Pryor, WR Chase McCray, WR Praise Okorie, DL Chidi Ogbonnaya, DL Isaac Salazar, LB Corien Azema, LB David Eggleton, DB Jordan Murray, DB Darren Woodson, DB Noah McGee

2¢ on Langham Creek

Langham Creek entered 2015 as the defending district champions, and they had the talent to repeat as champions. Unfortunately... an 0-4 start destroyed those ambitions, and even though they went 5-1 in their final six games, the damage from that awful start was too much for them to overcome.

Since Coach Thompson has taken over, the Lobos' reputation has been built on an explosive offense; guys like the Juergens brothers (okay, they were in the previous era), Conner Feist, Dominique Harris, Quartney Davis, and a host of others have put up gaudy numbers in their frenetic system.

The centerpiece of this offense is Toneil Carter, a four-year letterman, one of the most coveted high school football players in the country, and the face of Langham Creek football. Toneil enters the week a mere 9th in rushing yards, but there's no denying that he is a truly special talent who can carry this team to a victory if need be. The Lobos have a platoon at quarterback with Kacey Pryor and Jacob Walls. Pryor was a defensive back last season and is the runner, while Walls is more of a packet passer. Both have been efficient in throwing the ball; Pryor has yet to throw an interception in 44 attempts this season. The platoon isn't necessarily performance-based, because the two of them have made the most of their opportunities.

Langham has had a solid pipeline of wide receivers, and the torch has been passed to Chase McCray and Praise Okorie. McCray leads the district in receptions and is third in receiving yards, while Okorie is fourth in receiving yards and third in yards per reception among players with more than 20 catches.

The Langham defense enters this matchup allowing the third-fewest yards per game, and Coach Thompson is extremely high on this unit, especially along the defensive line. Ogbonnaya provides an imposing presence, and Salazar has really come on as a playmaker in the trenches. David Eggleton leads a deep linebacker corps, and he'll team up with Brad Pinkerton, Jermaine Wright, and an emerging sophomore in Corien Azema.

The Lobos lead the district with six interceptions. Azema, Eggleton, and Pinkerton all have one, and Jordan Murray, their quarterback in the secondary, is one of six players in the district with two picks. Noah McGee, Darren Woodson, and Paul Darks round out a talented secondary.

Last Time These Two Teams Met

In a game featuring two teams with dwindling playoff hopes, the Wildcats kept theirs alive with a 48-33 victory, breaking a three-game losing streak to the Lobos.

Bryson Powers ran for 160 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns, both of which went to Jordan Johnson. C.J. Jones ran for 174 yards and two touchdowns and also returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown.

Sub-Varsity Game Information

Since the varsity plays on Thursday, the sub-varsity teams play tonight. The freshmen will play at Cy Woods, while the JV will travel to Langham Creek. Game times are at 5 and 7.

Location of Langham Creek High School

Know Your Enemy: Jersey Village Falcons

Week 5: Cy Woods Wildcats @ Jersey Village Falcons
6:00 PM Saturday, September 24, 2016
Pridgeon Stadium

Photo credit: Billy Schuerman, The Crimson Connection

Previously on Cy Woods Football...

Despite leading Cy Ridge 13-8 at halftime with just 26 yards of total offense, it was only a matter of time before Cy Woods' lackluster offensive performance came back to haunt them. The Rams outscored the Wildcats 28-8 in the second half, which included a 21-0 fourth quarter, to come away with a 36-21 victory on Saturday at Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union Stadium. 

Cy Woods was outgained 552-202 on offense, and the offensive woes eventually became too much for the defense to overcome. Semaj Trahan returned an interception 86 yards for a touchdown, while Jacob Kainer ran for 68 yards and a touchdown. Jacob also threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jack Barrientez in the third quarter.

Now, the Wildcats will move on to their final Saturday game of the regular season. This will be the 100th game in Cy Woods football history. 

The Enemy: Jersey Village Falcons

2015 Record: 2-8, 2-7 (t-8th) in District 17-6A

Did not qualify for playoffs

Jersey Village season-to-date

L 42-30 vs. Cinco Ranch

L 60-28 @ Cy Ridge

L 35-7 vs. Cy Ranch

All-Time Series

Cy Woods leads 5-3.

Previous Meetings

October 30, 2015: JV 74, Woods 73
October 31, 2014: JV 44, Woods 38
November 9, 2013: JV 42, Woods 0
November 10, 2012: Woods 35, JV 14
October 1, 2011: Woods 63, JV 24
October 2, 2010: Woods 35, JV 14
October 3, 2009: Woods 31, JV 13
October 4, 2008: Woods 56, JV 6

Players to Watch

QB Alec Wechsler, RB Kendon Flowers, WR Jordan Jones, WR Blake Johnson, LB Emerald Blueitt, LB Jacob Clarkson, DL Greyson Newton

2¢ on Jersey Village

After coming up one game away from a playoff berth for two consecutive seasons, the Falcons crashed to the bottom of the standings in 2015. They have had a rough beginning to their 2016 campaign, but this is a team that has had the Wildcats' number in recent seasons. Jersey Village has beaten Cy Woods three years in a row, mainly due to the efforts of Deshun Qualls, who is now at Abilene Christian.

The Falcons, much like the Wildcats, are breaking in a brand-new cast of characters on the offensive side of the ball. Rokeem Paul and Austin Lynch, the district's most productive wide receiver tandem in 2015, have also moved on. Qualls also led the team in rushing, and their top running back, Anthony Ajao, transferred to Alief Hastings.

Alec Wechsler is now at the controls of the Falcon offense, and while he's not the dynamic threat that Qualls was, he's probably a better passer than Qualls. Wechsler enters the week in with 778 passing yards and nine touchdowns; only Cy Creek's Mateo Renteria leads him in those categories. Jordan Jones, a sophomore, has emerged as the Falcons' #1 receiver. Blake Johnson and John Gilbert have also become reliable targets for Wechsler. Kendon Flowers, a transfer from Clear Falls, has made an impact in his first season with the Falcons; he is their leading rusher and is also a threat in the return game.

Defense had been one of the Falcons' strengths, but one of the biggest reasons as to why they finished 2-8 in 2015 was the severe regression that they suffered on defense; they allowed 414 points last season after giving up just 399 in the previous two seasons combined. Jersey Village brings back an experienced group of linebackers led by Jacob Clarkson, Emerald Blueitt, and Victor Abrego, while Greyson Newton anchors the defensive line.

Last Time These Two Teams Met

In a game that we may not see for another decade, maybe even longer, Deshun Qualls did things that I'm pretty sure not even Kyler Murray did in a single night, and both teams re-wrote Cy-Fair ISD's record book. Even now, when I think about that game, I am still in utter disbelief. Not even outstanding individual performances from C.J. Jones, who set a Cy Woods single-game record with 346 rushing yards, and Jordan Johnson, who had 200 receiving yards, and Josh Marvin, a seldom-used linebacker who recorded two sacks and an interception after getting pressed into duty, were enough to keep the Wildcats' playoff hopes alive, because Qualls was simply in another realm that night.

In a game where both teams combined for 1,643 yards of offense, Jersey Village prevailed 74-73, effectively eliminating Cy Woods from playoff contention.

Sub-Varsity Game Information

The junior varsity games will take place at Cy Woods, while the freshmen will play at Pridgeon, because the track and the playing field at Jersey Village is undergoing renovations. Game times, as always, are at 5 and 7.