I

SpECiAL fEAtuRE

It’s that time again. Stadium lights, fight songs booming from school bands, the roar of the crowd, and the Texas tradition of high school football fill Friday nights with excitement. There are 10 high school football teams in Cy-Fair ISD and each one is ready to hit the field.

Cy-FairPreviously the district champs and state quarter finalists, the Cy-Fair High School Bobcats are gearing up for another fantastic season. “We have our sights set on bringing home another district championship,” says head coach Edward Pustejovsky.

Cy-Fair Bobcats Brandon Richmond and Hunter Gonzalez and Cy Ranch Mustangs

Justin Rabalais and Cameron Grier are looking forward to the upcoming season

The Cy Falls Eagles have a tradition of praying together before each game

The Cy Woods Wildcats had an 8-4 record last year and aim to make this year’s playoffs

PREVIEWFootball

hIgh sChool

A look at what Cy-Fair’s teams will bring to the field this seasonWritten by Leigh Ann Mitchell and Kirsten Cornell

Select photography courtesy of Gary Durrenberger/Cy-Fair ISD

Cy Ridge will welcome back 21 letterman players this season

Photo by Sara Isola

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With a strong defensive line and several returning letterman players, Pustjovsky is proud of the strong leadership his players display, both on and off the field. “We carry on a style of football that has been passed down by previous players,” he says. “We play hard, smart, and represent Cy-Fair football in a positive manner.”

Key players you’ll see on the field again this year will include forward safety Brandon Richmond, outside lineman Hunter Gonzales, defensive tackle Ross Donelly, linebacker James

Kohlschmidt, defensive back Maxx Crest, running back Jacory Aleem, and quarterback Clayton Kopecky.

Cy CreekThe Cy Creek Cougars had an outstanding spring and an excellent 7-on-7 summer season; they are ready to compete. “Our primary goal is to be a better team every week, every day, and every practice. We must respect the process,” says head coach Greg McCaig. Jacoby Brooks and Josh Head are both returning all-district linebackers. Matt Shoffner, Tyree Simpson, and Tommy Huynh will lead the roster this year and all have caught passes in varsity games. “Every quarterback that saw action last year is back; Brett Baumgartner, Ross Hargrove, and Luke Allen. We also have a young tackle, Grayson Reed, that is a sophomore that has been offered a scholarship by Boise State,” McCaig adds.

“As always, we will compete in every game. We are faster on defense and have great depth at corner,” McCaig says. “In addition, our offensive line has great potential that will only improve during the season.”

Cy FallsGolden Eagles’ head coach, Kirk Eaton has set the bar high this year. “We have every skill position back from last year on offense, including two quarterbacks, four wide receivers, and a running back,” Eaton points out.

The Eagles are a close-knit team and even after the season ended last year, their friendships remained firm. “Off-season brought us very close together,” explains Eaton. “I think this team went through one of the toughest off seasons we put together in years.” Traditions that the team have continued together are chapel time and a team dinner. “Before we take the field we always have a special prayer we say together,” explains Eaton. “Our players are not allowed to say this prayer until they make varsity. It is a special moment each week.”

Returning starts will include Nate Dalton who is a quarterback, defensive back, and wide receiver; wide receivers Xavier Moore and John Murra; quarterback Casey Roseillini; wide receiver Jorran Pollard; running back Desmond Hite; defensive ends Jordan Johnson and Du’vonta Lampkin; free safety Mike Eke; linebacker Brit Logback; and nose tackle Ozzie Whilhite. Cy lakesCy Lakes head coach Robert Blackshear says the goal is to make it to the playoffs with a strong, healthy team. “Skilled positions such as running backs and receivers are our strengths,” states the Spartan coach. “We are looking for an overall great team effort.”

Key Spartans to watch for this fall include Rashard Henry, who is moving from last season’s safety to running back. Matthew Wilson, a linebacker will be in the spotlight, as well as wide receiver Deonte Andres.

Jersey Village respects that they play in a competitive district and will have to work

hard to earn their spot in the playoffs

Langham Creek has a strong defensive line and is expected to perform well this season

The Cy Springs Panthers are confident going into this year’s competition

Phot

o by

Mon

ica G

arcia

Photo by Jesse Maldonado

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Cy RanchThe Mustangs of Cy Ranch look forward to bringing back four of their all-district players to the field this fall. Head coach Gene Johnson confirms that running back Charlie Booker, tight end Jackson Solbeck, offensive lineman Zack Kinninger, and outside linebacker Bryce Saracene will be back in full force.

Other returning Mustangs include defensive linemen Justin Rabalais and Trent Walker, and linebackers Brayden Stringer, David Leslie, and Myles Roll.

There will also be a large number of senior Mustangs on the team. “We hope to show improvement on defense and our offensive line,” explains Johnson. “I think we will play hard and show a more experienced overall unit.”

Cy RidgeThe Rams take to the field this year with their leader and head coach for the past 12 years, Gary Thiebaud. “I see strength in our skill positions,” says Thiebaud. “But we are also looking to improve on our experience, strength, and football IQ.”

Top returning players include receiver Kemah Siverand, offensive linebacker Anthony Jacobs, safety Marquis Jones, offensive lineman Jonathan Valencia, inside linebacker Michael Dean, and kicker Omar Portillo.

Cy Creek averaged a rush defense of 177 yards and a team offense of 353.5 per game last season

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Cy springsHead coach Rick Cobia is looking forward to leading the Cy Springs Panthers into another great season. “We feel like we will have some size on the offensive line and some experience in key positions this year,” he says.

Cobia feels confident his team has improved in strength, conditioning, and overall academic successes. He says that his players have great chemistry and play well as a cohesive team. “Our goal this year is to make it to the playoffs,” he adds.

Returning players will include outside linebacker Lawrence Ghansah and offensive lineman Anthony Mahoney, both of whom show true leadership to their fellow Panthers. Cobia is also happy to have his returning quarterback, Brian Hadin, who he considers his, “coach on the field,” to run the offense.

Cy WoodsThe Wildcats are ready to tear up the field, keeping a district championship title in their sights. “Our strength is that our guys work well together as a team,” says head football coach Trent Faith. Cy Woods secured an 8-4 record last year, averaging 33 points a game.

Several return players such as quarterback Nick Hooper and receiver Zach Duncha bring great experience to the team. “Brian Biddy will anchor our offensive line and Justyn Johnson our defensive line,” adds Faith.

Jersey Village The Jersey Village Falcons hope that their field experience and athleticism will pay off. “Hopefully, it will enable us to reach the playoffs in one of the toughest districts in the state,” Falcon head coach David Snokous states. “With the level of competition

in our district, this is a challenge every week. Winning in our district is very hard.”

Falcon defense will bring to the field an experienced secondary back and four

returning starters. “Besides being good players, they are also our leaders,”

explains Snokhous. “Offensively, we have eight starters back that where juniors and sophomores last year, so they will be more experienced and mature.”

Falcons to watch this fall include two safeties, Christian Taylor and Jordan Williams. “With their experience and leadership qualities, it will allow us to develop a front seven that will make us a strong defensive team,” Snokhous adds.

langham CreekWith an 8-3 record from last season, Lobos head coach Todd Thompson is prepped and ready for another winning season. “Our goal is to improve every day and play as a team,” he says.

Boasting a talented backfield and experienced secondary, Langham Creek considers their strengths to be attitude and commitment, right down to their traditions. “Every season we come up with a motto and put it on a dog tag,” explains Thompson. “Team members wear it every day throughout the season.”

Key returning players will include safety Keith Batista, linebackers Connor O’Malley and Michael Hoehner, and running backs C.J. Williams, Toneil Carter, Jalen Howard, and Ricky Shorts. Paul Watson will also be serving as the Lobos’ quarterback again this season. CFM

LEIGH ANN MITCHELL is a graduate of Southwest Texas State. She and her family reside in the Cy-Fair area.

KIRSTEN CORNELL is looking forward to fall weather and football games.

Cy-FAiR• Opened: 1941• Mascot: Bobcat• Head coach: Ed Pustejovsky• Record: 9-1• Enrollment: 3,539

CyPReSS CReeK• Opened: 1977• Mascot: Cougar• Head coach: Greg McCaig• Record: 4-6• Enrollment: 3,271

CyPReSS FALLS• Opened: 1992• Mascot: Eagle• Head coach: Kirk Eaton• Record: 2-8• Enrollment: 3,541

CyPReSS LAKeS• Opened: 2008• Mascot: Spartan• Head coach: Robert Blackshear• Record: 1-9• Enrollment: 3,534

CyPReSS RANCH• Opened: 2008• Mascot: Mustang• Head coach: Gene Johnson• Record: 5-5• Enrollment: 3,266

CyPReSS RiDge• Opened: 2002• Mascot: Ram• Head coach: Gary Thiebaud • Record: 6-4• Enrollment: 2,976

CyPReSS SPRiNgS• Opened: 1997• Mascot: Panther• Head coach: Richard Cobia• Record: 3-7• Enrollment: 2,729

CyPReSS WooDS• Opened: 2006• Mascot: Wildcat• Head coach: Trent Faith• Record: 8-4• Enrollment: 3,149

JeRSey ViLLAge• Opened: 1972• Mascot: Falcon• Head coach: David Snokhous• Record: 6-4• Enrollment: 3,450

LANgHAM CReeK• Opened: 1985• Mascot: Lobo• Head coach: Todd Thompson• Record: 8-3• Enrollment: 3,151

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