CYPRESS — The part of the high school football season that counts started last week, and the new-to-varsity CFISD HS #12 Bears got a taste of hard-nosed gameplay and a serving of victory in their first foray into league action Friday night, Sept. 14, 2018.
The new school walked out of the contest 2-1 on the season, but in the top half of District 14-6A only one game in. The resulting loss left the Cy-Springs Panthers at 0-3 overall, and in the bottom half of the league.
Additionally, Cy-Springs crowned their homecoming queen and king during the halftime break. Rose Hernandez, one of the cheerleaders, and defensive back Myles Mass were crowned the queen and king.
The night marked the occasion of having a double homecoming, but CFISD HS #12 had plans to announce its “Forthcoming” royalty at the homecoming dance as the school won’t have its first senior class until next school year.
The resulting 40-32 finish ended with the Panthers pushing to send the game into overtime.
“Well, you can’t turn the ball over that many times and expect to win,” said Charles Rohan, the Panthers’ head football coach. “I love the fight our kids have — we will never quit. (We) just have to clean up our mistakes. Defense had a score, (but) we just didn’t hold on to the ball.”
The Bear defense held off Cy-Springs’ last effort before kneeling to end the game.
“It was a heck of a game,” said David Raffield, CFISD HS #12’s head football coach. “We’re growing, we’re young, and inexperienced, but the kids are intelligent and have great passion. So they just keep getting better every week, that’s all I can ask. They played hard tonight for all 48 minutes.”
Being a new program at the varsity level, and without the experience of a senior class to lean on, the CFISD HS #12 players are still learning how to maximize their potential.
“There’s still silly questions that are asked on the sidelines, and you’re looking at kids going ‘really?’,” Raffield said with a confident smile in his voice. “But it’s good — they’re trying to learn the game, and they’re trying to play hard. They did tonight, they never gave up and they never backed down. That’s huge when you’re playing seniors.”
He also gave a nod to the in-district rival Panthers. It was apparent that Cy-Spring was focused, playing as a tight-knit group and stayed in the game to the finish.
“Cy-Springs is a good football team — they play hard,” Raffield added.
“I told the kids something I’ve learned in my years: You celebrate every win, because they’re precious. And this is a good one for us.”
Player statistics:
CFISD HS #12.
Passing: Finn Nicholson, 15/26, 275 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception.
Rushing yards: Gavan Kaspar, 68; Nicholson, 31; J. McWilliams, 11; Dylan Goffney, 5.
Receiving, yards: Goffney, 90; Tyler Scott, 75; Atrevion Hunter, 55; M. Barstow, 36; Dylan Crippen, 14; Kaspar, 5.
Total tackles: Jack Grier, 10; Bryce McMorris, 9; C. Motsinger, 8; Logan Gartsie, 7; Kamren Amao, 6; Weston Cadena, 4; Charles Moore, 4; Garrett Hurley, 3; Bradyen Amacker, 3; Conner Gower, 2; Mark Mulhair, 2; Travis Jones, 2; Austin Brown, 2; Cameron Ball, 2; O. Imarah, 2; Breyton Keneker, 1; Kade Krause, 1; Josh Guest, 1; Bryce Hughes, 1; Aidan Dominguez, 1; J. McWilliams, 1.
Sacks: Dominguez, .5; Moore, .5.
Fumbles recovered: Grier, 1; C. Motsinger, 1; Imarah, 1.
Kickoffs: Tyler Slusher, 7, 239 yards.
Punts: Barstow, 3, 72 yards.
Kickoff returns, yards: Kaspar, 69; Hunter, 8.
Punt returns, yards: Kaspar, 69; Hunter, 8.
We intend to update the player statistics, once a third-party provider supplies Cy-Springs player statistics.
In addition to CFISD HS #12, Cy-Lakes, Cy-Ranch and Tomball Memorial took home District 14-6A victories last week. On the flip side of the coin were Cy-Springs, Langham Creek, Cy-Park and Cy-Woods. With an odd number of teams in the district, Byran sat out from league action.
In week three action, Cy-Ranch held off the Langham Creek Lobos, 31-24; Cy-Lakes decimated Cy-Park, 54-7, and Tomball Memorial defeated Cy-Woods, 55-21.
This week’s matchups will see Langham Creek (0-3) battle Cy-Woods (1-2) this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in FCU Stadium.
CFISD HS #12 (2-1) visits the perfect Cy-Ranch (3-0) this Friday at 7 p.m. in FCU Stadium. Of note, the Mustangs are scheduled to have their homecoming ceremony during the halftime break.
Filling out District 14-6A, Bryan (1-1) hosts Tomball Memorial (3-0) Friday night.
Finally, Cy-Lakes (2-1) heads to Cy-Springs (0-3) in the last game of week four, this Saturday at 6 p.m. in FCU Stadium. Panther fans are able to show their support of the fight against pediatric cancer, by purchasing T-Shirts to “Gold out” the stadium. Click here to find out more information about that effort.
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