The Cinco Ranch Cougars started 2016 with an opening season loss and then had records of 2-2 and 3-3. What happened next was an eight-game winning streak all the way to the 6A Division II state semifinal before falling to Cibolo Steele.
Cinco Ranch went 11-4 last season, and the combined record of the teams that beat them (Cy Ranch, Katy, Katy Taylor, Steele) was 44-9. The Cougars outscored their opponents by an average score of 30-20 in 2016.
The offense started with senior quarterback James Klingler, but it flowed through the legs of Brant Kuithe and the big offensive line.
The Cougar defense should be even better in 2017 with the top statistical leaders returning.
Key Losses
WR Greg Williams, OL J.T. McComas, DL Eliel Ehimare, QB James Klingler
Klingler completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,584 yards (172.3/game) and tossed 23 touchdowns. Williams caught 65 passes for 1,287 yards and 15 touchdowns, all team-highs.
McComas was a giant on the offensive line at 6-8, 282 pounds. He was a second-team selection on the 19-6A all-district team.
Key Returners
RB Brant Kuithe, OL Tyler Worrell, DL Blake Kuithe, S Jamie Wolfe
Brant Kuithe is a big back who’s hard to bring down. Standing at 6-2, 202 pounds, the first-team all-district selection was a workhorse, rushing for 1,891 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2016. He also caught 28 passes for 375 yards and three more touchdowns.
Worrell (6-2, 239) was first-team all-district as a junior in 2016. Wolfe led the Cougars with 100 tackles last season and Blake Kuithe was second with 94. Kuithe added a team-high six sacks last season.
The Cougars also return four players (Wolfe, Ryan Glass, Josh Ofili, Ethan Glass) who had interceptions last season.
Verdict
Cinco Ranch plays in a top-heavy district with Katy, Taylor, Morton Ranch and Strake Jesuit. Any small slip-ups can be the difference between second place and fifth place in 19-6A.
The offense is in great hands with Brant Kuithe running the ball. Having a dependable weapon like him will be valuable when opening the 2017 season at Cy Ranch and taking on the mighty Katy Tigers three weeks later to start district.
Should the Cougars take care of business as they should, then expect to see them in the playoffs for the 12th-consecutive season.
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