The two teams that will represent Houston out of Region 3 of the 6A D2 playoff bracket are Cy-Ridge (11-2) and Cinco Ranch (10-3). They will play at the home of the city’s university at 1 PM Saturday at TDECU Stadium, the same field the Houston Cougars play on.
Cy-Ridge isn’t the most popular school compared to who they’ve beaten on the way to the regional final, but they have won each game convincingly and any team who makes it out of District 17 alive has already earned their way. They finished in third place in the standings, but it is Cy-Ridge who is playing for a regional championship, not Cy-Fair nor district winner Cypress Ranch.
They have out scored their three playoff opponents 134-55 for a point differential of 79 points. Their most impressive win may have been their most recent playoff game against Clear Brook (8-5), who finished fourth in District 24, but managed to make it farther than Clear Springs or Dickinson.
The Rams took care of the upstart Wolverines rather early and quickly with a 21-0 first quarter.
Clear Brook tried to make a game of it with 14 points in the second quarter, but they wouldn’t score in the second half as Cy-Ridge scored 28 points. It was all about Cy-Ridge’s relentless running game as they rushed 58 times for 455 yards and six touchdowns. Junior running back Alex Jacobs did most of the damage himself as he ran for 214 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries for an average of 12 yards. Senior quarterback Tyson Williams threw for only 69 yards, but he had three rushing touchdowns. Junior defensive end Wesley Freeman caused a fumble and returned it for a 22-yard touchdown.
The Rams were also more than impressive in their playoff game against Katy Taylor (9-3), who they blew out 55-28. They ran the ball for 510 yards and seven touchdowns on 51 carries in that game and it was senior Trelon Smith who rushed for 316 yards and five touchdowns on 30 carries for an average of 10.5 yards. They also blew out Westside (4-7) 30-13 in their first playoff game.
Cinco Ranch finished in third place of District 19. And they do take residence in Katy, but it was supposed to be the Tigers of Katy and the Mustangs of Katy Taylor that contended for a regional championship, not the Cougars of Cinco Ranch.
They too had to get past a competitor from District 24 in Friendswood (9-3). They dominated the renowned Mustangs in a 34-7 blowout. The Cougars also relied on a successful running game to set the edge. They only ran for 282 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 45 carries. Junior Brant Kuithe carried the ball 29 times for 235 yards and four touchdowns.
The Cougars had a tough playoff game against Langham Creek (8-4), who Cy-Ridge knows from their district. They actually trailed the Lobos 21-17 after three quarters before rallying with 12 points in the fourth quarter. They handled the Fort Bend Bush Broncos (6-5) fairly well in their first playoff game 31-17.
These teams maybe aren’t the most recognizable names to compete for a regional championship, but they have certainly earned the right to be here. The winner of this game will play the winner of Steele and Churchill from Region 4.
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