It was a beautiful Thursday night in Cypress for the District 16-6A opener between the Waller Bulldogs (2-1) and the Cypress Woods Wildcats (3-0). Waller was coming into the game with as many wins this season as the past two years combined, including a 55-0 trouncing of Houston Westside last week, and are looking like a fringe playoff team. Cy-Woods have dominated all three opponents so far this season, including a 59-7 win against Cy-Creek last week, and are looking to get back to the playoffs after missing out last year.
Game Recap
Cy-Woods got the scoring started on the opening drive of the game. The Wildcats used a seven-play drive, capped off with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Darien Rogers to Brandon Brown to give Cy-Woods a 7-0 lead. Following an interception on Waller’s opening drive by Cy-Woods’ Jeffrey-Todd Darden, Logan Johnson would take the reverse down the left sideline for a 47-yard touchdown run. A successful two-point conversion run by Darien Rogers made it 15-0 Cy-Woods early in the first quarter.
It would take one play for Waller to respond. Robert Carter took the handoff and busted through the line for a 61-yard touchdown run to get the Bulldogs on the board. On the ensuing Cy-Woods drive, a 42-yard run by Rogers set up the Wildcats deep in Waller territory, leading to an 11-yard touchdown pass from Rogers to Ty Cogdill. Following a Waller punt, a field goal by Ben Shipley put Cy-Woods up 25-7, but Waller would respond again. TK Gaines connected with Allen Haynes for a 22-yard touchdown to cut the Cy-Woods lead to 25-14 at the end of the first quarter.
The floodgates would open in the second quarter, as Cy-Woods took complete control. The Wildcats used a seven-play drive, capped off with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Rogers to Aiden Whitehead, to take a 32-14 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Cy-Woods recovered an onside kick to regain possession, eventually leading to a 2-yard QB sneak from Rogers for another Wildcat touchdown. After a punt and trading turnover-on-downs, Cy-Woods got the ball back with 43 seconds left in the half. Four plays later, Rogers found AJ Canton for a 22-yard touchdown. After another successful two-point conversion, Cy-Woods led 47-14 at halftime.
Waller opened the half with a promising drive, methodically marching down the field, but two third-down false start penalties put them in a hole. Their 13-play drive would eventually come to an end on a turnover-on-downs and Cy-Woods would take advantage. The Wildcats marched down the field, and Rogers hit Kyler Singletary for a 24-yard touchdown to put Cy-Woods up 54-14.
Waller would score on their last three possessions, but Cy-Woods remained in complete control, and opened up district play with a resounding 54-35 win.
Cypress Woods Stats
QB Darien Rogers (JR): 16/28, 297 yds, 5 TDs, 5 carries, 47 yds, TD
RB Logan Johnson (SR): 5 carries, 58 yds, TD, 2 recs, 28 yds
RB Bryant Thomas (SR): 8 carries, 55 yds
WR Kyler Singletary (SR): 5 recs, 99 yds, TD
WR Brandon Brown (SR): 3 recs, 63 yds, TD
WR Ty Cogdill (SR) (Colorado School of Mines Commit): 2 recs, 49 yds, TD
WR AJ Canton (SR): 2 recs, 42 yds, TD
WR Aiden Whitehead (SR): 2 recs, 16 yds, TD
DL Harris Ranney (SR): Sack, 2 TFLs
DL Nathan Escotto (SR): Sack, TFL
LB John Jacobs (SR): 2 TFLs
DB Jeffrey-Todd Darden (JR): INT, PBU
Waller Stats
QB TK Gaines (FR): 15/22, 199 yds, 2 TDs, INT, 6 carries, 12 yds
QB AJ Velazquez (SR): 2/2, 35 yds, TD
RB Robert Carter (JR): 18 carries, 173 yds, 2 TDs, 6 recs, 61 yds
WR Brandon Stewart (SR): 6 recs, 105 yds, TD, 1 carry, -2 yds
WR Allen Haynes (JR): 4 recs, 57 yds, 2 TDs
DL Joey Bazan (JR): Sack
Next Week
Cypress Woods will face off against Langham Creek (3-0) as they try to extend their winning streak against the Lobos to seven. Waller will be looking to bounce back as they host Cypress Lakes (2-2, 1-0).
