Mustangs pull away in crucial 14-6A battle
Cypress Ranch running back Willie Eldridge caused the commotion at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium, exploding for 146 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Teammate Urijah Morrow gave the Mustangs control. The junior defensive back supplied a gamechanging interception and pivotal sack in the first half Saturday, helping Cypress Ranch seize a 45-21 victory over Cypress Woods and remain undefeated.
The Mustangs, No. 10 in the Associated Press Class 6A state rankings, improved to 8-0.
“I’m proud of our kids,” Cy Ranch coach Gene Johnson said. “We’d rather be where we’re at than 4-4.”
The Mustangs also moved to 6-0 in District 14-6A and clinched their fifth consecutive playoff appearance.
“That’s exciting,” Johnson said. “We try to play them week to week, but it’s good to know that we’re in the playoffs.”
Cy Woods dropped to 6-3 and 5-2, complicating its playoff path. Langham Creek (4-4, 4-2) is a halfgame back, and Bryan (4-4, 3-3), which the Wildcats finish with in two weeks, is fifth.
Eldridge breaks loose
Both teams started fast Saturday, each scoring on their first two drives.
But with the score tied 1414 and Cy Woods marching, Morrow intercepted quarterback Carson Danner, and two plays later Eldridge scored from 37 yards out, giving Cy Ranch a 21-14 lead.
Although Cy Ranch turned the ball over on its next possession, Morrow manned up again, ensuring the Wildcats didn’t turn their takeaway into a scoring drive by sacking Danner on third down to force a punt.
Then Eldridge went back to work, unleashing a 67yard touchdown run.
“Urijah’s been playing well all year long, and those were two critical plays,” Johnson said. “When you’re tit for tat and back and forth, somewhere a stop in there can swing the momentum.”
Cy Ranch tacked on Michael Gonzalez’s 38-yard field goal for a 31-14 halftime lead.
The Mustangs generated more than 300 total yards in the first half and finished with 569 yards and 21 first downs.
C.J. Hardy’s 36-yard touchdown reception gave them a 38-14 lead early in the fourth quarter. Hardy finished with 121 yards and two scores on four catches.
Cy Ranch started the game with a trick play.
Quarterback Logan McDougald took their first snap and handed off to running back Justin Carmouche, who found Edwin Smith downfield for a 62yard touchdown.
McDougald amassed 187 yards and two TDs on 11of-14 passing.
“Our last game, we didn’t come out and get a fast start, and I was hoping we might be able to hit something that would get our momentum going, and it worked,” Johnson said.
Tesch strikes twice
Cy Woods went cold in the second and third quarters but still managed to produce 409 yards and 25 first downs in the game.
Danner completed 14 of 24 passes for 226 yards, with two interceptions and two touchdowns, both to Jacob Tesch, who had nine receptions for 125 yards.
“They run (the triple option) really well, and their kids played really hard,” Johnson said. “They executed extremely well. (But) we settled down and played it a little better as the game went along.”