Last-second field goal secures win for Cougars
Cinco Ranch and CyFair have been shredding opposing defenses all season long.
Friday night was a different story.
It was a struggle for both teams to move the ball, but Cinco Ranch made just enough plays in crunch time to emerge with a 13-10 victory in a Region III-6A Division I playoff game at Pridgeon Stadium.
With the game tied at 10, Cinco Ranch mounted one last drive and got in range for senior kicker Santiago Taborda. He did the rest, connecting on a 45-yard field goal that narrowly cleared the crossbar as time expired to send the Cougars’ faithful into a frenzy.
“Bruce Hayes, God bless him, he passed away about 10 days ago, and he was our kicking coach,” Cinco Ranch coach Chris Dudley said, fighting to hold back tears. “He’s looking down on us today. He was helping us, and he’s so proud, too. I know he is.”
Highlights
Cinco Ranch (9-3) and Cy-Fair (10-2) combined to score 1,030 points entering this matchup, but defense ruled the day in this one as both units rose to the occasion.
The Cougars made the first big play as Walker White pounced on a CyFair fumble in the Cinco Ranch red zone. That ended a promising opening drive by the Bobcats.
Landon Rink recovered a fumble for Cy-Fair in the second quarter, setting the offense up at the Cinco Ranch 21. That turnover did not result in points either, but the Bobcats finally got on the board with 13 seconds remaining as Dennis Castello connected on a 38-yard field goal.
Earlier on that drive, Cinco Ranch appeared to score on an interception return by Superior Hill, but the touchdown was nullified on defensive
pass interference.
The Cougars finally knotted the game at 3 when Taborda hit a 19yard field goal late in the third quarter. Cinco Ranch took its first lead of the contest early in the fourth when Sam McKnight scored on an 11-yard run.
Cy-Fair eventually drew even with 3:09 remaining as Jamel Nickerson reached the end zone from 6 yards out.
That set the stage for Cinco Ranch quarterback Gavin Rutherford to engineer the game-winning drive. The Cougars went 45 yards on nine plays to give Taborda a chance at the very edge of his range.
What it means
Cinco Ranch advances to the regional semifinals for the second consecutive season. The Cougars came up short against Summer Creek in the third round last year.
Cy-Fair saw its season and 10-game winning streak snapped with the loss. The Bobcats were the outright District 17-6A champions this year, marking the 15th league title for the program dating back to 1964.
Game balls
Taborda is the obvious recipient here after connecting on both field goal attempts. Rutherford completed 13-of-19 passes for 142 yards, and McKnight rushed for a team-high 59 yards on 13 carries. Seth Salverino had 82 yards receiving on four catches.
The Cougars’ defense was lights-out, holding the high-octane Cy-Fair offense to 239 total yards.
Quotable
“It was everything, everything I’ve dreamed for, honestly,” Taborda said. “I play soccer, and I’m 0-2 in this stadium, I always lose in this stadium, and finally, the ball was in my hands, and to seal the game for my team and my seniors as well, it means a lot.”
Up next
Cinco Ranch will take on defending state champion North Shore (12-0) in the regional semifinals at 2 p.m. Friday at Rhodes Stadium. Cinco Ranch is 0-2 against the Mustangs after suffering losses in 2012 and 2013.
North Shore defeated Dickinson 43-34 on Friday.