Wildcats put focus on stop troops in search for balance
Settled in the attack, Cy Woods hoping to keep opponents out of end zone
Cypress Woods knows offense.
With three 1,000 yard rushers a year ago, and two of those players returning, it’s plenty productive on that side.
Now it’s time for the Wildcats to get defensive.
Coach Trent Faith, who’s going into his fourth season leading the program, says that’s the only way they’re going to improve on last year’s 8-5 record and trip to the Class 6A regional semifinals.
“When you end the season with a loss you’re never totally satisfied, (and) unless you win the state championship you’re going to end the season with a loss,” Faith said. “So we feel like we’ve got to play better defense if we’re going to make a real run, and that’s been a focus in our offseason and spring practice and this fall camp.”
The personnel numbers don’t seem to suggest that deep postseason run is imminent.
Cy Woods graduated 14 starters and 63 lettermen, which is the most among the 10 District 17-6A teams by far. But Faith isn’t afraid. “We lost quite a few, but we feel like we’ve got some good quality young men coming up, so we’re real excited,” he said.
The up-and-comers include quarterback candidates Bryson Powers and Austin Goffney.
Powers, a move-in, was on varsity last season. He started as a wide receiver but moved to safety and made all-district.
Goffney was the starting QB on the JV team.
“Both of them are doing a really good job,” Faith said. “Bryson is extremely elusive and has a live arm (but) he’s got to improve his accuracy. And Austin’s just a really tough kid, kind of like a linebacker playing quarterback. He’s not afraid to stick his shoulder in there and run people over.”
Faith said he’ll likely play both in their scrimmage and the season opener against Klein Collins.
The Wildcats scrimmage The Woodlands at 7 p.m. Friday at Cy Woods.
“We’ll evaluate our quarterbacks, and defensively we want to be real sound, and try to create some turnovers and not give up big plays,” Faith said. “And then offensively we’ve always been slowstarting, so I’d like to see us get things moving a little earlier this year.”