Cy-Fair, Cy Springs ready for pivotal district clash

Taco Bell and Dave Campbell's Texas Football have teamed up to feature one must-see Texas high school football matchup each week in the Houston area. This week: Cypress Springs vs. Cy-Fair, 7 p.m. Friday night at Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union Stadium.

As Cypress Springs enters its sixth season under coach Rick Cobia, the Panthers are confident they have the pieces needed to sneak into the playoffs out of District 17-6A. Cy Springs has finished 3-7 each of the last four years – but a combination of defensive experience and playmakers at offensive skill positions has Cobia feeling confident this season. After getting a 27-9 win over Cypress Woods to open the season, the Panthers will face a major test Friday night as they take on Cy-Fair. The Bobcats, traditionally one of the top schools in the Houston area, went 8-3 last season and claimed a commanding 42-7 win over Cypress Lakes last week. Cy-Fair defeated Cy Springs 57-21 last year, and the Bobcats have won seven straight games in the series dating back to 2010. This time, the game will be featured in the Taco Bell Houston Rivalry Series. The Panthers will look to get their run game going again this week after putting up 286 yards on the ground in the win over Cy Woods. Jah’marae Sheread (88 yards, 1 TD), Kameron Chappell (74 yards), Taye Barber (52 yards, 1 TD) and Kevonne Hyde (51 yards) did the majority of the damage, while quarterback Xayvion West threw for 124 yards and a score. Cy-Fair had a balanced offensive attack last week, as the running game was led Christian Richmond (69 yards, 1 TD), Trent Kennedy (37 yards, 2 TDs) and Jaelon Woods. Quarterback Cam Arnold completed 8-of-12 passes for 124 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown strike to Marcus McKinley. Both teams have several college prospects on the field, making for a must-see matchup from a pure talent standpoint. Barber (TCU) and safety Leon O’Neal Jr. (Texas A&M) lead the way for Cy Springs while CB Erick Hallett (Washington State) and Kennedy (Uncommitted) are the stars for the Bobcats. Cy-Fair has established itself as a perennial playoff program, so this game serves as another step on the ladder for coach Ed Pustejovsky and company. But with Cy Springs looking to prove itself as a playoff-caliber team, Friday gives the Panthers a chance to make a real statement early in the season.