Team Preview – Cypress Ranch Mustangs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Mustangs of Cy Ranch are looking to build upon a very successful season last year, going 10-3 and 7-0 in district play. They made it to the third round of the playoffs where they fell in an overtime thriller vs a strong Waxahachie team, but showed much development in their game. Coach Blaylock has shown to be a consistent winner and will undoubtedly have the Mustangs ready for another strong run with the hopes of going further than last season.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs are returning 6 offensive starters. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior quarterback and U of H commit <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409071' first='Braden' last='Baker']</strong></em> will be leading the charge, surrounded by experience and key playmaking from the receiver position as well as in the backfield. His targets on the outside will consist of his top target, senior North Texas commit <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1247962' first='Manny' last='Leyja']</em></strong>, senior <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='608490' first='Derrick' last='McCullar II']</em></strong>, and senior <strong><em>Joshua Richard</em></strong>. In the backfield, junior running back<strong><em> [player_tooltip player_id='2003209' first='Khristian' last='White'] </em></strong>will get his opportunity to shine, as well as sophomore athlete <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2191603' first='Tristan' last='Blaylock']</em></strong>. The offensive is anchored by a strong o-line including two incredible tackles in senior <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2248879' first='Shelton' last='Aikharaekpen']</strong></em> and junior <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1577247' first='R'Monie' last='Edwards']</em></strong>. Newcomer senior two-way star <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561893' first='Vershaunndrick' last='Smith']</strong></em> will also play a major role solidifying the trenches along with junior center <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2144510' first='Brayden' last='Crawford']</strong></em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive dominated the line of scrimmage and crushed opponents with their zone running scheme, allowing their athletic tackles to move and overpower defensives, creating massive running lanes for the backs. The Mustangs averaged 147 rushing yards per game last year and showed a well-balanced attack which started up front. Averaging 35.6 points per game last season, this offense will have the pieces once again to light up the scoreboard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Khristian_White/status/1986438201888940194?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Khristian_White/status/1986438201888940194?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense returns 5 starters, led by senior SMU commit, game-changing d-lineman <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1247961' first='Amari' last='Vickerson']</strong></em>. Next to him off the edge is speedster senior lineman <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2139836' first='Duane' last='Brooks']</em></strong>. At the linebacker position, senior transfer <strong><em>Marcos Solais </em></strong>will be the guy to keep eyes on. The secondary may be one of the deepest and most talented positions, returning senior<em><strong> [player_tooltip player_id='946490' first='Jacob' last='Lee']</strong></em> who is a Rice commit, senior <em><strong>Malik Johnny</strong></em>, and senior<strong><em> [player_tooltip player_id='2120567' first='Caleb' last='Clack']</em></strong>. These defensive backs will bring experience and an edge needed to set the tone and shut down the airways for opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/iam_amari99/status/1998801988377780282?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/iam_amari99/status/1998801988377780282?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key players to watch this season for the Mustangs include sophomore standouts<strong><em> [player_tooltip player_id='2153636' first='Antonio' last='Murray'] II </em></strong>at DB and <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2139692' first='Cameron' last='Bledsoe']</strong></em> at EDGE. Senior linebacker <em><strong>Sheldon Thompson</strong></em> will have the opportunity to show his game, and one of the best weapons in the state, kicker/punter <em><strong>Nathaniel Carrier</strong></em> will once again show how valuable it is to have a consistent specialist on the squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs will be tested early including a week 2 non-district matchup vs state finalist CE King, but as long as they stick to their game and trust their playmakers, they will be looking at another deep playoff run. The talent is there, the experience is there. Expect the Cypress Ranch Mustangs to come out hungry, ready to dominate on the field on both sides of the ball and be a top contender not only in the area but in the state as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Cypress Ranch Mustangs Schedule</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"align":"left","className":"is-style-regular","style":{"spacing":{"padding":{"top":"0","bottom":"0","left":"0","right":"0"}}},"fontSize":"small"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table alignleft is-style-regular has-small-font-size" style="padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">8/27</td><td>@ Fort Bend Hightower</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">9/4</td><td>CE King</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">9/10</td><td>Nimitz</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">9/25</td><td>Bridgeland*</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/2</td><td>@ George Ranch*</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/8</td><td>Fulshear</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/17</td><td>@ Cypress Park*</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/24</td><td>Waller*</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/29</td><td>@ Foster*</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">11/6</td><td>Cypress Springs*</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table -->