1-9,2-8,4-6 you might be asking what do those numbers mean? Those are the records of the Panther football team over the last three years.
Last year was the start of a new approachand attitude as the players and coaches implemented the saying “change the narrative.”
Meaning to change the underdog reputation they had in previous years.
The Panthers have done exactly that.
They are now 8-1 in district as they have ran through teams lead by Harrison Mass, Timothy Saunders and many more but something else that has contributed to their success in a big way
it is the amount of younger guys who have stepped up such as Kristopher Ross, Paris Melvin Jr. and Jonathan Ioma.
This season has been nothing short of difficult but the players have been determined to make a statement.
“The off season was a grind,” Ross said, ” Our coaches knew this was a year were we could be something great.”
Many of the players give credit to Coach Barnes for pushing them to their limits and making them realize this is what
they worked for. The guys had a positive mindset going into the season but not many of them could have imagine this amount of success.
For the first time in 20 years and only the second time ever the Panthers are playoff bound.
Favorite games among the players include beating Cy Ranch for the first time ever and Langham Creek. The excitement of beating Ranch 35-31 was elevated by Mass hitting Rashod Richardson with 28 seconds remaining to seal the win. Two weeks later the Panthers dominated Langham Creek in a 31-13 homecoming victory. The Panthers continued to shine on offense and defense including getting five sacks to jump out to a 7-0 record. Other victories on the undefeated path included a 35-29 win over Cy Park, a 61-28 win over Jersey Village, 41-20 win over the Heights and a 35-3 win over Bush that got the winning ways started.
The win over Jersey Village marked a historic night for the Panthers as the gained 500 plus yards and scored 60 plus points for the first time since 2017.
The Panthers hard work and determination all season has definitely changed the old thoughts of their opponents and others across the district.
Their only loss heading into their last regular season game was to Cy Falls but the Panthers quickly regrouped for a 30-28 playoff clinching victory last Thursday against Cy Woods. The win was secured by a strong kicking game from Raphael Heredia who made three key field goals of 30, 37 and 42 yards.
Kaden Goodwin, the long snapper who delivered the game winning snap against Cy Woods, said “everyone thought we were gonna be at the
bottom of the district now we are up top and have proved we can hang with anyone and play against the best.”
Many people counted CSHS out at the beginning of the year but now with the playoff clinching win, the Panthers are now playoff bound and will play for a share of the district title against the Bridgeland Bears at the Berry Center at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The Panthers plan to give their all in hopes of accomplishing another first in school history.
“It is not anything special or anyone in particular that makes us successful it is more of our team chemistry that makes us as good as we
are,” Goodwin said.
All and all the Cy Springs Panthers football team has proved a lot and made it clear that they are a force to be reckoned with. The coaches have indeed changed
the narrative at Cy Springs.
