17-5a

[forest99]

basically, an all cy-fair isd district (+strake jesuit)....so how do you all see this one shaping up???

[Drake]

I shouldn't have voted because I don't know anything about any of the teams except SJ and CF... But since they now allow 4 teams in, I think the UIL should adopt a rule that no district can have all four playoff representatives come from the same ISD... ;)

[cyfallsbooster]

Strake, enjoy your stay while here. It should be a short one. With HS#8 opening this fall they will have a Varsity program 2 years from now. Also, HS #9 & #10 should open in fall of '08. What happens when there are 10 schools in the same school district? Do they split them up and bring in a few outsiders to round out 2 UIL district's?:eek:

[CyFallsMom]

Falls and Fair should both be in that top 4 mix. As for the others - well, we played Strake in Round 2 and they were pretty strong and that was with a lot of underclassemen (or so it seemed from the roster anyway). Now, that being said, they have to make a run through the ENTIRE Cy Fair district and that's not so easy.

The difference, in my opinion, between the top team and the bottom team is pretty small. I've said it before and I'll say it again - anybody in Cy Fair can win any game against another Cy Fair team at any time...there is just that much talent. I went with Falls, Fair, JV and Strake but my dark horse is Cy Springs - I just think their talent base is growing along with their enrollment! Also, Cy Creek had a taste last year and they have beat us two years in a row so I don't knock them out either. Sorry to be so even keeled on this but that's just what this district is - even. Falls may have the upper hand on the others just due to the sheer number of talent that's returning and the playoff experience. We'll see come September!

[forest99]

you would think that with 10 schools from the same district they would split up....but not the uil baby!!!! i believe its the ft. bend schools...i think there are 10 of them in a district now too...gotta love the uil!!

[DOC223]

Here is my 1/2 cent............

I think to get a playoff spot in this 17-5a you'll definitely have to earn it as shown in recent years with co-champs and such. It'll probably take Strake a yr to figure out these new teams. The smart pic is Fall and Fair because of returning starters and overall program respectively;

Creek 07 class have improved Creek's Football program up a notch over the past 2 yrs and it's program now have players that are as good or better in some spots than before. The talent in this district is so spreadout that I don't think the preseason favorite has started and ended in the top spot in recent yrs. Saying that.. I think Creek will match Falls and battle it out for D-champs, I think Creek has one of the better running game! After those I take JV and Fair. Fair in my opinion will be rebuilding instead of re-tooling they lost a lot.

[cyfallsbooster]

Here is my 1/2 cent............

I think to get a playoff spot in this 17-5a you'll definitely have to earn it as shown in recent years with co-champs and such. It'll probably take Strake a yr to figure out these new teams. The smart pic is Fall and Fair because of returning starters and overall program respectively;

Creek 07 class have improved Creek's Football program up a notch over the past 2 yrs and it's program now have players that are as good or better in some spots than before. The talent in this district is so spreadout that I don't think the preseason favorite has started and ended in the top spot in recent yrs. Saying that.. I think Creek will match Falls and battle it out for D-champs, I think Creek has one of the better running game! After those I take JV and Fair. Fair in my opinion will be rebuilding instead of re-tooling they lost a lot.
I agree with most of your comments. Creek did have an outstanding running game last year. My personal opinion is that it will not be as strong this year. I went with Fair, Falls, JV and then Springs as my #4. They just always have such great talent (especially at running back) that I think they hit it right this year. With tomball out of the mix this year opens up a top 4 spot for a CFISD team. I see several selecting Strake. Personal opinion is that they have talent on their team but that talent is still young. I think maybe '07 for them.

[DaMan]

Falls, Fair, Creek, and Strake. Village underachieved this year and doesn't have that much coming back, which could be a good thing, but I doubt it. Springs is a one man show and he can't carry them into the playoffs by himself. Falls, Creek, Fair, and Strake all went to at least the second round last year and have alot returning. IMO they will be the favorites until knocked off. I am hearing that Falls is LOADED.

[cyfallsbooster]

Falls, Fair, Creek, and Strake. Village underachieved this year and doesn't have that much coming back, which could be a good thing, but I doubt it. Springs is a one man show and he can't carry them into the playoffs by himself. Falls, Creek, Fair, and Strake all went to at least the second round last year and have alot returning. IMO they will be the favorites until knocked off. I am hearing that Falls is LOADED.
I keep hearing that, too. What matters is what they do with it. We'll see.

[forest99]

whoa....which creek do you think will not have as good of a running game?? im assuming you meant CY creek...and why would they not be as good running the ball this year?? theyre returning their 3 year starting running back dj harper....and have 2 excellent offensive linemen returning

[Drake]

The only problem I see with CyFalls is their habit of succumbing to pressure... Last year they were a pre-season top ten area pick and came out of the gate like the proverbial tortoise. They also seemed to panic the last quarter against Strake Jesuit and I don't even have to mention the Katy debacle... Maybe they'll be so good this year that it will never even be an issue... But I'm glad everyone has such high expectations of them and I hope they are constantly reminded... (I know CyFallsMom is going to throw something at me :D)

[CyFallsMom]

The TRUE fact of the matter is, the Eagles were PLAYING Katy and not sitting in the stands watching with the other eliminated teams now were they Drake?;) Yes, they started off slow - they always seem to - and then they put the burners on when it really mattered. I think the Katy game was a result of a little too much adrenaline and a lot of Katy! I think they learned a very valuable lesson in that game and the Strake game and the LaPorte game - never underestimate your opponent.

The majority of those guys are returning - and they will remember that feeling of watching Katy celebrate - there is no better incentive to turning your game up a few notches than that!! If that's not enough, they can just look at that picture of Fuda on the front of this website - Geoff looks like he's willing him to stop - PLEASE! Even more incentive - hang that one in the locker room or bulletin board;)

By the way, it's just very small rocks, pebbles actually, that I am throwing your way in a friendly manner - you know I'm a Drake fan!! :) How uncolorful this board would be without you.

[DOC223]

whoa....which creek do you think will not have as good of a running game?? im assuming you meant CY creek...and why would they not be as good running the ball this year?? theyre returning their 3 year starting running back dj harper....and have 2 excellent offensive linemen returning

I feel you Conroe05. Creek strength next yr will be it's OL, Probably best they have had in a few seasons. I don't think they are going to need to throw it around a lot as in past couple of yrs.

They'll have better athletes next yr on both side of the ball. I believe their OL avg HT/WT is somewhere around 6'3"/250s if they don't even grow an inch or gain a pound of the summer. speaking of Harper, he can tote that pigskin.

[Drake]

By the way, it's just very small rocks, pebbles actually, that I am throwing your way in a friendly mannerYep, I'm just trying to keep the 17-5a talk (and a few other threads) stoked with a little lighter fluid once in awhile. ;)

[DOC223]

Yep, I'm just trying to keep the 17-5a talk (and a few other threads) stoked with a little lighter fluid once in awhile. ;)

I feel you Drake. My take on 17-5a and for that matter any district picks is this. You can have all the returning starters and athlete you want but probably only a handful of them are "legit football players". There is a different in a athlete vs football player. Athletes play but football players make a difference.

[forest99]

well, the thinking on this one is...obviously football players are better than just athletes....BUT...if you had a few pure football players...would you rather fill the rest of your roster with athletes or scrubs???

[Drake]

I feel you Drake. My take on 17-5a and for that matter any district picks is this. You can have all the returning starters and athlete you want but probably only a handful of them are "legit football players". There is a different in a athlete vs football player. Athletes play but football players make a difference.I think I agree if you're saying what I think you're saying... I've said this before about Strake Jesuit for '06... They have a number of '05 contributors returning BUT, they graduate some very key playmakers that were a GIANT part of their 05 success... So there is certainly no guarantees with them...

[DOC223]

well, the thinking on this one is...obviously football players are better than just athletes....BUT...if you had a few pure football players...would you rather fill the rest of your roster with athletes or scrubs???

We be cool. That's a no-brainer..all I was implying was that I don't assess solely on returning starters/athletes or whatever you call in determining how well a team will play or where they might rank; although most ranking system in all level deem this the guiding light. Hint: no disrespect to JV but they are have the best looking athletes around.

[cyfallsbooster]

whoa....which creek do you think will not have as good of a running game?? im assuming you meant CY creek...and why would they not be as good running the ball this year?? theyre returning their 3 year starting running back dj harper....and have 2 excellent offensive linemen returning
That is sort of my point. It is my understanding that they only have the 2 linemen returning from last year's outstanding line. In my feeble mind, that translates into, at least at this point in the year, a questionable running game compared to last year's. I may be proven wrong this next year, which I usually am. It is just an "outsiders" take on the prospects for next year.

[cyfallsbooster]

We be cool. That's a no-brainer..all I was implying was that I don't assess solely on returning starters/athletes or whatever you call in determining how well a team will play or where they might rank; although most ranking system in all level deem this the guiding light. Hint: no disrespect to JV but they are have the best looking athletes around.
JV really started pulling it together last year towards the end. Something tells me they are going to pick up where they left off and be right back in the mix this next year.

[DOC223]

JV really started pulling it together last year towards the end. Something tells me they are going to pick up where they left off and be right back in the mix this next year.

My point indeed. That's why I pick them too. Last season they started out with athletes at key pos but toward the middle of the season they made changes I believe at QB/RB with better football players not necessarily athletes.

[cyfallsbooster]

The only problem I see with CyFalls is their habit of succumbing to pressure... Last year they were a pre-season top ten area pick and came out of the gate like the proverbial tortoise. They also seemed to panic the last quarter against Strake Jesuit and I don't even have to mention the Katy debacle... Maybe they'll be so good this year that it will never even be an issue... But I'm glad everyone has such high expectations of them and I hope they are constantly reminded... (I know CyFallsMom is going to throw something at me :D)
Have to disagree on the "pressure" part. My take on it was that it was more of an "inexperience" factor due to the youth of the players rather than succumbing to any pressure. In fact, they looked a little too relaxed last year for the situations they were in. A FEW mistakes or mental errors late in a big game can cost a team dearly, but, I would not call that succumbing to pressure, just inexperience. This next year the qb would have learned to put a little more air under the fade pass and hopefully the defense will learn that a "prevent" defense does not mean play completely "loose", even after they catch the ball. Lots of very valuable lessons learned this year that will help them to improve for this next year.

[Drake]

Have to disagree on the "pressure" part. My take on it was that it was more of an "inexperience" factor due to the youth of the players rather than succumbing to any pressure.Good point.

[CyFalls#1]

Strake:

Disagree with your comments on pressure and the like. And the '05 Falls team that started the year ranked in the top 10 did not deserve that spot. Its easy to look in hindsight and make that statement, but facts are what they are. The OL was completely revamped and started only 1 Sr., the QB and RB position(s) were unsettled, the defense featured several new starters, including 3 of 4 DB's, etc.. They received that designation based on the '04 playoff run and returning players. After watching that team practice, scrimmage and through the non-district schedule, it was obvious the team was not as good as advertised. Only toward the end of the year did the team start to jell somewhat, with a pretty successful run through the playoffs evidencing that. And as I've noted, the Katy game should've been a resounding "W" and would have launched (IMO) the team into a slugfest (ultimately) with SLC.

The '05 team did not succumb to pressure, but rather to some good plays at key moments. Against your SJ team, we were up 27-13 with 8 mins left in the game when your "D" blitzed the QB and forced a turnover. On the next play, Tyree made an incredible catch OVER a D1 player in the end zone to bring the score closer. Add in a safety and a last second finish and I would say it was a solid, well played and exciting game by both teams. But succumbing to pressure? Nah. The LaPorte game was a battle with good athletes on both sides of the ball. Yes, once again Falls took what seemed to be a commanding lead into the 4th quarter (35-21). But big plays and a finish only the Tennessee Titans could've scripted once again had the good guys with a "W". Succumbing to pressure? Or succeeding against a very good opponent? I'll take the latter.

And finally, the Katy game. The kids run plays / defenses as called with little opportunity to vary this. If the coaches move away from a controlled passing game (good for 21 3rd Qtr pts) to trying to kill 4th Qtr time by running the ball out of the shotgun, there's not a lot the kids can do to change things. And the plays Katy made they had to make -- the Fuda TD at the end of the 3rd Qtr was a broken play in the flats that received excellent downfield blocking. The 66 yd pass from Dalton to ? on 3rd and 12 from Katy's 35 went right through the hands of a Falls DB. Failing to convert a key 4th Qtr 4th down attempt with with 8 players in the box and not exploiting mismatch(es), having a punt blocked with 42 seconds left, not being prepared to defend a pass when Katy has no timeouts left and working downfield to get in position for a tying FG. Is that succumbing to pressure or playing a very opportunistic opponent? Hats off to Katy -- they made plays to win and Falls didn't. Period. But I don't believe that team succumbed to pressure.

The '06 version has tons of experience where it counts -- in the trenches, the skill positions, Db's and others. And the team is only getting better with a few move-in athletes who will more than likely start in the fall. And most importantly, this team has LEADERS to PUSH in the offseason, to PULL during the season, and above all, to LEAD the team to its' best year yet. ;)

[CyFallsMom]

The '06 version has tons of experience where it counts -- in the trenches, the skill positions, Db's and others. And the team is only getting better with a few move-in athletes who will more than likely start in the fall. And most importantly, this team has LEADERS to PUSH in the offseason, to PULL during the season, and above all, to LEAD the team to its' best year yet.

You hit the nail on the head - Leadership is the key! This team has it for sure. Someone said that it takes football players over athletes to win - this one is loaded with guys who are both. I am intrigued by the move ins - can't wait to see what they bring.

[Drake]

Ahem... Like I said, they may too good for it to matter this year BUT, reread my post... I never specifically said it was the kids that succumbed to the pressure... :D

[CyFalls#1]

So we're saying the problem is with the coaches and their having a consistent case of brain f_rts? And that the '06 team may have enough ability / drive / talent to overcome this? :cool:

Not that any extra motivation is needed when SJ plays a public school - but this add a little incentive to the mix in the fall.

[Drake]

I didn't say that either... You won't ever catch me making inflammatory remarks... :)

[forest99]

yall are just crazy voters!!!! how could you think that cypress creek will NOT make the playoffs???

[cyfallsbooster]

I didn't say that either... You won't ever catch me making inflammatory remarks... :)
Just some to "stir the pot"?