Projected Playoff Teams:
Cy Fair, Cy Ridge, Langham Creek, Jersey Village

Vitals:

    
     No district in Region 3 was as competitive from top to bottom as 17-5A in 2006, and the improved play of the programs in this district overall bodes well for the immediate future.  Cy Fair and Cy Falls have led the charge in this district recently along with Jersey Village.  Cy Creek has also started to re-emerge in the last few seasons.  Cy Falls became the first program to ever represent Cy Fair ISD in the football state championship game last season.  Prior to Falls’ run last season, Jersey Village’s state semi-final run in 1998 was the furthest any school in this district had advanced.  Cy Falls and Cy Fair split this district title last season with 6-1 records, although Falls won the head-to-head 22-21 in a thriller at the Berry Center.

    In 2007, Cy Fair starts the season as the favorite to win the district championship.  Sam McGuffie officially became the worst kept secret in greater Houston area football after running for over 3,000 yards and 43 touchdowns in 2006.  McGuffie's greatest strength as a runner is probably his balance.  It is very tough to get a clean shot on him because his quickness combined with the balance.  Senior fullback Wesley Cobb will help pave the way for McGuffie, and split time on varsity last season.  Senior tackle Chris Lathrop leads the offensive line.  Senior kicker Chris Patrick is one of the best in the state.  The challenge for the Bobcats will be reloading areas of what was a strong defense last year.  Seniors DL Austen Wozniak and DB Michael Elliot are the most experienced returning players on defense. 

     Cy Ridge should definitely be considered a co-favorite, and don’t be surprised if they take the district title outright.  Ridge surprised last year by making the playoffs and challenging for a top district finish.  Ridge fielded a young team last season, especially on offense.  Junior QB Russell Shepard led the team as a sophomore last season compiling over 2,000 total yards and 24 touchdowns in his first year as a starter.  Shepard is already catching the eye of college scouts across the country, and is an obvious favorite for district post-season awards.  Junior tailback Hasan Lipscomb also returns after a very productive sophomore season (8.2 ypc).  Seniors Kyle Hamilton (RB) and TJ Shirley (QB) add more experience.  Defensively, senior DB Royce Hill, senior DB Curtis Slater, and senior DE Jerrod Fleming are the best returning players.

    Jersey Village has the look of a playoff team as well.  Senior QB Brian Ellis takes over full-time reigns of the offense after sharing as a sophomore and junior.  Senior tailback Anthony Bibbs is very talented, and, like Ellis, has been on varsity since his sophomore year.  Senior kicker Brian Davis has an outstanding leg and beat Cy Falls with a 50 yard field goal last season.  Senior Dejon Creeks is the top player returning on defense.

    Aside from the teams mentioned above, Langham Creek has the best shot of the remaining teams to earn a playoff spot.  Senior QB Max Jenkins and senior all-purpose standout Kameron Shamlin are two of Langham’s best along with senior defensive back Obinna Akujuobi and Cortez Paige.  The Lobos finished a game out of the playoffs last season. 

    Cy Falls is just on the outside looking in on the post-season here, but would be a definite playoff team in most other Region 3 districts.  The fact is teams in this district are evenly matched against one another, and the teams projected ahead of Falls return more experience to start the season.  Falls does return one of the top RBs in the district in senior Shane Turner.  Junior QB Kolby Gray and senior DB Xavier Witchett are other players who will lead this Golden Eagle team along with Turner.

    Cy Creek and Strake Jesuit will likely battle it out for a potential chance at crashing the party for one of the above.  Creek returns senior QB Jacob Thompson and 20 other lettermen.  Strake’s top player is senior LB-RB Jeff McVaney.  Senior defensive lineman David King is the other returning all-district player for the Crusaders.  Cy Springs will have to fight their way out from the bottom of the district, and that will be complicated without RB Josh Lewis.  Unfortunately, Lewis is out of eligibility but the cupboard is not completely bare.  Juniors Darrel Lea and Darius Wilson look to pick up where Lewis left off in the running game. 

    Cy Fair and Cy Ridge start as the top favorites.  Jersey Village, Cy Falls and Langham Creek appear likely to battle for the other two playoff spots in what should be a typically crowded middle of the district.  Creek, Jesuit and Springs are on the outside looking in at playoff spots.