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BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: Owens prepared to break second-round stigma
Last season, Cy-Fair Football had another brilliant campaign, earning the District 17-6A title, only to narrowly fall to Cinco Ranch (13-10) on a last second field-goal in the second round of the postseason.
“Ever since about 2019, we’ve been a ‘second round and done’ team, losing to some Katy team every year. That can be pretty demoralizing,” said Cy-Fair QB Trey Owens. “I guarantee if we played that game again, we’d win. Our offense just wasn’t clicking, and they kicked that crazy game-winning field goal, which was a killer moment.”
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Cypress Fairbanks FootballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Bobcats and Owens are looking for redemption.
The 6-foot-5, signal-caller is up for the challenge, since he’s been doing it for most of his football career.
“I didn’t actually start a game as quarterback until my freshman year, and my sophomore year was pretty rough in my opinion,” Owens said. “I was a little doubtful of myself. I wasn’t playing my best – I played scared and wasn’t really playing up to my potential.
“I started to change that though, and come that Spring before my junior season, I started to get offers which was really shocking to me,” he said. “I had the size and the ability, and schools really took chances on me and I’m forever grateful for that.”
That junior season is when Owens turned things around.
He would go on to throw for over 3,000 yards with 34 passing touchdowns, which garnered the attention of several top collegiate programs. However, Owens would ultimately decide to commit to the University of Texas in January.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“Surprisingly, I grew up a Texas A&M and TCU fan, so Texas wasn’t always on my radar until they pursued me in the recruiting game,” he said. “I ended up going up to Texas several times and just continued to have a great relationship with coach (Steve) Sarkisian and coach (AJ) Milwee. Their ability to put quarterbacks in the league is untouched in the nation, so it was an easy decision for me.”
Before he prepares to pack up for Austin, Owens has one more year to show what he’s got on the high school level with BFND.
Given that the final year is approaching, it’s given him time to reflect on his high school experience.
“I didn’t really know many of them (his teammates) until I moved here, since I went to a different middle school and was initially zoned for Bridgeland,” said Owens. “But since my Mom works at Cy-Fair, I was fortunate enough to get to play here.
“I’ve really gotten to know all of them like brothers, and it’s been a really fun ride,” he said. “The experience, the games and the relationships I’ve made here – I wouldn’t have wanted to go anywhere else.”
It will be up to Owens and the core group of returners to lead the Bobcats over that second-round hump this Fall. Something tells us that this might just be the year.
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BLESSED: Washington adds to list of national recruits out of Langham Creek
Through the past few NFL draft classes, the tight end position has become one of the most versatile positions to pursue.
Given the tremendous threat a big-bodied receiver poses down the field, several of the biggest names in college football make it a priority to stake their claim for the absolute best in the nation.
Enter Jordan Washington.
During his high school career, the 6-foot-4 senior-to-be has raised eyebrows, making him the next big-time prospect to come out of Langham Creek--following the footsteps of former teammate, Jaquaize Pettaway.
“He [Pettaway] would always tell me to make smart decisions and to ask questions,” said Washington. “That gave me some insight on how to carry myself throughout the recruiting process.”
After much deliberation, Washington ultimately landed on the University of Texas as his new home, come the Fall of 2024.
“Me and coach [Jeff] Banks (UT Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Coach) really clicked,” he said. “Not just on the topic of football and what I should expect, either. We talked about relationships, student life, restaurants–because we’re both food lovers.”
“It was more of a friendship than something of a business transaction, which really appealed to me. At some point, I realized UT was the place for me.”
As previously mentioned, Washington is just one of the many big-names to emerge from Cy-Fair ISD onto the grand stage.
While the fame may go to others’ heads, Washington remains humble.
“I feel like it’s a really big role to play,” Washington said. “I’m very blessed to be where I am right now. To be able to represent the Cy-Fair area and Langham Creek in this fashion, it tells me that I can’t become complacent. I need to show up for my family, and that’s what I intend to do--one step at a time.”
Big words from a big man.
Football will be back before you know it, so don’t expect Washington to slow down anytime soon.