The Classy Caycen Bartolazzi Earns His Keep

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Welcome to The Woodlands Online Student/Athlete Profile of the week.

We are constantly bragging about the young people in this community on both sides of the highway. I don't know if it's because of something in the water, good parenting, good coaching, good teaching or just that these kids are naturally awesome. Let's just agree it's a combination of all of the above.

Today's subject, The Woodlands High School senior football player, Caycen Bartolazzi is a very talented athlete, but as you'll soon find out, he is an even better person. To make things even more amazing, on top of that stands a magnificently humble human being. He realizes he has gifts on and off the athletic field, but you'll never see him resting on those laurels as he is in constant competition with himself to become the absolute best person and player he can be.

This is not surprising at all seeing as I’ve met his awesome parents (Emory and Dustie). These are two of the most genuine people you'll ever meet and I encourage you to do so.

Let’s learn all about Caycen Bartolazzi…

1. Growing up, what sports did you play. Why did football win out?

I played a little bit of everything growing up. I played football, basketball, baseball, and even soccer. Football won out because I think from grades 1st-6th I spent 12+ hours at a Highlander football event: practice, JV games, and of course the varsity games. That’s all I remember doing, so of course, it was natural to wanna play football. But I still play basketball after football season is over.

2. Describe the 2025 TWHS football team…

I think this year's team is something special. We have a good bond and chemistry together. Most of us hang out outside of school and football. I think what makes our team special is that we are very consistent all around the field, but we do have our strengths… Our QB (Jack Daulton) really makes our offense go. He makes all the right reads and can really push the ball down the field. Our RB core (Cody Jordan, Jason Haskins, Lincoln Halsey) add a different level to our offensive attack; they all run hard and behind their pads. Our receivers all have their own sets of strengths Bryson Bourn, Eli Lancaster, Carter Cass, and Jameson Gavin all are really good deep threats. Colton Weddel, Peyton Dipasquale, Dhillion Harris, and Becket Barefoot are great possession receivers. Our offensive line made leaps and bounds of progress from the beginning of spring ball until now and they are only getting better week by week. On the defensive side of the ball we have been meshing really well, Our defensive line (Jyree Jefferson, Magnus Herndon, Derrick Williams, Grayson Smalling, and Mekhi Oubre) have been playing lights out with great pass rushers and being equally as good in the run game. Head Coach Jim Rapp has said our linebacking core is one of the best he has seen. They work really well as a unit. Our middle linebackers (Tim Parke and Cole Carlin) are the best duo we’ve had in a while. They are really good at fitting the run in between the tackles and running stunts to get to the quarterback. Our outside linebackers (Deng Wei, Owen Wills, Dylan Carpenter) play a huge role in the pass game. They do a great job dropping into coverage as well as getting to the quarterback. Everybody likes to tell me how good our secondary is, but the way I look at it, our secondary rides off of the coattails of our front 7. It's easy to guard in the secondary when you get to the QB in two seconds. But with that being said we do have some talent in the defensive backfield with our secondary: Parker Stewart, Jabaric Sullivan, Anthony Ince, Will Haas, and myself. We make a pretty good unit. I honestly do believe the most influential person on our team is our kicker Luke Crudgington. He is 88.8% on field goals this year (8-9) and when you can get the ball to the opposing team's 40 yard line and walk away with points it makes playing defense pretty easy. We also have a really good coaching staff and I believe they all do a great job of putting the players in the right positions to make plays.

3. Do you enjoy going to The Woodlands High School?

The thing I like most about TWHS is that I’ve been around the school, the campus and the people for so long it starts to feel more like a family than a school. There are some teachers that I’ve been to baby showers for, and now I have their class so it’s pretty cool to grow up with them and then be taught by them.

4. Do you have plans for college? Possible major?

Right now my main colleges I’m looking at are Drake University in Iowa to continue my football career and Schreiner University to do the same. But if I didn’t play football, I would look to go to Texas A&M and get my degree in business or engineering.

5. Do you have any long range plans for after college?

After I graduate college I plan on doing something that involves numbers and math. I have a special skill in the fields of math and science so I would look to use those to find a job I like.

6. What do you like to do away from school and sports?

When I’m not playing football I’m either hanging out with friends, fishing with my grandpa, hunting, or you’ll most likely catch me playing video games. I think all of these things help me ease my mind and take the stress away from football and school.

7. Do you have a football role model?

I honestly don’t know if I have a specific person that I modeled my game after. I do occasionally watch Antoine Winfield, Jr highlights from when he was in high school. But I know that I’m nowhere near as good as he was back in the day (laughs).

8. Describe the support you get from your family regarding everything you do in your life.

My family has always been there for me no matter what I’m playing or what I’m going through. In every sporting event, I’ve always had either my mom, my dad or my grandma at one of my games. My grandma is definitely my biggest supporter. She calls herself my “fan bus driver” . I don't think she has missed any of my high school games from freshman year until now, in both football and basketball. So , thank you Khaki for always being there for me!

9. If you were given a million dollars to give to any charity, which one would get it?

If I was given a million dollars I would probably donate it to the “Stand up for Cancer” foundation. My grandpa died of stage IV pancreatic cancer back in 2020 and if donating a million dollars towards the cure for cancer helps someone else have their grandpa for five more years, then that’s where I’d donate the money to.

10. Three things people don’t know about you.

Most people don’t know that I race Go Karts semi competitively. If anyone wants to race me just let me know… I am really good at Nintendo Wii Games (it was the only gaming console I had from ages 5-16). I know how to drive a stick, and change a tire. (I am very surprised how many people don’t know how to do either of these things)

11. When is the last time you danced? You any good?

Last time I danced was at Garner State Park with my girlfriend Abby and, no I suck at dancing. I only know how to two step and line dance.

12. What’s your favorite song in your phone right now?

My favorite song is a hard one to narrow down so I’ll give you my favorite songs’ favorite artists 1. Is Riley Greens “Georgia Time”. 2. Is probably Cody Johnson’s “Y’all People” 3. Is Megan Moroney’s “Miss Universe”.

13. Favorite movie?

My favorite movie is Talladega Nights “If you ain't FIRST, your last!”

14. If you were sentenced to death and you had one last date, who would be the lucky girl?

If I had one last date, my celebrity date would be Megan Moroney at some place in Nashville Tennessee, because she's hot. But realistically I would probably just go to Lupe tortilla with my girlfriend, Abby Lewis because she’s even hotter.

15. You are a coach’s kid being TWHS Defensive Coordinator, Emory Bartolazzi’s son. How much pressure does that put on you?

I worry all the time that people think that there is some nepotism going on. Which is why I work so hard to play as good as I do. I don’t want anyone to think that I was given my starting spot, and I can say with good confidence that I earned every bit of my success.

The purpose of these profiles is to show the community the young people who walk the halls of our schools are solid people. A prerequisite being you have to be a giver and loaded with humility.

Caycen started showing these qualities at a very young age. At Mitchell Intermediate he was nominated for Magnificent Mustang in fifth grade for his deep compassion for others. He always showed kindness, caring and a willingness to help others.

That was and still is Caycen Bartolazzi! If you know him, you know he doesn’t expect anything in return for being kind to others either.

If you see Caycen out and about, go ahead and say hi to him. He’d welcome a conversation with you because he’s welcoming to everyone. That’s just who he is.

When you do talk to him, tell him nice save on the “one last date” question. 😂

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