State Playoffs 2nd Round: Grand Oaks Looks To Continue Their Historic Season Against A Tough Cypress Ranch Team

CONROE, TX – The Grand Oaks Grizzlies achieved a historic milestone last Friday by earning their first 6A playoff victory in the program's history. This win further highlights an already spectacular season for the Grizzlies, and they will aim to keep their momentum going in the second round against Cypress Ranch. Cy-Ranch is a tough opponent, having been the district champions of District 16 with a perfect 7-0 record. Although they have lost some games this season, they are not invincible, making this a solid challenge for Grand Oaks. To advance to the third round and continue their historic run, the Grizzlies must perform at their best heading into the game.

Grand Oaks Grizzlies: A Special Season

Starting the season, I don' t think many people would have predicted that Grand Oaks would be in this position right now. Not only making the playoffs but also winning their first game in dominating fashion, 38-28. Heading into this game, Grand Oaks will once again rely on its elite ground game, as that is usually the key to their victories. RB Keilan Gause is the star of this offense, having rushed for 300 yards and 2 TDs in last week' s game. Gause' s incredible performance only adds to his impressive rushing totals this season, totaling 1, 1,664 yards and 15 TDs on the ground. That doesn' t even include his receiving ability, as he has 9 catches for 229 yards and 3 TDs. Gause is averaging a staggering 151. 3 yards per game, with over 100 yards in 10 of 11 games this season. His patience, speed, and agility make defenses sweat, and his ability to read the field is second to none. He will be a major factor in whether the Grizzlies succeed this Friday. Gause isn' t alone in the backfield, as Bryan Victorian Jr. has also been an excellent complement to this rushing attack. Victorian currently has 632 rushing yards and 6 TDs, making him one of the most formidable rushing duos in the district with Gause. Although this is a run- first offense, QB Grant Smith can still make plays with his arm. He' s thrown for 1, 102 yards and 12 TDs so far, while rushing for 266 yards and 6 TDs. His WRs, Preston Cloud and Darnell Jackson Jr., both bring value to the passing game, with Jackson recording 367 yards and 4 TDs, and Cloud amassing 238 yards and 3 TDs. The passing game isn' t the flashiest, but it can be relied upon if needed. On defense, the Grizzlies have been solid, accumulating a total of 35 sacks and 21 turnovers. They can pressure the QB effectively and stop the run when necessary. They' ve allowed some big scores, but overall, they are a strong unit that balances out the offense and can regain possession in tight games. Expect both sides of the ball to be key factors in this game, as if either side can find a rhythm, it could spell trouble for the opposing team. Now, let' s take a look at their opponent, the Cy- Ranch Mustangs, to see how their season went and how they compare to the Grizzlies.

Cypress Ranch Mustangs: At The Top Of Their District

To start the season, Cy-Ranch didn’t get off on the right foot. They lost 2 of their first 3 games, falling to Tompkins and Memorial. Tompkins didn’t make the playoffs, so that loss isn’t too bad, but Memorial did, so that one hurts more. Still, after those early setbacks, Cy-Ranch stormed through their district, winning all 7 of their matchups to finish first and claim the district crown. They achieved this by winning many close games, beating Cy-Springs, Waller, Cy-Lakes, and Bridgeland in tight contests. They also dominated Cy-Park, scoring 84 points, and easily handled Klein in the last round with a 40-14 win. These high-scoring games are led by QB Braden Baker, who has thrown for 2,425 yards and 28 touchdowns. Baker’s only thrown one interception, putting him among the top QBs Grand Oaks has faced this season. He has a strong group of pass catchers, with Konner Dandridge, Joelle Arnett, Derrick McCullar, and Manny Leyja all exceeding 300 yards this season. Leyja appears to be Baker’s favorite target, with 718 yards and 8 TDs so far. They will be a dangerous passing team, which can be a challenge for Grand Oaks, as they have struggled against such teams this year. Besides the passing game, they have a solid group of running backs, led by Peyton Thomas. Thomas has gained 671 yards and scored 7 touchdowns this season, which is impressive on a team that primarily relies on the pass. Their defense isn’t too bad either, with 26 sacks and 10 turnovers total. These numbers are smaller than Grand Oaks’, and the lack of disruption might hurt the Mustangs if the game gets out of control. Still, they are a strong unit overall, able to keep games close and win many one-score games. Overall, they boast a great offense and a solid defense, and when their passing attack is clicking, they can force opponents to play their game. It certainly appears to be a tough challenge for Grand Oaks and could make for an exciting game.

Final Thoughts:

If Grand Oaks wants a shot at moving on, they will have to contain this Cy-Ranch offense and take advantage of the weaker defense. A one-score game could be trouble for the Grizzlies, and if they can establish a lead early, they could pull it off. Still, it should be an interesting game and one to check in on while these other playoff games are going on. If Grand Oaks can pull this win off, they will move on to face the winner of North Forney and Waxahachie, two historic teams.