Game Preview: Cypress Falls vs. Cypress Lakes

Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. | Cy-Fair FCU Stadium, Cypress

Team Snapshot: Cypress Falls Golden Eagles

Current record: 5-0, 2-0
Head coach: Chris Brister
Head coach’s overall record: 69-37
Head coach’s record at school: 69-37
Average Points Scored per game: 40.00
6A Rank: 44
Average Points Against per game: 14.60
6A Rank: 17

Season So Far

August 28: at Strake Jesuit — Win, 36-3
September 3: vs. New Caney — Win, 32-14
September 11: at Fort Bend Travis — Win, 35-11
September 24: at Cy-Fair — Win, 41-38
October 2: at Cypress Creek — Win, 56-7

Team Snapshot: Cypress Lakes Spartans

Current record: 3-2, 1-1
Head coach: Tyrone Carter
Head coach’s overall record: 16-19
Head coach’s record at school: 16-19
Average Points Scored per game: 32.00
6A Rank: 99
Average Points Against per game: 26.60
6A Rank: 107

Season So Far

August 27: vs. Freeman — Win, 19-14
September 3: vs. Benjamin Davis — Loss, 29-42
September 12: at Spring — Win, 44-24
September 18: at Langham Creek — Loss, 14-36
October 2: vs. Cypress Ridge — Win, 54-17

The Breakdown

This is a matchup between a Cypress Falls team that has been exceptionally balanced and efficient and a Cypress Lakes team that has plenty of offensive firepower of its own.

The Golden Eagles have produced 1,833 total yards through five games, including 967 rushing and 866 passing. Junior quarterback Christian Ndujiuba has completed 52 of 91 passes for 775 yards and 10 touchdowns with two interceptions, while junior running back Deron Simpson has rushed for 453 yards and seven touchdowns on 51 carries. Sophomore receiver Karzell Davis has emerged as a major big-play threat with 304 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 15 catches.

Cypress Falls’ defensive numbers help explain its 5-0 start. The Golden Eagles are allowing just 14.60 points per game and have accumulated 327 tackles and 14 sacks through five games. Junior linebacker Gavin Larks leads the team with 38 tackles and nine tackles for loss, while senior defensive lineman Kaden McCarty has 27 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks. Senior defensive lineman James Harris has added 27 tackles and 10 tackles for loss.

Cypress Lakes has generated 1,803 total yards, with 993 rushing and 810 passing. Senior quarterback Darius Watson has completed 44 of 93 passes for 605 yards and six touchdowns, while sophomore quarterback Marcus Smith has contributed 186 passing yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Braylen Dugar leads the Spartans with 358 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while senior running back Bryce Arrington has 226 yards and two touchdowns.

The Spartans also have multiple receiving threats. Junior Josiah Stewart has 252 receiving yards on 16 catches, while senior Ar’Quaris Crowder has 165 yards and two touchdowns on 10 receptions.

Defensively, Cypress Lakes is led by junior linebacker Ja’merce Johnson and junior linebacker Isaiah Anderson, who each have 38 tackles. Senior linebacker Xavier Boudreaux has 26 tackles and three tackles for loss and leads the team with three sacks.

The central matchup may come down to whether Cypress Lakes can consistently run the ball against a Cypress Falls defense built around Larks, McCarty and Harris, while the Spartans will need to find ways to slow Simpson without allowing Ndujiuba to exploit one-on-one opportunities outside.

Players to Watch

Cypress Falls

Deron Simpson, RB/Junior: Simpson has rushed for 453 yards and seven touchdowns on 51 carries, averaging 90.6 yards per game. His ability to establish the run will be critical against a Cypress Lakes defense that must account for several offensive weapons.
Christian Ndujiuba, QB/Junior: Ndujiuba is 52-of-91 passing for 775 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. His decision-making against the Spartans’ defensive pressure could determine how effectively Falls moves the football.
Gavin Larks, ILB/Junior: Larks leads the Golden Eagles with 38 tackles and has nine tackles for loss, giving Cypress Falls a disruptive presence in the middle of its defense.

Cypress Lakes

Braylen Dugar, RB/Junior: Dugar has 358 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 48 carries and will be a major part of the Spartans’ effort to control the game on the ground.
Darius Watson, QB/Senior: Watson has completed 44 of 93 passes for 605 yards and six touchdowns. His ability to make plays against the Golden Eagles’ aggressive defense will be a key factor.
Xavier Boudreaux, LB/Senior: Boudreaux has 26 tackles, three tackles for loss and three sacks, making him one of Cypress Lakes’ primary answers to the Golden Eagles’ offensive attack.

Recent Matchup History

2025: Cypress Falls 41, Cypress Lakes 27
2024: Cypress Falls 27, Cypress Lakes 8
2023: Cypress Falls 51, Cypress Lakes 15
2022: Cypress Falls 30, Cypress Lakes 0
2021: Cypress Falls 45, Cypress Lakes 0
2020: Cypress Falls 42, Cypress Lakes 27
2017: Cypress Falls 40, Cypress Lakes 26

Keys to the Game

Cypress Falls

Run Deron Simpson: Establishing Simpson early can force Cypress Lakes to commit extra defenders and create opportunities for Ndujiuba.
Win third down: Brister specifically identified third-down execution as one of the three areas his team must win.
Protect the football: Cypress Lakes has enough offensive talent to capitalize on short fields, making turnovers especially costly.

Cypress Lakes

Get Dugar and Arrington going: A productive rushing attack can keep Cypress Falls’ defense from pinning its ears back against Watson.
Protect Watson: The Golden Eagles have multiple players capable of creating pressure, including McCarty and Harris.
Create explosive plays: Stewart, Crowder and the Spartans’ receivers need to capitalize when opportunities develop against the Golden Eagles’ secondary.

Keep Your Eye On

Deron Simpson vs. Cypress Lakes’ front: Simpson’s 90.6 rushing yards per game gives Cypress Falls a physical centerpiece around which to build its offense.
Darius Watson under pressure: Watson’s six touchdown passes give Lakes a dangerous passing element, but Cypress Falls has 14 sacks through five games.
Kaden McCarty and Xavier Boudreaux: Both senior defensive leaders are disruptive players who could have a major impact on the opposing backfield.

From the Coaches

Chris Brister, Cypress Falls:
“Cy-Lakes is a very strong team in all phases. We will have to win the kicking game, the turnover battle, and win 3rd down. They are athletic at all positions, so can beat you in a number of ways. Should be a great ballgame.”

Tyrone Carter, Cypress Lakes:
“Coach Brister has his team rolling; they are playing really good football right now in all three phases of the game. He has established his program as one of the best in CFISD and the Houston area. Their RB Deron Simpson is a load to tackle and has put on a show offensively along with WR Karzell Davis, Joziah McNeely, and Andre Lewis. The QB Chrisitan Ndujiuba is the leader of the ship and doing a great job, Defensively they are loaded with speed and talent. Led by Kaden McCarthy and Liam Madkins this defense is aggressive and runs to the football with an attitude. We look forward to a great hard fought four quarter game.”