Cypress Lakes and Cypress Woods entered Saturday having already secured playoff berths, but there was still plenty at stake in a matchup between two teams looking to strengthen their postseason position.

The Spartans made the most of the opportunity, holding on for a 28-22 victory in a game that featured big plays, fourth-down drama and a late push by the Wildcats.

The final numbers reflected just how close the contest was. Cy Lakes finished with 292 yards of total offense, while Cy Woods had 291 — a difference of just one yard in a game decided by six points.

Cy Lakes struck first when Marcus Smith, Jr. connected with Gabe Simpson in the back right corner of the end zone for a touchdown with 9:17 remaining in the first quarter. The Spartans missed the extra point, leaving the score at 6-0.

Cy Woods answered with a big play of its own. Cory McKenzie broke through untouched up the middle for a 44-yard touchdown, giving the Wildcats a 7-6 lead. Cy Lakes responded with a 22-yard field goal by Jose Campos to regain the lead, 9-7, before the end of the first quarter.

The Spartans extended their advantage in the second quarter when Smith kept the ball for a 15-yard touchdown. Cy Lakes converted the two-point attempt to move ahead 17-7.

Cy Woods stayed within striking distance. Axel Adams scored on a five-yard run with 1:54 remaining before halftime, but the Wildcats missed the extra point. Cy Lakes carried a 17-13 lead into the break.

Neither team found the end zone in the third quarter. Campos added his second field goal of the night, this one from 31 yards, to give the Spartans a 20-13 advantage heading into the fourth.

Cy Lakes delivered one of the game’s biggest plays early in the final quarter. After a fake punt kept the Spartans’ drive alive, Smith faced fourth-and-14 and found Darius Watson in the back of the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion made it 28-13 with eight minutes remaining.

Cy Woods appeared to have an opportunity to make things interesting when a punt return was muffed and the Wildcats recovered at the Cy Lakes 16. The Spartans’ defense answered, however, forcing a turnover on downs and taking possession at their own 13.

The Wildcats kept fighting. Cy Woods blocked a Cy Lakes punt, but the Spartans recovered the ball in their own end zone, resulting in a safety. The score moved to 28-15 with 3:19 remaining.

Following the free kick, Adams found a wide-open Nico Tremusini for a 50-yard touchdown. The Wildcats pulled within six, 28-22, with 3:05 left, but Cy Lakes held on to secure the victory.

The win moves Cypress Lakes to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in District 16-6A. The Spartans have established a new program record for wins in a season, surpassing the six victories recorded in 2025. The program began playing football in 2010 and made its first playoff appearance last season. This year’s postseason berth will be the second consecutive and only the second in program history.

Head Coach Tyron Carter is in his third season at Cypress Lakes. The Spartans have improved from 4-6 in 2024 to 6-6 in 2025 and now 7-2 with one regular-season game remaining in 2026.

Cy Woods falls to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in district play. The Wildcats have also clinched a playoff spot and will close the regular season November 7 against Cypress Falls. Cy Lakes will finish its regular season November 6 against Jersey Village.

The district race had become especially important heading into the weekend. Four teams entered tied at 4-1, and wins by Cypress Falls and Langham Creek moved both to 5-1 before Saturday’s game. Cy Lakes’ victory puts the Spartans into that three-way tie at the top. Both head coaches indicated that the winner would earn the district’s Division I No. 1 playoff seed.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

• 9:17 — Cy Lakes: Marcus Smith, Jr. connects with Gabe Simpson for a touchdown. PAT no good. Cy Lakes 6, Cy Woods 0.
• 4:24 — Cy Woods: Cory McKenzie, 44-yard rushing touchdown. PAT good. Cy Woods 7, Cy Lakes 6.
• 1:52 — Cy Lakes: Jose Campos, 22-yard field goal. Cy Lakes 9, Cy Woods 7.

2nd Quarter

• 8:28 — Cy Lakes: Marcus Smith, Jr., 15-yard rushing touchdown. Two-point conversion good. Cy Lakes 17, Cy Woods 7.
• 1:54 — Cy Woods: Axel Adams, 5-yard rushing touchdown. PAT no good. Cy Lakes 17, Cy Woods 13.

3rd Quarter

• 3:01 — Cy Lakes: Jose Campos, 31-yard field goal. Cy Lakes 20, Cy Woods 13.

4th Quarter

• 8:00 — Cy Lakes: Marcus Smith, Jr. to Darius Watson, 26-yard touchdown pass. Cy Lakes 28, Cy Woods 13.
• 3:19 — Cy Woods: Safety after blocking a Cy Lakes punt; Cy Lakes recovered the ball in its own end zone. Cy Lakes 28, Cy Woods 15.
• 3:05 — Cy Woods: Axel Adams to Nico Tremusini, 50-yard touchdown pass. Cy Lakes 28, Cy Woods 22.

The stats are not complete player statistics and include only the statistics most relevant to telling the story.

Team Stats

Cy Lakes – 292 total yards, 212 rushing yards, 80 passing yards

Cy Woods – 291 total yards, 174 rushing yards, 117 passing yards

Player Statistics

Cy Lakes

Rushing: Marcus Smith, Jr. 13 carries, 91 yards; Braylen Dugar 20 carries, 47 yards; Ar’Quaris Crowder 3 carries, 33 yards; Gabe Sampson 3 carries, 33 yards; Eric Liberty 2 carries, 2 yards; Jaden Sole 1 carry, 0 yards; Ja’merce Johnson 1 carry, 16 yards; Josiah Stewart 1 carry, -4 yards; Darius Watson 1 carry, -3 yards.

Passing: Marcus Smith, Jr. 8 of 17, 80 yards, 1 touchdown.

Receiving: Darius Watson 2 receptions, 34 yards, 1 touchdown; Gabe Sampson 2 receptions, 30 yards; Ar’Quaris Crowder 3 receptions, 19 yards; Braylen Dugar 1 reception, -3 yards.

Cy Woods

Rushing: Cory McKenzie 21 carries, 113 yards; Axel Adams 9 carries, 42 yards; Ron’Tavious Pomier 4 carries, 18 yards; Max Terral 2 carries, 1 yard.

Passing: Axel Adams 8 of 17, 112 yards, 1 touchdown; Max Terral 1 of 1, 5 yards; Elijah McKinney 0 of 1.

Receiving: Nico Tremusini 4 receptions, 75 yards, 1 touchdown; Elijah McKinney 3 receptions, 28 yards; Chase Holbert 2 receptions, 14 yards.