In sports, when a team fails, players are expected to get back on their feet and move on to the next game.

After suffering a humbling 32-17 loss to Klein Forest last week, Cinco Ranch defeated Cy-Ridge 20-6 in a defensive battle on Friday, Sept. 2, at Rhodes Stadium.

“I would say we used the first week’s loss as a motivator to work even harder for our [Cy-Ridge] match,” senior cornerback Tony Castillo said.

The first touchdown did not come until 2:07 left in the first half after a 95-yard drive led by Cinco Ranch senior quarterback Jack Steed.

Steed and junior teammate Cole Thomas took turns at the QB position, just as they did in the first game against Klein Forest, but Thomas eventually kept his starting position after completing 60 percent of his passes.   

The Cinco Ranch secondary bent, allowing 207 total passing yards. However, they held up and did not allow a single touchdown all game.

“As a defensive back, it definitely felt great to allow no touchdowns,” Castillo said. “We look forward to continuing to be a shutdown defensive unit.”

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Cy-Ridge was down only seven points as they began their drive at the six-yard line. Senior QB Jeff Nabors was making a last second audible when his junior center Ron Jackson became confused and snapped the ball to Nabors, who was beside his tight end. On what turned out to be Cy-Ridge’s last real chance to tie it up, Cinco Ranch senior wide receiver Jack Canfield recovered the fumble in the end zone, expanding the lead to what would be the final score of 20-6.

Cinco Ranch will take on Clear Springs on Saturday, Sept. 10, at CCISD Memorial Stadium. Cinco Ranch defeated Clear Springs last year in an aggressive 38-35 battle.

For more game stats, visit here.