Before the Cinco Ranch varsity football team crashed through the huge sign at the cougar head tunnel, fans were given a glimpse at its message. It read “Seven Lakes. Seven Years. Seven Losses.” Although the two teams had only played each other four times at the varsity level since Seven Lakes entered the district as a 5A team, the point was made. This game is personal.
Cinco Ranch defeated rival Seven Lakes 21-14 in an aggressive clash on Saturday, Oct. 1.
The first quarter displayed the evenly matched squads, as both teams traded drives due to two fumbles and three turnovers on downs.
In the second quarter, though, Cinco Ranch struck first after applying too much pressure to a Seven Lakes punt and forcing a turnover on downs, setting up junior running back Jamel James for a walk-in rushing touchdown.
On their next drive, the Cougars maintained the same rhythm, as junior quarterback Cole Thomas confused the Spartan secondary with a fake handoff to James, creating an easy 25-yard touchdown run, and boosting the lead to 14 points with only 4:16 left in the half.
Seven Lakes answered back, when senior wide receiver Jared Crosby caught a quick screen pass on the right and cut wide left for a 42-yard touchdown, trimming the lead to seven points before the half.
The third quarter ended scoreless, but tensions and emotions ran high, as Seven Lakes suffered costly penalties. The fourth quarter opened with James stampeding through the line for another one-yard touchdown.
The Spartans started with favorable field position on their next drive, but Cinco Ranch senior cornerback Kevin Yates intercepted the pass intended for senior WR Karson Ota to secure the win for the Cougars.
Seven Lakes managed to score with 2 minutes 53 seconds left in the game, but Cinco Ranch ran out the clock, securing the 21-14 victory.
Departing from its usual quarterback carousel, Cinco Ranch played junior Cole Thomas exclusively throughout the game.
The Cougars now prepare for their homecoming game against Memorial on Friday, Oct. 7. Memorial is ranked 6th in region, 5 spots ahead of Cinco Ranch.
The Cinco Ranch-Seven Lakes rivalry continues to thrive since Seven Lakes’ opening in the fall of 2005. Seven Years, Seven Losses isn’t exactly true. However, with their fifth game against each other ending in another Cinco Ranch victory, one thing is true:
Cinco Ranch. Cinco Years. Cinco Wins.
