Football squad leaves lasting legacy on Cougar spirit

Five turnovers costly against speedy Cibolo Steele squad in State Semi-finals

Brant+Kuithe+breaks+through+Cibolo+Steele+tacklers+at+the+6A+Div+II+State+Semi-final+Saturday+night+in+San+Antonio.

Ed Larsen

Brant Kuithe breaks through Cibolo Steele tacklers at the 6A Div II State Semi-final Saturday night in San Antonio.

Jenny Jiang, staff writer

Three interceptions and two fumbles were too much to overcome for a Cougar squad in the 6A Division II Semi-finals Saturday night in San Antonio’s Alamodome.  

Cibolo Steele capitalized with three TDs in three minutes just before half to take control 28-0 heading into the locker room and cruised to a 35-14 win. 

The Knight’s defense held Cinco to 81 yards rushing for the game, and the best the Cougs could do were two TDs by Brant Kuithe late in the 4th quarter.

Cinco matched the playoff run of the 2009 squad by advancing to Round 5, while Cibolo Steele will return to the State Finals for the first time since 2011.

Coming off a first round playoff loss last year, there were doubts about expectations for the Cougars’ 2016 season after graduating many starters from last year’s team. After the first four games of the season, Cinco was sitting with a 2-2 record.

“A loss in our opening game, a loss to Katy High School, and a heavy loss to Taylor followed by doubts of making the playoffs really fueled this team’s drive,” senior Kevin Banky said.

After the team’s loss to Taylor, the Cougars went on an eight game win streak to finish the regular season and playoffs. A roller coaster season and the deepest run in the playoffs since 2009 made this year one to remember. The Cougars not only walk off the field with heads held high, but also pride in their accomplishments and what the team achieved. They not only finish this season as teammates, but also as brothers.

“I think that this was without a doubt the most memorable year of my life thus far,” senior Sebastian Cifuentes said. “My teammates became more than best friends, they became family.”

The Cougars end the 2016 campaign 11-4 and with a UIL Region III championship.

“CPOE forever,” senior Ben Mathiasmeier said.

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