Football: Cy Ridge, Cy Creek in key 17-5A contest

All five of this week's District 17-5A's regular-season finales will figure into one of the best and most wide-open playoff races in recent memory, and the one that should make the biggest splash is Cy Creek at Cy Ridge.

Cy Ridge has led the 17-5A standings for several weeks with an eye on a district championship, and Cy Creek is among numerous teams that have been in the thick of what continues to be a mad scramble for a top-four finish and ticket into the postseason.

ABOUT THE GAME

• When: 7 p.m. Friday

• Where: Berry Center

• What's at stake: Multiple playoff berths throughout 17-5A, possibly the outright district championship, and a 4-3 series lead for the winner

• Cy Ridge players to watch: QB Andrew Gonzales, FS Nick Shepard, LB Collin Callahan, DT Efrem Clark, RB Renderick Childs, RB Demarias Porter, RB Casper Isaac, WR Johnnie Tolbert

• Cy Creek players to watch: QB Chuckie Keeton, RB Devan Demas, WR David Lizarraga, OL Kyle Bockeloh, OL Dylan Johnson, S Jarred Gipson, S Derek Greenup, CB Darrus Harper, CB Daniel Fortin

TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Cy Ridge: The Rams started 6-1 in district with the only loss coming against Langham Creek 14-13 in a 17-5A opener on Sept. 9. After that, Cy Ridge reeled off consecutive wins against Cy Springs 52-3, Cy Falls 48-20, Cy-Fair 31-17, Cy Ranch 42-30, Jersey Village 49-25 and Cy Lakes 49-7 ... The series with Cy Creek is tied 3-3 with Cy Ridge winning the first-ever meeting 27-15 in 2004. The Rams also won in 2006 (56-32) and 2007 (46-21) ... Cy Ridge had a 7-5 overall finish last season after beating Cedar Park 39-36 and falling to Klein 24-14 in the playoffs.

• Cy Creek: The Cougars are the defending 17-5A champs after going 6-1 in district last season, and this year, there's two more league games with Cy Ranch and Cy Lakes coming on board ... Cy Creek has taken the last two against Cy Ridge winning 17-12 last year and 31-21 in 2008, and the Cougars also own a 24-17 series victory in 2005 ... Cy Creek's 5-2 district start included wins against Cy Springs 44-27, Cy Falls 35-22, Cy Ranch 42-13, Jersey Village 30-7 and Cy Lakes 38-7, and losses to Cy-Fair 34-31 and Cy Woods 61-35 ... The Cougars ended up 9-2 last season after being edged 39-35 by Leander in the bi-district round of the playoffs.