Football: Bayou Bowl has local flavor

When it comes to kicker-punter Andy Wickman, Cy Ridge coach Gary Thiebaud thinks the bigger schools blew it.

"Andy Wickman will end up kicking on Sundays," Thiebaud said. "He has that kind of potential and excellent work habits, and an explosive leg, and the Big 12 and some of the other larger football conferences really missed out."

Wickman and former Cy Ridge teammate and linebacker Collin Callahan (Sam Houston) are set to play in the ninth annual Bayou Bowl at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at Stallworth Stadium.

"It's a great honor for the players, our school, the Cy-Fair ISD and District 17-5A," Thiebaud said. "The Bayou Bowl is just a great experience and really prepares these players for the next level.

"I coached in this game early on, and they just do a great job in giving the players a week they'll always remember, and it's become a pretty strong rivalry."

Texas, a 42-15 winner last year, leads the series 5-3 and will be going for four in a row.

Wickman ended up with a full ride at Northwestern Louisiana State in Natchitoches and it could end up being the perfect fit.

"(Northwestern Louisiana) Coach (Bradley Dale) Peveto is a special teams kind of guy, and he expects Andy to come right in and kick or punt or do both," Thiebaud said. "Some of the bigger schools wanted (Wickman) to walk on, but Northwestern needed a kicker and punter, and they let Andy know how much they wanted him."

Wickman (6-3, 190) was also a wide receiver and defensive back as a freshman, but coaches made him a full-time kicker as a sophomore and junior.

In the spring prior to his senior season, Wickman started punting, and according to Thiebaud, "looked like he'd done it all his life."

Wickman went on to lead area punters with a 43-yard average in 2010, and combine that with a kicking leg that's consistently good from 50-plus, it's quite an attractive combination.

"He also put 60 percent of his kickoff in or out of the back of the end zone, and he can be productive as a stationary punter, or rolling out," Thiebaud said. "He's just a huge weapon all over on special teams."

Cy Falls also has two players in the contest including wide receiver Dean Johnson (Southeast Louisiana) and linebacker Jaryd Johnson (undecided).

Texas extended it Bayou Bowl winning streak to three with a 42-15 victory last year, the biggest margin of victory in the eight-year history of the event that benefits the Shriner's Hospitals for Children in Houston and Galveston.

College Park coach Richard Carson is this year's Texas all-star head coach and his staff includes assistant head coach Mike Jackson (new La Marque and former Chavez coach), offensive coordinator Don Clayton (Cinco Ranch coach), and defensive coordinator Dougald McDougald (Kingwood coach).

Deer Park coach Chris Massey continues in his role as team Texas football director overseeing many aspects on the contest.

The week begins to wind down with a practice at Reliant Stadium and the Houston Texas facilities, and a trip to a water park on Thursday, June 9, and the Bayou Bowl golf tournament, a visit to the Kemah Boardwalk and another workout on Friday, June 10.

A final walk through and banquet, and then the 7 p.m. kickoff, are part of the schedule on Saturday, June 11.

Tickets prices are $10 for adults, $5 for students through 12th grade, and kids under 5 years free. All tickets are general admission and there is no reserved seating.

Texas won the first two Bayou Bowls 32-29 and 17-15 before Louisiana took the next three 10-7, 7-3 and 31-15. Texas' current streak includes a 24-14 triumph in 2008 and a 17-14 victory in 2009.

Texas won the first two Bayou Bowls 32-29 and 17-15 before Louisiana took the next three 10-7, 7-3 and 31-15. Texas' current streak includes a 24-14 triumph in 2008 and a 17-14 victory in 2009.

Visit www.bayoubowl.org for more information.