Warriors get early challenges

By L. SCOTT HAINLINE
CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT
Cypress Christian coach Jacob Spenn wants his Warriors to be challenged, and with Westbury Christian, Second Baptist and Richardson Canyon Creek coming up, they will be.
This is the first year I had full control of who we will play, and we really didn't schedule any easy ones," he said. We want to compete against the best so we will improve, and hopefully, that will have us ready for district."
Cypress Christian, a TAPPS Division III team, visits Division II members Westbury Christian at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Second Baptist at 7 p.m. on Sept. 17.
The Warriors host Division IV state power Canyon Creek at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 24 before opening District 4-II action with Bay Area Christian on Oct. 1.
In a season-opening 13-0 shutout of Bryan Brazos, seniors Usman Mohammed (2.5 sacks), Daniel Rodriguez (2.5 tackles for losses and fumble recovery), Michael Gonzales (14 tackles) and Mason Kelly (fumble recovery), and junior Kyle Moon (interception), led the defensive charge.
Offensively, senior Garrett Higginbotham had 10 receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown, and senior quarterback Jonathan Mason was 16-of-37 for 236 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in his first game back from a knee injury.
We must have had eight or nine dropped passes, and four of those were in the end zone," Spenn said. I was pretty pleased considering we played without our top rusher (junior Jason Groll, ankle), and our 6-6, 270-pound left tackle (Phillip McCurry)."
Groll and McCurry are expected to play on Friday at Westbury Christian.
It's a tough schedule, but that's the only way to get better," Spenn said. I'd love to go undefeated, but right now, it's not so much about winning or losing. It's about facing challenges and improving as a team and program."