The Mustang football team claimed its first victory of the season against New Caney Sept. 7 at Rhodes Stadium. Cypress Ranch finished the game with 448 total yards while opponents New Caney ended with 86 yards. 

With a final score of 49-6, sophomore Braden Baker led the team with three touchdowns in the game. 

“As an underclassman, it’s such a great opportunity I have to really get out there and compete and really have fun,” Baker said.  

New head football coach William Blaylock shared his experience as the team gets their first win of the season. 

“It was awesome, [but] more so for the kids, honestly, than for me,” Blaylock said. “Being the head coach, you get used to wins and losses, but it’s always good to get that first one under your belt, and they kind of see their hard work paying off.” 

Blaylock said the team played hard, and he never questioned their effort in the game.

It was good for them to understand where we were last week and coming up real close, to this week and doing what we were supposed to do and taking care of business,” he said. “Of course, we didn’t play perfectly and we do have things to fix before Spring Branch, but I was very pleased with the effort and the heart they showed.”  

The team is beginning to form a solid connection and growing together as the season progresses, he said. 

“Going forward, we’ve got to keep that family mentality going because we’re going to play tougher opponents and bigger games, and they’re going to really have to lean on each other,” Blaylock said. “I think that’s something they’re learning how to do. Overall, it’s awesome to be here and learning the Ranch culture. It’s so different from other schools and just awesome to experience.” 

Not only were the Mustangs given the satisfaction of winning, but this win also resulted in a fun gift for the whole school. Every student received free admission to Big Rivers Water Park on Sept. 8  

“I felt like we deserved a nice trip after the first football game win,” junior Quincy Tchikou said. “I really did believe we were going to win no matter what, but I do think it made me play harder.”

Tchikou said he had a great time at the water park. 

“I liked the lake obstacle course–it was like a wipeout course on a lake,” he said. “I feel that they should do it again–just somewhere a bit closer. I feel like more students would go to the water park then, but overall I had a great time with my friends and teammates.”