Cypress Christian dominates McKinney for 1st state title
Warriors Win!
Thomas Bingham
12 December 2017
Originally appeared on Vype.com.
Cypress Christian (13-1) entered Friday’s TAPPS 11-Man Division III state title game as one of the state’s hottest teams, and wrapped up its first championship season with a 68-34 win against McKinney Christian (9-4) at Hewitt’s Panther Stadium.
“It’s really a blessing,” said VYPE Player of the Game Josh Holl. “This program’s really given back to me, and help me grow as a man.”
The Warriors, who ended the season with 13 straight wins, had another big first half. Holl kicked off his six-touchdown outing with early passes to Joseph Carbone and JT Mounce.
Their success continued with Christian Fleischhauer, who was a force on both sides of the ball. His rushing touchdowns extended the Warriors’ lead to a margin McKinney could not overcome, and he also slowed down the Mustangs in the secondary.
The defense also wanted a piece of the pie. It forced five turnovers in the game, including two key stops in the 44-21 first half. The first was a fumble at the end of Will Baxter’s 14-yard run, which set up Fleischhauer’s second score. The other was a 25-yard pick six by Drue Hirth.
The complete team effort wasn’t a surprise for coach Jacob Spenn. He’s seen it from his players all year.
“We keep battling,” he said. “It wasn’t just the title game. That’s every day.”
McKinney’s only first half answers came in the opening and closing minutes. Baxter used his legs to even the score at 7, and later found Ford Dossey and Ren Willis on touchdown connections.
The Mustangs had all the momentum, especially with the second half kickoff going to them, but the Warriors didn’t let them get any closer. Holl bookended the half with a pair of touchdowns to Reid Chapman, and used another lengthy connection to set up Ian Jones’ second field goal.
Even though Baxter found Dossey for their second and third scoring connections, Holl wrapped up the win with his fifth and sixth touchdown passes. He found a new target in Braden Barbisch, who scored from 17 yards out in the closing minutes of the third quarter. He also connected with Mounce again at the eight-minute mark in the fourth.
If you enjoyed the recap, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEPrivates) on Twitter.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
