The CLHS varsity football team began its season Jul. 29 with practices and conditioning, before students or even teachers returned. Now, the team is currently five games into the season. the Panthers are 1-4, taking a win over Ida Baker Aug. 30 but losing to Dunbar, Fort Myers, and Riverdale.
The Panthers had hoped to claim another victory over perennial rival Fort Myers High School, and the team put up a good fight, but the Green Wave ultimately came out on top. However, all hope for the season is not lost. During the Sept. 13 game, Cypress fought hard against East Lee coming up only one point short in a devastating final play.
Head Coach Joseph Mendes said, “The season hasn’t started the way we would like, but we still have a long season ahead of us. The most important games on our schedule will be starting soon, which are our district games.”
The Cypress Lake football team is tracking in the right direction according to Junior Zayne Kimpland, the team’s defensive end and right guard. “I believe that our team is the best in the area,” said Kimpland. “It is simply the mental things that make us lose.” With district games approaching hopefully Cypress can square away their mental blocks and show their true talent. Fighting their way into regionals would be a massive success for the team and for Cypress Lake High.
In the Panthers’ most recent game against an undefeated Riverdale team, the offense put up a good show, scoring 27 points. Unfortunately the defense was unable to match the energy, giving up 43. The team’s first district game will be at Estero High School against the 2-3 Estero Wildcats.
You can follow the team’s schedules and results through the school news’ daily sports updates.
