Texas HS Boys Playoffs – Preview – Cy-Woods vs. Tomball

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoff field is getting narrower every day in the state of Texas as the UIL postseason continues to progress at full pace all around the Lone Star State. After the conclusion of the area round earlier this week, it's time for the regional quarterfinals, with matches being held on Thursday and Friday in all divisions and regions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer's coverage of the high school season also continues this week and, with some exciting matches set to happen over the next few days in the Houston area, we'll preview a few of them, featuring the teams and some of the top prospects involved in each duel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cy-Woods vs. Tomball - Region 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Friday, March 31 - 7:30 PM - Waller ISD Stadium (Waller)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cy-Woods Wildcats from Tomball finished first in the competitive district 16 in the UIL 6A Division, with eight wins, two losses and four ties. Currently standing at 17-2-4 for the season, the Wildcats topped Klein Cain 4-1 in the district round and overcame Grand Oaks 2-1 in overtime in the area around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tomball Cougars from Tomball were also at the top of their district, 15, at the end of district play with a campaign of nine wins, three losses and two ties - their overall campaign this season is 16 wins, six losses and three ties. The Cougars moved to the regional quarterfinals with a pair of 2-1 victories over Langham Creek in the bi-district round and Aldine in the area round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players to Watch - Cy-Woods</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tony Robia","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cy-Woods","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Cy-Woods' senior goalkeeper is one of the team's defensive backbones, providing a lot of stability and consistency between the posts. Robia is very agile and his quick decision-making makes him not waste even a split second before making moves to get to the ball. He's also very fast when sprinting forward to confront opposing attackers and typically gets in a position to make a stop and avoid the finish. Robia is also one of the leaders in the Wildcats' team, communicating well with his teammates. His ability on the ball also helps his team maintain possession.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64251f9b1863e"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":101347,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/02/IMG_2618.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-101347" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Sam Sager","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cy-Woods","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Sager plays on the left side of Cy-Woods' three-man backline and he gets to make a strong impact in the game from there. A very physical and intelligent player, he's excellent at making defensive stops, be it in the air or on the turf, using his size and positioning to get the best of opposing attackers. A lefty, Sager is also very solid in possession and helps his team build out of the back, sometimes even pushing forward himself and making plays from a more advanced position. He is really strong at connecting long passes too and often creating good chances with his crosses and in set pieces.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64251f9b186e9"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":101363,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/02/IMG_2602.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-101363" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='16029' first='Denny' last='Todic']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cy-Woods","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Rise SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A freshman, Todic has proven to be a valuable addition for the Wildcats this season. He's been very effective up top for Cy-Woods and found the back of the net on both of the team's playoff matches so far. Todic has good size and is strong at getting the ball with his back to the goal and working as a target man, but can also hurt defenses with his good positioning and quick movement inside the penalty box. The striker has also displayed a good ability to finish from distance.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64251f9b18786"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":101353,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/02/IMG_2661.jpg?w=882" alt="" class="wp-image-101353" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players to Watch - Tomball</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Alexander Mutalibov","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Tomball","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Challenge SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"An athletic and high-energy defensive player, Mutalibov makes a lot of plays for the Cougars from his center-back position. Very strong in the air, he also gets into good spots to make clearances on the turf as play as hard as the match demands him too. Mutalibov is also one of Tomball's emotional leaders, bringing a lot of energy and passion for the team on the field. The defender has also gotten a good touch on the ball, connecting good passes and being accurate with his free kicks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642523f0afbf0"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":120627,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/IMG_5593.jpg?w=877" alt="" class="wp-image-120627" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Bruno Pescador","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Tomball","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Challenge SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Pescador wears Tomball's No. 10, but plays in more of a deeper role, shielding the team's backline and helping them in transition with his clean touch on the ball. He's very active defensively, cutting passing lines for opponents and using his size to win duels. He gets on the ball a lot and is probably the best in the team when it comes to playing one-touch passes and finding good solutions to plays. Pescador has a great vision and can find some excellent forward passes when given the space and time on the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642523f0afd4a"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":120623,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/IMG_5578.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-120623" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Luis Martinez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Tomball","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Houston Dynamo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Even the most well-organized teams need a skilled, unpredictable player who's capable of making a difference offensive and for Tomball, that's Martinez. The attacking midfielder is a very strong offensive player, who can hurt opponents in a variety of ways. Martinez is very direct in possession and has an intriguing ability to dribble in tight spaces. He makes good runs through the middle on the ball but is very good at finding spots to get passes in the final third. The midfielder can also finish from distance and often scores in that way.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642523f0afeb4"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFgCCmicYw8","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFgCCmicYw8 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->