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Devilliers, ‘Cats enjoying dream season
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| Cy Woods senior quarterback Lucas Devilliers drops back in the pocket during the Wildcats’ 22-15 second round playoff win over Klein Forest last Friday at Klein Memorial Stadium. |
By Michael Sudhalter
Lucas Devilliers’ previous trips to Waco have been uneventful, having stopped there for fast food on the way back from his native Oklahoma.
On Saturday, the Cy Woods High senior quarterback will take the next step of a remarkable season in the city on the Brazos River.
Devilliers, 18, has led the Wildcats (8-2) to the third round of the UIL Class 5A Division I playoffs where they’ll face Dallas Skyline or DeSoto at Waco ISD Stadium.
“It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Devilliers said. “I love it, being with these kids the last three years. I feel blessed and honored to be here with these guys and coaches here.”
Cy Woods, a first-year varsity program that finished third in District 15, has won six straight games, and Devilliers has been at the center of that success.
“He’s been real good,” Wildcats coach David Jones said. “He just has a knack for doing the right thing at the right time. He’s a gifted leader and a hard worker.”
“He’s one of the reasons we are where we are. He’s always coaching the younger quarterbacks and getting on them for missing reads and doing things like that.”
Last Friday, Devilliers passed for 325 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 22-15 win at Klein Forest.
In nine games, he’s completed 163 of 254 passes for 2,595 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions and also rushed for 225 yards and 10 scores.
He’s actually played in just under seven games considering the fact that the Wildcats have held considerable leads in many of their district victories.
He missed the 48-14 win over Cy Springs after suffering a knee injury in the second half of a 54-25 loss to eventual District 15 champion Cy Creek.
“When we got home, we watched the end zone video of his injury,” Cy Woods offensive coordinator Curtis Neill said. “His kneecap was six inches behind his knee, it was hyper-extended really bad. For him to be back and only sit out one week, the grind, the fight, determination to get back on the field. He’s up here every morning at 6 a.m. doing his rehab.”
Devilliers is a Division I college prospect, but his focus is entirely on succeeding at the high school level right now. He’s proven to be an elite quarterback in a district full of them (Cy Ridge’s Russell Shepard, Cy Falls’ Kolby Gray and Cy Creek’s Austin Pugliese).
He started playing football at the age of 6 and had the talent to play varsity football before this season. Instead, he played an important role in building the Cy Woods’ program, playing quarterback on a 10-0 JV team last season that beat three varsity squads, including perennial East Texas power Marshall.
He sees the 2008 season as extra special because it’s his only chance at varsity football; that’s part of the reason why he was so driven to return from injury.
“It’s our one chance, and we’re making the most out of it,” Devilliers said. “This is my one chance to play varsity football, and there was no way I’d let an injury like this hold me out. Emotions can’t explain it.”
While Devilliers is serious on the field, but some of his off-the-field focus is on keeping things light and starting new traditions.
“Traditions are starting each and every day here,” Devilliers said. “Wildcat Week is a big one for us in the offseason, it’s a really good team bonding experience. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be carrying on for the years to come.”
Things like Wildcat Week, an intense training period for the team, have brought the team closer. And it’s made things like this post-Thanksgiving playoff run possible.
“This has just been a great experience, and every one of those guys will remember it for the rest of their lives,” Devilliers said.
On Saturday, the Cy Woods High senior quarterback will take the next step of a remarkable season in the city on the Brazos River.
Devilliers, 18, has led the Wildcats (8-2) to the third round of the UIL Class 5A Division I playoffs where they’ll face Dallas Skyline or DeSoto at Waco ISD Stadium.
“It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Devilliers said. “I love it, being with these kids the last three years. I feel blessed and honored to be here with these guys and coaches here.”
Cy Woods, a first-year varsity program that finished third in District 15, has won six straight games, and Devilliers has been at the center of that success.
“He’s been real good,” Wildcats coach David Jones said. “He just has a knack for doing the right thing at the right time. He’s a gifted leader and a hard worker.”
“He’s one of the reasons we are where we are. He’s always coaching the younger quarterbacks and getting on them for missing reads and doing things like that.”
Last Friday, Devilliers passed for 325 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 22-15 win at Klein Forest.
In nine games, he’s completed 163 of 254 passes for 2,595 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions and also rushed for 225 yards and 10 scores.
He’s actually played in just under seven games considering the fact that the Wildcats have held considerable leads in many of their district victories.
He missed the 48-14 win over Cy Springs after suffering a knee injury in the second half of a 54-25 loss to eventual District 15 champion Cy Creek.
“When we got home, we watched the end zone video of his injury,” Cy Woods offensive coordinator Curtis Neill said. “His kneecap was six inches behind his knee, it was hyper-extended really bad. For him to be back and only sit out one week, the grind, the fight, determination to get back on the field. He’s up here every morning at 6 a.m. doing his rehab.”
Devilliers is a Division I college prospect, but his focus is entirely on succeeding at the high school level right now. He’s proven to be an elite quarterback in a district full of them (Cy Ridge’s Russell Shepard, Cy Falls’ Kolby Gray and Cy Creek’s Austin Pugliese).
He started playing football at the age of 6 and had the talent to play varsity football before this season. Instead, he played an important role in building the Cy Woods’ program, playing quarterback on a 10-0 JV team last season that beat three varsity squads, including perennial East Texas power Marshall.
He sees the 2008 season as extra special because it’s his only chance at varsity football; that’s part of the reason why he was so driven to return from injury.
“It’s our one chance, and we’re making the most out of it,” Devilliers said. “This is my one chance to play varsity football, and there was no way I’d let an injury like this hold me out. Emotions can’t explain it.”
While Devilliers is serious on the field, but some of his off-the-field focus is on keeping things light and starting new traditions.
“Traditions are starting each and every day here,” Devilliers said. “Wildcat Week is a big one for us in the offseason, it’s a really good team bonding experience. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be carrying on for the years to come.”
Things like Wildcat Week, an intense training period for the team, have brought the team closer. And it’s made things like this post-Thanksgiving playoff run possible.
“This has just been a great experience, and every one of those guys will remember it for the rest of their lives,” Devilliers said.
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