Cypress football team out to capture program’s second CIF championship Friday night

Cypress players (from left) Trevor Monteleone, Matthew Morrell and Aidan Houston were at the Rose Bowl Monday for the CIF press conference. (Photos courtesy Cypress athletics).

Cypress High School’s football team has made it to the CIF finals for the third time in school history.

The third-seeded Centurions, coached by Rick Feldman, are looking to capture the second CIF title for the program when they take on Downey Friday at 7:30 p..m. in the Division 4 championship game at Western High School.

The last time for Cypress in the finals was in 2019 when the Centurions lost to Temecula Valley 28-21 in the CIF Division 7 championship game.

“Downey is a very good team and explosive,” Feldman said Wednesday. “The keys for us are to limit the big plays to their explosive athletes and outstanding quarterback.  We also have to control the tempo and take care of the football. Our stars have to play their best games.”

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Cypress High’s offense has scored nearly 500 points this season.

Quarterback Aidan Houston is a two-way threat who has thrown for 2,942 yards and nearly 30 touchdowns while also rushing for more than 1,000 yards and 19 touchdowns. Wide receiver Matthew Morrell has more than 1,500 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches.

Wide receiver/strong safety Trevor Monteleone, one of the Centurions captains, is another standout.

Downey is out to bring home the fifth title in school history. The Vikings offense is led by quarterback Aidan Chiles, a former teammate of Houston at Los Alamitos. He has passed for passed for 2,835 yards and 33 TDs and nine rushing touchdowns to lead Downey (11-2).

Vikings running back Keion Andrew also has eight rushing touchdowns and wide receiver Bryant Carey has more than 1,200 receiving yards and 19 touchdown catches.

Cypress players and coaches attended Monday’s CIF press conference at the Rose Bowl, the site of Friday night’s CIF Division 1 championship game between Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.

“Yesterday was a great experience for all of us, especially the players,” Feldman said.  “It was awesome to have that Rose Bowl access and to be made to feel so special along with the rest of the teams there.”

Cypress reached the semifinal round of the CIF Division 4 playoffs last year, losing to Long Beach Poly.

“This year (we) hope we can finish it,” Feldman said.

The only other CIF title for the program came in 2007 when Cypress, coached by Ray Fenton, defeated Pacifica 36-30 at Cerritos College to win the CIF Southern Division title.

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—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com