KATY, Texas - It was supposed to be a battle between two programs that were in the mix in their respective states, but in the end, Florida’s Cypress Bay fell short against Texas powerhouse Katy and lost 31-6.

Damian Huttenhoff, Jeff Nelson, Bill Caruso, and Scott Neely

While neither team was picked to win a state title this season, both had coaches who have won much more than they had tasted defeat. For Mark Guandolo, who took over the Lightning last year, success was never an option. At every stop he has made during his tremendous coaching career, he has always stood tall.

As the crowd filed into Katy’s Rhodes Stadium in the western suburb of Houston last Saturday, coach Guandolo and his Lightning felt confident about their chances against a national powerhouse that was coming off a 16-0 season and a coveted Texas 5A state title.

With a “young” team of inexperienced players, Katy was off to a 2-2 start on the season, but had looked impressive in the past two games. Cypress Bay, representing the football-rich state of Florida, was 3-0 and untested against elite competition.

On a beautiful afternoon and a nationally-televised audience watching in on a day reserved for college football, Cypress Bay found out something about powerhouse programs in Texas. Don’t believe what you read. The Tigers may have lost twice this season, but when you are breaking in nine new starters, it takes time.

Because of that youth and inexperience, the Tigers made several mistakes, holding the score down and keep the Lightning in the game for the first half, trailing just 14-6. But the nation would soon find out just why this program is so impressive.

With all the build up and talk about which state was better, this game became about pride. Even though Florida had the upper hand last year when Miami Northwestern beat South Lake Carroll, this was a different year. This wasn’t a team that was going to lay down and be in awe just because a Florida team was in town. Katy was ready, and most new what would happen when things fell into place for this team.

Katy may have lost players to UCLA, Texas Tech and Texas A&M, but coach Gary Joseph and his team hadn’t earned the reputation as the best coached team in this impressive state for nothing. He rolled an offensive attack behind senior quarterback Parker Ray, fullback Chris Roberson, running backs Michael Webber, Jonathan Barnette and sophomore Vernon Jeffries, a huge offensive line and receiver Taylor Brandt to keep the pressure on.

Defensively, the Tigers were just as impressive as they held the Cypress Bay running game to just 83 yards as Elvin Tapong, Grant Clifton, Ryan Rose and Cory Matney kept the pressure on all day.

Because Katy does not travel or play those high profile games against out of state programs, they haven’t received the attention they deserve. Last Saturday, the nation saw what happens when you have the resources, attract talent that has long wanted to wear the red and white and get coached as well as anyone.

In an area that boasts several nationally-rated players, Houston has taken its place against anyone in the country. Much like the South Florida area, the athletes are more than ready to play hen they leave high school and head to college.

But while a lot of praise is heaped on Texas football, Florida is nobody’s whipping post. Cypress Bay is a newer school with little tradition, What Guandolo is doing with the Lightning is building a program that will one day look a lot like Katy’s impressive squad. Remember, he has only been in Weston for two years, and already, this is a team that is on the map.

From quarterback Zach Green to running backs Jason Douglas and Craig Dee, and an offensive line that did its best against a well coached defense, Cypress Bay came out played hard for all four quarters, trying not to give in to what many predicted would happen.

The defense, which had stood tall in the first three games of the season, was tested, and with players such as Amari Sapp, Phil Walker, Austin Gamble, Josh Smith, Carl Miles and C.J. Ulysses all making big plays.

“I am proud of the kids for playing hard against a very good team,” said Guandolo. “But this was a total breakdown by everyone - players and coaches included.”

With a return to Katy planned for next season, you can guarantee that while the Tigers will be loaded, you will see plenty of changes with Cypress Bay.

I have known Mark Guandolo for 20 years, and in that time, this is someone who doesn’t take losing very well, and while the focus has to be on the rest of this season, you can guarantee that if he stays in Weston for any length of time, his teams will start to look a lot like they did when he was at Chaminade-Madonna. He is too good a coach not to take the Lightning to another level.

NEXT WEEK: Can Cypress Bay rebound against Miramar? The Patriots could be the best 6A team in the state!

You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at FloridaKids1@hotmail.com. He can also be heard every Thursday night (9-10) on the Miami Dolphins High School Gridiron Report on WQAM (560 AM).