Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 25 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage.

Team: Cypress Ranch
2017 Record: 27-8
Conference Finish: Co-Champs
Conference: 17-6A
THSA Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Corey Cephus
Playoff Run: Regional Quarterfinalist
Returning Starters: 7

TOP PLAYERS

 
SEASON PREVIEW

Taking the number one spot in the Preseason Power 25 Rankings is a loaded Cypress Ranch squad. The Mustangs have the best pitching staff in Texas, and possibly one of the best in the nation with four division one commits, all ranked in the top 100 of their perspective class. Ty Madden and Matt Thompson both logged significant innings on varsity last year. Madden, a Texas commit, is ranked No. 25 in the Texas 2018 Class. The 6-foot-3 right-hander has a high ceiling and pitches at 89-92 with his fastball. Thompson, a Texas A&M commit, is ranked No. 2 in the Texas 2019 Class, No. 3 Overall. Thompson is one of the most athletic arms in the state in any class, at 6-foot-3, his fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90's and tops out at 96. Move on to 2019 RHP J.J. Goss, another Texas A&M commit, ranked No. 6 in TX, No. 24 Overall. Goss's fastball has also been up to 90 mph and he has the off speed command to put hitters away. 2019 RHP Jake Hymel is an LSU commit that is ranked No. 27 in TX. Rounding out the rest of what could be the bullpen is 2018 LHP Bryce Toney and RHP Kyle Gough. 

The lineup returns a lot of experience as well. 2018 OF Colton Cowser is a a long-limbed, high-waisted, left-handed hitter that is committed to Sam Houston State. 2019 C Jared Alvarez-Lopez will be charged with handling a top tier pitching staff behind the plate. Alvarez-Lopez was a top performer from the Houston Preseason I.D.. He receives at a high level, has the arm strength to shut down the running game, and should provide some pop in the middle of the Mustang order. In the middle of the field are two sure handed, athletic defenders in 2018 Westley Schields, and 2019 Jake Combs. Combs, a Louisiana-Lafayette recruit can really pick it at shortstop, and if needed, can pitch out of the bullpen. Schields started at second base last year and hit at the top of the order. 

The only question mark for Cy-Ranch will be their ability to score runs. If the offense steps up, the pitching staff can carry the Mustangs a long way this year. 

POWER 25 RANKINGS

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