Honoring Graduating Seniors From Historic Wildcats Football Team

The turnaround that the Sulphur Springs Wildcat football program has seen over the last few seasons has been nothing short of remarkable, with Coach Brandon Faircloth and company coming in, and seeing dramatic improvements immediately. 

When Faircloth and company walked into the building for the first time, they were inheriting a team that was currently in a three-year playoff drought, and had won just four games during that three-year span. To make matters worse, the Wildcats had finished 0-10 in the 2021 season, with the end to the playoff drought being nowhere in sight.

Faircloth and company were not only able to turn things around immediately but were able to go 7-3 and make their first trip to the postseason since 2018. In their first postseason appearance, the Wildcats were matched up with an 8-2 Dallas Carter team, and would even take a 20-7 lead at the half, but would ultimately fall just short 37-33.

The second season under Faircloth and his staff would once again see improvement, this time winning eight games and finishing as the No. 2 seed in District 8-4A. Sulphur Springs traveled to Anna in the regular season finale, with a chance for the District Title on the line. 

Sulphur Springs was able to control the first half of the game, leading 16-10 at the half, but a huge second half resurgence from the Coyotes saw them win the game by a final score of 30-16. While the Wildcats would fall short, they would do so to the eventual State Champions, and would even have the motivation of beating them in the first half. 

The second trip to the postseason saw the Wildcats once again matched up with a familiar opponent, the Cowboys of Dallas Carter. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the second match went to a very similar tune.

The two teams kept things close the entire way through, with Sulphur Springs even having a 28-27 lead midway through the third quarter, before finally falling just short by a final score of 41-35.

Despite the first two seasons being a success by any measurement, the message in the locker room for the 2024 season, was to get back to the playoffs, and to win this time. To give the seniors who helped turn the program around an opportunity to hold up a Gold Ball.

The message was loud and clear, and it was visible to see in the effort the team put in. The regular season was once again a success, with the Wildcats going 8-2 and even climbing into the Top 10 of the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football rankings. 

The Wildcats not only got back to the postseason for a third consecutive year, but once again found themselves matched up with the Dallas Carter Cowboys. While everything about the matchup may have looked the same, it couldn’t have been more different. 

This time around, the Wildcats were the ones in complete control, jumping out to a huge 35-14 lead at the half, before shutting out the Cowboys completely in the second half, in route to a 55-14 win. The playoff win was the first for Sulphur Springs since 2013. 

The Wildcats kept their historic run going the following week, when they faced the Springtown Porcupines in the Area Round. After an incredibly high-scoring first half that saw a combined 67 points, the Wildcats dominated in the second half, only allowing seven second-half points and winning by a final score of 56-39.

The win advanced the Wildcats all the way to the Regional Semifinals, a mark the program hadn’t reached since 2009. While the Wildcats historic run would finally come to an end in the Regional Semifinals, they didn’t go down without a fight. Sulphur Springs fell just short to No. 3 ranked Alvarado, by a final score of 42-39, and they were a penalty away on a third down stop from getting the ball back with a chance to tie or even win the game. 

While the future is very very bright for the Sulphur Springs Wildcats and all their many talented returning players, today we want to take a minute to put a spotlight on the graduating seniors who played such a big role in turning the program around, and helping them reach a new playoff-best for the first time in over 15 years. 

Kaden Mitchell, Quarterback 

Kaden Mitchell had a fantastic senior season as QB1 for the Wildcats and one that was long awaited. Mitchell saw his first snaps on varsity as a sophomore back in 2022, filling in for an injured Brady Driver. Mitchell was tasked with starting the final three games of the season, including their Bi-District Playoff match against Dallas Carter. 

The sophomore quarterback was efficient in his time as the leader of the offense, totaling 484 yards and five touchdowns, while throwing just one interception. He was even able to put the Wildcats in a situation to win the playoff game, driving all the way inside the 10-yard-line on their potential game-winning drive, before ultimately falling just short. 

While Mitchell did an excellent job filling in as QB1 as a sophomore, his junior year he would have to make the transition to wide receiver. Mitchell did so, wanting to contribute to the team in whatever capacity he could. 

Finally, entering the 2024 season, Mitchell was officially QB1 for the Wildcats, and made the most of the opportunity. In his senior season, the Wildcats quarterback had 2,882 total yards of offense and had 28 total touchdowns. 

Mitchell completed over 64% of his passes and had a QB rating of 108.3. Perhaps his best all-around performance came in his final game as a Wildcat, where he had 308 passing yards, a career-high 49 rushing yards, along with four total touchdowns. 

Mitchell told us in the offseason, during our filming of our Hardknocks series that as a kid he dreamed of one day being QB1 for the Sulphur Springs Wildcats. This season, he was not only able to make those dreams come true, but help create new dreams for future Wildcats, who hope to help lead their Wildcats teams on playoff runs just like the one Mitchell and the 2024 team went on.

Skylar Lewis, Wide Receiver 

Not much can be said about Skylar Lewis that hasn’t been said already. Over the last three seasons, every Friday Night, Lewis would make highlight plays that would leave myself and broadcast partner Ryan Humphries speechless, even when it’s our job to talk about what it is we’re seeing. 

Lewis signed his letter of intent to play at Texas State on Wednesday, and with it, Coach Faircloth did find the final few words that hadn’t been said about Skylar Lewis already. Lewis finished his career as statistically the greatest receiver in Wildcats history. 

This year, while history was being made by the team, Lewis made some history of his own. He is now the record holder for most receiving yards in a game (264, in a 35-20 win over Kaufman his junior season), as well as the record holder for most career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

In his three years on varsity, Lewis had 131 catches for 2,421 yards and 30 touchdowns. In his 32 career games as a Wildcat, Lewis crossed the 100-yard receiving mark nine times, and the Wildcats went 6-3 in such games. 

Even more impressive, there were 23 instances in which Lewis had at least one touchdown in a game. In those 23 games, the Wildcats had a record of 18-5, winning 78% of the games in which he scored. Lewis’ impact on the team was clear and visible for anyone watching to see and his name is one that won’t be forgotten anytime soon in Sulphur Springs.

Wyatt Watson, Wide Receiver 

Much like Mitchell, Watson’s wait for his chance to play under the Friday Night Lights at Gerald Prim Stadium is a great example for future Wildcats. Watson didn’t make his debut on the varsity squad until his junior season, though he was ready for the opportunity when it came.

“Coming into the junior season, I was like ‘nah’, like it’s time for me to show something,” Watson said during Hardknocks this offseason. “I could say, oh yeah I want 1,000 yards or 1,200 yards, 1,500 yards, 10 touchdowns, but realistically that’s not what I want.”

“I could have 0 yards, 0 touchdowns and they could put me at right guard for all I care, or defensive line or safety, or wherever they want to put me,” Watson added. “As long as I’m winning football games. That’s what I’m here for. That’s what we’re all here for, to win football games.”

Helping win football games is exactly what Watson did on his two years on varsity. In 22 total games played, Watson finished his varsity career with 68 catches for 968 yards and eight total touchdowns. 

The Wildcats were great when Watson had standout games. Sulphur Springs was 2-0 in the two instances Watson crossed the 100-yard mark, and 6-0 in games when Watson had at least one touchdown, but perhaps his biggest contributions came with his timeliness. 

In his senior season, Watson averaged 17 yards per catch, a number of which came on third-and-long situations. His ability to come up with a catch and a big gain on third-and-long situations consistently continued drives for Sulphur Springs that would ultimately result in points.

Chris Adams, Wide Receiver 

Much like Mitchell and Lewis, wide receiver Chris Adams was a three-year varsity player, who contributed to each of the three consecutive playoff appearances. Adams only saw action in one game his sophomore season, but made the absolute most of it, catching 4 passes for 42 yards and showing a lot of promise for what was to come over the next two seasons.

In his junior season, Adams played the role of a deep threat and was a fantastic option to have in a very deep group of pass catchers. Adams first career touchdown came in a close 31-28 home win against Van Alstyne, in which his touchdown helped propel them to the win. 

That season, Adams averaged 18.3 yards per catch, which trailed only Lewis, who had a ridiculous 22.7 yards per catch on the season. 

Coming into his senior season, Adams was once again a very clutch option to have, in arguably the deepest pass-catching group the Sulphur Springs Wildcats have ever seen. The senior wide receiver would have his best season yet, setting career high’s in every category, including touchdowns with three. 

Over his career the Wildcats were 3-1 in games where Adams scored, with the only loss coming in the Regional Semifinals against No. 3 ranked Alvarado. Adams versatility and abilities as a leader and teammate will be missed, as the Wildcats graduate three receivers this year. 

Andres Cerda, Tight End 

Cerda was a two-year varsity player and while his contributions won’t show in the box score, his presence was definitely felt. Cerda, listed as a tight end, was used primarily in blocking roles, helping create lanes for players like Deuce Timmons and Jaxson Haire to fight for rushing touchdowns. 

Used especially in bigger packages, Cerda did a great job in both run and pass blocking situations. The Wildcats rushed for a total of 67 touchdowns over the past two seasons, and wouldn’t have been able to do so without the blocking efforts of offensive lineman and tight ends like Andres Cerda. 

Zach Brown, Right Tackle

Zach Brown is a great example of a player waiting for their moment to shine, and making the most of the opportunity when it came around. Brown didn’t make the varsity squad until his senior year, but stepped in as a starter on day one and never looked back. 

“Zach Brown was a junior on the JV last year, he paid his dues and worked extremely hard,” Coach Brandon Faircloth said in Episode 4 of Hardknocks. “You don’t ever want to be a junior on the JV, but that was what was best for him and his career. He played all 10 games on the JV, and put his head down and worked in the offseason and turned himself into the starting right tackle. What a great story of just never giving up and continuing to play.”

The strong play of the offensive line was one of the leading factors to the Wildcats offense this season, especially in the playoffs where they averaged 50 points per game. While the Wildcats will be returning all of their starting offensive lineman except for Brown, his efforts and leadership abilities will be missed, and will leave big shoes to fill for whoever steps up in that role.

Ben Hernandez and Jamaal Hood, Offensive Line

Offensive line can be a funny position group, because anybody who knows football will tell you exactly how important the offensive line is to the offense. Without a good offensive line, your offense can’t get the run game going, they can’t get the pass game going. They simply can’t get going. The offensive line is a crucial part to any team’s success.

The same thing can be said about players who are fully bought into their team, their team’s message, and their teammates. While stat’s won’t show you how important players like Ben Hernandez and Jamaal Hood are to a team’s success, coaches can find the words to do it.

“Ben and Jamaal were Senior Offensive Linemen, who worked extremely hard and always put the team first,” Coach Faircloth said. While that impact may not be able to be seen from people simply checking box scores, or watching the games, the people closest to the team do see and feel that impact. Players like that, are exactly how perineal playoff programs, and teams who make deep playoff runs are built. 

Nathan Andrews, Defense End

Nathan Andrews was a three-year varsity player for the Sulphur Springs Wildcats, who’s hard work and strong play saw his role on the team grow each season. As a sophomore, Andrews made a name for himself, getting a pair of sacks, one QB hurry, one tackle for loss and one pass deflection in just six games of action. 

Over the next two seasons, Andrews became a focal part of the Wildcats front four, which was nicknamed the Blue Barrage, due to their consistent strong play. In 26 games played, Andrews racked up over 100 career tackles, and finished with five tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, nine QB hurries and one pass deflection.

As Andrews’ role grew on the team, so did his role in the locker room. In Episode 1 of Hard Knocks, fellow defensive lineman Truth Holmes talked about Andrews helping him develop his own game. 

“Nate, that’s my brother,” Holmes said. “Once I started working out with Nate, my strength just jumped off the charts, my weight jumped off the charts and everything.”

“Nate helped me with that,” Holmes added. “He changed the way I lift, the way I eat, the way I run, he even helped me get my 40 time up.”

Giovanni Solis, Defensive Tackle

Solis and Andrews career’s almost exactly mirror each other, each making their varsity debut’s as sophomores, appearing in six games. In Solis’ six-game sophomore season, he racked up one tackle for loss, one sack and one QB hurry.

In his junior season, he and Truth Holmes cemented themselves as one of the best interior line duo’s in the state, playing a huge role within the “Blue Barrage”. Solis finished his career with the Wildcats with 78 tackles, and an impressive eight tackles for loss. 

Just as impressive, from the interior line, Solis was able to sack the quarterback three times, and had four QB hurries, as well as a forced fumble. Solis will leave big shoes to fill on a great defensive line for Sulphur Springs.

Barett Thesing, Defensive End

Barett Thesing was a two-year varsity player for the Wildcats, who started to emerge during his junior season. Despite only seeing action in four games, Thesing had a pair of tackles for loss and was able to hurry the quarterback twice as well, making the most of his opportunities.

Thesing continued his strong play in his senior season. Not only did he add another tackle for loss and another QB hurry to his resume, but he also added a sack and an interception as well, with his interception coming during a pivotal moment of their road win against Lake Dallas. While the Wildcats will still have plenty of depth moving forward, the depth that Thesing, Andrews and Solis provided to the Blue Barrage helped make them one of the best defensive front’s in the state of Texas.

Larren Vaughn, Linebacker 

Larren Vaughn joined a list of a number of players who were three-year varsity guys, playing a big part of the Wildcats defense as early as his sophomore year. Vaughn took his game to another level in his junior season, finishing the year with 119 tackles, two tackles for loss, two QB hurries, one interception and one fumble recovery. 

For his career, Vaughn played in 27 games and finished with 189 total tackles. He also had three tackles for loss, one sack, seven QB hurries, one interception, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. 

Ty Bybee, Free Safety 

Bybee was yet another three-year starter for the Wildcats, and the lone member of the Wildcats secondary who is graduating this spring. While his season was cut short just four games into his senior season, Bybee was able to rack up impressive numbers during his time as a Wildcat.

Throughout his three seasons as a Wildcat, Bybee played in 23 games and had 167 total tackles between the safety and cornerback positions. 

Bybee also had four tackles for loss and one sack, as well as an interception, four pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

While the future is very bright for the Wildcats, and they will be returning a huge number of starters and contributors back next season, as well as one of the best coaching staff’s in the state, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on the Wildcats who will be graduating, that played such an important part in one of the most impressive turnarounds in all of Texas High School Football.