“My mom was nervous, but coaches talked her into it,” he said, adding with a chuckle, “Now she feels great. She’s probably the loudest one in the stands.”
Of course, he’s given her plenty to cheer about. Now an all-state defensive lineman with the Aledo Bearcats, he has joined the family’s legacy of champions.
Cyphers’ joined the Bearcats in 2023 after helping the Panthers to an 8-4 record and a second-round Class 5A Division II playoff appearance. Right away, he was part of a Bearcats team that went 16-0 in 2023 and won the program’s state-record 12th state championship.
But then, the championship pedigree is nothing new for his family. One of his uncles claimed a national championship in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as NCAA Division I-AA) and another finished as a Division I runner-up with Oregon to Ohio State in 2015, a game played at AT&T Stadium with Cyphers watching.
The Bearcats, of course, have won numerous state championships in that same stadium, including 2023.
“I was there and I saw a banner about that game against Ohio State,” Cyphers said. “It would have been cool if we had both won championships there, but that’s still a great season for them.”
His mother, born in Montana, also played college volleyball at a small school in Oregon.
His grandfather, now retired, was a long-time successful coach at the NAIA level in college and in high school, Cyphers noted. The two stay in touch regularly, especially during football season as his grandfather watches via online streaming.
“I talk to him all the time. He texts me at halftime of every game,” Cyphers said. “And when he can’t watch he listens on the radio (internet).”
When Cyphers learned he was relocating to Aledo he was immediately happy — not only for their football dynasty, but he also had a good friend coming here as well. Ray Guillory, now at the University of Utah, moved in that same season from Mansfield Lake Ridge.
“Raycine is one of my best friends and knowing he was also coming here made me excited,” Cyphers said. “It was so great winning a championship with him.”
Bearcats head coach Robby Jones said Cyphers instantly fit in with the program.
“He’s got a family history of great football players. He’s a champion football player,” Jones said. “He’s also a great team guy, one of those guys that eats, sleeps, and breathes football.”
While he was already used to winning, Cyphers said he never really understood what championship or bust meant until he got to Aledo.
“Everything they do here is different in a positive way. All they talk about is state championships,” he said.
Ironically, if he’d had his way early, Cyphers might be playing another physical sport.
“I wanted to play hockey so badly. I was three or four at the time,” he said. “Then, when I was five I started playing football.”
His father played hockey and even attended a National Hockey League tryout.
“I still love the sports. I’d still play if I could,” Cyphers said.
He also competes in throwing events in track, advanced to regionals in wrestling as a freshman at Heritage and as a sophomore with Aledo. He has also participated in powerlifting, mainly as a workout, he said.
Cyphers’ plans to major in marketing and finance in college, and he wants to play football. He’d love for that to be in Montana, but said he’ll play “Anywhere they want me.”
In the meantime, he would love to end his time at Aledo the same way it started, winning another state title.
“It’s my senior year, gotta go out strong,” he said. “But it’s not all about winning, it’s about the friendships I’ve made, the memories I’ve made.
“I wish I could get another year, but I can’t. But I can make this one the most memorable.”
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