On a frigid evening in The Woodlands, the Angleton Wildcats (11-1) and College Station Cougars (11-1) battled in an intense matchup with a trip to the regional finals on the line. Angleton entered the game riding high after impressive playoff victories over Pflugerville Weiss and Port Arthur Memorial, seeking their first regional final appearance since 2017. Meanwhile, College Station, a consistent powerhouse, aimed to continue their championship aspirations after an impressive win against Lufkin the previous week. Few could have predicted how thrilling and dramatic this game would turn out to be.
Defensive Battle Opens the Game
Both teams started the game cautiously, with their defenses setting the tone early. College Station’s opening drive ended in a turnover, and the next four possessions between the teams resulted in punts. Late in the first quarter, Angleton finally broke through. Quarterback Bryce Duron found Nick Jackson in the endzone for a 7-yard touchdown pass, giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
Offenses Catch Fire in the Second Quarter
Angleton’s score seemed to spark both offenses into action. On the very next possession, College Station responded as running back Wilson Stapp broke free around the right side for an untouched 33-yard touchdown run. Angleton wasted no time regaining the lead, with Duron connecting on a screen pass to J’Shun Sanders, who turned it into an electrifying 81-yard touchdown. However, the Cougars tied it again just four plays later when quarterback Cade Corcoran found Aydan Martinez-Brown for a 6-yard touchdown, dragging defenders into the endzone.
With just over seven minutes left in the half, the score was locked at 14-14. Angleton drove into College Station territory on their next possession but was stopped on a critical fourth-and-one. College Station capitalized, as Corcoran threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Zak Cosser to give the Cougars a 21-14 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the half. Refusing to let the half end on a sour note, Angleton orchestrated a 90-yard drive in just over a minute, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Wyatt Neyland. The teams entered halftime tied 21-21.
Slow Start to the Second Half
The third quarter began with both defenses once again stepping up, keeping the game scoreless through much of the period. However, Angleton broke the deadlock with a nine-play drive, ending with a 6-yard touchdown run by Jamarcus Shockley to give the Wildcats a 28-21 lead. The Wildcats’ defense continued to hold strong, keeping the Cougars out of the endzone for the rest of the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter Brings Intense Drama
Early in the fourth quarter, Angleton’s momentum stalled after another turnover on downs deep in College Station territory. The Cougars took advantage, with Conner Cashion ripping off a 28-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 28. On their next possession, College Station struck again. Stapp scored his second touchdown of the game, an 11-yard run that gave the Cougars a 34-28 lead. However, the missed extra point left an opening for Angleton to mount a comeback.
With just 3:44 remaining, Angleton began a methodical drive from their own 25-yard line. The Wildcats marched down the field with precision, and on the 10th play, Duron connected with Sanders in the corner of the endzone for a 16-yard touchdown. The successful PAT sent the Angleton fans into a frenzy and gave the Wildcats a narrow 35-34 lead with only 25 seconds left on the clock.
Wildcats Secure Victory and Advance
College Station scrambled for a last-minute comeback but ran out of time, sealing Angleton’s dramatic victory. The Wildcats’ win marked their first trip to the regional finals since 2017, showcasing their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Angleton will now look to carry this momentum into the next round as they aim to extend their playoff journey.
