KLEIN — When Klein Oak High School host Stratford at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Klein Memorial Stadium, both the Panthers and Spartans will look to keep their undefeated home streak alive.
Both are 4-1 in the District 15-6A, with their only losses coming to state-ranked Klein Collins High School. The Panthers lost 21-10 and the Spartans 49-7 last week. The winner of this matchup, too, can lock up the second spot in the district unless Klein upsets Klein Collins on Friday night.
Undefeated at home, Klein Oak will need to once again ride the efforts of their star-studded defense and the playmaking ability of the offense. The Panthers runs a zone-read offense centered around dual-threat quarterback CJ Ward and running back Bennie Smith.
On the outside, 2019 four-star wide receiver Tyler Hudson has had an outstanding year, using his 6-foot-3 frame and sub-4.5 40-yard dash speed to beat defenders., The Panthers were recently rated the number two defense in the Houston area and haven’t allowed more than 15 points in a game defensively.
Stratford quarterback Mark Murdock. Photo courtesy Craig Moseley/Houston Chronicle
The Spartan defense is led by hard-hitting Air Force linebacker commit Hanin Rakrouki and 3-star safety Miles Oldacre. This is a team that doesn’t back down from hits on both sides of the ball, and when they can turn the game into the hard-nosed style they like, they’re tough to beat.
Stratford is led by Mark Murdock, son of the former Texas Longhorn quarterback who goes by the same name. The Spartans have coasted through most of the season, rattling off six straight wins between their season-opening loss to Ridge Point and their loss last week against Klein Collins. This week is an opportunity to get back in the win column, but they enter a hostile environment at Klein Memorial Stadium, where the Klein Oak Panthers have yet to lose as the home team.
The Spartans will need to bring their A-game if they want to give Klein Oak their first home loss.
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