The Woodlands Highlanders
Head Coach: Jim Rapp (4th season as head coach)
Class: 6A
District: 13-6A
2020 Season Recap (5-4)
It was a very up and down year for the Highlanders in 2020. Non-district play saw them suffer two defeats in three games as they were knocked off by Pearland, 21-3, and Fort Bend Hightower, 28-25. And although they opened district play with four straight victories, where their offense averaged 41 points per game, a 35-31 loss to College Park in the district finale meant they finished as runner-up in their district. It didn’t get any better two weeks later in the bi-district round as Spring defeated the Highlanders 42-21, sending them packing in the first round of playoffs for the first time since 2017.
2020 Results
@ Pearland, L 3-21
Houston Lamar, W 40-14
@ Fort Bend Hightower, L 25-28
@ Willis, W 43-15
Conroe Oak Ridge, W 31-21
@ Conroe Grand Oaks, W 52-17
Conroe, W 38-35
@ The Woodlands College Park, L 31-35
Spring, L 21-42 (Bi-District)
2021 Player Spotlight
Sophomore Quarterback Mabrey Mettauer 6’5” 215 lbs.
The quarterback position for The Woodlands appears to be in good hands for the next three seasons. Mettauer split time last season, but the position will be all his in 2021. He is one of the hottest recruits in the Class of 2024 and already has five Division I offers. He has the genetics for the next level as well as his brother McKade is a starter on the offensive line for Cal.
2021 The Woodlands Highlanders Season Preview
Mettauer will have the keys to the offense this season and look for senior receiver Ben Ferguson (530 receiving yards and three touchdowns) to be one of his top targets. On the offensive line, Jalyn Brown and the Sieracki brothers, senior Kaden, a Baylor commit, and sophomore Koltin, will provide reliable protection for Mettauer and the Highlander offense up front. Defensively, Texas A&M commit Martrell Harris is back fully healthy at his linebacker position after suffering a season-ending injury in the third game of the year last season. Up front, defensive ends Bradley Warren and John Podowski, who also lines up at outside linebacker, will be threats off the edge after both earned all-district honors a year ago.
Games to Watch
Showdowns against Bridgeland (Sept. 10) and Katy (Sept. 17) in weeks three and four will serve as a good barometer to see where The Woodlands is at heading into district play. Its all-important rivalry showdown against College Park (Nov. 4) will serve as the district finale and a potential district title decider again.
2021 District 13-6A Final Standings Prediction
(by Texas HS Football Staff)
- The Woodlands College Park Cavaliers
- The Woodlands Highlanders
- Conroe Tigers
- Conroe Oak Ridge Way Eagles
- Willis Wildkats
- Conroe Grand Oaks Grizzlies
