The district 21-6A title was on the line Thursday night in Sugar Land, as the Ridge Point Panthers (7-1, 5-0) took on the Hightower Hurricanes (8-0, 5-0). Both teams have had pretty similar roads to get there, as both scheduled very tough non-district opponents, and have just absolutely dominated their district opponents so far. Hightower’s only two district losses the last two years have come to Ridge Point, while Ridge Point has not lost a district game since 2019. The Hurricanes were looking to snap both streaks, while the Panthers were looking to claim their fifth straight district title.
Hightower jumped out to a quick lead to start the game. On the ninth play of the opening drive, Camben Emanuel powered in the QB sneak for the opening touchdown. The two-point conversion was good, as Austin Bowen ran it into the endzone, to give Hightower an 8-0 lead with 7:56 left in the opening quarter.
Ridge Point would immediately respond. Austin Carlisle found some room, made a man miss, and broke a tackle, on the way to a 29-yard touchdown run to put the Panthers on the board. Following a Hightower turnover-on-downs, Ridge Point found the endzone again. A big 46-yard pass play from Carlisle to Dane Jones set up the Panthers deep in Hurricane territory, and three plays later, Elon Conley stormed in for a 3-yard touchdown to put Ridge Point up 14-8 with 8:22 left in the half.
After the teams traded turnover-on-downs and a Hightower punt, Ridge Point got the ball at the Hurricane 46-yard line with 1:29 remaining in the half. The Panthers used all pass plays to move down the field, and on the sixth play of the drive, Carlisle found Robert Haynes for a nine-yard touchdown right before the half. Ridge Point led 21-8 at halftime.
Ridge Point would have to punt to open the half, which opened the door for Hightower, and they took advantage. A big 59-yard run by La’Damion McDowell set up the Hurricanes deep inside Panther territory, and two plays later, Emanuel found Austin Bowen in the right side of the endzone for a nine-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion failed so the score stood at 21-14, but Ridge Point would respond again. On the ensuing drive, Conley found the endzone for the second time, this time from five-yards out, to extend it back to a two-score game, making it 28-14 with 2:35 left in the third quarter.
Hightower had another great drive developing, as they used nine-plays to get deep into Ridge Point territory. On the 10th play of the drive, Emanuel lost the ball and it was recovered by Ridge Point’s Kenny Ezeji to give the Panthers the ball back. On the eighth play of the Panther drive, Carlisle hit Jones over the middle for a 31-yard pass, but Jones would fumble and it was recovered by Hightower’s Mike Amey to keep the Hurricanes alive.
With 5:58 remaining, Hightower started with the ball at their own three-yard line, needing a quick score. The Hurricanes used nine-plays, drove 97 yards and Emanuel finished it off with a two-yard touchdown run to make it a one possession game. The two-point conversion was no good, so the score stood at 28-20 with 2:37 remaining.
With only one timeout left, Hightower lined up for the onside kick. The kick would be recovered by Ridge Point’s Keshuan Cockerham and returned down the left sideline, all the way to the endzone for the touchdown. A turnover on the following Hightower drive would put the game away.
Ridge Point claims the 21-6A crown with a 35-20 win.
Ridge Point Stats
QB Austin Carlisle (SR) (Houston Commit): 20/28, 262 yds, TD, 8 carries, 71 yds, TD
RB Elon Conley (SR): 17 carries, 98 yds, 2 TDs. 1 rec, 3 yds
WR Dane Jones (SR) (TCU Commit): 8 recs, 152 yds, fum
WR Landrew Ward (SR): 4 recs, 40 yds
WR Bailen George (JR): 3 recs, 36 yds
WR Robert Haynes (JR): 3 recs, 29 yds, TD
DL Kenny Ezeji (SO): FR, TFL
DL Romaire Smith (JR): FF, Sack
LB Preston Hall (JR): TFL, PBU
LB Jack Ward (SR): Sack
DB Bryson Dossett (SO): FR
Hightower Stats
QB Camben Emanuel (SR) (Army Commit): 7/14, 169 yds, TD, 14 carries, 66 yds, 2 TDs, fum
RB La’Damion McDowell (SR): 23 carries, 118 yds, fum, 2 recs, 4 yds
RB Austin Bowen (SR): 4 carries, 6 yds, 1 rec, 9 yds, TD
WR Dontreal Fisher (JR): 1 rec, 47 yds, 1 carry, 62 yds
LB Jeremiah Kelly (SR): Sack
DB Kade Phillips (SR) (LSU Commit): FF, 2 PBUs
DB Mike Amey (SR) (Rice Commit): FR
Next Week
Ridge Point will look to extend their district winning streak to 37 games as they end the regular season taking on Fort Bend Austin (3-5, 2-3), while Hightower will look to bounce back as they take on fellow-playoff team, Fort Bend Elkins (6-3, 4-2).
Reporter Taylor Arenz was at the game and here are some of her video updates:
The @RPHS_FB Panthers are ready!Time for kick-off#TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/r3R49mIFhq
— Taylor Arenz (@taylorarenz) October 31, 2024
The @HightowerFB on the board first!
2-pt conversion good!Score: @RPHS_fb – 0@hightowerfb – 8#TXHSFB
7:56 Left in 1st pic.twitter.com/MzHo4yR2Py— Taylor Arenz (@taylorarenz) November 1, 2024
1st Quarter Update with help from Panthers Student Section
Score: @RPHS_fb – 7@hightowerfb – 8#TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/H9YXD1Zmmw
— Taylor Arenz (@taylorarenz) November 1, 2024
Halftime Update from the Tollway Cup Rivalry with help from Hurricane Cheerleaders
Score: @RPHS_fb – 21@hightowerfb – 8#TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/5GXKbtj3rq— Taylor Arenz (@taylorarenz) November 1, 2024
Touchdown Panthers @elon_conley23
Score: @RPHS_fb – 28@hightowerfb – 14#TXHSFB
2:35 Left in 3rd pic.twitter.com/4Z41ujecDo— Taylor Arenz (@taylorarenz) November 1, 2024
3rd Quarter Update with help from the Panther Cheerleaders
Score: @RPHS_fb – 28 @hightowerfb – 14#TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/axj1VX6uPe
— Taylor Arenz (@taylorarenz) November 1, 2024
The Ridge Point Panthers Win theTollway Cup and top District 21 6A! Post Game Interview with HC Rick LaFavers@RPHS_FB @Coach_LaFavers #TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/ccY4vBKVfG
— Texas HS Football (@texashsfootball) November 1, 2024
