The Woodlands Highlanders are 4-0 for the first time since 2011, and are showing no signs of slowing down. After opening the season with a 23-20 victory over Cy-Fair, the Highlanders outscored their next three opponents by a combined 80 points.
Week Three brought the Highlanders’ highest profile game when they hosted the defending 6A DII state champion Katy Tigers. Led by senior linebacker Zach La Canfora, the Woodlands held running back Deondrick Glass and the Katy offense scoreless until a field goal in the fourth quarter saved the Tigers from a 26-0 shutout. On the other side of the ball, running back Jordan Talford rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
The following week brought another strong opponent in the form of defending 5A DI state champion George Ranch. Woodland’s senior quarterback Eric Schmid took charge from the first snap, completing 13 of 17 attempts for 272 yards and six touchdowns on the way to a 42-14 rout of the Longhorns. With an experienced, solid defense and an balanced offensive attack, the Highlanders have seemingly become one of the most dangerous teams in Houston.
It’s not just the fact that the Highlanders are winning games, but rather the fashion in which they are doing so. Having started the season with one of the more difficult schedules in the state and handling each opponent soundly, The Woodlands have already proven to teams around the state that they are a force to be reckoned with. While it may be too early to crown “The Best Team in Houston”, Mark Schmid and The Woodlands have made a stronger case than any other program in the city. The Woodlands will start district play next week when they host the Lufkin Panthers.
