College Park hosts Grand Oaks on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Woodforest Bank Stadium. Sole possession of second place in District 13-6A is on the line.
Both teams enter at 3-1 in district play. The Grizzlies hold the edge in overall record at 5-2, while the Cavaliers sit at 4-3, according to Woodlands Online. The loser drops into a crowded middle of the playoff field with only a couple of district games remaining.
The game doubles as senior night for College Park.
Cavaliers' air attack leads the way
Senior quarterback Camden Hughes has thrown for 1,084 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. A minor injury sidelined him early, but Hughes has looked sharp since returning.
His top target is senior wide receiver Julian Cromartie, a Clemson commit who has hauled in 29 catches for 665 yards and 10 touchdowns. Cromartie caught 10 of Hughes' 15 touchdown passes. He torched Conroe for nine catches, 217 yards and four touchdowns in College Park's 44-10 win, earning athlete-of-the-week honors from Woodlands Online.
Wide receivers Brian Snodgrass (22 catches, 300 yards, three touchdowns) and junior Nik Ensminger (12 catches, 121 yards, one touchdown) round out a deep receiving group.
On the ground, running back Duke Stephens leads the Cavaliers with 690 yards and seven touchdowns. Antonio Booker adds 390 yards and four touchdowns as the complementary power back.
Grizzlies counter with balance
Grand Oaks quarterback Harley Adams has thrown for 1,234 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 244 rushing yards and a score on the ground.
"When you make a bad play, your teammates look at you to see how you hold yourself," Adams told ABC13 during a preseason camp in August. "You want to keep your head high."
Adams' top weapon is wide receiver Darnell Jackson Jr., who has 28 catches for 515 yards and eight touchdowns. Brandon Francis adds 14 catches for 249 yards and three scores as the second option. Seven different Grizzlies have recorded six or more catches this season.
Junior running back Kaden Carter has broken out with 545 yards, six touchdowns and three 100-yard games. Brian Victorian Jr. chips in 276 yards and three touchdowns behind him.
Defensive matchup to watch
Grand Oaks defensive end Tavarus Curry has racked up eight sacks, and linebacker Karter Ross leads the Grizzlies with 56 tackles. But Woodlands Online noted Grand Oaks struggled against a lower-ranked Oak Ridge team earlier in the season, raising questions about consistency.
College Park's defense has improved as district play has progressed. Linebackers Brandon Claybaugh and Lucas Richard anchor the front seven, while defensive end RJ Wyms and defensive tackle Jordyn Grant pressure opposing quarterbacks up front. Cornerback James Cabarrus, a New Mexico commit, patrols the secondary.
What's at stake
College Park won the District 13-6A title last season and returned most of its starters under head coach Michael Buro. Grand Oaks has yet to beat a top district contender this season, according to Woodlands Online, and a victory would mark a program-defining moment.
A Cavaliers win would solidify their hold on a top playoff seed. A Grizzlies win would vault them into prime position for a high district finish.
Kickoff is Thursday, Oct. 22, at Woodforest Bank Stadium.
