The Woodlands Highlanders rolled through rain, lightning and the College Park Cavaliers on Friday, Oct. 2, winning the War of the Woods 39-7.

Junior quarterback Kaden Kopelin connected with wide receiver Carter Cass three times for touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown. The Highlanders led 33-0 at halftime and were never threatened, avenging last season's double-overtime loss to College Park.

The win moves The Woodlands to 4-1 and puts the Highlanders in control of the District 13-6A race. College Park falls to 2-3.

Lightning, monsoon and a five-minute halftime

Multiple lightning delays pushed kickoff well past the scheduled 7 p.m. start, Woodlands Online reported. Once play started, a torrential downpour greeted both teams. Rain made extra-point kicks unreliable all night, and the Highlanders missed several.

A second lightning delay hit at the end of the first quarter, just as The Woodlands faced fourth down inside the College Park 5-yard line. By the time play resumed, the band, cheer squads and ROTC members had left the stadium. Only a group of Highlander students remained in the stands, providing the sole noise for the rest of the night.

Officials shortened halftime to five minutes to make up lost time.

Kopelin and Cass strike early

Kopelin needed just two plays on the opening drive, firing a 20-yard touchdown pass to Cass. Running back Jason Haskins followed with an 82-yard touchdown run on the first play of the next drive, and The Woodlands led 13-0 before College Park's offense found its footing.

After the second lightning delay, Kopelin hit Cass again to make it 20-0. In the second quarter, Kopelin scored on a designed run to push the lead to 27-0.

Cavalier quarterback Camden Hughes then threw his second interception of the night. Cornerback Bryce Stott took it back for a pick-six, and the Highlanders carried a 33-0 lead into the break.

Second half: more rain, more Cass

The third quarter featured a drive that ate most of the clock. Wide receiver Bryson Bourn fought off tacklers on a long run after the catch to move The Woodlands into scoring range. On fourth down, Kopelin found Cass in the end zone for their third touchdown connection, making it 39-0.

Rain intensified in the fourth quarter. College Park running back Bryce Reeves scored with under a minute left for the Cavaliers' only points. With rain blowing sideways, officials ended the game after that score.

Kopelin's season numbers

Kopelin entered the game completing 80.8% of his passes with 988 yards, 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions through four games, according to Woodlands Online's preview. Those numbers led District 13-6A.

The Highlanders have won four straight since a one-point season-opening loss to Bridgeland. The Woodlands hosts Willis on Friday, Oct. 9.