The Woodlands and College Park square off Friday, Oct. 2, at Woodforest Bank Stadium in the annual War of the Woods, with the District 13-6A lead on the line.
Both teams won their district openers. The rivalry game is the second of seven league contests for each squad, and Woodlands Online reports the winner could control the path to the district championship.
Last season, College Park mounted a 21-point comeback and beat The Woodlands in double overtime. Jim Rapp's Highlanders, chasing their first district title since 2021, want payback.
Highlanders offense: Copelin sets the pace
Junior quarterback Kaden Copelin has been the story of the early season. Through four games he has thrown for 988 yards and 16 touchdowns with zero interceptions at an 80% completion rate. He has added 131 rushing yards.
Against Humble in Week 3, Copelin threw seven touchdown passes in the first half, breaking a program record that stood since 2016, according to Woodlands Online's district preview.
His targets are spread across the roster. Wide receiver Bryson Bourn leads the team with 255 receiving yards and averages a district-high 63.8 yards per game. Carter Cass leads in receptions with 20 catches and five touchdowns. Kaiden Stewart, Harry Miller and team captain Colton Weddel each top 100 receiving yards.
Running back Jason Haskins has carried 38 times for 172 yards and three scores.
The Woodlands scored 120 combined points in its last two games while allowing just 13.
College Park rebounds after 0-2 start
College Park opened 0-2. Quarterback Camden Hughes was injured in the opener against Cy-Fair, and the Cavaliers were blown out 58-7 by CE King with backup Brian Snodgrass behind center.
Hughes returned healthy for the district opener, and College Park rolled Willis 63-28 on the road. Hughes has thrown for 436 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions in three games. His completion rate sits at 46%, well below Copelin's, but Hughes earned a spot on the Touchdown Club of Houston's All-Greater Houston preseason team alongside teammate Julian Cromartie.
Cromartie, a Clemson commit, is the Cavaliers' most dangerous weapon. He has 398 yards on 16 catches and six touchdowns, averaging 24.9 yards per reception. He scored three times in the Willis win. At the Touchdown Club dinner on Aug. 24, Cromartie told ABC13, "Two thousand yards and 20 touchdowns, so that's my goal for this year."
The ground game gives College Park balance. Duke Stephens leads with 466 rushing yards and four touchdowns at 116.5 yards per game. Antonio Booker adds 354 yards and four scores.
Defensive matchups to watch
The Woodlands' defensive front is anchored by senior end Magnus Herndon, a team captain who recorded 14.5 sacks last season. The secondary features Nico Chavez and Bryce Stott, with linebackers Vinny Lewis and Max Mitchell behind them.
College Park counters with defensive end RJ Wyms and tackle Jordyn Grant up front. Linebacker Lucas Richard and defensive back James Cabarrus lead the second and third levels.
What's next
Kickoff is Friday, Oct. 2, at Woodforest Bank Stadium. After the rivalry game, The Woodlands hosts Willis on Friday, Oct. 9. College Park travels to Cleveland the same night.
