The Woodlands Highlanders debut a new starting quarterback Friday, Aug. 28, when they host the Bridgeland Bears at Woodforest Bank Stadium in a season opener loaded with storylines.
Junior Kaden Kopelin takes over under center after Jack Daulton graduated. Kopelin threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns in limited action last season. Across the sideline stands a familiar face: Bridgeland head coach Lonnie Madison, who coached the College Park Cavaliers from 2017 to 2022 and led them to a district title in 2020, according to a Woodlands Online season preview. Friday marks Madison's return to Woodforest Bank Stadium against an old Woodlands-area rival.
Bridgeland won the only previous meeting between the programs in 2021. The Bears finished 7-4 last season with a second-place district finish and return senior running back Kash Schwab, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2025. Wide receivers Micaiah Stevens and Jackson Ewing give the Bears a tested passing attack alongside Schwab's ground game.
The Highlanders counter with returning running back Jason Haskins, who posted 651 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Junior Solomon Woods joins Haskins in what could become a two-back attack behind an offensive line anchored by tackle Jacob Corley.
Kopelin's targets include returning wide receivers Carter Cass and Bryson Bourn, senior Kaiden Stewart, and tight end Colton Weddel. Weddel was named a team captain at the Aug. 16 Meet the Players event and saw limited snaps last season. The towering senior gives Kopelin a reliable option in the middle of the field.
The defense returns its anchor.
Captain Magnus Herndon, a defensive end, led District 13-6A with 14.5 sacks in 2025. Linebackers Max Mitchell, Nate Beagle, and Matthias Molito each recorded more than 20 tackles last season. Defensive backs Mike Tellison and Joey Bolander round out the secondary.
Both squads feature heavy roster turnover from 2025, putting a premium on early execution and coaching adjustments. For The Woodlands, the question is whether Kopelin can command the offense quickly enough to keep pace with a Bridgeland squad that returns proven playmakers at running back and wide receiver.
The Highlanders' confirmed district schedule includes Conroe on Oct. 23 and Grand Oaks on Oct. 30.
