Kaden Kopelin threw two touchdowns and rushed for a third in his first varsity start, and Duke Stephens turned a broken play into the highlight of the week as the 2026 area football season got underway.
Kopelin, a junior quarterback for The Woodlands Highlanders, completed 19 of 24 passes for 212 yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing score in the season opener Friday, Aug. 28, against Bridgeland. He replaced Jack Daulton, who moved on after the 2025 season, and had seen limited varsity action before taking over the starting job.
His best throw of the night, according to Woodlands Online, was a long touchdown pass to wide receiver Kaiden Stewart. Kopelin also scored on a third-and-goal keeper in the fourth quarter to give the Highlanders a 30-21 lead with about four minutes left.
It wasn't enough. Bridgeland hit a game-winning field goal with three seconds on the clock, escaping 31-30.
Stephens powers College Park rout
College Park running back Duke Stephens needed just 12 carries to pile up 117 yards and two touchdowns in the Cavaliers' 38-10 win over Iowa Colony on Thursday, Aug. 27.
One of those scores may be the play of the opening week. After a bad snap produced a fumble, Stephens scooped the loose ball, reversed direction behind the line of scrimmage and scrambled 33 yards for a touchdown. He split carries with fellow running back Antonio Booker in the victory.
The win was the first for new head coach Michael Buro, who took over a College Park program that went 8-0 in district play in 2025. ABC13 noted the Cavaliers' roster also features Cincinnati commit Camden Hughes at quarterback, Clemson commit Julian Cromartie at wide receiver and RJ Wyms, rated the No. 1 defensive tackle in the nation.
Around the district
Willis sophomore quarterback Linc Frazier completed 29 of 49 passes for 411 yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing score in the Wildkats' 38-0 shutout of Magnolia on Friday, Aug. 28. Wide receiver Preston Stephenson hauled in 11 catches for 200 yards and a touchdown in the same game.
Cleveland junior wide receiver Nehemiah Stewart caught five passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-11 win over Spring Woods on Saturday, Aug. 29. The victory snapped a 36-game losing streak for Cleveland, which had not won since 2022.
What's next
College Park hosts Cy-Fair on Friday, Sept. 4. The Woodlands' Week 2 opponent and date had not been confirmed as of Wednesday, Sept. 2.
