Highlanders ousted in second round

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Woodlands Highlanders 7-on-7 football team reached the second round of the state championship tournament on Saturday.

After winning their pool on Friday, the Highlanders advanced to the championship bracket on Saturday. They sent Permian packing with a 38-34 victory in the state championship bracket opener Saturday morning.

But their run came to an end in the second round with a 40-26 loss to Terry, a team that proceeded to lose 34-20 in the quarterfinals to eventual state champions Plano, who defeated Manvel 45-28 in the finals at Kyle Field.

The Highlanders set their sights on the Aug. 13 start of fall practice. Blaine Gillespie is expected to take over the quarterback duties for the 2012 season.

The Woodlands opens the new season at Dallas Skyline on Saturday, Sept. 1. The first home game is 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, with Hightower at Woodforest Stadium.

The Highlanders will compete in district 14-5A with College Park, Oak Ridge, Conroe, Lufkin, A&M Consolidated and Bryan.