Football Friday preview: Oak Ridge, College Park meet in key 14-5A opener

Oak Ridge vs. College Park, Friday 7:30 p.m., Woodforest Stadium: The District 14-5A opener for both teams has evolved into an early battle for a possible playoff spot.

The Cavaliers come off its most complete performance with a dominating 50-14 win over Bryan. With a strong offensive attack that not only gained 473 total yards, but had 143 passing yards, the most College Park has had this season. Quarterback Zach Wright has made the right decisions running the offense, rushing for 322 yards and six touchdowns while throwing for 306 yards and one score.

Austin Boudreaux has also been a consistent offensive weapon for College Park, rushing for 425 yards and four touchdowns. But the key in this game will be if the Cavs’ defense will be able to hold up against the run. In their three wins, College Park has held its opponents to 206 rushing yards or less. But in its only loss to Dekaney, the Cavs gave up 306 rushing yards, including 245 yards by Trey Williams, a Texas A&M recruit.

Defensive lineman Jesse Jahn and linebacker Taylor Fredrick have made big defensive plays for College Park, so expect them to make an impact against an Oak Ridge team looking to turn the corner from a tough start.

The War Eagles finally got its first win of the season last Friday with a dominating 48-7 win over Baytown Sterling. The most impressive thing from that game was the emergence of running back Macklin Thomas, who ran for 213 yards and two touchdowns. That one game make Thomas the team’s leading rusher, and if he could carry over that performance to this Friday night, Oak Ridge could give College Park problems, especially if quarterback Michael Handy can continue to improve his game.

Handy threw for three touchdowns against Sterling and is the team’s best offensive player. But he can’t do it alone, and he will need the War Eagle defense to make defensive stops so he can more cracks at attacking the Cav defense.

Oak Ridge has had problems defending the run, but that was against very good offensive teams like Magnolia West, Pearland Dawson and Bellaire. College Park does not have that much speed on its team, and that will be an advantage to the War Eagles.