Football: Week 2 preview

Week Two of the high school football season kicks off Thursday and runs through Saturday for local teams as they continue to prepare for district play.

The Woodlands Highlanders (1-1) at Katy Tigers (2-0)

Next Up: The Woodlands High School football team hits the road to face defending Class 5A Division II state champions Katy at 6 p.m. Saturday in Rhodes Stadium.

Last Week: The Highlanders entered the win column for the first time in 2013 with a 17-0 blanking of Hightower. Katy rolled over its second opponent of the season, shutting out Alief Taylor, 49-0.

What to Watch For: The matchup between The Woodlands offensive line and Katy’s defensive line. The Highlanders must control the football to keep Katy’s offense off the field. They’ll do that through the offensive line, both in opening holes for junior running back Patrick Carr as well as protecting quarterbacks Dylan Larsen (senior) and Chris Andritsos (junior).

Analysis: Defense will be the key. The defensive unit that can handle an explosive offense from the other side of the line of scrimmage should have the upper hand. Both teams’ defenses are capable of doing that, as evident by each pitching shutouts last week.

Oak Ridge War Eagles (2-0) vs. Stratford Spartans (1-1)

Next Up: The Oak Ridge High School football team hosts Stratford in a 7:30 p.m. non-district game at Woodforest Bank Stadium.

Last Week: Oak Ridge remained unbeaten with a 31-10 victory on the road over Aldine. Stratford picked up its first victory of the season with a 28-14 triumph at home over Magnolia West.

What to Watch For: Oak Ridge’s powerful offense vs. Stratford’s stingy defense. The War Eagles have piled up more than 350 yards in their first two games, scoring 68 points in two games. But the Spartans allowed just 14 points in each of their first two outings.

Analysis: Can Oak Ridge impose its will on a third consecutive opponent? The War Eagles have controlled the first two games with a dominant rushing game. Averaging better than 260 yards on the ground through two games, the War Eagles are limiting opportunities for opponents’ offenses. Sophomore quarterback Braden Letney is averaging eight yards per carry; junior running back Kwami Etwi is averaging more than seven yards per carry; and junior Justin Edwards gains more than five yards per try so far this season.

College Park Cavaliers (2-0) vs. Katy Taylor Mustangs (0-2)

Next Up: The College Park High School football team hosts Katy Taylor for a 6 p.m. Saturday non-district matchup at Woodforest Bank Stadium.

Last Week: The Cavaliers remained unbeaten with a 30-7 victory over Huntsville. Katy Taylor dropped a 34-10 decision to Klein.

What to Watch For: College Park’s stingy defense against Stratford’s balanced offense. The Cavaliers gave up just 97 total yards to Huntsville last week. But Stratford brings a more balanced offense. The Mustangs have gained more yards through the air than on the ground and College Park will be tested on Saturday.

Analysis: Can the Cavaliers continue the woes of the Mustangs’ defense? If the trend continues, it should be a successful night for the College Park offense. Scoring 70 points over its first two games, College Park looks to move the football with equal ease against a Mustangs defense that has allowed 71 points over their first two outings of 2013.

The Woodlands Christian Academy Warriors (1-1) at Shepherd Pirates (2-0)

Next Up: The Warriors hit the road for a 7:30 p.m. Friday game at Shepherd High School. The Pirates are a public school playing in District 22-3A.

Last Week: The Warriors defeated The John Cooper School, 36-19, for their first victory of the 2013 season. Shepherd remained unbeaten with a 20-7 victory at Woodville.

What to Watch For: The Warriors’ ground attack vs. the Pirates’ defense. The Woodlands Christian Academy has rushed for an average of 215 yards over two games, a big part of the Warriors scoring 49 points over those two season openers. Junior Raul Giorgi has rushed for 200 yards and is averaging more than 10 yards per carry through two games. Sophomore Luke Hudson has also ground out 170 yards, averaging six yards per tote. Add to that the return of junior quarterback Jack Bento, who last week threw for 150 yards (8-for-16 passing), and the Warriors will be a challenge for a Pirates defense that limited Woodville to just seven points a week ago.

Analysis: If the Warriors offensive line can continue to open holes for Giorgi and keep Bento upright, the road trip could be an enjoyable one.

The John Cooper School Dragons (0-2) vs. Bellaire Episcopal JV (1-0)

Next up: Playing in their first varsity season, the Dragons are not competing just yet in the SPC and host the junior varsity team from conference foe Episcopal at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Last Week: The Dragons kicked off the neighboring rivalry with The Woodlands Christian Academy. Cooper came up short in a 36-19 final. The Knights junior varsity did not play last week after opening the season with a 20-19 victory over St. Thomas.

What to Watch For: In a word: Development. The Dragons are still developing the program at the varsity level and facing future SPC opponents only helps in that process.

Analysis: The Dragons get a taste of SPC competition while furthering the varsity program in its first season – a win-win situation. A mark in the win column would be the icing on the cake.