The Woodlands Highlander football host scrimmage against Cy Woods

SHENANDOAH, Texas- Football is nearly back as district champions and 5A regional quarterfinalist, The Woodlands, took to the field to host a scrimmage against Cy Woods at Woodforest Stadium Friday night. The team is looking to build on a 2013 season that saw them go 10-3 and return some big contributors, most notably running back Patrick Carr.

Each team traded a few touchdowns throughout the night, but the big play of the night for The Woodlands was a go route caught for 55 yards by 6’4” 190lb junior Brandon DePrato. The catch flipped the field position from The Woodlands’ 25 yard line to the Cy Woods’ 30 yard line. There was also an athletic, back-shoulder touchdown caught for seven yards by senior Kalif Johnson. The Woodlands received the ball in the red zone after a botched punt by Cy Woods, which led to the touchdown pass. The scrimmage contained eight series of ten plays each for both the offenses and defenses, followed by one full quarter of action. Scores for the series, and the quarter, were not kept in the stadium.

“Defensively I thought way we played really well all night, I like how we got them off the field” said Highlander head coach Mark Schmid. “Offensively I think we were a little out of sync early, and I expected that. We’ve got a whole new offensive line and a new quarterback. The longer we played, the better we got, the more confidence we got.”

The Woodlands are making the jump to the new 6A region the UIL established starting this year, and will be a member of the 16-6A division. The conference will feature new teams Atascocita, Summer Creek, and Kingwood, along with old foes Conroe, Oak Ridge, and College Park.

The Woodlands has high expectations for the year, and should battle for supremacy in the division. Running back Patrick Carr is someone to keep an eye on, as he currently sits 267 yards away from setting the all-time Highlander rushing record, currently held down by Daniel Lasco's career mark of 3,901 yards. The team will also feature a new quarterback, senior Matt Bonaguidi, who took over the helm after Chris Andritsos moved on to focus on baseball.

“We moved the chains offensively (in the scrimmage), we put the ball in the end zone,” said Schmid. “Defensively I don’t think they made it past the 35 yard line. So these were all positives (tonight).”

The Highlanders open their season August 29th at Cy Fair High School. They continue their non-district slate against Spring Dekaney on the road, a game that will be broadcast live at woodlandsonline.com. They finish playing Katy and La Porte at home before entering district play for the remainder of the regular season. Both the Katy and La Porte games will be On Demand at woodlandsonline.com, meaning they will be posted one hour after the game is finished, and will be kept on the site through the weekend for anyone to watch.

“This time of year it builds,” reflected Schmid. “You can’t help but feel it. Football is an exciting time, and the time is here. Tonight was nowhere near perfect, but it was a step in the right direction.”

Stay tuned to woodlandsonline.com/sports for a podcast, previews, and more information about the upcoming season next week.