FOOTBALL: For TWHS Highlanders, it was sweet revenge against Cy-Fair

SHENANDOAH, Texas -- Junior, Eric Schmid, and The Woodlands Highlander football team exacted revenge on Cy-Fair for last year's shutout loss with 28-7 thrashing to start off the 2015 campaign on a positive note.

Watch the entire game On-Demand, presented by Wiesner Auto Group.

The elusive Schmid gained 45 yards on the ground despite having a nifty 27 yard scamper get called back on a holding call that occurred on the other side of the field. Through the air, Schmid threw for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Schmid split time with senior, Craig Heiser, who threw for 80 yards to include a TD connection to Connor Patrick.

After one quarter of play, the scoreboard was all zero's but Schmid and company were on the move. After a Cole Sichley sack of Cy-Fair's Taylor Gray deep in Bobcat territory, Braden Mann's punt to their own 35 yard line put the Highlanders in business with good field position. After Schmid's 27 yard run was brought back, he proceeded to complete passes to Brandon Stockerl and Hunter Moore for five and 15 yards in order. A snap gone awry put The Woodlands back to the 37 yard line. On 3rd and 27, Schmid hit Stockerl for 18 yards leaving the Highlanders with a 4th and nine from the 19.

With ice in his veins, Coach Mark Schmid sent in a passing play that Eric Schmid executed to perfection with the help of Chris Stewart who made a B-line for the end zone after the catch and The Woodlands was on the board.

The Woodlands would tack on another touchdown in the 2nd quarter when Heiser was almost sacked at the 25 yard line but was able to get off a wobbler to Connor Patrick who proceeded to run through and around half the Cy Fair defense for an 18 yard scoring play.

Cy Fair threatened in the 3rd quarter but defensive back A.J. Mason picked off a Hayden Wesneski aerial in the far left corner of the end zone to keep the Bobcats at bay.

Early in the 4th quarter, Schmid got senior wide-out, Moore, in on the act when they connected through the air for a 21-0 lead. Lexton Trauffler concluded Highlander scoring on a two yard plunge.

With 2:13 remaining in the game, Cy-Fair's Bryce Wingham spoiled the shutout with a 63 yard sprint to the end zone to end all scoring for the evening.

"Anytime you can beat a really good football team like Cy-Fair, that says a lot," Schmid said after the game. "I loved our kids' effort tonight - they played hard every snap. It wasn't perfect, you know, we have some things to clean up and fix but at the same time I like the fact that we played with lights out effort, the fact that we we made big plays where we needed to. We have work to do but I'm happy where we are right now."

Senior defensive back and return specialist, Antoine Winfield, Jr recovered a fumble in the first half and had several good punt and kick returns as he made his presence known all over the field for The Woodlands. The Highlander defense was in lockdown mode all night long.

Senior center, Zack Summers expressed his thoughts on his team's performance...

"I think we played good on both sides of the ball. We are not where we should be yet but I do believe that we are much farther along this year at this point in the season than we were last year at this time. Eric and Craig are great and both are extremely hard workers and are dedicated to making the team better. They both also seem to be very comfortable in the backfield behind us five up front. This was a great way to start off our season and to be able to beat a team we lost to last year."

The Woodlands next plays against Spring Dekaney at Woodforest Bank Stadium on Thursday at 7 p.m. and it will be Senior Parent Night.