FOOTBALL: The Woodlands stuns Atascocita, remains undefeated in district

ATASCOCITA, Texas -- It was a perfect evening for some 16-6A football. The Woodlands Highlanders (2-0, 5-1) visited Atascocita (1-1, 5-1), who up until tonight's game were undefeated so far this season.

The Atascocita Eagles started the game with the ball first, but the Highlander defense that has stifled teams all year was ready. They held Atascocita to a punt and then on their first offensive possession scored on a 17-yard pass from Eric Schmid to Reed Barber. Shortly after, Craig Heiser, on the reverse, threw back to Schmid for a 36-yard touchdown. In the blink of an eye, it was 14-0.

Schmid then threw to Hunter Moore for 42 yards and it was 21-0 with 1:21 left in the first quarter. The Highlander defense was successful at holding Atascocita for almost the entire first half, but the Eagles scored on a pass from Daveon Boyd to Alerick Soularie with 3:07 left before the half. The Highlanders answered with a 36 yard field goal by Lucas Vieth, and it was 24-7 at half.

Atascocita made some defensive adjustments during halftime and came out strong with two interceptions in the third quarter. However, they couldn't capitalize on them. Atascocita would tack on another 7 points with 1:12 left in the 3rd on a pass from Boyd to Coye Fairman, who then ran for 65 yards to make it 24-14. The Eagles were hoping for a momentum shift with the score, but the Highlander defense held true to their fantastic reputation and Atascocita wouldn't see the end zone or an opportunity for a field goal for the rest of the game.

The offense wasn't finished, either. Schmid through a 53-yard touchdown to Moore. Later, Carlos Ramos would break free and run 32 yards to the Atascocita 7 yard line and finished the drive with a 5 yard touchdown run.

With this win over a difficult district opponent, The Woodlands is now 2-0 in district and faces College Park, who is 0-1 in district so far, next week, Oct. 9, at Woodforest Bank Stadium at 7 p.m. This game will be broadcast on demand on Woodlands Online.