FOOTBALL: Highlanders end their season after falling 28-3 to Westlake

BRYAN, Texas — The Woodlands Highlanders (10-2) faced the end of their season as they fell to Westlake High School (11-1) 28-3.

Receiving the ball at the start of the game, the Highlanders saw a quick four downs, where at the punt return, the wind would work to their disadvantage and put the ball in their own territory for Westlake. A one-yard run into the end zone gave Westlake the 7-0 lead early in the quarter.

Things turned up for the Highlanders with senior offensive linebacker Matt Mahoney’s interception and a Westlake fumble on a quarterback sneak that was recovered by The Woodlands. Senior kicker, Lucas Veith capitalized on Westlake’s mistakes with a field goal, bringing the Highlanders to their 7-3 halftime score.

With several setbacks for the Highlanders in the second half, including the loss of the advantage of having the wind to their backs, Westlake brought in three touchdowns and solidified their 28-3 victory.

Although the district champions swallowed a tough loss, the optimistic Head Coach Mark Schmid said that he was extremely proud of his team for playing with great integrity and tenacity.

“Whenever you get to this point the sting of the defeat and the finality that it’s over, it’s hard to put into words how you feel and what you want to say,” Schmid said. “They played the game right away, and that’ll go a long way to them. I was proud of the way they played all year long. They believed in each other, they believed in the team up until the very last minute. It was a great season, and it never ends the way you want it to end unless you win the state championship.”

Knowing that there is nowhere else to go but forward for the Highlanders, Schmid said that the team will open their off season by reviewing film of their game against Westlake. With an experienced, underclassmen-heavy team, the Highlanders look forward to much success in their future seasons.

“I’m proud of our effort, and I’m proud of the way our seniors lead us,” Schmid said. “Just looking from our underclassmen, the future looks bright.”