P.J. Villarreal scores 4 touchdowns as Highlanders cruise past War Eagles 52-0

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - The Woodlands High School squared off with the Oak Ridge War Eagles Friday night. The Highlanders started their season 0-2 and wanted to turn doubters into believers. The Woodlands pulled off a 52-0 win against Oak Ridge, almost going perfect at Woodforest Bank Stadium on Friday night. The rivalry that has transpired with Oak Ridge and The Woodlands is well noted. The War Eagles have never beaten the Highlanders in varsity play, and they looked to rewrite history until everything went The Woodlands way.

With a couple early runs, Breyton Gilford asserted himself as the top dog in the offense. In the first quarter, flying down the field for the first score of the night was Gilford as he outworked Oak Ridges defense, punching in a 20 yarder.

Breyton Gilford and duo Brandon Wheeler looked to continue their success in the first quarter by running down the War Eagles defense. Getting the ball back due to War Eagle punts, The Woodlands Highlanders trotted back on the field and switched the scheme into an air attack. Throwing the ball back to back, Casey Sunseri saw success in going to PJ Villarreal early. With a quick screen pass, PJ Villarreal became a lightning rod and flew past the War Eagles, taking a screen all the way to the end zone, making it 14-0 Highlanders.

Following the Highlanders touchdown, The War Eagles continued to stick to their plan of getting short routes on the outside, with that not being the answer, Blane Romero aired it out couple times. Rory Bailey caught a 20-yard pass by Blane Romero and took off. While going full speed up the field, suddenly Bailey fumbles the ball, and it lands on the Highlander 40 yard line. Highlanders dash to land on the ball as Austin Winfield comes up with it, resulting to Highlanders being in field goal range. Sending in the duo of Fabrizio Pinton and Luke Rizzo in the Highlanders looked to kick a field goal. With a smooth kick and elevation, Pinton drives a 37-yard field goal to put the score at 17-0 The Woodlands.

The Second quarter seemed to be a time for the Oak Ridge War Eagles to rebuild. With the start of the new quarter, the Oak Ridge War Eagles produced minor production offensively. Casey Sunsari and late help from Ben Mills, lead the Highlanders up and down the field again, pushing the offense closer to the end zone.
Star running back Breyton Gilford lead Jim Rapp’s offense into a slow ground and pound.

While compiling small chunks of yards at a time, Casey Sunsari threw another quick screen pass, and PJ Villarreal took advantage and like the first quarter, went untouched for another touchdown run, and the second of his night, pushing the score 24-0 Highlanders. The runaway train seemed to be a theme at Woodforest Bank Stadium as the Highlanders offensive worked as a unit, pouring it on seemed to be the Highlander theme. With offensive line domination and ground execution, the Woodlands Highlanders made huge adjustments coming into their third game of the season and came out victorious. Austin Winfield and the rest of the Gruesome Green Defense played on full cylinders as they forced two fumbles against Oak Ridge, showing that their Gruesome Green Defense could hold up, the defense came up with a 4th down sack to give the TWHS the ball on their own 41-yard line.

With the lead Jim Rapp made the quarterback change for Junior Ben Mills, who has aired it out ability. With Ben Mills being an air first quarterback and PJ Villarreal having a monster night, Ben winded up and launched a bomb to PJ Villarreal as he connected with Villarreal, bringing in his third touchdown of the night.
The score was 31-0 with 0:20 left in the half. The Gruesome Green continued to make their presence known by tallying another three and outs. Sending back the offense in the third quarter.

Junior running back Bryeton Gilford had a big night in the third, as he had two touchdowns for the night (for 20 yards in the first quarter and 57 in the fourth) totaling his campaign to 176 yards on 16 carries. With the third quarter starting, the memo was, play hard and run the clock up. Breyton Gilford turned on the jets for a 57-yard score on the ground. Capping off a drive that started on the Highlander 8 yard line, making the score 38-0 with 2:29 remaining in the third.

With the fourth quarter arising Brandon Wheeler’s 50-yard gallop put them in position entering the final 11 minutes of the game. With the stadium clearing out, Casey Sunseri decided to continue to give the Highlanders fans more to chant about, as he and PJ Villarreal connected yet again for another 30-yard toss and catch making the score 44-0. The War Eagles trotted back on the field for the last time to put some pride points on the board. But with The Gruesome Green defense, the Highlanders gathered another three and out, giving The Woodlands High School offense the ball on their own 28. Junior running back Jakob Sewall came in late to secure some touches, the junior is handed the ball and delivers it to the end zone on a lightning fast sprint for the long touchdown, pushing the final score to 52-0 The Woodlands High School.

After the commanding victory, Jim Rapp was reasonably happy for receiver PJ Villarreal afterward saying “Four touchdowns in one night, that’s a great night for PJ Villarreal.” With the Highlanders first win of the season coming in district against the Oak Ridge War Eagles, the Highlanders now sit at 1-0 in district.

The Woodlands Highlanders compiled a total of 559 yards of total offense with 378 coming on the ground. Oak Ridge hosts Klein Collins at Moorhead Stadium Friday while The Woodlands is back at Woodforest next week as the visitor against College Park. Our broadcast was brought to you by Re/Max The Woodlands with replays presented by Mr. Rooter Plumbing Services.