HS Football: Klein Cain Rains on College Park Parade with Win on Quentin Grimes’ Jersey Retirement Game

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The College Park Cavaliers (0-2) fell to the high horse-powered Klein Cain Hurricanes (1-1) on Thursday in the final game before district play.

The first quarter began with both teams feeling one another out for tendencies and strengths. Klein Cain took to the field and ran a high-paced offense that favored speed and putting the ball on the ground but gave up a fumble on the first drive of the game.

A few stalled College Park drives provided the Hurricanes a chance to get on the board first which they took, getting in the endzone with a passing touchdown from the arm of Isaac Mooring III.

The ensuing Cavalier drive would end in disaster as a pass led to a Klein Cain pick-six and a quick 14-0 lead. However, College Park would respond as Kam Montgomery would step up in the pocket and deliver a lofted pass for a quick touchdown of their own. The Hurricanes would not stop and reply with a kick return from within their own five that would go to the house for a 21-7 lead as an explosive first quarter came to an end.

College Park Head Coach, Kyle Coats, explained how he expects his team to respond to giving up big plays by continuing the fight.

“They have to be able to come back from big plays,” said Coats. “I thought they took the wind out of our sails a little bit but the kids kept fighting.”

Both teams would begin to clamp up on the defensive end with no points given up by either squad until the Cavs would find the endzone with 5:30 left in the half. Montgomery would find his receiver, Conner Dunphy, for their second touchdown connection of the half and a 21-13 score following a missed extra point.

It took little time for the Hurricanes to respond with a score of their own. A big-play, 60-yard run up the middle would result in another touchdown that pushed the lead to 28-13. The Cavs would respond with the reliable Montgomery/Dunphy connection for the pair’s third touchdown of the half, but the fast pace of the Klein Cain offense would get the last laugh. A rushing touchdown from Mooring III would bring the halftime score to 34-20.

“Conner Dunphy is a dude,” said Coats. “I would put our receiving core against anybody in the state and they gave us some opportunities to make some explosive plays.”

The halftime festivities were highlighted by the jersey retirement of former Cavalier basketball legend Quentin Grimes. The former Mr. Basketball for the state of Texas averaged 29.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists during his senior season with College Park and made his welcome return to Conroe ISD. Seeing the current New York Knick on the field brought forward the College Park fans as they left their seats in a massive moment of shared pride.

The man of the hour spoke on what it was like to return to the College Park faithful flanked by family, friends, and former mentors.

“Its unexplainable really,” said Grimes. “I never really dreamed of having my jersey retired. I was kind of at a loss for words knowing that my jersey is going to be in the rafters forever.”

With the celebration over, Klein Cain picked up right where they left off. With the offensive line getting the push needed for the running game, the Hurricanes tacked on another rushing touchdown to push the team’s lead to 21.

Seeing the writing on the wall, the Cavaliers would bring in Rodrigo Bravo Jr. in the third quarter with the plan of preserving their starter for district play.

“Kam had taken a few shots,” said Coats. “We just want to keep him up right and make sure he was good for the rest of the season.”

With the Cavaliers entering desperation mode entering the fourth quarter, the Hurricanes would take the opportunity to slow their offense down. Multiple runs and prolonged from Klein Cain resulted in Cavalier defenders standing with hands on hips as the clock ran against College Park.

“James (Clancy) does a really good job over there on offense,” said Coats. “He takes advantage of the fact that defenses are having to get lined up, make calls, and make adjustments.”

The new offensive leadership for College Park would finally break the team’s scoring drought in the fourth quarter with Bravo Jr. punching his way into the endzone for a score of 48-27 with six minutes remaining in the game. A few more runs from the Hurricanes would seal the deal and send the Cavaliers back home with more things to work on before district play.

“I keep going back to our three pillars of toughness, discipline, and effort,” said Coats. “We were not disciplined to our assignments on one or two jobs. You know the effort is there and the toughness is there now we just have to get back to that discipline.”

The Cavaliers will lick their wounds before facing the Grand Oaks Grizzlies (0-1) to open district play at Woodforest Bank Stadium on Sep. 7, while the Hurricanes play one last out of district opponent in Cypress Falls.