Highlanders fall short of outright district title to Klein Collins

THE WOODLANDS, Texas— The District 15-6A title came down to Friday night at Woodforest Bank Stadium. A win for Klein Collins would seal a share of the title and end a six-year unbeaten streak in district play. The Highlanders fell to the Klein Collins Tigers 21-17.



The Woodlands opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown run from junior running back Bryeton Gilford. The score would be his 13th of the season. The offensive line for the Highlanders was able to open up running lanes for Gilford and quarterback Casey Sunseri early in the first half. Sunseri was able to stay perfect through the air in the first half, completing all six of his passes, and help the Highlanders control the time of possession.



While the offense was able to move the ball downfield on the Tigers, the defense was able to stop Texas A&M commit Isaiah Spiller for most of the first half. The All-American found the end zone just before the half with a 5-yard run as the Tigers had their best drive of the half in the last two minutes.

Klein Collins quarterback Carter Rhyne gave the Tigers their first lead of the game, driving the length of the field, capped off by a 1-yard QB sneak. The back and forth continued when Sunseri hit Ryan Farquhar to re-take the lead 17-14 in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers scored the final touchdown of the game on a 15-yard run by Braelon Bridges with under five minutes left; the score would end as the game-winner for Klein Collins.

The Highlanders will travel to Klein to take on Klein Forest this Thursday for their last game before the state playoffs. Our On-Demand broadcast was brought to you by Sterling Ridge Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine with replays presented by Texas Engineered Roofing.