HS Football: Grand Oaks runs past Caney Creek in season opener

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Grand Oaks Grizzlies were more than ready to play in their season opener against Caney Creek on Thursday night. The Grizzlies controlled the game from the very beginning, lighting up the Panthers 64-7 for their first win of the 2020 season.

The Grizzlies defense forced the first of four turnovers on the night on just the second play of the game. That allowed Grand Oaks to put their offensive weapons on display right away on their first drive. Big plays from Sean Zver and Micah Cooper set up the game’s first TD, a one-yard QB sneak from Hudson Hamilton.

Zver’s 35-yard touchdown run and a David Wilkins pick-six put the Grizzlies up three scores less than five minutes into the opening quarter. In the second quarter, the stingy Grand Oaks defense forced two more turnovers to put the offense in great field position to extend their lead. A fumble recovery and an interception return by Gabriel Anzaldua both set up two quick passing TDs from Hudson Hamilton to Triston Brause to extend the Grizzlies’ lead by 36. A touchdown reception from RB Brandon High right before the half sent Grand Oaks into the locker room with a 43-0 lead.

Grand Oaks had no plans to slow down the big play production as the Micah Cooper, the WOL Player of the Game, opened the second half with a 67-yard rushing TD to drop a 50-piece on the scoreboard just a minute into the second half. Cooper finished with 127 yards and a TD on the ground in the win.

It was a tough night for the Panthers, but the lone bright spot came late in the third quarter when WR Caleb Besaw out jumped his defender to bring down the pass and sprinted away for the 27-yard TD. The good feeling didn’t last long, however as Grand Oaks responded with another long TD run, this time it was Brandon High scoring for the second time on a 56-yard run. To make it a complete team win, the special teams unit needed to make a name for themselves as well. The Grizzlies did just that when Chris Vandenbergh returned a bouncing punt about 50 yards for the score.

Grand Oaks (1-0) will need all the momentum they can get as they head into a challenging portion of their non-district schedule. A dominant win like that will give them more confidence as they go on the road to Klein Forest next week. Caney Creek (0-1) will regroup and attempt to get their first win of the season next week at Galena Park.

Thursday’s game was a live Woodlands Online broadcast brought to you by Team Sinisi Real Estate and Hal Watson Air Conditioning.