HS Football: District 13-6A Week One Recap

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- An action-packed first week of football set many teams off on the right foot while others discovered issues that will need to be ironed out before the rest of the season.

Grand Oaks vs. Aldine Nimitz

Woodforest Bank Stadium – 08/24/23

For the first game of the 2023-2024 season, the Grizzlies took on the Cougars of Aldine Nimitz. Grand Oaks would also take the field for the first time under Head Coach Shaun McDowell since taking the job back in January.

Troubles started early for the Grizzlies with two interceptions in the first quarter which led to Nimitz notching 13 points in response.

Two more interceptions from Grand Oaks’ offense would seal the team’s fate as a lack of offensive production allowed the Cougars to stroll into an easy 20-7 victory to open the season.

The Woodlands vs. North Shore

Woodforest Bank Stadium - 08/25/23

The Woodlands welcomed North Shore to Woodforest Bank Stadium to kick off a high-caliber matchup between two of Houston’s best.

North Shore wasted no time getting on the board with only three plays needed to get their first touchdown of the season. The offensive attack would continue as the Mustangs would drive up the score to 24-7 as the first half ended.

The Highlanders’ offense stayed stagnant throughout the game with subs being brought in during the fourth quarter in a last-ditch effort to spark production. The Woodlands would tack on a late touchdown to bring the final score to 38-17.

College Park vs. Cinco Ranch

Rhodes Stadium – 08/25/23

College Park traveled to Katy on Friday to take on the Cinco Ranch Cougars. This game provided the first in-game look at Kyle Coats’ Cavaliers team and the offense was in sync.

The passing game ignited at the start of the game with an onslaught of scoring that pushed the Cavs ahead 21-7 at the half.

The offense kept scoring with another 14-point quarter in the third, but the defense began to slip as Cinco Ranch racked up 20 in their comeback effort. This effort would be finalized by another 22-point surge in the fourth capped off with a last-second touchdown to secure a 49-42 comeback victory.

Oak Ridge vs. Brenham

Cub Stadium – 08/25/23

The War Eagles opened their season with a defensive slugfest against the Brenham Cubs on Friday.

Brenham got on the board first with a touchdown in the second quarter which provided the only points of the entire first half.

Oak Ridge would respond with a touchdown of their own in the third quarter but would never score again as the offense fell out of sync.

The door was then open for Brenham to reclaim the lead with a second touchdown through the air that only built a lead of six due to a missed extra point. With Oak Ridge being unable to keep the offense going, a field goal would seal the deal for Brenham 16-7 in their opener.

Conroe vs. Katy Paetow

Moorehead Stadium – 08/25/23

The Conroe Tigers hosted the Katy Paetow Panthers in what would become a showing-out party for Conroe.

The Tigers would roll out an offensive onslaught in the first half with 28 unanswered points before the half would end on the back of a balanced attack and impressive defensive stands.

The attack would continue with Conroe adding another 14 points in the fourth to only one touchdown from Katy Paetow which came off of a 60-yard touchdown run. The Tigers would ultimately march to victory 42-7.

Willis vs Bryan Rudder

Merrill Green Stadium – 8/25/23

Willis made their way out to Bryan to face the Rudder Rangers in their season opener where fireworks started flying on offense.

In just the first half of play, Willis Quarterback D.J. Lagway demonstrated his abilities by putting up 425 yards and eight touchdowns through the air. This demonstrative showcase would allow both teams to put in substitutes for the rest of the game during the second half.

Willis would then coast to victory 52-21.

New Caney vs. Montgomery

Randall Reed Stadium – 08/25/23

With first-year Head Coach Mike DeWitt at the helm, New Caney greeted the Montgomery Bears at Randall Reed Stadium.

Scoring was sparadic during the first half with quick responses to scores from both teams resulting in a 14-10 score as the half came to an end in favor of Montgomery.

The Bears would build on their lead with a touchdown to begin the third but a few stops from New Caney paired with a passing touchdown late in the fourth would complete the Eagles’ comeback.

New Caney secured their home win 35-34.

Cleveland vs Splendora

Wildcat Stadium – 08/25/23

Cleveland went on the road to face the Splendora Wildcats in a rematch of last season’s opener.

The Wildcats rode solid offensive production to a lead that they took in the first quarter and never relinquished. With their lead reaching as high as 28 during the third quarter, the Wildcats would ease off to close the game.

The Indians would use this opportunity to tack on a late game score which would end the game at 28-7.

Caney Creek vs Sam Rayburn

Veterans Memorial Stadium – 08/26/23

In a Saturday matchup, the Caney Creek Panthers hit the road to meet Sam Rayburn in Pasadena.

It took little time for the scoring to get started with Sam Rayburn scoring the first points on a field goal with just under two minutes expired in the first quarter.

The Panthers would respond in force as the field goal would become Sam Rayburn’s only points in a showcase of strength on behalf of the Panthers.

When the dust finally settled, Caney Creek had steamrolled their way to a 46-3 win that stands as the largest margin of victory between any games played during week one.