Grand Oaks and Oak Ridge Set To Battle It Out For A Playoff Spot

THE WOODLANDS – Playoff spots are the prize that some of these teams are aiming for as the season reaches its final few weeks. The top 4 spots in the district will qualify for the 6A Division II tournament, and while some of those spots are almost secured, there is still room for a team to sneak into the playoffs. Grand Oaks is one of those teams, with a 3-2 record in district play and most of their tough games already behind them. Their win over Conroe last week was crucial for securing a spot, but they will need to keep winning to stay there. Oak Ridge is right behind them, eager to claim that spot for themselves. They have a 2-2 record in the district, but many of their toughest matches are still upcoming. This game on Thursday could be the deciding factor for who earns that spot at the end of the regular season.

Oak Ridge War Eagles: A Bye Week To Reset

Last week, Oak Ridge enjoyed a much-needed break from the action, taking a week of rest after a tough loss to Conroe. This also gives them plenty of time to prepare for the upcoming challenges, starting with their first test against the Grand Oaks Grizzlies. Oak Ridge hasn’t been perfect this season, as they were blown out against Klein and College Park and lost a close game to Conroe. However, they also have some impressive wins, including comebacks against Stratford and New Caney, demonstrating their resilience in adversity. For the game against Grand Oaks, their key players must perform. QB Drayton Urbay has been impressive when he’s on, connecting on clutch passes and running the ball when needed. His WRs James Scott and Logan Unterfenger will also be crucial, as each has scored a couple of touchdowns this season and are vital for fueling the offense. RB Ethan Pruitt is another player to watch, as his rushing ability could be essential in pulling out a win. The main focus for Oak Ridge will be their defense, especially if they can withstand Grand Oaks’ strong rushing attack. Conroe was able to run all over Oak Ridge in their last game, so hopefully, they used the bye week to fix those issues. Oak Ridge has a chance in this game, but it’s likely to be a tough battle against a strong Grand Oaks team.

Grand Oaks Grizzlies: In The Driver's Seat

Winning the game last week against Conroe was a huge deal for this team, as they now hold the tiebreaker over them for the playoffs if it comes down to it. This Grand Oaks program has only been around for a couple of years, and a playoff berth would go a long way for this relatively new team. Funnily enough, Grand Oaks was founded to help ease the number of students going to Oak Ridge High School, so in a way, this is a rivalry game for them. To continue their recent string of success, the Grizzlies will rely on their top RB duo of Keilan Gause and Brian Victorian Jr. Both of these RBs have scored over 4 touchdowns this season, with Gause leading the team with 8. Gause also has 6 games with over 100 yards, giving him 861 rushing yards through 7 games. He is a key player for this team and essential to the offense moving forward. QB Grant Smith has also been performing well, throwing for 8 touchdowns and rushing for another 5. The only concern is his 3 interceptions, which could hurt the team if that number rises. WR Darnell Jackson Jr. has also been a standout as Smith’s main target, with a team-leading 285 yards and 4 touchdowns. If the offensive weapons can perform, Grand Oaks should be alright in this game. The defense has been solid too, with 3 shutouts this season and “holding” that tough College Park offense to 41 points, their second-lowest of the year. This team has shown they are ready to compete, and they will have a prime opportunity to prove they belong in this game.

Final Thoughts

This should be an intriguing matchup, as both teams come into this game with a chance to win. For Oak Ridge, it will depend on whether the defense can step up and the offense can find that second gear. Grand Oaks just needs to keep doing what they’ve been doing — running the ball well and shutting down opposing offenses as best they can. Whoever wins will only move closer to that 4th playoff spot both teams desperately want.