State Playoffs 2nd Round: The Woodlands Highlanders Face Off Against The Klein Collins Tigers In A Budding Rivalry

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Last week, the Woodlands Highlanders defeated Benjamin Davis 24-0, showcasing a significant improvement on offense. Their defense also played exceptionally well, shutting down the Davis offense and helping secure a solid win in the first round. Now, the Highlanders will return to W.W. Thorne Stadium to face Klein Collins, a team they know all too well. This was once a game the Woodlands dominated, but over the last four meetings, their record against the Tigers is tied at 2-2. In fact, the last time they played in 2023, The Woodlands narrowly won with a score of 28-27. Klein Collins already beat Willis earlier this year, making them a strong contender for The Woodlands in this second-round matchup.

The Woodlands Highlanders: Heating Up At The Right Time?

It was an impressive showing for the Highlanders last week as they took care of Benjamin Davis in dominant fashion. They will look to continue that performance this week as they head into the second round against a familiar opponent in Klein Collins. Historically, The Woodlands sports a 7-2 record against Klein Collins, but since 2018, the Highlanders have won only once. QB Jack Daulton aims to lead The Woodlands to recapture their dominance over this opponent. Daulton has been exceptional this season through the air, surpassing 1700 yards last game with 18 TDs. He also makes his presence known on the ground, rushing for 538 yards and 7 TDs. If Daulton is playing as hot as he was last game, it could be tough for the defense to contain him. Joining him in the backfield are RBs Jason Haskins and Cody Jordan. Haskins has stepped up since Jordan went down earlier this season, recording over 650 rushing yards and 8 TDs since taking over the starting role. Jordan has returned but played little in last week's game; he is suited up and gradually working his way back to full health for the rest of the playoffs. If Jordan can be healthy and available for this week’s game, The Woodlands' rushing attack will be a major threat. In the passing game, Daulton distributes the ball to various WRs, including Eli Lancaster, Jamieson Gavin, Colton Weddel, Peyton Dipasquale, and Carter Cass, all of whom have been key contributors. Any of these players could have a breakout game at any time. Defensively, The Woodlands is one of the best at keeping opponents out of the endzone. They shut down Benjamin Davis last week, recording 2 interceptions and multiple tackles for loss. Key players like Caycen Bartolazzi, Parker Stewart, Luke Podowski, Cole Carlin, Jabaric Sullivan, and Jy’Ree Jefferson define this tough defense. They will challenge any offense they face, including Klein Collins. Overall, a balanced approach is key, and with the Highlanders heating up in recent weeks, a third-round appearance is well within reach.

Klein Collins Tigers:

Coming into this game after a 37-27 win over Bridgeland, Klein Collins appears to be one of the top teams on this side of the bracket. They finished the season with a 9-1 record, winning their district title and experiencing only a close loss to Klein Oak mid-season. This team is formidable, featuring a dangerous rushing attack that we saw earlier in the year against Willis. QB Braydon Schoggin leads in both passing and rushing, throwing for 1,722 yards and 13 TDs, while rushing for 852 yards and 21 TDs. He is a dangerous player similar to The Woodlands’ own Jack Daulton and will be a key player the Highlanders must shut down to win. Alongside Schoggin, Collins has multiple RBs with over 300 yards, including Jai’Shaun Jackson (401 yards, 2 TDs), Randall Jackson (309 yards, 8 TDs), Tyce Hudson (510 yards, 6 TDs), and Da’Marcus Jones (341 yards, 4 TDs). As you can see, Klein Collins prides itself on its ability to run the ball with various runners, and this carousel of backs will be another important factor for the Highlanders to contain. While they don’t pass as often, they are still capable, with WRs Aiyden Benford and Ty’Drick Finley being the main targets downfield. The defense is solid too, keeping games close and not allowing many points. They are vulnerable, however, as they narrowly edged past Magnolia and Tomball, the other two dominant teams in their district. Still, they demonstrated their strength earlier in the year when they blew out Willis, a team The Woodlands lost to, positioning them as one of the best 6A teams in the state. It will be a tough challenge for The Woodlands, but they have the ability to compete and shut them down.

Final Thoughts:

This is yet another tough game for a District 13 team, as Klein Collins remains one of the top contenders in this side of the bracket. The Woodlands has been playing better recently, and if they can maintain this hot streak, they have a good shot in this game. I would call this a rivalry of sorts, as both teams have a lot of experience competing against each other over the past few years, and anything can happen in these types of matchups. If The Woodlands can keep the ball in their offense's hands and prevent Collins from using up a lot of clock like they did against Willis, I like their chances. A win here would be a big boost for the program and could send them to the third round, where they would face the winner of Rockwall-Heath and Duncanville. I’m sure the Highlanders want another shot at Duncanville, who seems to always have their number, so they will be motivated to win this game.