Road To The Playoffs: College Park and Grand Oaks Are Set For A District Defining Thursday Night Game

THE WOODLANDS – It’s wild to think we only have a couple of games left before playoffs begin, and luckily there are still some great games down the stretch. This Thursday, we'll see a battle for 2^nd place in the district as the College Park Cavaliers take on the Grand Oaks Grizzlies at Woodforest Bank Stadium. Both teams are 3-1 in district, with the Grizzlies' 5-2 overall record just ahead of the Cavaliers' 4-3 overall record. This would be a season-defining win for either side, and it has all the makings for an exciting matchup.

The College Park Cavaliers: Back In The Saddle

Despite some early losses, the College Park Cavaliers have come back swinging in the latter half of the season. The Cavaliers have posted a 3-1 record since district play began, and a big win over the Willis Wildkats has been a major factor in their playoff push. A stinging loss to The Woodlands hurts their chances at a district title, but they are still in the thick of the playoff race and looking to get back to the postseason.

We’ve talked endlessly about this Cavalier offense and how it is one of the strongest in the district. With talent up and down the roster, this team is built to make a run in the playoffs, but getting there has been half the battle.

The Cavaliers' passing attack, led by QB Camden Hughes, has been turning things up over the past couple of weeks. The senior QB has amassed 1,084 yards through the air, accounting for 15 TDs and only 3 INTs. A minor injury sidelined him early, but Hughes has returned looking mostly like his 2025 self and will remain a pivotal part of this offense.

He has some of the best WRs in the district to throw to, with senior wideout Julian Cromartie as the star of this offense. Cromartie deservedly won our Woodlands Church Athlete of The Week last week, and his performances have kept this Cavalier team alive. 10 of the 15 TD passes Hughes has recorded have been to Cromartie, with the wideout recording 29 catches for 665 yards in the process.

Beside Cromartie are WRs Brian Snodgrass and Nik Ensminger, who have made their own impact throughout the season. Snodgrass briefly filled in for Hughes at QB, but his true strength lies as a big-bodied WR, with 22 catches for 300 yards and 3 TDs. Ensminger has also been making a name for himself these past few weeks, with the junior WR recording 12 catches for 121 yards and a TD. The only thing missing from this passing attack is RB involvement, as that was such a strong part of their offense last season and hasn’t been as present this season.

Speaking of those RBs, we’ve talked extensively about this backfield duo and how much they impact the game. Duke Stephens lights the ground on fire whenever he rushes, and he’s the other player likely to break off a big-yardage play at any moment. Stephens leads this team in rushing with 690 yards and 7 TDs, making him the main focal point of this rushing attack. Right next to him is Antonio Booker, who uses his powerful running to break through opposing defenses and gain key yards. His 390 yards and 4 TDs on the ground might not be as high as Stephens’, but he’s still a dangerous back to face and is a key part of a strong rotation that keeps both RBs fresh. Expect both guys to be big factors against the Grizzlies.

Defensively, the Cavaliers have had their troubles, but much like the offense, they are turning things around later in the season. LBs like Brandon Claybaugh and Lucas Richard are key to this front 7, serving as the wrecking balls who can make tackles all over the field. On the line, RJ Wyms and Jordyn Grant anchor a line that can pressure opposing QBs quickly if the O-Line isn’t at its best. Secondary players like James Cabarrus are key to shutting down opposing receiving threats and have really turned things up in recent weeks. We’ve seen them perform well against a strong offense, but consistency hasn’t been this team’s strongest attribute, and the scheme can really affect how they play. Still, this Cavalier defense has the talent to succeed and could be very dangerous when playoff time rolls around.

Cavaliers To Watch

• #11 WR Julian Cromartie
• #12 QB Camden Hughes
• #0 RB Duke Stephens
• #98 DE RJ Wyms

Grand Oaks: Hunting For A Signature Win

The Grand Oaks Grizzlies have had a great season so far, entering this week's matchup with a 5-2 overall record. They’re still hunting for that signature win, though, as their last shot against Willis fell flat and they have yet to beat any of the other top contenders in the district. A win here against College Park would be a major milestone for this program and could signal they are here to stay as annual postseason contenders.

The offense has been solid all season, getting the job done on the ground and through the air. Much like last season, the offense is powered by an elite rushing attack that can hit opponents hard. Any one of these backs is liable for a big run in every game, and it wouldn't be surprising to see one break off here.

The Grizzlies QB, Harley Adams, has had a solid 2026 season, as he’s been a steady part of both the pass and run games. Through the air, Adams has put up impressive numbers, throwing for 1,234 yards, 14 TDs, and 3 INTs. On the ground, he’s amassed 244 yards and a TD. He hasn’t been perfect, but he’s still got another year, and so far, Adams has looked like the answer for Grand Oaks under center.

The receiving corps is surprisingly deep. 7 different players have 6 or more catches this season, with plenty more seeing action throughout the season. Leading the pack is star WR Darnell Jackson Jr., who has caught 28 passes for 515 yards and 8 TDs. Jackson combines elite speed with excellent hands, making him one of the district's best downfield threats, and he’s had huge plays in multiple games this season.

Right beside Jackson is Brandon Francis, who has quietly been putting up great numbers as the 2nd option, with 14 catches for 249 yards and 3 TDs. Other guys, like TEs Ethan Vera and Preston Nickel, are valuable parts of the pass game and have seen plenty of usage. Grand Oaks loves to use TEs, and that could be an asset moving forward.

The ground game defined the Grizzlies in 2025, and it's no different this season. Like their opponents in College Park, the Grizzlies employ a powerful RB duo that can gash teams on any play. Leading the charge is junior RB Kaden Carter, who has broken out this season as the offense's lead back. Carter has put up impressive numbers, rushing for 545 yards and 6 TDs, while also recording 3 100+ yard performances. Right behind him is Brian Victorian Jr., who has been having a solid season with 276 yards and 3 TDs as the 1B. Both players can have a big impact on the game, and if they break off a big run, it could be the turning point.

On defense, the Grizzlies have been solid all season, with multiple players stepping up to make big plays. Players like Karter Ross, Jase Sutton, Zion Rollins, and Tavarus Curry make plays on this defense, with plenty more behind them. Ross currently leads this team in overall tackles with 56, while Curry leads the team in sacks with a staggering 8 on the season. This team can put pressure on opposing offenses, with plenty of speed and strength to match up with many contenders. Still, they haven’t had a defining game to hang their hats on this season, and they struggled against an Oak Ridge team that is much lower in the standings a few weeks ago. How they come out against College Park might be the biggest factor in this game.

Grizzlies To Watch

• #13 QB Harley Adams
• #6 WR Darnell Jackson Jr.
• #2 RB Kaden Carter
• #74 DE Tavarus Curry

Final Thoughts

As we rapidly approach the postseason, spots are filling up and contenders are making playoff pushes. Both teams would love to return to the playoffs, so expect them to come out swinging. For College Park, a win here would cement their status as true contenders in the district and show they can carry strong performances from week to week. For Grand Oaks, this would be a program-defining win and put them in prime position for a top spot in the district standings. The Grizzlies haven’t always shown up in these types of games. They are usually very good but struggle against the true contenders in District 13. Hopefully, both teams show up ready to go because this one could be fun if they do.