Preview: The Woodlands Highlanders

Posted by KT2000 at September 1, 2008

Record: 1-0
The Woodlands 42 Cy Fair 0

District: 14-5A
Head Coach: Mark Schmid
Experience: 12 returning starters (4 offense, 8 defense)

Offense

WR Alex Tweedy, 6’0 180 (Sr.)
WR-QB Ryan Eastman, 6’2 215 (Sr.)
OL Chad Lindsay, 6’3 312 (Jr.)
TE Eric Wolfe, 6’2 225 (Sr.)

Defense

DL Loren Baker, 6’1 255 (Sr.)
DL Sean Finney, 6’1 225 (Sr.)
DE John Michael Cochran, 6’1 230 (Sr.)
DE Cameron Knight, 6’2 220 (Sr.)
LB Colin Renton, 6’0 205 (Sr.)
LB Clay Latimer, 6’1 210 (Sr.)
ATH Logan Rowe, 5’10 190 (Sr.)
CB Nick Adamo, 5’11 170 (Sr.)

The Highlanders started this season with more key returning talent than most teams in the state. The Woodlands’ young team struggled to a 3-8 record last year. Expectations are certainly higher in 2008 thanks to the return of so many top players. Eleven of the Highlanders’ 12 returning starters were all-district players in 2007. Tweedy, the team’s top receiver in 2007, injured his leg in 7 on 7 and is scheduled to return in district play.

The Woodlands passed its first test of the season impressively against Cy Fair (42-0 win). 36 of the 42 points were scored in the second half. The Woodlands’ first three scores came on plays of 40, 77 and 83 yards. They also returned an interception for a touchdown and blocked a punt to set up another score. The Highlander defense forced five turnovers and held the Bobcat running game to just 2.7 yards per carry. Cy Fair ran more than double the amount of plays (63) the Highlanders did (30). However, The Woodlands nearly doubled the total yardage (Highlanders- 360, Bobcats- 205).

Senior Andy McCloud (6’1 180) is one of the Highlanders’ new starters. McCloud won the starting job this off-season, and impressed at 7 on 7. McCloud has an accurate arm and can also move. Sophomore Daniel Lasco (6’0 175) completes the rebuilt backfield. Despite only being a sophomore, Lasco is already one of the fastest players in the state. He is drawing comparisons to Sam McGuffie because of his physical build and play style. Lasco burst onto the scene last year when he torched Westfield’s defense in the playoffs as a true freshman. Junior WR Randy Knust (6’4 175) is a new varsity starter. Knust is one of the players counted on to step up in Tweedy’s absence.

Junior OL Chad Lindsay is regarded as one of the top 2010 prospects in the country. Lindsay earned unanimous first team all-district honors as a sophomore starter in 2007. Senior WR-QB Ryan Eastman (6’2 215) is a big target in the passing game and also has a very good arm. Eastman will take snaps at QB because of his arm strength. Senior TE Eric Wolfe is another returning starter.

The Woodlands’ defense is in especially good shape with eight of 11 starters intact from last year’s team. This unit took lumps in a trial by fire last year, but they are expected to be much improved. The defensive line leads from the front with experience. This group will set the tone each week. They completely suffocated Cy Fair in their first game despite being on the field most of the game. Senior LB Colin Renton (6’0 205) and senior DB Logan Rowe (5’10 190) are two team leaders on defense. Rowe can play every skill position and will also get reps on offense. Rowe scored on an 83 yard TD catch against Cy Fair. He is an exceptional athlete.

General Thoughts

Overall, this is a very experienced Woodlands team that expects to improve greatly on last year’s disappointing result. This is a key season for The Woodlands’ program in the post-Weldon Willig era because they’ve played below expectations recently. The current varsity seniors are regarded as one of the most talented classes to step on campus. Throw in a young phenomenon like Lasco, and that’s why Highlander expectations are so much greater this season.

The Woodlands will certainly be more balanced than North Shore on offense. The Highlanders won’t pack the same power punch as the Mustangs, but they have much greater versatility.

This year’s Highlander defense is comparable to the 2006 unit as far as experience and talent are concerned. The Woodlands kicking game is usually good but not great. In past big games, mistakes (penalties and turnovers) have hurt the Highlanders worse than anything else. The fact they forced five turnovers against Cy Fair is an ominous sign, especially given Katy’s struggles against North Shore. The Tigers need to clean those mistakes up in order to even their record.