#20 Abilene Cooper Cougars |  Preseason Top 25 Home |  #18 Converse Judson Rockets

Coach: Mark Schmid
Mascot: Highlanders
Region: 2
District: 14-5A
2010: 10-1, D1 Bi-District (L Klein Oak, 14-31)

PROGRAM

The Woodlands, formerly Conroe McCullough, have made the playoffs every year since 1995.  From 1999-2003, the Highlanders won two regional championships and qualified for the D1 state finals in 2003.  Since then, they haven’t made it out of the second round despite fielding some very good teams in 2008 (9-2), 2009 (11-1), and 2010 (10-1).  The program produces plenty of talent and is well supported, so it’s really only a matter of time before the Highlanders make another deep run.

OFFENSE

Returning Offensive Starters: 2

Unit Rankings
Backfield:
Receivers:
Offensive Line:

Key Players
QB Lance Miles, Senior/Jayme Taylor, Junior
ATH Cooper Woodyard, Senior (6’1 180)
WR Blake Webb, Senior (’10 1st All-District)

Players to Watch
RB Randy Cooper, Senior (5’9 185)
RB Ryan Trauffler, Junior (5’10 170)
RB Garrett Harvey
RB Colton Wardle
OL Connor Wersterfer, Senior (6’6 285)
OL John Poston, Senior (5’11 270)
OL Matt Crewe, Senior (6’1 255)

DEFENSE

Returning Defensive Starters: 3

Unit Rankings
Defensive Line:
Linebackers:
Secondary:

Key Players
DE Mitchell Meyers, Senior (’10 1st All-District)
LB Garrett Hope, Senior (’10 2nd All-District)
LB Robbie Goldschmidt, Senior (6’1 230)

Players to Watch
DL Will Davidson, Senior (6’4 205)
LB Brandon Taylor, Senior (6’2 205)
LB Cole Little, Junior (5’10 185)
LB Jacob Turner, Senior (6’1 190)
DB Lane Lebouef, Senior (6’0 170)
DB Thomas Adams, Senior (5’11 180)

SCHEDULE

THE BOTTOM LINE

Offense: Much like Abilene, the Highlanders are basically starting over on this side of the ball.  Three year starter RB Daniel Lasco heads for the Cal Bears and QB Joseph Schneider also graduates leaving two key spots to fill. Four of five offensive line starters are also gone.  The Highlanders have several guys competing for the starting quarterback spot in junior Jayme Taylor, Cooper Woodyard, and Lance Miles.  The speedy and reliable Blake Webb gives the quarterback an option on the edge that can take it to the house at any given time. Woodyard is also a prime candidate to take over running back duties, along with Randy Cooper and Ryan Trauffler.

Defense: Although only three full time starters return, several more have seen a significant amount of playing time. The Highlanders should be strong in the front seven with guys like DL Mitchell Meyers (9.5 sacks) and LB Garrett Hope (67 tackles, 2 ints, 4.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles) returning.  Linebackers Robbie Goldschmidt and Brandon Taylor both played significant minutes last season rounding out a unit that should be the highlight of the team.

Overrated if: The right leadership doesn’t step up. Talent is never an issue in this program.

Underrated if: Lower expectations on paper work in their favor. This is a group that will have to earn it on the field and that could be what’s needed to get the Highlanders over the hump.