Despite a slow first quarter offensively and a 34-minute lightning delay halfway through the third quarter, No. 7 The Woodlands was able to fend off a desperate College Park team and clinch at least a share of the District 14-5A title on Friday night.

The Highlanders (7-2, 5-0) defeated the Cavaliers (4-5, 1-4) 31-10 at Woodforest Bank Stadium, officially eliminating College Park from playoff contention. The Woodlands has now won six consecutive games.

“This game, it’s a big rivalry game,” The Woodlands coach Mark Schmid said. “We’re so close together, everybody knows each other and we tried to prepare the kids all week for the emotion, to be able to ride the emotion, especially in the first quarter. College Park took the early lead, but hats off to our kids. They kept playing their game and really, really took over in the second half.”

The Highlanders were led by running back Patrick Carr, who carried 14 times for 187 yards and a pair of touchdowns (16 and 63 yards). click here for full story

College Park running back Nicholas Black gets tackled by The Woodlands defensive back TC Schneider during a high school football game Friday. The Woodlands defeated College Park 31-10. Go to HCNPics.com to view and purchase this photo, and others like it.

College Park defensive back Stephan Johnson tries the strip the ball from The Woodlands quarterback Chris Andritsos during a high school football game Friday. The Woodlands defeated College Park 31-10. Go to HCNPics.com to view and purchase this photo, and others like it.

The Woodlands quarterback Chris Andritsos gets past a College Park defender during a high school football game Friday. The Woodlands defeated College Park 31-10. Go to HCNPics.com to view and purchase this photo, and others like it.