When Jeff Cheatham became the head coach of the Round Rock High School football team in June of 2010, the then successful Salado coach had an idea of what he wanted his new program to be like.

A little more than three years later, Cheatham has the Dragons in the area round the playoffs — the third straight season he’s done so — and playing a team that he wouldn’t mind resembling moving forward.

Round Rock (7-4 overall) plays The Woodlands (9-2) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Waco ISD Stadium. The Woodlands aren’t just familiar with the area round, the Highlanders practically treat Week 12 like it’s a given. The Highlanders are in the area round for the sixth time since 2004, the fifth time since 2008 and are looking for their first area round win since 2011, when they beat Westwood.

“They’re a solid football team,” Cheatham said. “I mean you just watch them, they’re just solid. They don’t have any weakness in the kicking game. They don’t make any mistakes offensively. And they’re going to be in the right spot defensively.”

The Woodlands are spurred by a dangerous multi-talented quarterback and a handful of running backs. The offense clearly wants to run the ball first, and has rushed for 2,303 yards this season. Armed with a 6.16 yards per carry average for a team, the Highlanders have to find a reason to pass. When they do, they’ve found one receiver at an alarming rate whose caught seven of the teams 10 passing touchdowns. Offensively, they’re patient and find the holes. click here for complete story