As the sun beat down on the fields behind The Woodlands High School on a mid-70s Monday afternoon, the boys soccer team was busy doing some light cardio exercises to kick off its practice.

“Just working the soreness out,” The Woodlands coach Hans Kleinschmidt said. “Everyone’s kind of beat up this time of year.”

Bumps and bruises aside, the Highlanders are ready to take on their next challenge. The Woodlands (18-1-3) will face off against Round Rock McNeil (11-5-5) at 8 p.m. tonight in a Region II-6A area round playoff game at A&M Consolidated High School in College Station.