Highlanders escape Forest in OT
By: Howard Roden , Contributing Writer 10/09/2004
For the second time in less than a week, The Woodlands ventured into its Little Stadium of Horrors. This time, however, the Highlanders escaped - just barely - with their playoff lives.

Backup tailback Chris Burns bulled his way for a five-yard touchdown run in the first overtime Friday night and rescue a 35-28 District 14-5A thriller over Klein Forest at Klein ISD Memorial Stadium.

The Highlanders (4-2, 2-1) may not retain their No. 10 spot in the Class 5A state rankings after the way they struggled past the Golden Eag-les (1-4, 0-3). But they can at least keep their eyes fo-cused on a postseason prize.

Like last weekend's loss to Klein, the Highlanders appeared headed for another self-destruction. Seemingly in control by 15 points early in the third quarter, they lost three of four fumbles and made countless special teams miscues. Unlike last weekend, they found a way to exorcise their personal demons.

"There was a lot of adversity. We saw a lot of that last week (against Klein)," said The Woodlands head coach Mark Schmid. "The great thing about tonight is that the kids' character really came through. They were able to fight through all the bad things. They never quit, and that's what makes this game so memorable.

"But I don't want to come back here for a while," he added, smiling.

The Highlanders couldn't afford to smile with 9:50 remaining in regulation. Trailing 28-21, TWHS evened the score with a five-play, 80-yard drive. Burns' 65-yard catch-and-run from quarterback Greg Meinzer put the Highlanders at the Forest 11 yard-line. Fullback Josh Martinek reached the end zone on three straight runs, the final from a yard out with 7:41 remaining.

It appeared the Highlanders would escape with victory in regulation. Linebacker A.J. Montalvo recovered a fumble by Klein Forest running back Palmo Vincent at the TWHS 31 with 5:12 to play. TFrom there, they drove to the Golden Eagles' eight yard-line with eight seconds remaining.

The key play was Taylor Grote's spectacular diving catch on third-and-13 after a Meinzer pass attempt had bounced off the hands of tight end Kyle Anderson. Two runs by Burns moved TWHS to eight, but Jacob Gibbons' 25-yard field goal attempt on fourth down just missed to the left with eight seconds left.

Klein Forest began the overtime on offense, but quarterback Derrick Jacobs was sacked for a five-yard loss on third down. Michael Capparelli, the Golden Eagles' strong-legged kicker, easily booted a 42-yard field goal. However, the right side of the Eagles' line clearly moved before the snap, and Capparelli's attempt from 47 yards was well short and to the right.

It took just four plays for The Woodlands to secure the win. Burns, who finished with 35 hard-earned yards on 14 carries, picked up four yards. Meinzer tried to thread a pass into triple coverage to wide receiver Kyle Drabek in the end zone. On the next play, the pair hooked up for a 16-yard gain to the five.

Following the blocks of Martinek and linemen Tom Grubin, Brian Meyer, R.C. Fairchild, Chris Fuzzell and Marshall Jordan, Burns had little trouble reaching the end zone and igniting a wild celebration by TWHS players, coaches and fans.

As they did against Klein, the Highlanders dominated the first half against Klein Forest, yet led by only seven points (13-6). Tailback Cameron Montgomery (133 yards on 22 carries) capped TWHS' opening drive from four yards. But the second possession ended with a fumble as Meinzer was sacked, and Forest lineman L.D. Aubrey scooped up the football at the TWHS one.

The Woodlands' 14-play, 83-yard drive dominated the second quarter. Martinek literally dove over from a yard out for the TD with 53 seconds left.

A hair-raising finish seemed unlikely after the way the Highlanders opened the second half. Aaron Rhea bobbled the kickoff was tackled at his own one. Lineman Jon Derrick and linebacker Craig Hendrix raced through to tackleVincent for a safety on the next play.

The Highlanders capitalized on the free kick. Montgomery, who played flawlessly up to that point, gained 55 yards, including his three-yard TD with 9:29 left in the third quarter.

But just as quickly, the Highlanders collapsed. Over the 12 minutes, they lost two fumbles, suffered a bad snap on a punt attempt and had another punt blocked. The offense failed to gain a first down.

Meanwhile, Klein Forest converted those mistakes into three touchdowns and its 28-21 lead.


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