CONROE -- Go-to guy. Clutch performer. The man.
Whatever is used to describe a team's hero can be said about The Woodlands receiver Kyle Drabek.
In a high-scoring game with plenty of top-notch performances between No. 5 The Woodlands and No. 4 Humble, it would be the 6-1, 195-pound Drabek who would seal a 58-35 victory for the defending state finalist Highlanders on Friday night at Moorhead Stadium.
Drabek caught a 27-yard strike from Greg Meinzer with 3:55 left in the third quarter to give the Highlanders a lead they would not relinquish.
"I would say that made the difference," Humble coach Neal Quillin said. "He's a big-time player."
The Woodlands (2-1) began the game-clinching drive on its 10-yard line. On the first play from the line of scrimmage, Cameron Montgomery put the Highlanders at the 22 on a 12-yard carry. Meinzer then hit Drabek, who turned and reached high for the catch, at the Humble 46 for a 32-yard gain.
An Humble personal foul on the reception put the Highlanders at the Humble 31. After three rushing plays put The Woodlands at the 27, the home team faced fourth-and-seven, but Drabek dug deep for the game-clinching reception. A deep ball thrown in the end zone dropped right into Drabek's hands for a 38-35 Highlanders lead.
"I was just thinking catch it, because we needed it," Drabek said. "I was fortunate I caught it."
Drabek's catches can hardly be called fortunate. Since a season-opening victory over Eisenhower, Drabek has put in some work for the Highlanders.
"Every team has that go-to guy, and for us it's been Kyle," The Woodlands first-year coach Mark Schmid said. "He's been making great catches for us. He had two good ones for us on that drive.
"Our quarterback (Meinzer) has confidence in Kyle that he will make the catches. And Kyle makes the catches."
Humble (1-2) scored two third-quarter touchdowns to take a 35-31 lead midway through the quarter.
"I was proud of them for coming back for a while, and they didn't quit fighting," Quillin said. "There are some things we're going to have to get better at, and one of them is pass coverage."
Drabek finished with five receptions for 135 yards.
He also twice pinned the Wildcats at their one with 53- and 47-yard punts in the opening half.
The Highlanders' defense also caused two turnovers early in the game to jump to a quick 21-7 lead.
"After they scored on that first drive, we made some adjustments and got after them," Highlanders linebacker A.J. Montalvo said. "They're explosive and made a good comeback. But we dug deep."
TWHS humbles Wildcats
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