Harley Adams put together one of the best passing nights in Grand Oaks history, but it wasn't enough.
The Grizzlies fell 68-48 to undefeated district leader The Woodlands on Friday, Oct. 30, at Woodforest Bank Stadium in a game that featured 116 combined points. Grand Oaks dropped to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in District 13-6A play, according to Woodlands Online.
The loss puts Grand Oaks' playoff hopes squarely on the line heading into the regular-season finale.
Adams, the Grizzlies' junior quarterback, completed 26 of 39 passes for 364 yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions, according to his post-game breakdown on X. His offensive line did not allow a sack. Woodlands Online writer Parker Montgomery called Adams "brilliant despite the loss" and said the quarterback "put everything he had into this game."
Junior wide receiver Cam Hunt stepped into a larger role with Darnell Jackson Jr. absent and delivered. Hunt hauled in 11 catches for 197 yards and two touchdowns, according to Woodlands Online. Montgomery wrote that Hunt "looked like one of the best players on the field, making multiple fantastic catches and showing off incredible speed."
The Grizzlies' ground game, however, went quiet. Running back Kaden Carter had a touchdown run early but was limited the rest of the night, per Woodlands Online.
The Woodlands (8-1, 6-0 district) countered with a dominant offensive showing of its own. Quarterback Kaden Copelin went 17 of 23 for 291 yards and five passing touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Four different Highlander receivers found the end zone, led by Carter Cass with seven catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore running back Aldo Salinas rushed for 100 yards and a score.
The Woodlands entered the Week 11 state rankings at No. 19 in Class 6A, CW39 reported. The Highlanders have already clinched a playoff berth.
Grand Oaks now sits fourth in the district on a two-game losing streak, according to MaxPreps. The team's official account posted on X after the game that the Grizzlies are "needing one win to get into the playoffs."
Adams struck a similar tone. "Didn't get the result we wanted against The Woodlands, but we'll learn, keep working, and prepare for the next battle," he wrote on X. "Big thanks to my O-line and receivers for making these plays possible!"
Grand Oaks hosts Cleveland (2-7) in the regular-season finale at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 in a district game at home.
