MaxPreps Student Section: Oakridge vs. Conroe

On a beautiful Thursday night in northern Houston, Texas. Both teams came out looking for a big win. The game would prove to be physical, grueling, and dicey, as both teams played under the lights in a vital match for the Texas 14-5A  division. Both teams knew that this could be a win or die match in which the loser would reflect the outcome at the end of the season by watching the other in the playoff’s.

The game began with both defense’s stalling the opposite offense for minimal gains. Both teams started off with conservative play calling which proved the importance of this game, as neither team wanted to make the first mistake.  Before the first quarter of play ended, The Conroe Tiger’s struck first with an incredible 42 yard touchdown run by versatile running back/ linebacker Nick Miller. On this play the offensive line zone blocked, which opened up a huge gap in the defense, which put the Tiger’s up 7-0 over Oakridge.

The scored remained the same until the Oakridge offense scored it’s first touchdown on a 25 yard run by Torain Oakley. One of his three touchdown’s of the night for the star War Eagle running back. The half ended on this note, Oakridge and Conroe tied 7-7.

The second half started the same way as the first half did, with neither team wanting to make a costly mistake. On this night the punter’s were having a game of their own, as they pinned the opponent offense inside their own 25 yard line. But Oakridge running back Torain Oakley would not let this scenario affect him. In less than 3 minutes, Torain Oakley would score twice, the first on an 11 yard run to the left, and the second on a blown coverage with a spectacular 45 yard run to the right, just as the third quarter ended. In the second half, The War Eagle’s had managed to score 14 un-answered point’s, and a fourth touchdown would definitely seal the game in their favor. As the clock wined down, the pressure grew on the Conroe sideline.

As Oakridge began to celebrate, QB Ryan Cyr wanted to punch in another touchdown to end any hopes of a Tiger come from behind win. On a risky call, Cyr threw a 30 yard pass that was intercepted by senior defensive back Darrel Thomas. From then on, the game went downhill for Oakridge as Jordan Marah found Caleb Kroon in the end zone for his first touchdown of the night. With still time on the clock, the Oakride offense needed to gain a couple of first down’s in order to finish the game, but this time Torain Oakley would be denied, and Oakridge was forced to punt the ball.

As the time continued to tick, and the Oakridge defense denied Nick Miller any yardage with the run game. But the luck would change for Conroe, as QB Jordan Marah lobbed a jump ball into the end zone to Brandon Thomas, although the Oakridge defender had great positioning, Brandon Thomas anticipated the ball and caught the ball to give his team the touchdown.

With the game tied 21-21, all eyes, and pressure laid on Conroe kicker Brett Campagna, with no hesitation Campagna nailed the point after; giving his team the victory over Oakridge 22-21.

After this game, Conroe is looking to stay undefeated in district with a record of 1-0 against Lufkin (3-3 overall), meanwhile Oakridge with an overall record of (3-3) looks to pick up it’s first victory in district next week against The Woodlands.