FOOTBALL: Conroe wins district opener for first time in decade

Conroe defensive back Dy'terrius Ellis (5) reacts after the team’s 28-17 win over College Park during the fourth quarter of a District 15-6A high school football game at Woodforest Bank Stadium, Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, in Shenandoah. less Conroe defensive back Dy'terrius Ellis (5) reacts after the team’s 28-17 win over College Park during the fourth quarter of a District 15-6A high school football game at Woodforest Bank Stadium, Friday, Sept. ... more Photo: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Photo: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close FOOTBALL: Conroe wins district opener for first time in decade 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

SHENANDOAH — The Conroe Tigers were ready to play spoiler from the opening drive Friday night.

Playing at Woodforest Bank Stadium against College Park on its homecoming night, the Tigers came away with a big win and a notable win at that.

Conroe scored on its first two drives and came away with a 28-17 win over the Cavaliers to start District 15-6A.

The Tigers (2-1, 1-0) hadn’t opened district play with a win since 2009.

“It’s big,” Conroe coach Cedric Hardeman said. “I’m happy for the kids. The coaching staff did a great job creating a game plan. All the credit goes to my coaching staff and the senior leadership, they did a great job. They came out and believed.”

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for College Park (2-1, 0-1), which beat Aldine Davis and Aldine MacArthur in non-district play. The Cavaliers are 10-4 all-time against Conroe, but have dropped three contests to them since 2015.

“We didn’t play well,” College Park coach Lonnie Madison said. “We didn’t play well on offense, defense or special teams. When you don’t play well in all three phases...losses will happen.”

Conroe senior quarterback Christian Pack, who entered the night as the fifth-leading passer in all of Class 6A in Greater Houston, led his team to an opening drive score.

Pack faked a pair of handoffs and sprinted in an 18-yard score to cap an 11-play opening drive.

After a College Park three-and-out, Pack then found Marcus Thomas on fourth down. Pack hit him down the left sideline for the 14-0 lead at the 3:13 mark.

“We started off really well,” Pack said.”We had a couple really good drives, defense made a stop. We kind of got a little bit stagnant, but we know we had to pick it up. These guys (at College Park), we respect them and we knew they could come back on you if you give them the chance.”

Hardeman said he watched his team practice executing those opening drives during practice this week.

“I talked to be these guys about their preparation,” Hardeman said. “And that opening drive, I seen it all week. That’s our preparation. The ways those guys connect and the routes they run. The growth that we’ve seen over the last couple has been holding each other accountable.”

The Cavaliers responded after going down two scores.

Quarterback Ty Buckmon found tight end Cody Mladenka streaking down the middle of the field for a 57-yard touchdown reception.

After three drives resulting in punts, College Park added to its point total at the 3:54 mark of the second quarter when Andrew Lutz drilled a 38-yard field goal.

Conroe picked up the pace on its next drive and pieced together a seven-play drive. Once the Tigers got into the red zone, Pack rushed in his second score of the night from seven yards out for a 21-10 with just 1:03 to go before halftime.

The Cavaliers made the home crowd go crazy right out of halftime. Sophomore Holden Rook burst down the field for a 90-yard kick return.

Hardeman credited some teen leadership concepts taught by his assistant head coach Taylor Cobb for the Tigers keeping their cool in a tough environment after a potential game-breaking play like that.

“For the kids to have it, talk about it, and reap the benefits of it, I’m just happy for them to respond,” Hardeman said.

Conroe scored its final touchdown of the night with 5:01 left in the third quarter. Pack found Thomas for a second time to make it 28-17. The reception was from seven yards out and came on a botched punt attempt where the Cavaliers punter bobbled the ball and had his knee down after the ball was controlled. That set up Conroe from the Cavaliers’ 36-yard line.

College Park was held off the board the rest of the night, but came close to narrowing the score on a couple occasions.

College Park also intercepted Pack deep in Conroe territory in the fourth quarter to halt a long drive. Junior linebacker Nick Vetere returned the interception all the way down to the Conroe 40. From there, College Park had a six-play drive, but it ended on a field goal attempt where the holder tried to pass.

With seconds left in the game, Buckmon completed a 55-yard pass to Rook.

Senior rusher QuaJon Charles with 140 yards on 21 attempts for the Cavaliers. Buckmon threw for 164 yards.

College Park plays The Woodlands at Woodforest Bank Stadium next Friday.

“Like I told the kids,” Madison said.”It’s the third game of the season. Time to move on to the next game.”

Pack finished with 240 yards passing and 66 yards rushing. Thomas had nine receptions for 143 yards while Michael Phoenix had six catches for 75 yards.

“It’s really exciting,” Pack said.”We’re just putting in all the hard work and finally to be able to reap the benefits. You reaping what you sow is kind of a big part of our culture at Conroe High School. It’s really exciting and a really fun moment with my brothers.”

Conroe, who won last week over Aldine Davis, hosts Klein Oak at Moorhead Stadium.

Pack and the Tigers haven’t had a home game since Week 1 and are looking forward to the competition.

“I’m really excited about playing at home,” Pack said. “Klein Oak is a really good team, but I feel like if we execute and do our assignments on defense, we’ve got a shot.”

rtate@hcnonline.com