Magnus Herndon loves the elements. On a Friday night at Woodforest Bank Stadium, the sky opened up, the rain poured down, and the senior defensive end of The Woodlands didn’t flinch. He just smiled.
“It’s crazy,” Herndon said, his white No. 11 Highlanders uniform completely drenched after a marathon of an evening. “I love the elements.”
Herndon and his teammates set the tone from the start, and The Woodlands rolled to a 39-7 victory against crosstown rival College Park. The two schools sit separated by about two miles, and their players grow up together in the South County Football League. That shared history made this matchup something special, and this time, the Highlanders emerged victorious.
The win moves The Woodlands to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in District 13-6A play. A Willis victory over Grand Oaks earlier in the day left The Woodlands as the lone unbeaten team in the district. The Highlanders are chasing their first district championship since 2021, and they now control their own destiny.
A Dominant First Half
After piling up 63 points on Willis the previous week, College Park’s offense looked to have serious momentum entering Friday’s game. But The Woodlands’ defenders were ready for the challenge, and they dominated from the opening whistle.
The Highlanders never let College Park find a rhythm, forcing three turnovers on the way to a 33-0 halftime lead. Matthew Johnson pulled down an early interception, Bryce Scott corralled a 32-yard pick six, and Nate Beagle jumped on a fumble before the intermission.
The game was delayed and disjointed because of lightning, but The Woodlands adapted quickly. Coach Jim Rapp credited a strong week of preparation.
“I thought we had a great week of practice and a great week of preparation,” Rapp said. “It’s probably been the best week we’ve had in a long time, but this year for sure. They knew what was in front of them because College Park is a great football team, and they’re very talented, so we knew we had to be on.”
The Quarterback Led the Way
Junior quarterback Kaden Copelin led the offensive effort with four total touchdowns. His contributions helped The Woodlands keep rolling even as the weather made things difficult.
The Highlanders finished the game with a 39-7 margin, showing the depth of their attack despite the wet conditions.
A Record Within Reach
Herndon has been a key contributor for The Woodlands this season. He stepped up as a senior team captain and recorded his sixth sack of the season late in the third quarter. He is now just two short of tying The Woodlands’ career record of 24.
That mark is held by Michael Purcell, who was a senior during The Woodlands’ run to state in 2016. Herndon’s pursuit of the record adds another layer to his already remarkable season.
From Second Team to Career Milestone
Herndon broke onto the scene last season, earning second-team All-Greater Houston honors with 64 tackles, 16 sacks, 30 quarterback hurries and five forced fumbles. He returned this year with a new frame.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot,” Herndon said. “I was only 195, 200 pounds last year playing at D-end, which is pretty crazy. But I’m up to 225 now, and I feel like I’ve grown a lot. I’m heavier in the run game now, and I’m not just a speed rusher off the edge.”
His coach sees the growth firsthand.
“Magnus is a great young man, first and foremost,” Rapp said. “You take football away, he’s a top-notch human being. He works as hard as you see him play on the football field. What you see with Magnus is what he is all the time. He picks stuff up on the sideline. He picks stuff up in the weight room. He picks stuff up in the locker room. He’s that guy. So he’s a great kid, and I couldn’t be prouder of him for his motor and how hard he plays.”
The Inspiration Behind the Game
Herndon’s dedication to the sport runs deeper than the field. He plays for his older brother, Will Herndon, who was diagnosed with juvenile Batten disease at the age of 6 back in 2009. It is a rare genetic disease that can progressively impact vision, cognition and motor skills.
Will’s parents, Wayne and Missy, established the Will Herndon Research Fund (HOPE) after the diagnosis. That fund has raised millions of dollars for research since.
Herndon calls Will his “why” for everything he does in life and in football. Will wasn’t able to be at the game Friday night like he usually is, but his younger brother could still feel him.
“I feel like he allows me to be a better person,” Herndon said of the bond. “He’s built me into the person that I am. He can’t walk that well, he can’t see, and he kind of thinks like a 6-year-old, so he watches Toy Story and Animal Kingdom. But I just love that he’s always with me. I’m always supporting him, he’s always supporting me, and I know he loves me.”
A Strong Week of Practice
Rapp noted that the defense had been a little overlooked after several key graduations from last year. But the unit came together Friday night.
“I just love the bond we have,” Herndon said of the defense. “That first game this season didn’t feel like we were really connected because we had a lot of young guys and a couple new coaches, but I definitely feel like that connection allowed us to succeed tonight.”
The chemistry showed in the numbers. The Highlanders forced three turnovers and dominated the first half, setting the stage for a comfortable win.
The Rain Didn’t Slow Him Down
The conditions were not ideal, but Herndon embraced them. His smile after the game spoke volumes about his attitude.
For a player chasing a record and leading his team, the weather was simply part of the experience.
What Comes Next
The Woodlands now sit atop District 13-6A with a chance to win the title. Herndon’s pursuit of the sack record continues, and his leadership has been a driving force for the team.
For The Woodlands, the moment is one of celebration. For Herndon, it is another step toward a goal he has set for himself. And for Will, who watches from home, it is just another reminder of why he does what he does.
The record is within reach, and the season is far from over.
| Fixture | Result |
|---|---|
| The Woodlands vs. College Park | 39-7 |
| Willis vs. Grand Oaks | Willis win |
| District 13-6A standings | The Woodlands 4-1, 2-0 |
The win puts The Woodlands in position to control their own destiny in the district. Herndon’s next sack would tie the program’s career record, and he has shown the growth to get there.
Source material: “Magnus Herndon leads The Woodlands past College Park in rain, with a school sack record in reach,” Yahoo Sports.
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