14 April 2022 | parkcitiespeople.com
Sports
VERSATILE HP MIDFIELDER CONTINUES FAMILY LEGACY
Krejs hopes senior class can help Scots achieve historic playoff success By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
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ack Krejs has played just about every conceivable position on the soccer field for Highland Park, which is appropriate considering his multifaceted devotion to the program. Krejs is eager to help lead Scots back to playoff prominence in his senior year, which also will be the latest campaign for a family legacy that spans multiple generations. His father, Patrick, played for the Scots’ state runner-up team in 1987, which still is the best season in school history. His uncle played for HP, too, and so did older brother, Patrick Jr., who graduated in 2020. One of his cousins plays for the HP girls squad. “That’s always been in my mind, to carry on what my dad and my older brother did,” said
Jack Krejs. He played alongside his brother for a few games during his sophomore season when Jack split the year between the varsity and junior varsity levels. “I remember my mom got a little emotional because it was the only time Patrick and I got to play together,” he said. “That was a really cool experience.” That was in the first season for HP head coach Salvador Richie, who has engineered a turnaround that resulted in the Scots earning their first district title in more than two decades in 2021. One key to that success has been the versatility and toughness of Krejs, who lines up primarily at center midfielder. Although slightly undersized for his position, the senior’s energy and tenacity are infectious. “I would like to have 10 of Jack and a goalkeeper, and we’ll be fine,” Richie said. “If there’s an in-
We still have a lot more that we can accomplish. Jack Krejs
dividual battle to be won, Jack will do it. He knows he’s going to get hammered, but he’s fearless and keeps battling.” As this year’s team closes in on another District 13-5A championship, Krejs said the Scots are determined to make amends after an early playoff exit last season. “That’s been the mentality all year,” he said. “Nobody wanted to feel how we felt after last season. We still have a lot more that we can accomplish.” HP’s collective hunger adds to the personal motivation for Krejs, whose brother endured some rough seasons that helped provide a foundation for the program’s current upward trajectory. The ultimate prize would be avenging his father’s 1-0 loss to San Antonio Alamo Heights in 1987 — well before Jack was even born. “Hearing him talk about that throughout my childhood makes me want to get there and finish what he started,” Krejs said. “I truly believe that we’re capable of going that far.”
Senior midfielder Jack Krejs is the fourth member of his family to play for the boys soccer program at Highland Park. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY)
Championship Drive: Scots Look to Extend Record Streak at State By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
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Last spring, Highland Park sent 10 golfers to the boys golf state tournament, and all 10 wound up on the podium. Repeating that feat — and continuing its unprecedented run of Class 5A dominance — will require a younger lineup to step to the fore. Only half of last year’s state participants are back for a Scots roster that includes just three seniors. However, for a program that prides itself on reloading, a fifth consecutive 5A state title and state-record 23rd overall is still the goal and the expectation. “None of our seniors have had to be at the forefront of the program, and they’ve really responded,” said HP head coach Erik Henson. FROM LEFT: Mack Duvall, Will Blankenship, Robert Boyce, Christian Clark, Jacob Pletcher, He credits Division I college sign- Preston Cooper, Martin Kemp, Brooks Simmons, Jackson Muncy, and Joe Stover. (COURTESY PHOTO) ees Christian Clark (SMU) and Joe Stover (Texas A&M), as well as fellow seHP appears to have rounded into form Cooper, who played on HP’s second team nior Mack Duvall, for steering the Scots during the spring, convincingly capturing at the 2021 state tournament yet emerged through some rough results in the fall. a team title at the 5A State Preview tour- as the individual champion. “When Preston is playing with free“It was a little rocky. We didn’t play up nament in Georgetown in early March. to our expectations,” Henson said. “Last That enabled the Scots to experience suc- dom and belief in what he’s doing, the year, we leaned on our seniors pretty heav- cess on the same course — White Wing hole is as big as a basketball hoop,” Henily, and Christian and Joe were1 able to play Golf Club — where they will look to de- son said. “He’s another guy we can lean PCP_Apr2022_Banner-Final.pdf 2/28/2022 11:17:17 AM with a little more freedom. They’ve found fend their crown on May 9-10. on.” their footing.” Another golfer to watch is junior Preston Then there’s freshman Brooks Simmons,
D AT E S T O K N O W Highland Park’s road to another 5A state golf championship will feature three hurdles: Tournament
Date
Site
District 13-5A Mar. 29-30
Rusted Rail, Crandall
5A Region II Apr. 18-19
Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club
5A State May 9-10
White Wing, Georgetown
who has become a staple in the HP lineup at just 14, showing the poise and maturity of a seasoned veteran. “He’s figured out the hard part of the game,” Henson said. “As he continues to develop his swing, he’s going to be dangerous in the next few years.” Many of their 5A foes might be relieved that the Scots are jumping to Class 6A after this season. But HP hopes to use its depth to claim one more title on the way out. “Whoever is in the lineup believes they can be relied upon. The guys have done a great job of playing team golf — putting the team before yourself,” Henson said. “We have a tradition to uphold and protect.”
