Sports

VERSATILE HP MIDFIELDER CONTINUES FAMILY LEGACY

Krejs hopes senior class can help Scots achieve historic playoff success

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers

Jack 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

We still have title in more than two decades in a lot more 2021. that we can One key to that success has accomplish. been the versa Jack Krejs tility 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 individual 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

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.

He credits Division I college signees Christian Clark (SMU) and Joe Stover (Texas A&M), as well as fellow senior Mack Duvall, for steering the Scots through some rough results in the fall.

“It was a little rocky. We didn’t play up to our expectations,” Henson said. “Last year, we leaned on our seniors pretty heavPCP_Apr2022_Banner-Final.pdf 1 2/28/2022 11:17:17 AM ily, and Christian and Joe were able to play with a little more freedom. They’ve found their footing.”

HP appears to have rounded into form during the spring, convincingly capturing a team title at the 5A State Preview tournament in Georgetown in early March. That enabled the Scots to experience success on the same course — White Wing Golf Club — where they will look to defend their crown on May 9-10.

Another golfer to watch is junior Preston

FROM LEFT: Mack Duvall, Will Blankenship, Robert Boyce, Christian Clark, Jacob Pletcher,

Preston Cooper, Martin Kemp, Brooks Simmons, Jackson Muncy, and Joe Stover. (COURTESY PHOTO) Cooper, who played on HP’s second team at the 2021 state tournament yet emerged as the individual champion. “When Preston is playing with freedom and belief in what he’s doing, the hole is as big as a basketball hoop,” Henson said. “He’s another guy we can lean on.” Then there’s freshman Brooks Simmons, DATES TO KNOW

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.”

Isner Brings Star Power to Inaugural Pro Tournament at SMU HP resident fills multiple roles by serving as player and ambassador at Dallas Open

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers

John Isner’s tennis legacy includes more than a decade as a top player and fan favorite on the ATP Tour and philanthropic contributions off the court.

In February, the Highland Park resident expanded his efforts as an ambassador for the sport as the unofficial host of the Dallas Open at SMU.

Hard-hitting Reilly Opelka won the singles title in the inaugural event, formerly known as the New York Open, in straight sets over fellow American standout Jenson Brooksby. Former President George W. Bush participated in the pre-match coin toss.

Isner was eliminated in the semifinals in both singles and doubles, where he was partnered with Jack Sock. But the lanky 36-yearold provided plenty of thrills for his supporters at the Styslinger/ Altec Tennis Center, especially during a semifinal thriller against Opelka.

With both players standing nearly 7 feet tall, the two men traded 60 aces over two sets and set a new ATP Tour record with a second-set tiebreak that lasted

The crowd was definitely behind me. John Isner

Highland Park resident John Isner looks forward to helping the Dallas Open grow in a tennis-loving community. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY)

for 46 points. Opelka, 24, won the marathon 24-22 after also securing a first-set tiebreak.

“The crowd was definitely behind me,” Isner said. “It’s kind of extra disappointing to not be able to get over the line in my backyard.”

With multiple international players withdrawing shortly before the tournament, it became a showcase for elite American players. Opelka, Isner, and Taylor Fritz are all ranked among the top 30 in the world. The Dallas Open was the first ATP event with four American singles semifinalists since 2004. “You love any tournament you win, but Dallas has been great,” said Opelka, who won his third career ATP title. “I look forward to being back here next year.”

Isner helped recruit the field to the tournament held only minutes from the house he shares with his wife, Madison, and their three children. He practices at the SMU facility regularly when he’s in town, and his foundation was one of the event’s beneficiaries.

“It’s cool at this stage of my career to be involved and be a small part of making this event successful. It has a lot of room to grow,” Isner said. “This is my home. This is where all of our family roots are now. It’s pretty amazing to have this tournament here. To see it come to fruition like this and to see it be so successful fan-wise is excellent.”

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