FROM LEFT: Highland Park 2024 football captains Jack Morse, Daniel Turner, Gage Clark, Anders Corn, and James Lancaster. MELISSA MACATEE
Newcomers Have Scots Optimistic About Depth of Offense
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
High turnover in the starting lineup is hardly unusual for Highland Park. It’s an annual challenge the Scots are adept at handling.
“There’s no doubt we’re all going to step up.”
James Lancaster
However, having a battle for the starting quarterback job linger into August does present atypical questions the HP offense will have to address. Plus, all of the skill players will be new for a unit looking to replicate its usual high-scoring proficiency.
Head coach Randy Allen is confident in the depth of the talent surrounding the new signal caller, whether it’s seniors
Sam Montgomery or Anderson Jackson, or an underclassman.
“We have some guys who are quality players who are used to winning,” Allen said. “As the season progresses, we’re hoping to get better because we’ll get more experience.”
After missing much of last season with an injury, James Lancaster is healthy and ready to take over as the primary running back.
Bryce Laczkowski is moving to cornerback, so all seven of the top receivers from last season are gone. Paxton Smith and Benton Owens should be top targets in the slot, while Brandon Lilly and Cannon Bozman will lead the outside threats, although the Scots will spread the ball around as usual.
“We have a bunch of young
PLAYER TO WATCH
guys, especially at the skill positions. We know that,” Lancaster said. “There’s no doubt we’re all going to step up.”
The offensive line has significantly more varsity experience. Grayson Davenport and Gage Clark both return on the right side, as does left guard Will Ogle. Stuart Allday shifts to left tackle.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Smith saw the most varsity action of any receiver returning from last season, with 12 catches for 152 yards. The 5-foot-11 Smith will be used in the slot. PaxtonSmith WR
CannonBozman WR
Chemistry, Leadership Fuel HP Defense’s Big Front Seven
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Unlike their offensive counterparts, the Highland Park defense is already battle tested, with many starters who have lined up against some offensive juggernauts at the Class 6A level.
“We’ve all gotten bigger and stronger and faster.”
Daniel Turner
With the Scots moving back to Class 5A Division I this fall, that experience should only strengthen a unit that surrendered an average of 15.5 points in its 11 wins a year ago. That’s especially true up front,
where HP is loaded with seasoned veterans in its 3-4 alignment. Returning linebackers include hard-hitting Anders Corn and Jack Morse, who will begin his third varsity campaign.
“He’s as good as any linebacker we’ve ever had,” HP head coach Randy Allen said of Morse, who recorded a team-high 93 tackles last year, including 14 for loss, with seven sacks.
Defensive end Daniel Turner is another returnee who will start alongside Hank Leigh and nose tackle Amin Elahmadi, who played a valuable reserve role in 2023.
The Scots should benefit from size and depth among their front seven, enabling them to rotate players, especially in the early-season heat.
“We’ve all gotten bigger and stronger and faster,” Turner said. “Having guys who know the ropes and know what it takes at every
PLAYER TO WATCH
S
The versatile McGinley emerged as a key playmaker and leader in the HP secondary last season, recording 48 tackles including several big stops.
position is huge.”
Jackson McGinley and Brady Ray each started last season at safety, although the cornerback spots are more of a question mark. One of the starters should be converted receiver Bryce Laczkowski.
“We’re really excited about our defense,” Allen said. “They were hard to move the ball on during the spring.”
2024 SCOTS VARSITY
ROSTER
2024 SCHEDULE
JV BLUE
JV GOLD
FRESHMAN BLUE
FRESHMAN GOLD
2024 OPPONENTS
ROCKWALL-HEATH
Thursday, Aug. 29
7 p.m. at Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium
Nickname: Hawks
Head coach: Rodney Webb (second season) 2023 record: 9-3 (5-1 in district)
Notable: The Hawks have won six playoff games during the past four seasons. Former Highland Park athletic director Webb has posted 10 straight winning seasons at four different schools. Heath lost most of its starters to graduation, meaning returnees such as QB Landen Dutka and WR Jackson Traa will assume expanded roles on offense.
LOVEJOY
Friday, Sept. 6
7 p.m. at Highlander Stadium
Head coach: Todd Dodge (first season) 2023 record: 12-2 (7-0 in district)
Notable: Lovejoy made a splashy hire by luring Dodge out of retirement to replace Chris Ross, who left for a college coordinator post. He takes over a program that has won 45 games over the past four seasons, including its first district title at the 5A level a year ago. Returning WR Daylan McCutcheon caught 92 passes with 19 touchdowns.
JESUIT DALLAS
Friday, Sept. 13
7 p.m. at SMU’s Ford Stadium
Head coach: Brandon Hickman (14th season) 2023 record: 8-4 (6-2 in district)
Notable: This neutral-site clash will be the third meeting between rivals whose campuses sit just six miles apart, after the Scots won a 15-13 defensive struggle in 2023. QB Charlie Peters returns after throwing for almost 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns. The Rangers return 18 starters, including RB Henry Bourret and WR Jaeger Krauss.
CHERRY CREEK (COLO.)
Friday, Sept. 20
7 p.m. at Highlander Stadium
Head coach: Dave Logan (13th season) 2023 record: 13-1 (5-0 in district)
Notable: The Bruins have won 14 state championships in Colorado, including five in the past decade in the state’s highest 5A classification. Behind returning QB Brady Vodicka, Cherry Creek fell to Columbine in the 2023 title game for its first playoff defeat in five years. Ex-NFL receiver Logan is also a radio broadcaster for the Denver Broncos.
TYLER
Friday, Sept. 27
7 p.m. at Highlander Stadium
2023
Notable: After a 4-0 start, Tyler stumbled in a tough district to miss the playoffs in back-toback seasons for the first time in 20 years. The Lions allowed just 13.2 points per game in their five non-overtime wins. QB Caden Granberry returns to lead the offense, as do hard-hitting twin linebackers D’Canaan and D’Crystian Sueing on defense.
Nickname: Leopards
Nickname: Rangers
Nickname: Lions
Head coach: Rashaun Woods (second season)
record: 6-4 (3-4 in district)
Nickname: Bruins
2024 OPPONENTS
RED OAK
Friday, Oct. 4
7 p.m. at Goodloe Stadium
Head
2023
12-1 (8-0 in district)
Notable: The Hawks soared to their first undefeated regular season in the 88-year history of the program. Plenty of firepower returns on offense, highlighted by speedy receivers Taz Williams and Brayden Robinson, who combined for 94 catches and 17 touchdowns. Red Oak posted a 5-0 mark in games decided by seven points or fewer.
JOSHUA
Friday, Oct. 18
7 p.m. at Ellis Stadium
CLEBURNE
Friday, Oct. 25
7 p.m. at Yellow Jacket Stadium
BURLESON CENTENNIAL
Friday, Nov. 1 7 p.m. at Highlander Stadium
MIDLOTHIAN
Friday, Nov. 8
7 p.m. at MISD Multi-Purpose Stadium
Notable: Joshua has suffered through 27 consecutive losing seasons since its most recent playoff appearance in 1996. The Owls averaged just 12.8 points per game, dropping their first nine contests before defeating Corsicana in the season finale. Eli Martinez and Brayden Payne are dynamic returnees in the runbased offensive scheme.
Notable: The Jackets have not made the playoffs since 2016 and have not won a postseason game since 1998. Cleburne averaged just 10.1 points per game and its seven losses came by an average margin of 34.7 points. A handful of experienced starters return, including QB Luke Stewart, RB Hayden Leifeste, and WR Malachi Cunningham.
Notable: Centennial has made 10 consecutive postseason appearances, including a run to the 5A Division I fourth round in 2022. The Spartans started 5-0, stumbled in a tough district, then narrowly lost to Red Oak in the playoffs. Most of the top returnees are on defense, such as LB Blaine Smith plus linemen Jack Long and Jaden Ferguson.
Notable: Midlothian’s recent resurgence included an unbeaten regular season and playoff run in 2022. Beau Wendel primarily played LB but will shift to QB in a run-based offense — taking over for older brother Drew, who started last year. The Panthers’ eight-game winning streak was snapped against Red Oak in the regular-season finale.
Nickname: Hawks
coach: Melvin Robinson (second season)
record:
Nickname: Owls
Head coach: Danny DeArman (fourth season) 2023 record: 1-9 (1-6 in district)
Nickname: Yellow Jackets
Head coach: Jim Woodard (third season) 2023 record: 3-7 (3-5 in district)
Nickname: Spartans
Head coach: Kyle Geller (13th season) 2023 record: 7-4 (5-3 in district)
Nickname: Panthers
Head coach: Doug Wendel (10th season) 2023 record: 8-3 (7-1 in district)
COULD REALIGNMENT HELP SCOTS RETURN TO GLORY?
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Perhaps the most critical adjustment during Highland Park’s offseason didn’t come in the weight room, on the practice field, or during a film or strategy session.
Thanks to the UIL’s biennial realignment process, the Scots will return to the Class 5A Division I ranks for 2024 after spending the past two seasons in the state’s largest 6A classification.
HP already has the blueprint, of course, after winning three consecutive 5A Division I state championships from 2016 to 2018, when most of the current players were youngsters dreaming of one day having the same opportunity.
“Our preparation is the same,” said longtime HP head coach Randy Allen. “Our district is tough enough as it is. Playoff-wise, there’s some really good teams in 5A. But we’re excited because we really think we have a chance to excel.”
“We’ve done it before. Our guys believe they can do it again.”
Moving the enrollment line won’t pay dividends in September and October — after all, HP went 19-1 during the regular season at 6A in 2022 and 2023 — but in November and December.
Coach Randy Allen
The last time the Scots dropped from 6A to 5A was in 2016. In each of the previous two seasons, they finished 10-2 yet were out of the playoffs before Thanksgiving.
gained a year earlier.
“The last time we jumped from 6A back to 5A, we were tough because we had really competed against some strong competition,” Allen said. “We were ready to play. I think that’s an advantage.”
During this offseason, the entire HP program watched a documentary about the 2016 and 2017 squads, and welcomed a visit from former Scots quarterback John Stephen Jones. The hope is that they, too, know what’s possible.
“That instilled a belief in how hard we need to work to get to that point,” said linebacker Anders Corn. “Our mindset is state championship or bust.”
shoulder,” said running back James Lancaster. “It motivates us to work hard to meet the expectations.”
One wrinkle for HP is the absence of an incumbent or heir apparent at quarterback. Whoever wins the starting job for the Scots, which might not be decided until days before the Aug. 29 season opener at Rockwall-Heath, will have taken zero snaps at the varsity level.
However, all four candidates — seniors Sam Montgomery and Anderson Jackson, junior Chuck Smith, and sophomore Buck Randall — have been in the program. And HP was unbeaten at every subvarsity level last season.
Being one of the largest schools in its division instead of one of the smallest should give the Scots an edge in the playoffs, and provide a higher ceiling while chasing a title.
That magical 2016 campaign saw HP make an underdog run to the crown by winning close games that might have been fueled by the experience
Even if expectations might be heightened this year, they are always high at HP, which has more victories all-time than any other program in Texas. A run to the state title game this year would likely include surpassing 900 wins.
The Scots also are looking for their 12th consecutive 10-win season, their 66th postseason appearance, and their 59th district championship.
“We just have a bigger chip on our
HP’s newcomers won’t have much time to acclimate, with a daunting front-loaded schedule that includes a visit from Colorado powerhouse Cherry Creek, a rematch with neighborhood rival Jesuit Dallas, and a district matchup at Red Oak.
“We’ve done it before. Our guys believe they can do it again,” Allen said. “Being state champs is our goal every year. We have to be careful to keep our focus on the game we’re playing and not think too far ahead.”
ROAD TRIPPERS
For the next two seasons, Highland Park is in a geographically diverse District 7-5A Div. I that will require extensive travel to road games. Here’s a look at the proximity of the competition.
Anders Corn and the Highland Park defense will be counted upon early in the season while the offense gains experience with a new quarterback.
CHRIS MCGATHEY
The Legend Continues
Randy Allen is set to begin his 26th season as Highland Park’s head coach. The Abilene native is the winningest active high school coach in Texas, and second all time, with several other milestones to his credit. He’s also won four state championships.
Earlier this year, Allen was given the prestigious Tom Landry Award — the highest annual honor given by the Texas High School Coaches Association — for his legacy as a significant contributor and positive role model for athletes and coaches alike.
Allen’s record with the Scots is a remarkable 293-36, meaning he should earn his 300th victory at the school sometime this season. Here are some other numbers:
446
Career victories, which puts him 44 behind retired all-time leader Phil Danaher (490).
44
Seasons as a high school head coach, including stops at Ballinger, Brownwood, and Abilene Cooper.
85
Playoff victories in his career, which ranks second all-time behind Danaher (93).
3
Total
23
Number of district titles (including shared) and number of seasons with at least 10 victories during his 25 years with the Scots. .891
His winning percentage at Highland Park, never having finished a season with more than two losses.
ALWAYS PUSHING F RWARD
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coaches who have won at least 400 games, including Danaher and G.A. Moore. Allen reached the rare milestone in 2019.
