Park Cities People 2019 Football Preview

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September 2019   @pcpeople |  @peoplenewspapers | parkcitiespeople.com

MELISSA MACATEE

TITLE TRADITION

SCOTS SEEKING HISTORIC FOURTH STRAIGHT CROWN

ParkCitiesPeople 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW



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September 2019 | 3B

MORRIS, HP READY FOR NEW CHALLENGE By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

W

hen you’re trying to repeat a state championship run, a returning quarterback is usually a good place to start. So even as Highland Park fills in some holes elsewhere in its offense, Chandler Morris will continue to guide the Scots with both his arm and his legs. Morris passed for more than 4,000 yards and 46 touchdowns with just six interceptions during a remarkable junior campaign. He also rushed for 20 scores. “Chandler is a great leader,” said HP head coach Randy Allen. “The chemistry and familiarity he has with the receivers will really help us with our timing and rhythm.”

Morris, who is verbally committed to Arkansas — where his father, Chad Morris, is the head coach — will have plenty of familiar faces around him as HP looks to duplicate its undefeated 2018 run. Several receivers with significant big-game experience are back. Ben Smith was second on the team with 44 receptions last year. Drew Scott caught seven touchdown passes. Case Savage and Paxton Anderson played prominent roles as juniors. “We might be a little deeper at the skill positions,” Scott said. “We have so many weapons in the backfield.” Hunter Heath is the top returnee at running back, although Will Anderson and Doak Walker also are likely to split carries. There are questions along

PLAYER TO WATCH

PROBABLE STARTERS Chandler Morris, QB

Paxton Anderson, WR

Hunter Heath, RB

At 5-foot-6, the speedy Heath will step into a more prominent role after serving as a capable backup last year, when he gained 425 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

Case Savage, WR

the offensive line, where four of last year’s starters graduated. The exception is Jack Rourke, who will move to left tackle. Three juniors could get starting nods at the other spots, with senior Dray Schmidt at center. Will Gibson, LG

Drew Scott, WR

Ben Smith, WR

Jack Rourke, LT

Dray Schmidt, C

Sam Morse, RG

Henry Hagenbuch, RT


4B | September 2019

parkcitiespeople.com

CROWNED PRINCE: INSIDE DORBAH’S LONG ROAD TO GRIDIRON GLORY

MELISSA MACATEE

Highland Park defensive end Prince Dorbah recorded 21 sacks last season and was named the defensive MVP in the Class 5A Division I state championship game. He’s also a basketball standout for the Scots. MELISSA MACATEE

By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

I

n almost four decades as one of the state’s most successful football coaches, Randy Allen never had a player recruited by the University of Texas — until Prince Dorbah came along. That speaks volumes for where Dorbah ranks among the greatest defensive players in Highland Park history. The elite defensive end, who already has two Class 5A Division I state championships with the Scots, has verbally committed to play for the Longhorns beginning in 2020. For Dorbah, the journey to Austin has been much longer than a three-hour drive down Interstate 35. It started 18 years ago in Cote d’Ivoire, a western African nation torn apart by civil war. “I still don’t know where I would have been if it wasn’t for my brother and the family that took me in,” Dorbah said. His older brother, Junior, didn’t play much in two seasons for HP, but his role as a mentor for Prince off the field has been vital. They were sent to the United States when Prince was 3. They settled with an aunt forced to care for five boys in a cramped three-bedroom apartment in Vickery Meadow, where

COURTESY PHOTO

they primarily spoke their native French. Their mother died of illness not long after the siblings fled, and their father later disappeared. One of Prince’s cousins had friends in the Park Cities. Prince started tagging along and wound up befriending Tyler Kilgus, who was a year older. He spent one night at the Kilgus house, then a weekend, and then almost every weekend. “I felt like I belonged there,” Prince said. “They treated me like their own son when they took me in.” By seventh grade, Alphie and Kari Kilgus had arranged to become Prince’s guardians. He enrolled at Highland Park Middle School, which was a difficult transition at first. “I sat in the class, and there was a whole bunch of kids I had never seen before,” he said. “But as the years went by, I made a lot of friends.” Prince has always been tall and athletic, so he gravitated to basketball. He joined a select team and dreamed of one day landing

a college scholarship on the hardwood. “Basketball had always been my passion,” Prince said. “I didn’t see the potential in me playing football.” HP football coaches and players thought otherwise, which is why they dragged him out of bed as a freshman and into the weight room for conditioning sessions. By the following year, he was a starter on the varsity team. He was still lanky and raw but recorded 10 sacks as a sophomore. He picked up his first NCAA Division I scholarship offer from Oklahoma State. Other schools took notice. Junior created a Twitter account for Prince to handle the exposure. As a junior, Prince emerged as one of the top defensive linemen in the Dallas area. He recorded 81 tackles and 21 sacks and earned defensive MVP honors in HP’s victory over Alvin Shadow Creek in the state championship game. Tyler Kilgus was the starting center for the Scots in that game. “He’s played against some of the best competition, and he’s bigger, faster, and

Every good story starts with a struggle and winds up with somebody shining at the end. Prince Dorbah

stronger now than he has been,” Allen said. Prince has shown progress elsewhere, too. His early academic struggles at HPMS puzzled teachers and family members until he learned the diagnosis — dyslexia. “I always got distracted and sidetracked easily,” Prince said. “I was making it hard on myself. I just paid attention and had some caring teachers.” These days, his grades are better than ever. Another vote of confidence came when Prince was named one of six HP captains by his teammates during the offseason. He’s become one of the first to arrive for workouts, has a better attitude and work ethic, and is a more vocal leader who sets an example for younger players. “There’s a lot of people around me rooting for me,” said Prince, who now has 226 pounds on his 6-foot-4 frame. When he moved in with the Kilguses, Prince was still an Ivorian refugee with a green card. But when the family formally adopted him two years ago, he became an American citizen. Now he hopes his saga can inspire others. “I don’t know how or why I’m here, but I’m so thankful,” Prince said. “Every good story starts with a struggle and winds up with somebody shining at the end.”



6B | September 2019

ROCKWALL

Friday, Aug. 30 7:30 p.m. at Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium

Nickname: Yellowjackets Head coach: Rodney Webb (seventh

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2019 OPPONENTS MESQUITE HORN

Friday, Sept. 6 7:30 p.m. at Hanby Stadium

Nickname: Jaguars Head coach: Chris Hudler

FRISCO LONE STAR

Friday, Sept. 13 7:30 p.m. at Highlander Stadium

Nickname: Rangers Head coach: Jeff Rayburn

BRYAN ADAMS

Friday, Sept. 20 7:30 p.m. at Highlander Stadium

Nickname: Cougars Head coach: Sean Lorance

WOODROW WILSON

Friday, Sept. 27 7:30 p.m. at Franklin Stadium

Nickname: Wildcats Head coach: Tony Benedetto

season)

(first season)

(seventh season)

(third season)

(first season)

2018 record: 8-3 (5-1 in district)

2018 record: 5-8 (3-3 in district)

2018 record: 10-3 (6-1 in district)

2018 record: 1-9 (1-6 in district)

2018 record: 6-4 (3-4 in district)

Notable: The Yellowjackets were

Notable: The Jaguars started last

Notable: New QB Chandler

Notable: The young Cougars

Notable: Benedetto, a former Mesquite Poteet assistant, takes over after longtime coach Bobby Estes left for North Dallas. Last year, the Wildcats ended a streak of nine consecutive playoff appearances. RB Matthew Jackson and two-way standout Evan Blackmon are the top returnees for an offense plagued by inconsistency.

the last team to beat HP in a 53-49 season-opening thriller in 2017. Dynamic WR Jaxon-Smith Njigba, an Ohio State commit, is a terrific deep threat who caught 20 touchdown passes last season. Rockwall has advanced to at least the area round of the Class 6A playoffs in each of the past six years.

year 0-7 before eventually making the playoffs and even reaching the third round. Former defensive coordinator Hudler was promoted after Mike Overton’s retirement. RB N’Kowsi Emory and WR Cameron Jackson return on offense, while RB Charles Crawford transferred from Bishop Lynch.

Galban is a Nevada commit who transferred from Tomball Memorial near Houston. WR Marvin Mims is a dynamic playmaker who caught 59 passes last year, with 14 touchdowns. The Rangers allowed 17 or fewer points in nine of their 10 regular-season games last season, including a 10-7 loss to HP.

struggled on offense last season, averaging just six points in their nine losses. BA failed to make the playoffs last year for just the second time since 2011. Several two-way players return with experience, including Chimeremeze Nwamju, Richard Hayes, James Murphy, and new starting QB Amari Jones.


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MANSFIELD LEGACY

Friday, Oct. 11 7:30 p.m. at Highlander Stadium

Nickname: Broncos Head coach: Chris Melson

September 2019 | 7B

2019 OPPONENTS SAMUELL

Friday, Oct. 18 7:30 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Stadium

Nickname: Spartans Head coach: Steve Pierce

SUNSET

Friday, Oct. 25 7:30 p.m. at Highlander Stadium

Nickname: Bison Head coach: O.J. Abanishe

LANCASTER

Friday, Nov. 1 7:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium

Nickname: Tigers Head coach: Chris Gilbert

MANSFIELD TIMBERVIEW Friday, Nov. 8 7:30 p.m. at Highlander Stadium

Nickname: Wolves Head coach: James Brown

(12th season)

(22nd season)

(ninth season)

(eighth season)

2018 record: 6-5 (5-2 in district)

2018 record: 4-6 (2-5 in district)

2018 record: 1-9 (0-7 in district)

2018 record: 7-4 (6-1 in district)

2018 record: 7-6 (4-3 in district)

Notable: The Broncos will feature plenty of new faces after losing a huge graduating class including two-way superstar Jalen Catalon. Legacy lost a bi-district playoff game for the first time in school history against Frisco Lone Star. DE David Abiara and CB Malachi Mitchell, a Kansas State commit, will lead the aggressive defense.

Notable: After a 3-1 start last

Notable: Sunset appears massively

Notable: The Tigers were stingy

Notable: Timberview fell to HP twice last year, including 52-0 in the third round of the playoffs. The Wolves return most of their offensive firepower from that runheavy squad, such as Stacy Sneed, Montaye Dawson, and dual-threat QB Darnel Jones. Georgia commit Jalen Kimber leads a strong defense that returns eight starters.

season, Samuell was outscored 23826 during a five-game losing streak and missed postseason play for the first time since 2014. Samuell, under Pierce, upset HP in the first round of the playoffs during Randy Allen’s debut season in 1999. Returning playmakers include DeMarcus Jones and Jon’Than Shaw.

(first season)

overmatched, having earned just six wins overall in the past decade, primarily against Dallas ISD foes. The Bison last posted a winning record in 1971 and most recently made the playoffs in 2001. Sunset has dropped 69 straight district games. QB Ty Williams is a dualthreat leader on offense.

on defense last season, allowing 14 points or fewer in seven of 10 regular-season games. Lancaster fell to John Tyler in the second round of the playoffs. Athleticism runs deep on the roster, including QB Philbert McCoy, RB Tre Bradford, and receivers Majik Rector, Ketron Jackson, and LaTrell Caples.


8B | September 2019

2019 SCOTS VARSITY RO

PHOTOS: MELISSA MACATEE

TOP LEFT: Highland Park football captains, left to right: John Beecherl, Drew Scott, Jack Rourke, Prince Dorbah, Cal Hirschey, and Chandler Morris.

No. Name......................... Pos. ����������� Class 2 Will Anderson................. RB �������������������Sr. 3 Ben Smith....................... WR ������������������Sr. 4 Chandler Morris............. QB �������������������Sr. 5 Case Savage.................. WR ������������������Sr. 6 Paxton Anderson............ WR ������������������Sr. 7 Drew Scott..................... WR ������������������Sr. 9 David Sherer.................. WR ������������������Sr. 10 Will Chestnut.................. DB ������������������� Jr. 10 John Howie.................... DB ������������������� Jr. 10 Brayden Schager............ QB ������������������� Jr. 11 Hayden Clyce................. LB ��������������������Sr. 12 Jack Condon.................. DB ������������������� Jr. 12 Jack Jackson.................. QB ������������������� Jr. 13 Maxon Smith.................. DB �������������������Sr. 14 Christian Wright.............. DB �������������������Sr. 15 Gus Vincent.................... LB ��������������������Sr. 16 Harris Hurley.................. DB �������������������Sr. 17 Chase Yarbrough............ WR ������������������Sr. 18 Boone Snyder................ DB �������������������Sr. 19 Henry Diehl..................... DB ������������������� Jr. 19 Jonathan Koellner........... QB ������������������� Jr. 20 Jason Tananbaum........... RB ������������������� Jr. 20 Patrick Turner................. LB �������������������� Jr. 21 Cole Filley....................... DB �������������������Sr. 22 Doak Walker................... RB �������������������Sr.

23 24 25 26 27 27 27 28 28 28 29 30 31 31 32 33 33 33 34 34 34 35 36 37 38 39

Andrew Bonnet.............. LB ��������������������Sr. John Beecherl................ LB ��������������������Sr. Hayes Donham............... RB �������������������Sr. Colton Leonard............... DB �������������������Sr. Walker Cobb................... DB ������������������� Jr. Malcolm Downie............. DB ������������������� Jr. Beau Raley..................... RB ������������������� Jr. Owen Basso................... WR ������������������ Jr. Ford Frazar.................... DB ������������������� Jr. Henry Stocker................ RB ������������������� Jr. Maxwell Warren.............. DB �������������������Sr. James Durand................ RB �������������������Sr. Will Agouridis.................. DB ������������������� Jr. Brooks Bond.................. RB ������������������� Jr. Prince Dorbah................ DL ��������������������Sr. Bailey Barnes................. RB ������������������� Jr. Johnny Herring............... DB ������������������� Jr. Reagan McVeigh............. WR ������������������ Jr. Anthony Ghobriel............ RB ������������������� Jr. Tanner Schrank.............. DB ������������������� Jr. Sam Sessions................ WR ������������������ Jr. Brock Bakich.................. DB �������������������Sr. Charlie Griege................. LB ��������������������Sr. Brant Barton.................. DB �������������������Sr. Hunter Heath.................. RB �������������������Sr. Harrison Dugger............. DB ������������������� Jr.

39 40 41 42 42 42 43 44 44 44 45 46 46 46 47 48 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 56 57 58

Robert Sell..................... DB ������������������� Jr. Connor Baroody............. DB �������������������Sr. Charlie Terrell................. DB �������������������Sr. Jack Foster.................... RB ������������������� Jr. Nate Serio...................... DB ������������������� Jr. Luke Sloan...................... WR ������������������ Jr. Sam Parker.................... DB �������������������Sr. Crockett Corwin............. WR ������������������ Jr. Malcolm McClure............ DB ������������������� Jr. Jack Swaner.................. WR ������������������ Jr. Houston Hummel............ DL ��������������������Sr. Burke Dauterive............. DB ������������������� Jr. Parker Owen.................. WR ������������������ Jr. Garrison Vincent............. DB ������������������� Jr. Dylan Ham...................... LB ��������������������Sr. Cole Knippa.................... WR ������������������ Jr. Christopher Peck........... WR ������������������ Jr. Cal Hirschey................... LB ��������������������Sr. Nick Bowman................. DL ��������������������Sr. Jack Rourke................... OL �������������������Sr. Luke Cameron................ LB ��������������������Sr. Campbell Saustad.......... OL �������������������Sr. Harris Gould................... LB ��������������������Sr. Spencer Harper............. DL ��������������������Sr. Owen Copley.................. DL ��������������������Sr. Dray Schmidt.................. OL �������������������Sr.

59 59 59 59 60 61 61 61 61 62 63 63 64 65 65 65 65 65 66 67 68 70 71 72 73 73

Carter Barden................ OL ������������������� Jr. Erke Girgin...................... DL �������������������� Jr. David Lightbourn............ LB �������������������� Jr. Caleb Madden................ DL �������������������� Jr. Kyle Garberding.............. OL �������������������Sr. Will Huff.......................... DL �������������������� Jr. William Porter................. DL �������������������� Jr. Ethan Schwartz.............. DL �������������������� Jr. Noah Smith..................... OL ������������������� Jr. Nick Johnson.................. OL �������������������Sr. Hayes Bohner................. DL �������������������� Jr. Henry Hagenbuch........... OL ������������������� Jr. Roman Sabatini.............. DL ��������������������Sr. Andrew Deaver.............. DL �������������������� Jr. Ben Holsomback............ OL ������������������� Jr. Cameron Laurie.............. DL �������������������� Jr. Sam Morse..................... OL ������������������� Jr. David Quinn.................... OL ������������������� Jr. Jared Elliott..................... DL ��������������������Sr. Jack Cunningham........... DL ��������������������Sr. William Kibler.................. LB ��������������������Sr. Clint Conger.................... OL �������������������Sr. Cade McCarter............... OL �������������������Sr. Patrick Pierce................. DL ��������������������Sr. J.R. Giffin........................ OL ������������������� Jr. Brady Hill........................ DL �������������������� Jr.

KEEP UP WITH THE SCOTS ALL SEASON AT PARKC


September 2019 | 9B

2019 SCHEDULE

OSTER

VA R S I T Y S C H E D U L E

Date Opponent

Stadium Time

Aug. 30

Wilkerson-Sanders

Rockwall

7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6

Mesquite Horn

Hanby

7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13

Frisco Lone Star

Highlander

7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20

Bryan Adams*

Highlander

7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27

Woodrow Wilson*

Franklin

7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4

OPEN

Oct. 11

Mansfield Legacy*

Highlander

7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18

Samuell*

Pleasant Grove

7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25

Sunset*

Highlander

7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1

Lancaster*

Humphrey

7:30 p.m.

Nov. 8

Mansfield Timberview*

Highlander

7:30 p.m.

* — District 6-5A, Division I game

JV GOLD

73 74 76 76 76 76 77 78 78 78 78 79 79 79 79 80 80 80 81 82 83 85 85 85 86 86

Holden Kiene.................. DL �������������������� Jr. Kipp Miller....................... OL �������������������Sr. Mark Hardaway.............. OL ������������������� Jr. Jack Leyrer.................... OL ������������������� Jr. Tamer Shalabi................. DL �������������������� Jr. Grayson Tyler................. DL �������������������� Jr. Jack Sharpe................... DL ��������������������Sr. William Hillesheim........... OL ������������������� Jr. Mason Jones.................. DL �������������������� Jr. Colin Landsberg............. DL �������������������� Jr. Mike Milligan................... DL �������������������� Jr. Will Gibson...................... OL ������������������� Jr. Derek Inman................... OL ������������������� Jr. Rett Snyder.................... DL �������������������� Jr. Luke Zurawel.................. DL �������������������� Jr. Landon Ellis.................... WR ������������������ Jr. Carson Green................. WR ������������������ Jr. Payne Parker.................. DB ������������������� Jr. Travis Dickey.................. WR ������������������Sr. Matthew Mathison.......... WR ������������������Sr. Tripp Groth..................... WR ������������������Sr. Charlie Featherston........ WR ������������������ Jr. Noah Parette.................. WR ������������������ Jr. Will Scott........................ DB ������������������� Jr. Jake Galvin..................... WR ������������������ Jr. Will Pettijohn................... WR ������������������ Jr.

86 87 88 89 89 90 91 91 91 92 92 93 93 93 94 95 95 96 97 97 97 98 99

Mo Stewart.................... DB ������������������� Jr. Patrick Krejs................... WR ������������������Sr. Cooper Feagans............. WR ������������������Sr. Alex Kashata................... WR ������������������ Jr. Christopher Zogg............ DB ������������������� Jr. Bryce Anderson............. LB ��������������������Sr. Cooper Flint.................... LB �������������������� Jr. Marshall Landwehr......... LB �������������������� Jr. Riley Richardson............ LB �������������������� Jr. Chase Gorman............... LB �������������������� Jr. Edward Stocker............. LB �������������������� Jr. John Dickerson............... LB �������������������� Jr. Jackson Farr.................. LB �������������������� Jr. Leon Khakpour............... LB �������������������� Jr. Wesley Winters............... PK �������������������Sr. Jack Curtis..................... DL ������������������� So. Hudson Pierce................ LB �������������������� Jr. Collins Grushey.............. LB �������������������� Jr. Andrew Applewhite........ LB �������������������� Jr. Kevin Hays...................... LB �������������������� Jr. Isaiah Pedack................. DL �������������������� Jr. Jack Tanner.................... DB �������������������Sr. Andrew Washburne........ DL ��������������������Sr.

CITIESPEOPLE.COM AND ON TWITTER @PCPEOPLE

JV BLUE

Date Opponent

Time

Date Opponent

Time

Aug. 29

Rockwall

5:30 p.m.

Aug. 29 Rockwall

7 p.m.

Sept. 5

Mesquite Horn

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 5 Mesquite Horn

7 p.m.

Sept. 12

at Frisco Lone Star

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 at Frisco Lone Star

7 p.m.

Sept. 19

at Midlothian

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 at Bryan Adams

7:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 Arlington

7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Woodrow Wilson

7:30 p.m.

Oct. 10

at Mansfield Legacy

5:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Mansfield Legacy

7 p.m.

Oct. 17

at Plano McMillen

5:30 p.m.

Oct. 17

7:30 p.m.

Oct. 24

Plano Jasper

5:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Sunset

7:30 p.m.

Oct. 31

Celina

5:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 Lancaster

7 p.m.

Nov. 7

at Coppell

5:30 p.m.

Nov. 6

FRESHMAN GOLD

Samuell

at Mansfield Timberview 6 p.m.

FRESHMAN BLUE

Date Opponent

Time

Date Opponent

Time

Aug. 29

at Rockwall

7 p.m.

Aug. 29 at Rockwall

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 5

at Mesquite Horn

7 p.m.

Sept. 5

at Mesquite Horn

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 12

Frisco Lone Star

7 p.m.

Sept. 12 Frisco Lone Star

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 19

at Bryan Adams

6 p.m.

Sept. 19 at Wylie East

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 Woodrow Wilson

6 p.m.

Sept. 25 Arlington

5:30 p.m.

Oct. 10

Mansfield Legacy

7 p.m.

Oct. 10

Mansfield Legacy

5:30 p.m.

Oct. 17

Samuell

6 p.m.

Oct. 17

at Colleyville Heritage

7 p.m.

Oct. 24

at Sunset

6 p.m.

Oct. 31

at Lancaster

7 p.m.

Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Celina at Lancaster

5 p.m. 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 7

Mansfield Timberview 7 p.m.

Nov. 7

Mansfield Timberview

5:30 p.m.


10B | September 2019

parkcitiespeople.com

TAKEAWAYS FUEL AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

H

ighland Park might be best known for its prolific offense, but you can’t win three consecutive state titles without a stellar defense. HP’s opponents know that after the Scots dramatically boosted their sacks and takeaways in the first season under defensive coordinator Cale Melton. HP allowed 14 or fewer points in 10 of its 16 games, all victories, including four shutouts. Defensive leaders said they wouldn’t let last year’s success make them complacent. “You have to have short-term memory,” said linebacker John Beecherl. “You can’t think about the past. We’re focusing on this year and not looking back.” The Scots are undersized but aggressive, led by superstar defensive

end Prince Dorbah, a three-year starter who has verbally committed to Texas. Dorbah leads an experienced line alongside Andrew Washburne, who saw significant playing time at nose tackle last season, and Jesuit transfer Houston Hummel. Isaiah Pedack, who missed last season with a knee injury, also should make an impact. The deep and talented linebacker pool features returnees Cal Hirschey, Andrew Bonnet, Patrick Turner, Gus Vincent, and Beecherl. Of that group, only Turner weighs more than 200 pounds, but sharp instincts and hard-hitting mentality are equalizers. “We’re pretty strong up-front,” said HP head coach Randy Allen. “Our secondary has to come through and mature.” Two juniors, Tanner Schrank and Ford Frazar, could emerge as

PLAYER TO WATCH

PROBABLE STARTERS Prince Dorbah, DL

Andrew Washburne, DL

Patrick Turner, LB

After an eye-catching sophomore debut, the tenacious Turner (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) has drawn interest from many top college programs. He’s also a standout in baseball.

the primary cornerbacks, which will put more pressure on those linebackers and safety Brock Bakich — the only returning starter in the secondary. Bakich had a team-high nine tackles in last year’s state championship game.

Houston Hummel, DL John Beecherl, LB

Cal Hirschey, LB

Andrew Bonnet, LB

Tanner Schrank, CB

Brock Bakich, S

Maxwell Warren, S

Ford Frazar, CB



12B | September 2019

LOOKING BACK AT 2018 2 0 1 8 S E A S O N R E S U LT S Date Opponent NONDISTRICT Aug. 31 Rockwall Sept. 7 Waxahachie Sept. 13 at Frisco Lone Star

Result Record W, 49-42 1-0 W, 35-18 2-0 W, 10-7 3-0

DISTRICT 6-5A (DIV. I) Sept. 21 at Bryan Adams Sept. 28 Woodrow Wilson Oct. 12 at Mansfield Legacy Oct. 19 Samuell Oct. 26 at Sunset Nov. 2 Lancaster Nov. 8 at Mans. Timberview

W, 49-0 W, 56-14 W, 28-7 W, 49-0 W, 72-0 W, 39-14 W, 42-7

4-0 (1-0) 5-0 (2-0) 6-0 (3-0) 7-0 (4-0) 8-0 (5-0) 9-0 (6-0) 10-0 (7-0)

PLAYOFFS Nov. 16 Frisco Independence Nov. 24 College Station Dec. 1 Mansfield Timberview Dec. 8 Tyler John Tyler Dec. 15 Denton Ryan Dec. 22 Alvin Shadow Creek

W, 35-14 W, 28-20 W, 52-0 W, 42-35 W, 43-21 W, 27-17

11-0 12-0 13-0 14-0 15-0 16-0

PHOTOS BY MELISSA MACATEE AND CHRIS MCGATHEY

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parkcitiespeople.com

September 2019 | 13B


14B | September 2019

parkcitiespeople.com

MORE MILESTONES IN SIGHT FOR ALLEN, SCOTS

HP looks to join rare 4-peat company

R

andy Allen almost retired before the 2018 season. Then he led the Scots to a school-record 16 victories and a historic third consecutive state title. Allen’s legacy is cemented among the best high school coaches in Texas history, and he continues to rack up the accolades and milestones. Consider this: Allen is just eight wins away from 400 for his career. Only two other coaches — Phil Danaher (458), who’s still active at Corpus Christi Calallen, and the retired G.A. Moore (426) — have reached that plateau. As he begins his 39th season as a head coach, and his 21st year at HP, Allen has amassed a career record of 392-87-6 including previous stops at Ballinger, Brownwood, and Abilene Cooper. Plus, Allen needs just three victories to surpass his mentor, the legendary Gordon Wood, who won seven state championships at Brownwood before retiring in 1985. Allen took his place the following year.

Randy Allen is aiming to become the third coach in Texas high school football history with 400 career wins. CHRIS MCGATHEY

A L L- T I M E G R E AT S This season, Randy Allen should move up to third all-time among Texas football coaches in career victories. Name Phil Danaher G.A. Moore Gordon Wood Randy Allen

Wins Seasons 458 45 426 44 394 44 392 38

A year ago, Highland Park joined an exclusive list of fewer than 20 schools that have earned three consecutive state titles. As the Scots chase their fourth straight Class 5A Division I championship this year, their feat would be even more unusual. Just four schools have achieved that distinction. Lake Travis won its unprecedented fifth in a row in 2011. HP has six state titles overall, including in 1945, 1957, and 2005. The Scots are the state’s alltime leader in playoff appearances and postseason wins. Their playoff winning streak stands at 18 games, dating back to 2015.

FA N TA S T I C F O U R Highland Park is seeking to become the fifth program in state history to win four straight UIL state championships. Lake Travis holds the record with five consecutive 4A crowns. School Class Seasons Lake Travis 4A 2007-11 Celina 2A 1998-01 Sealy 3A 1994-97 Fort Hancock 6-man 1988-91




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