36 June 2022 | parkcitiespeople.com
Sports
WITH 6A SCHEDULE LOOMING, SCOTS MAKE STRIDES IN SPRING Storer, HP building depth and experience to prepare for upcoming season By Todd Jorgenson
2022 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
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Date Aug. 26 Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 15 Sept. 30 Oct. 6 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4
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t’s been six months since Highland Park’s football season ended with an upset loss to Frisco Wakeland in the second round of the Class 5A Region I playoffs. Yet, the sting of that defeat is still vivid for returning players, offering some motivation during three weeks of spring practices that provided valuable preparation for the upcoming 2022 season. “The guys are making a lot of progress,” said HP head coach Randy Allen, who is entering his 24th season at the school. “We’ve gotten a great look at our players who are competing for starting positions and have a good feel for our depth chart.”
Our guys feel like they have something to prove. Randy Allen The Scots practiced for three weeks in late April and early May, as permitted by UIL guidelines, to build depth and gain experience before a jump to Class 6A next season.
Opponent Flower Mound Marcus at Lewisville Lake Highlands* at Irving* Jesuit* at Richardson Berkner* Irving Nimitz* at Irving MacArthur* Richardson* at Richardson Pearce*
Time 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
* — District 7-6A game
Highland Park will make the jump to Class 6A next season. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY) With a handful of returnees missing spring drills due to minor injuries or commitments in other sports, Allen and his staff were able to glimpse players who are shifting positions or otherwise haven’t had any varsity reps but could be valuable contributors in the fall. One player who did participate throughout the spring is quarterback Brennan Storer, who passed for more than 2,500 yards with 25 touchdowns while starting every game as a junior. He also ran for eight scores.
“He’s executing our offense very well and showing the benefits of having 12 games under his belt,” Allen said. “As a quarterback, your offensive line and receivers have a lot to do with your success. Our line is developing just as Brennan is developing.” Storer will have other familiar faces around him, such as Jay Cox, Jackson Heis, Beau Lilly, and Luke Herring. Meanwhile, the HP defense has just two returning starters, meaning that development in the spring has been especially critical.
“We have good speed on defense,” Allen said. “Once we get everybody back, we’re going to have a lot more experience.” The Scots will resume practice on Aug. 8 before traveling to Plano East for a scrimmage on Aug. 19. The regular-season opener will be a week later when HP hosts Flower Mound Marcus. The eight-game slate in District 7-6A starts on Sept. 9 against Lake Highlands. “It’s a new challenge with new opponents. For our fans and players, there’s excitement in something different. It’s going to motivate our team,” Allen said. “Our guys feel like they have something to prove.”
Why Rodney Webb Left Coaching After the Best Season of His Career
The new HPISD athletic director stepped away from the sidelines for ‘a unique opportunity’ By Todd Jorgenson
necessarily have the same day-today interaction with kids, but I will get to know the kids,” Webb said. Rodney Webb had just taken “I’ve always really valued those playDenton Guyer to the Class 6A Di- er-coach relationships.” vision II state championship game Webb just completed a two-year and had the talent to refuel for an- tenure as football coach at Guyer, other deep run in the football play- following successful stints at Rockoffs. wall, Mesquite Horn, and Royse So why would he suddenly leave City. He has compiled an overall the sidelines? The opportunity to be- record of 160-78 in 19 seasons as come the athletic director at High- a head coach. His teams made the land Park ISD might not come playoffs in 18 consecutive years. around again. “Coach Webb is highly respected “It wasn’t that I was ready to walk in the coaching profession as a peraway from coaching, but it was a son with class and character,” said unique opportunity to go ahead and HP football coach Randy Allen. make that jump. It’s such a great dis- “He has been the athletic coordinatrict with great people,” Webb said. tor of very successful programs, and “It’s not a completely different feel, he has served in statewide leaderbut it’s more administrative and less ship positions because of the respect blowing the whistle.” he has earned from the 30,000 high Webb has 32 years of high school school coaches in Texas.” coaching experience, including 19 Webb served as president of the years as either an athletic director Texas High School Coaches Assoor campus athletics coordinator. He ciation from 2018 to 2021, a posiwill replace Johnny Ringo, who is re- tion previously held by both Ringo tiring in June after nine years leading and9:06:33 Allen. PCP_June2022_Banner-FINAL.pdf 1 5/4/2022 AMCurrently, he is a member the HPISD athletic programs. of the Texas High School Coaches “This is a job where you don’t Educational Foundation board of
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Rodney Webb began his tenure as Highland Park ISD athletic director on May 1. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY AND COURTESY) directors and has experience with UIL councils and committees. “We were searching for someone who knows how to sustain and build upon a strong program, who is a respected leader with strong character and who has a strong track record of supporting and promoting all boys’ and girls’ sports,” HPISD superintendent Tom Trigg said.
Webb started his new role on May 1, giving him time to learn from Ringo about the district, its athletic structure, and various traditions he intends to uphold. “Just by looking at the success of the programs, there are great systems in place,” he said. “At the same time, I’m excited about putting my stamp on the program.”
Meanwhile, he knows that Friday nights in the fall will feel a little different, and he’s mentally preparing himself for that. “Instead of worrying about what I’m going to call on third-and-short, I’m going to be nervous about other things,” Webb said. “I’m going to be so busy that I won’t have much time to think about it.”
