18 March 2022 | parkcitiespeople.com
Sports
AFTER TERRIFIC SENIOR SEASON, SCOTS DE SOARS TO AIR FORCE Curtis is one of four HP senior football players who will join college rosters next fall By Todd Jorgenson
Air Force, which plays in the Mountain West Conference, capped a 10-3 season with a victory over Louisville in the First Responder Bowl at SMU.
people newspapers
H
is toughness and tenacity as an edge rusher gave Jack Curtis a chance to play Division I college football. On Feb. 2, he turned that opportunity into a reality. Curtis, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive end, capped a spectacular senior year by committing to the Air Force Academy on National Signing Day. He is one of four HP senior football players who intend to play at the college level. Running back Ben Croasdale accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Furman University (in South Carolina) and receiver Luke Rossley will be a preferred walk-on at the University of North Texas. Plus, kicker Jack Stone signed with Michigan State during the early signing period in December. This season, Curtis recorded 65 tackles (24 for loss), including 11 sacks and two fumble recoveries in 12 games for the Scots. He was named the MVP in District 13-5A by league coaches — a rare honor for a defensive player.
He’s a true leader in everything that he does. Bobby Leidner
Jack Curtis disrupted offensive backfields all season with 24 tackles for loss, including 11 sacks. (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY) “He’s a true leader in everything that he does. He makes us better in every way,” said HP defensive coordinator Bobby Leidner. “He makes plays that he has no business making. It’s impressive to watch.”
Curtis, who amassed 122 tackles and 21.5 sacks in three seasons at the varsity level, said he first received an offer from Air Force after his sophomore season. He has visited the campus in Colorado Springs twice since then, including
an official visit in January. “They believed in me every step of the way. That really stuck with me,” said Curtis, who chose the Falcons over Army and Princeton. “They made me feel at home.”
After graduating in May — and playing baseball for HP this spring — Curtis will head to the academy to begin basic training in June. Although he was unsure at first, he has embraced the military aspect of his college decision. “I want to play football and be a leader in this country,” he said. Rossley was one of the top receiving targets for the Scots this season with 24 catches for 269 yards and a touchdown. Croasdale rushed for 385 yards and seven scores. “It was always a dream of mine to go play college football somewhere,” Rossley said. “I’m super excited that North Texas is giving me a shot.”
Staying Classy: HP’s New District Brings New Challenges in 6A
Jump to higher classification places Scots alongside Jesuit, Pearce, other foes By Todd Jorgenson
DISTRICT 7-6A
people newspapers
C
Separated by just a few miles on the Dallas North Tollway, Highland Park and Jesuit are now neighbors in the new District 7-6A, too. The idea became possible when the Scots learned they would be moving to Class 6A for the next two years. And in February, the UIL made it official with its biennial realignment announcement. HP and Jesuit will be part of a nine-team district that includes schools from Irving ISD and Richardson ISD. Specifically, the schedule will feature Irving, Irving MacArthur, Irving Nimitz, Richardson, Richardson Berkner, Richardson Pearce, and Lake Highlands. The district will cover football, volleyball, Brennan Storer and Highland Park will face a tough schedule in Class 6A next season. and basketball only, meaning it will be an (PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY) eight-team league for volleyball and girls basand soccer will be unveiled later. won three 5A Division I state titles. Howevketball, minus Jesuit. It will be in effect for the Of the nine football teams, only three post- er, this year, HP reported an enrollment just 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. ed winning records last season — HP, Jesuit, above the 5A/6A cutoff line of 2,225, which Although an alignment has not been fiand Lake Highlands. In addition to a first-ev- triggered the shift. nalized yet for sports such as baseball, softer meeting with the Rangers, the renewal of With eight district games, the schedule will ball, track and field, tennis, and golf, the lineup the Pearce rivalry should be a highlight for HP. only have room for two nondistrict contests PCP_Mar2022-Banner-1DRAFT.pdf 1 2/2/2022 2:47:04 PM should remain consistent. New district assignThe Scots were most recently in the 6A for each school. The Scots will open on Aug. ments for sports such as swimming, wrestling, classification in 2015. Since then, they have 26 with a home game against Flower Mound
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
ASSERTIVE ADVOCATES
CUSTODY
DIVORCE
PRENUPS
214.692.8200
mcclure-lawgroup.com
Highland Park Jesuit Irving Irving MacArthur Irving Nimitz Lake Highlands Richardson Richardson Berkner Richardson Pearce
Marcus, followed by a road trip to Lewisville. Although the complete 2022 schedule is still being finalized, the Scots will tentatively start district play perhaps earlier than ever, by hosting Lake Highlands on Sept. 9. They also will face Jesuit at home after a midseason bye week and will travel to Pearce for their regular-season finale. Home and away games will be swapped in 2023. The new district should be especially challenging in boys basketball, where Richardson and Lake Highlands are among the top 6A programs in the state this year and Jesuit is a perennial playoff contender.