JOSHUA – The Highland Park Scots went a long way from home to face an offense seen in very few parts.
Joshua’s triple-option attack took a bit to get used to. But the Scots got a handle on it, built up a lead that made their opponent’s running tactics lose their bite, and settled in for the 58-mile drive home with a 34-10 victory.
“I was real proud of our defense,” coach Randy Allen said. “They seemed to get better as the game progressed and didn’t give up any big plays.”
The Scots (6-1, 3-0 District 7-5A Division I) held the Owls (3-4, 1-3) under 200 yards and surrendered only three completions.
The defensive performance gave ample time for the offense to find its footing. Sutton Stock had a 28-yard field goal, and James White caught a 16-yard pass from Buck Randall for a 10-0 lead following the first two HP possessions.
A big play came when Ronan Moreland blocked a punt and Rye Lanahan recovered it in the low red zone, setting up Harrison Cullum’s 6-yard touchdown catch for a 16-0 lead.
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“The first punt, I timed up a little wrong. I was late coming in,” said Moreland, a senior safety. “Then I got a running start, it was a little faster, and the snap was low.”
The next HP possession resulted in Buck Randall’s 8-yard TD run for a 24-0 lead, though it was sliced to 24-3 when Ishmael Robles made a 48-yard field goal for Joshua as time expired in the first half.
In the third quarter, Randall’s 6-yard run and Stock’s 29-yard field goal tidied up the victory. Joshua’s longest gain of the game, a 28-yard pass play, set up Joe Strother’s 3-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“We were able to score points,” Allen said. “I was disappointed we had to kick field goals, but Sutton needs to practice. He got two tonight, and that’s good for us.”
The Scots totaled just over 300 yards, well under their season average, as time ran quickly with Joshua’s old-school ground game.
The first Joshua drive went 12 plays and nearly seven minutes before dying on a fourth-down stop at the HP 35.
The Scots didn’t take their first snap until 5:11 of the first quarter.
“Any time you’re within seven or 14 points of them with that offense, it’s dangerous because they can run the clock and score,” Allen said. “Once we got ahead of them, I felt pretty confident. We scored right after half and had a good lead going into halftime.
“I was real proud of the young men, and I thank all the fans for following us to Joshua. It’s a long way.”
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