With more than 900 victories, Highland Park is the winningest Texas high school football program of all time.
In addition to unparalleled team success, the Scots have produced a lineage of quarterbacks few in the state can match.
HP’s tradition of standouts under center began way back in the 1940s, when Bobby Lane quarterbacked the Scots before going on to star at the University of Texas and producing a professional football career worthy of Hall-of-Fame induction.
Many believe current NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, who led HP to a state title in 2005 and played collegiately at Georgia before being selected first overall in the NFL draft, is on his way to donning a gold jacket in Canton as well.
The success doesn’t stop there, however.
John Stephen Jones powered HP to consecutive state titles before departing for Arkansas, when Chandler Morris stepped in and took the Scots to a third straight championship in 2018.
Morris is currently on Tampa Bay’s roster following a successful collegiate career with stops at Virginia and North Texas, among others.
Alexander Webb (Northwestern), Bill Foran (Princeton), Luke Woodley (Louisville) and Brayden Schager (Hawaii) are also among a contingent of Division I quarterbacks who have left their mark at HP.
But senior SMU pledge Buck Randall is positioned to finish with his name above any and all at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
Entering his third year as HP’s starter, Randall needs just 655 passing yards to eclipse Stafford’s program-record of 8,958 yards.
That isn’t the only milestone within reach for Randall, however. Graham Harrell’s record-setting numbers while playing at Ennis are also in jeopardy of falling.
From 2000-2003, Harrell — who played collegiately at Texas Tech and for multiple seasons in the NFL before moving into the coaching ranks (currently as offensive coordinator at Abilene Christian) — amassed a total of 12,532 passing yards and 167 touchdowns.
The former number ranks first in the history of Dallas-Fort Worth public-school quarterbacks.
To pass Harrell, Randall needs to accumulate 4,330 yards through the air.
Last year, Randall racked up 4,396 yards over 14 games.
“We’re really proud of our quarterback tradition here,” said Randy Allen, HP head coach. “There aren’t too many who have done what Buck is doing. Matthew was a three-year starter for us, and Alexander was a part-time starter for three years. Buck is the only other one to do that.”
When asked what makes Randall so productive, Allen didn’t hesitate.
“Accuracy,” he said. “He’s one of the most accurate quarterbacks we’ve ever had. Without a doubt.”
While accuracy has certainly played a role in Randall’s prodigious passing numbers, his legs have also been integral in the success of HP’s offense.
In two seasons as a starter, Randall has rushed for 884 yards and an additional 24 touchdowns.
Add it all up, and a place in the pantheon of legendary HP quarterbacks is already secure before Randall even takes the field for his senior season.
The only question is where it will finish.
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