Almost nine months later, Highland Park still feels the sting of coming so close and falling just short.
By almost any measure, the Scots had a stellar season in 2024, with 14 wins, including 11 in a row, and a trip to the Class 5A Division I state championship game in late December.
However, a 32-20 defeat against Smithson Valley left a bitter taste in the mouths of returning HP players who haven’t dwelled on the loss so much as used it as motivation — eager to turn a new campaign into a second chance.
“They remember the feeling they had after the game and the disappointment,” said longtime HP head coach Randy Allen. “They understand what it takes. Our team last year set a great example and left a high bar.”
Indeed, HP is the winningest program in Texas high school football, having reached 900 victories with a thrilling triumph over Denton Ryan in last year’s state semifinals. The expectations are always high, and deep postseason runs are almost a rite of passage.
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“Pressure is a good thing,” said defensive lineman Thomas Cook. “The pressure of us having that standard is what drives us to excellence.”
Many current HP players were youngsters following the team during its run of three consecutive championships from 2016 to 2018. Those vivid memories still fuel them to this day and make last season’s result even more potent.
Perhaps that’s why participation numbers have been so high and the work ethic so intense during the team’s spring workouts and summer conditioning program. There’s a sense of optimism around the team that HP has all the ingredients to return to AT&T Stadium this winter and achieve a different outcome.
Much of the credit for the program’s continuity and consistency belongs to Allen, who will begin his 27th season on the HP sidelines and 45th overall as a head coach. He has 460 career wins, and will start the season only 30 shy of the most in state history.
HP’s ability to reload despite annual graduation turnover is unmatched. It’s a primary reason why the team has more district championships (59) than any other school in Texas. The Scots have posted double-digit wins in 12 straight seasons.
This year, they also should benefit from the return of starting quarterback Buck Randall, who passed for 3,900 yards and 40 touchdowns last year after winning the top job as a sophomore.
“He’s been a leader in the spring and summer. There’s no substitute for experience. Those 16 games under his belt leans so much into your decision making and your poise,” Allen said. “There’s nothing too big for him this year. He’s more mature and a little bit bigger, and he’s worked with these receivers. That familiarity really means a lot.”
Overall, HP returns several skill-position players from an offensive unit that averaged more than 35 points per game, including top receiver Cannon Bozman. That will be critical as the inexperienced defense could be tested early.
“We’ve got more question marks this year than we had last year, especially on defense,” Allen said.
The schedule again is daunting. Gone is Cherry Creek (Colo.), which defeated the Scots on their home field last season, replaced by quirky Arkansas powerhouse Pulaski Academy, which beat HP back in 2015.
The Scots will have six home games this season, including the opener against Rockwall-Heath on Aug. 29. District 7-5A Div. I play begins on Sept. 26 at Tyler.
“The seniors only have one last opportunity to go out and make history,” said linebacker Beau Jones. “It definitely gets you up in the morning.”
