Highland Park’s boys soccer team hasn’t lost a playoff match since March 29, 2024, when it was still a Class 6A program.
The team had a perfect run through the 5A playoffs a year ago, and the Scots are hopeful a contingent of returning seniors from the 2025 squad will lay the foundation for another successful spring.
If regular season results are any indication, HP could be primed for just that. The Scots (13-5-1) entered the final week of the season ranked sixth in the state and having already secured a playoff spot in a highly-competitive District 12-5A.
Senior captains Davis Hooks and Jake Rhine believe the team’s challenging slate, coupled with last year’s postseason experience and success, could have the Scots competing in Georgetown again come April.
“I’d say the season has been going pretty well,” Hooks said. “Even though we have a few losses in district, there are some really good teams in this district, so it’s not anything we’re really worried about. I think they’re actually going to make us better.”
“We definitely might have started off a little slow,” added Rhine. “But our chemistry has continued to grow the more and more we play. I think it’s been a great experience so far, and hopefully it’s prepared us well for the playoffs.”
Hooks, Rhine, and fellow captains Trey Shamburger and Brian Gurtowski know firsthand how much preparation means to postseason success, as do the other three returning seniors on the HP roster.
Hooks and Rhine are also relishing their roles as captains during their final campaigns with the Scots while providing the on-field production HP fans and coaches have become accustomed to seeing.
“A lot of the kids up from JV aren’t state champions. And we aren’t state champions anymore, either, because we’re a totally new team,” Rhine said. “I think that it was important to notice that going into the season and that gives us a new hunger and motivation.”
“I think we also have the mindset to get back what we deserve and make another great run,” Hooks added.
And as the district season comes to a close, Hooks and Rhine continue to see trends that emerged during their April run a year ago.
“I think we had a confidence among the team last year when we got on the field,” Rhine said. “I wouldn’t say we expected to win, but we knew we were going to perform well together. As it went game-by-game, it just started flowing.”
“I think you can see that in the team this year the more we’ve played,” added Hooks. “We have seven players back from that team and we’re playing really well together. So I think we have what it takes to make it really far again.”
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