Four weeks of camp came to a close for Highland Park’s football team on May 11 with a series of spring games at Highlander Stadium.
The games were a fun finish to what was a productive camp, and one that gave the Scots a better feel for what the 2026 varsity squad may look like.
“The kids enjoy just getting out there and playing and it’s a good way to finish for them,” said Randy Allen, HP head coach. “We just want to come out of it healthy and start getting ready to open against Lewisville in the fall.
“Between the practices and the couple of scrimmages we had, I feel like we got a lot better. We lost a real strong senior class after graduating 55 players, so the spring is a great chance for us to get out there and evaluate guys and get a better feel for the depth chart so we’re ready to roll in the fall. Even though we had about 16 or so guys out rehabbing injuries or playing other sports, I feel like we did that and really saw some guys step up.”
Allen added that having a third-year starting quarterback in Buck Randall returning helped ramp up the process.
“That’s really big for us,” he said. “With Buck returning, we really focused on improving the running game and developing some depth at receiver. I feel like we did a good job of that and were really throwing the ball.”
The Scots are also looking to solidify things on the offensive line where three new starters are needed.
But the performances of Colton Williams, Benton Weathersby, Luke Swaner and Henry Peterson, alongside returnees Trey Lander and Cooper Alt, has Allen and the staff optimistic.
Allen credited defensive lineman Nick Van der Westhuizen, linebackers James Hamilton, Benton Gordon and Beckett Curtis, and defensive backs Tashaun Stewart, Levi Steffan, Cotton Patterson and Max Green for strong showings.
Cornerback Dean Dulin and defensive lineman Charlie Flint also returned for the final week on the field after missing much of camp competing for HP’s lacrosse and baseball teams, respectively.
Allen also noted HP benefited from having much of its coaching staff from 2025 intact.
“We only had one opening and it was at the middle school level,” he said. “That type of continuity is very important. We were all on the same page in terms of what we are expecting and what we are wanting to see.”
With spring camp in the books, HP’s players will continue the offseason with their typical strength and conditioning programs and 7-on-7 action. Fall camp is a mere three months away.
“The guys understand the grind it is and I was happy to see the focus and for them to finish on such a high note this spring,” Allen said.
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