Highland Park’s football team hoped it had discovered a championship-calibur defense in last week’s shutout of Tyler.
Argyle had other plans.
The Eagles (3-1) racked up 662 yards of offense Friday, running away from the Scots (1-3) at home, 70-37.
Quarterback Hayes Hackney completed 23-of-27 passes for 339 yards and five touchdowns, including 10 completion for 241 yards and four scores to Texas Tech pledge Julian Caldwell.
Argyle was equally effective on the ground with Logan Rexroat gaining 153 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries and Max Pomeroy chipping in 10 carries for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Nelson also had two carries for 64 yards and a score.
HP’s offense also moved the ball effectively, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with Argyle’s high-powered attack.
The Scots were also victim to four turnovers while producing just one.
Buck Randall completed 50 percent of his passes for 265 yards with three interceptions to go with a rushing touchdown. Caiden Reeves found the end zone three times and finished with 47 yards on the ground, while James Flowers had eight carries for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Beckett Lawrence, meanwhile, was a force in multiple facets producing three rushes for 69 yards and hauling in three receptions for 51 yards.
It was a battle of two state-ranked opponents as HP came in at No. 10 in 5A Division I and Argyle No. 5 in 5A Division II.
But on Friday another slow start put HP behind the proverbial 8-ball as despite receiving the opening kick, HP found itself trailing when it started its second possession for the third time in four games.
This time the early deficit reached 14, with HP trimming the lead to seven on multiple occasions.
The Scots had a chance to draw even late in the second quarter, forcing an Argyle fumble inside the HP 5-yard line while trailing, 28-21.
However, Argyle responded with an interception on the ensuing play, and three snaps later Ake O’Neal was in the end zone increasing the lead back to 14 before the Scots closed the half with a 43-yard field goal by Shep Pryor for a 35-24 deficit at the break.
HP then appeared to gain momentum and get back in the game early in the third quarter when Flowers scored and the Scots recovered an onside kick leading to another Pryor field goal for a 42-34 deficit with 5:20 remaining in the period.
But Argyle would erupt from there, scoring 21 consecutive points to break the game open.
HP will look to bounce back when it opens District 6-5A action at 7 p.m. Friday at home against Garland Naaman Forest.
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