Highland Park’s regular season finished on a high note Thursday with the Scots cruising to a victory over Carrollton Newman Smith at Standridge Stadium.
The Scots topped the Trojans, 63-0, including leading 42-0 at halftime to cap what was a perfect District 6-5A Division I record and 7-3 mark overall.
HP enters the 5A Division I playoffs riding a six-game win streak and will square off against McKinney North at 7 p.m. Friday at Highlander Stadium.
On Thursday in Carrollton, HP dominated over the first two quarters, out-gaining Newman Smith, 338-15, including limiting the Trojans to just one first down.
“Our guys did a good job tonight,” said Randy Allen, HP head coach. “We were up 42-0 at half and put our second bunch in and were able to punch in a couple more touchdowns.”
Buck Randall continued his prolific passing season, completing 14-of-16 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns, while running back Caiden Reeves chipped in a pair of rushing touchdowns.
HP’s all-time leading passer finished the regular season with a completion percentage of 67, 3,098 yards and 28 touchdowns against five interceptions while also rushing for 209 yards and three scores.
Receiver Even Snelleman, meanwhile, had eight receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns in the first two quarters alone.
The second half saw a slew of reserves enter for the Scots, but that didn’t stop HP’s production.
Leyton Gilliam had eight carries for 108 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown run, while quarterbacks Thomas Coffman and Gavin Thornfield combined to go 8-for-10 for 88 yards with each throwing a touchdown pass.
For the night, Snelleman (two), Colton Heinlen, Liam Thomas, Bear Anderson, and Gilliam each had touchdown receptions.
“I was glad to see (Coffman and Thornfield) have some fun and have some success,” Allen said. “And to come in and move the team right down the field and score a touchdown was great to see. That’s what you want from your quarterbacks.”
The Scots now shift their focus to the postseason and a date with a McKinney North team that finished fourth in 5-5A with a 4-3 mark and 7-3 record overall.
“I tell you, we’ve scouted McKinney North and they’re a triple-option team and that’s going to take a lot of preparation on our part,” Allen said. “They have a good looking football team and we’re hoping to have a great crowd at home and we’d like to advance so we have to get ready.”
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