WHAT A GAME

It’s hard to ask for a more thrilling regular season matchup than the 48 minutes of pure gridiron football we witnessed in this District 6-5A overtime extravaganza. Both teams stepped onto the field knowing what was at stake, the district title and more importantly the No. 1 seed heading into playoffs. Highland Park displayed poise and experience from the moment this game began. Just 16 seconds had ticked off the clock when quarterback Chandler Morris connected with defensive lineman Jack Curtis, who had checked in as a receiver, on a 75-yard touchdown. HP continued to showcase its capability of being able to get into the endzone by going up on Lancaster by as much as 21 points in the third quarter. On the opposing sideline, the Tigers were determined to fight until the final buzzer sounded as they went on a 21-0 run to tie the game and send this one into overtime. When you have a game where there are so many rights on the line, this is the type of exhilarating style of play you hope to see from both teams.

Chandler Morris is mentally tough

Credit goes out to the Tiger’s defense; they applied pressure to an extremely sound Scots’ offense the entire night, specifically the defensive line. Containing Chandler Morris is not a walk in the park, and they showed dominance in that realm. That being said, the toughness of the senior quarterback showed that he has many more weapons in his pocket than just his athleticism. With the game tied at 35, Highland Park had one more offensive drive to try and put this game away. With 0:08 seconds left on the clock Morris was picked-off in the end zone barring an overtime thriller. The strength that was portrayed after the turnover was pure mental toughness from No. 4. Instead of hanging his head and letting it effect how this game would end, he buckled down and scored the game-winning touchdown on a quarterback keeper in extra time. Not once did he look frazzled in the extra minutes. Morris continued to lead his team to their most crucial win of the year.

Capitalizing on big plays is essential

Both teams had their fair share of big plays. For Highland Park, the absolute dominance in its coast-to-coast rushing showcase by senior running back Hunter Heath played a massive role in adding another game to the win column. Heath is a force to be reckoned with when he drives through the line of scrimmage.  The impressive back ended the night with 10 carries for 131 yards and two touchdowns on the ground along with five receptions for 50 yards in the air.

As for Lancaster, the defensive side of the ball allowed them to stay completive in this game. In the first quarter they forced two turnovers on back-to-back possessions to give the Tiger’s offense the ball with tremendous field position. The issue that lied ahead was that both of these possessions ended by settling for field goals that didn’t make it through the uprights. From the beginning of this game it was clear that whichever team was able to efficiently execute on momentum-shifting plays would come out victorious. The Scot’s won that battle.

What lies ahead

Highland park has not only guaranteed a berth into the playoffs but also, at minimum a share of the district 6-5A title. In the final week of the regular season they welcome Mansfield Timberview onto their home turf. If the Scots are able to add one final game into the win column, they will outright win the title and end district with a perfect 7-0 record. If deemed district champions, Coach Allen’s squad will solidify the number one seed heading into the playoffs and will have their eyes set on winning their 4th straight State Championship. The Scots’ would join Sealy, Celina, and Austin Lake Travis as only the 4th team to win four straight state titles. On the other side, Lancaster’s week 9 win over Mansfield Timberview destined them to be one of the teams to represent district 6-5A in the post season. A share of the district title would come home for the Tiger’s if they end the season with a win on the road against Dallas Wilson and Highland Park falls short to Timberview.

Making a dent in the history books

History was made at Beverly D. Humphrey Tiger Stadium as Highland Park head coach Randy Allen grabbed his 400th career win. Allen is just the third coach in Texas high school football history to have reached this milestone following Corpus Christi Calallen coach Phil Danher and G.A. Moore who formerly coached at Pilot Point, Celina and Aubrey. Joining this prestigious club came even sweeter for the decorated coach because of the relicense his players showed in this tough battle. “To win it in overtime makes it even more memorable… how hard our players fought, how hard Lancaster fought… it’s just the best of what high school football is about.” In admirable fashion Allen gave thanks not only to the group of players he had on the field tonight but to all the players and coaches that have been a part of his 47-year journey. When speaking to Coach Allen earlier this week he said that his largest role models in life not only showed him what it took to be an exemplary coach on the field but also what it meant to have an impact on the lives of the young men he had the opportunity to lead. He credited this success to his father, to the late-great Chuck Moser who he grew up admiring in the Big Country and Texas High School Football Hall of Fame coach Merrill Green. “I wanted to have the kind of impact on young men like they did… they were great men and great coaches.” After securing his 400th career win, it is clear to see that Coach Allen has exceeded this personal goal he set many years ago.

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