Kirk Dooley’s Blog
More than half a dozen media credentials have been requested by ESPN for the Scots’ Friday night match with Pulaski Academy of Little Rock, Arkansas.
There’s two reasons for that. First, ESPN is producing a special on the quirky Arkansas high school powerhouse, the team that never punts and always uses onside kicks on its kickoffs. The second reason is that Highland Park was the only team to beat Pulaski last year and the Scots hope to duplicate that effort this week.
After HP came away with a 48-42 win last September at Highlander Stadium, the Bruins went on to win 13 straight games, averaging 50 points per game. On one hand, the quality of private school football in Little Rock is not the same as 6A football in Texas. On the other hand, the Scots had to recover an onside kick late in the game to preserve the victory. It was a close game.
What will be different this year?
For starters, the Scots now know what to expect. They couldn’t scout Pulaski last year and then in the game they were shown formations they had never seen before. How about all four wide receivers lining up next to each other on one side? How do you defend that? How do you prepare for that? If you have film, you can be ready when it comes up in a game situation.
But Bruins coach Kevin Kelley probably knows he won’t surprise the Scots this week with formations he used last season. However, I’m willing to bet that during the offseason he has gone back into his evil laboratory and concocted some creative new formations. Be ready for anything.
The Bruins will be starting a sophomore quarterback and it will be his first varsity start. As a freshman backup he completed 31 of 49 passes for 381 yards and six touchdowns. Not worried about a sophomore quarterback? Remember what sophomore Graham Harrell did to the Scots at Texas Stadium a few years ago.
Pulaski will be returning six starters from their 13-1 state championship team. There was some confusion whether the Bruins were even in a conference but apparently they are in a private school conference in Little Rock. Coach Kelley has been quoted on saying how bad he wants to end the Scots’ home winning streak.
Last season the Bruins jumped out to a 28-14 lead before the Scots realized a game had begun. HP’s own Antman, Stephen Dieb, scored to tighten the score to 28-21. Then lightning struck as linebacker Mitchell Kaufman returned an interception 33 yards to tie the score. The Scots defense held on a Bruins fourth down, giving the offense excellent field position and so they scored again before the half. Highland Park scored 21 points in a minute and a half to go in halftime with a 35-28 lead.
Sometimes it’s a good idea to punt.