The Richardson Eagles soar into Highlander Stadium tonight for the final district game of the season. The Scots are already in the playoffs, probably facing Irving Nimitz next weekend. But Richardson must win this game to make the playoffs. Therein lies tonight’s drama. Win and they’re in. Lose and their season is over, something that will sink in during a long bus ride back to Belt Line Road.
Can the Eagles beat the Scots? Yes. If HP looks past a worthy opponent, especially one with playoff urgency, the Scots can lose their home winning streak.
But that’s what the HP coaches are drilling into these guys. Don’t look past this game. Be prepared. Execute. If the Scots play the game they way they are capable, a lot of backups will get to play in the second half.
I think back to 2008, the Rockwall Heath game at Wilkinson Stadium when Hawks beat the Scots in an overtime nail-biter, 38-31. A running back named Kendial Lawrence put the team on his back and carried the ball 39 times for 365 yards and five touchdowns (70 yards, 44, 24, 18 and 1). He gained 226 of those yards after halftime.
It was the most impressive running performance I had ever seen in person. Nobody could stop the guy. On paper, he beat the Scots by himself. In reality there were 10 Hawks who went on to play Division 1 football the next year. Mickey Moss’ team was loaded with college talent.
When my research reveals a player coming into Highlander Stadium who puts up impressive numbers, I cringe, thinking he might be the second coming of Kendial Lawrence. That thought recently crossed my mind when I saw how Richardson junior Kahlil Lacy caught an 87-yard touchdown strike to win last week’s game against Mesquite. And the week before, the Eagles beat the Berkner Rams by three, in a game where Lacy had a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Kahlil Lacy is no Kendial Lawrence. The only thing they have in common is that their first names are frequently misspelled. But Lacy comes into Highlander Stadium with the speed and electricity to go all the way whenever he touches the ball. Although Eagles running back Daevon Woods (#21) will probably cause the Scots more headaches than Lacy, we should all keep an eye on number 12.
Especially when he needs about 90 yards to score.