by Kirk Dooley
The playoffs begin this Thursday in Frisco. Are you ready?
OK, I realize that the district race hasn’t even started yet but the Scots are walking into a major playoff atmosphere as they challenge Frisco Lone Star in a Thursday night showdown at Memorial Stadium.
It will be the first time these two teams have ever met. Since Lone Star was founded eight years ago it has become the football royalty of Frisco, which has six teams in district 5-5A Div I.
The Lone Star Rangers were regional finalists last year, boasting a 12-2 record. They return 13 starters and have begun the 2018 season by trouncing Richland, 42-2, and Denton, 51-6.
The Scots and the Rangers are ranked the top two 5A teams in the Dallas area. The AP ranks HP number two and Lone Star number four in the state. This will be one of those “clash of the titans” battles and it’s only the third game of the season.
It is important to note that this is the biggest game in the history of Lone Star High School. Memorial Stadium in Frisco will be shaking with playoff electricity. Highland Park usually has a big target on its back and on Thursday the Rangers will have a M1 Abrams tank pointed at it.
The Scots are coming off two impressive wins over good 6A teams. The Rangers are also 2-0 and have outscored their opponents 93-8. Last week Lone Star quarterback Julian Larry completed 10 of 12 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns. Six receivers caught at least one pass, led by Ife Opere who caught five for 75 yards and two scores. Running back Quinn Maloney ran for 140 yards and two TDs. The Rangers secondary is solid, consisting of four returning starters.
Denton was down 51-0 when it scored on a three yard pass in the last 83 seconds. It was the only touchdown the Rangers have allowed this season. That will be a good challenge for Mr. Touchdown on Thursday.
Mr. Touchdown, aka Finnegan Corwin, is the Scots receiver who has a knack of turning receptions into six points. He was named the Dallas Morning News Offensive Player of the Week after his 205-yard, four-touchdown performance against Mesquite Horn last Friday. Defensive end Prince Dorbah was honorable mention Defensive Player of the Week for his five sacks and a safety.
Last week’s rain and lightning delays caused both bands and both drill teams abandon ship and miss the game. The contest was ultimately played in its entirety but the loss of the music and dancing made those rain-drenched warriors still in the stands realize how important the bands and drill teams are to the magic of the Friday night lights.
I’ll go out on a limb and make two predictions. The Lone Star defense is allowing an average of four points per game and I predict that the Scots will score more than four points. My other prediction is that this won’t be the only time the Scots face the Rangers this season.
A playoff atmosphere this Thursday? Get used to it.
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