FLOWER MOUND — Highland Park (1-0) began its football season with a 56-24 win over Flower Mound Marcus (0-1) at Marcus Stadium on Friday night.
Highland Park was able to get its passing game going and marched up and down the field all night, scoring touchdowns on its first six possessions and only punting once the entire game as the Scots spoiled Marcus head coach Mike Alexander’s team debut.
After Highland Park opened up a 14-0 lead, Marcus responded with a touchdown run from Isaiah Keliikipi to make it a one-possession game. However, on the ensuing drive, Highland Park senior quarterback Warren Peck scrambled his way out of the pocket and connected with Steel Tobin on a 39-yard touchdown strike to give the Scots a two-possession lead once again.
Marcus appeared to answer immediately as Karic Grennan returned the following kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, but a penalty nullified the play, and Marcus could only manage a field goal out of the possession.
Marcus would not score again until early in the fourth quarter, while Highland Park scored 21 points in the second quarter, including returning a blocked field goal for a touchdown, to put the game away before halftime.
Peck finished the game with 265 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-21 passing and added another two touchdowns on the ground, while Tobin and Bryce Laczkowksi each caught touchdowns. Backup quarterback and Air Force Academy commit Parker Thompson proved elusive, rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown in limited playing time.
Marcus junior quarterback Dane Parlin threw for 313 yards and a touchdown on 25-of-40 passing, while Grennan and Brock Golwas also found the endzone for the Marauders.
Next week, Highland Park will continue the season against Lewisville (1-0), while Flower Mound Marcus visits perennial power Southlake Carroll (1-0).