HIGHLAND PARK — If there was any lingering bitterness over last week’s loss to Lake Highlands on the part of Highland Park High School’s football team, it was used as fuel on Friday night.
The Scots responded to last week’s disappointment by taking total control in a 63-3 win over Irving High School at Highlander Stadium, as the Highland Park offense scored 28 points in the first quarter while Irving struggled to gain a first down.
“Our defense played great tonight against the run, especially because they didn’t throw it much,” Highland Park head coach Randy Allen told members of the media after the game. “They really did a great job. We had a lot of three and outs, and they had one or two first downs in the first half.”
Irving (0-3, 0-1 District 7-6A) decided to start the game aggressively, attempting an onside kick which it recovered. However, the Tigers did nothing with the extra possession, picking up just one yard in three plays before punting.
Highland Park’s Wilson Axley returned the punt for a touchdown, but the play was called back on a penalty. It only took them three more snaps to make up for it, as Warren Peck connected with Steel Tobin for a 56-yard score.
Peck added another two touchdown passes and two touchdown runs to go with 160 passing yards to help Highland Park (3-1, 1-1) build a 42-0 lead at halftime.
Parker Thompson, an Air Force commit who caught one of Peck’s first-half touchdown throws, took over for Peck in the third quarter and went a perfect 5-5 passing with a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown as Highland Park turned to its backups.
Irving avoided the shutout with a Caleb Centro 39-yard field goal with 2:31 left.
Highland Park has a bye week next week and will face Dallas Jesuit (2-2, 1-1) on September 29 at SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
