2005: Some Scots Left Game on High Note
Half of title team’s O-line quit playing after high school
By Brittnee DeJong | Special Contributor
The last time Highland Park won a state football championship, the Scots were led by quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Most sports fans know where Stafford is now. After continuing his playing career at the University of Georgia, he was picked first overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft.
But what about the six young men who protected Stafford as his offensive line in 2005? For Alex Cole, Seth Graham, James Miers, Chris Olson, Reid Prince, and Paul Schaufele, their glory days on the gridiron are over. In fact, Schaufele said each of them has dropped an average of 60 pounds since last suiting up for Highland Park. Although they have taken various career paths, they all have one thing in common: They follow the Lions a lot more closely than they did growing up.
1. CHRIS OLSON
College: He attended Texas Tech University on an athletic scholarship and received a Master of Business Administration.
Career: He works at an e-commerce company called PFS Web.
Football: A five-year member of the Red Raiders’ program, Olson redshirted as a freshman and worked his way up to a starting position as a junior. He said Stafford is not the only reason he’s watched Lions games; former Texas Tech teammate Manny Ramirez started 12 games for Detroit in 2009.
2. SETH GRAHAM
College: Graham earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin in May 2010.
Career: He is in the process of moving back to Dallas, where he is interviewing for jobs.
Football: Graham’s football career ended when he graduated from Highland Park.
3. ALEX COLE
College: Cole graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Career: Cole is a communications officer aboard the U.S.S. Wayne E. Meyer, which is based in San Diego.
Football: Cole did not continue to play football after graduating from Highland Park.
4. PAUL SCHAUFELE
College: He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va.
Career: Schaufele is back in Dallas and works at JP Morgan Commercial Bank.
Football: He played one year of football for the Washington and Lee Generals, then switched to rugby and continued that for two more years.
5. JAMES MIERS
College: A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Miers just finished his first year at SMU’s Dedman School of Law.
Career: “Law school is taking up the vast majority of my time.”
Football: Miers did not continue to play football after graduating from Highland Park.
6. REID PRINCE
College: Prince attended Baylor University and received his Bachelor of Business Administration, with a double major in entrepreneurship and finance.
Career: Recently married and living in Dallas, he is a financial advisor at Raymond James.
Football: Prince played football for one season at Baylor before he re-injured his shoulder.
Brittnee DeJong is an intern for People Newspapers.
2005
On March 15, three men driving along the Central Expressway access road near Mockingbird Lane were gunned down after a fight at Jack’s Pub on Yale Boulevard. Israel Barretero, 21, was arrested on charges of capital murder and aggravated assault on Jan. 12, 2006.
In July, the repaving of Lovers Lane that began in February 2004 was completed four months earlier than expected and $700,000 under budget. A celebratory block party was held in honor of construction crews, city officials, and residents impacted by the project.
In October, Highland Park High School students were criticized for their costume choices during the school’s Homecoming Spirit Week. On “Fiesta Day,” students came dressed as yard workers, pregnant women, and maids. On “Western Day,” some senior students dressed in gang attire.
CHANGES AT THE TOP
On June 30, Anthony Bryan resigned as Providence Christian School’s headmaster after only two years. He was replaced by Tony Jeffrey, formerly of Trinity Christian Academy.
HIGHLAND PARK HIGH SCHOOL
Valedictorian: Eliza Crawford
Salutatorian: Jacob Levinson
Blanket Award winners: Leila Cornelius and Reed Randel
IDLEWILD DEBUTANTES
Barbara Beatrice Parravano, Caroline Bright Reeder, Ida Louise Larkin Steen, Christie Hardin van Vraankin Taylor, Alexis Claire Tripplehorn
