Scots Should Schedule St. Mark’s
For four years in a row, the Highland Park football team has played a home game against a squad from Monterrey, Mexico. As Kirk Dooley pointed out, this results in a less-than-electric atmosphere, as the visiting stands are virtually empty.
It’s my understanding that Highland Park schedules Monterrey Tec because (for whatever reason) the Scots are committed to opening the season in the Tom Landry Classic. That neutral-site game could lead to the loss of an all-important home game, unless you find an opponent, such as Monterrey Tec, who will never ask you to come play at their place.
Home games are important because of A) the ticket revenue, and B) each one anchors a fundraising dinner for a different student group. (FYI, BBQ with the Band is this Friday night.) But I propose that Highland Park stop scheduling an opponent from another country and start scheduling one from just down the road.
I attended my first St. Mark’s football game on Friday night, because one of their cheerleaders was trying to set a world record. I noticed on my way in that admission was free, and I asked St. Mark’s spokeswoman Katy Rubarth if that was because it was homecoming. No, she told me, all St. Mark’s football games are free.
Well, there you go. If St. Mark’s doesn’t charge people to get into its games, then its administrators should have no problem playing both ends of a two-game series at Highlander Stadium. Because a game at Highlander would practically be a home game for many St. Mark’s families. Think about how those visiting stands would be absolutely filled with fans; not only would the atmosphere be great, Highland Park ISD would make a heck of a lot more money than it would by scheduling Monterrey Tec again.
Just out of curiosity, I turned to the Scots expert on my staff, sports editor Chuck Cox, to ask when was the last time St. Mark’s and Highland Park played a football game. I was stunned by his answer: Never. REALLY? Come on, Scots coaching staff. Let’s make this happen.
While it would be great for HP to play St. Marks or ESD, it won’t happen for the following reasons:
1. Stadium size – neither St. Marks nor ESD’s stadium could accommodate HP’s band, drill team and parents/fans and still leave enough room for the home team. If they would agree to only play at HP, then this might not be an issue.
2. Competition – while both schools have great athletes, HP’s depth would overwhelm them and nobody really enjoys watching another 70-7 blowout.
Also, HP used to play some of the neighboring public/private schools like Hillcrest, Lake Highlands and Jesuit. The Lake Highlands series was cancelled back in the 90’s due to too many fights between HP and LH students. See #2 above for the reason they don’t play Hillcrest anymore. Since Jesuit joined the UIL, it only schedules 5A teams since it is forced to play in 5A.
As with Jesuit, we used to play Bishop Lynch. Always played at Highlander. Those games were more competitive but not by much. Jesuit could still play Highland Park. They don’t have to play only 5A schools. That only happens when they play district game.
Also, I bet we probably don’t have to share the proceeds from the gate with the team from Mexico.
That’s the point of the article, that since St Marks doesn’t collect a “gate” for home games anyway, they wouldn’t need to share one with HP.
And while I agree that HP’s depth and size would wear down St Marks, they do have some talented skill players, so I don’t think it would be 70-7. I’d say 42-21 neighborhood. Would be fun though, HP-St Marks lax always is.