Scots Shut Out Legacy, Pass Third-Round Hurdle
ARLINGTON – The third-round hurdle in the playoffs turned out to be little more than a speed bump for Highland Park on Friday.
The Scots rolled to a 48-0 victory over Mansfield Legacy at AT&T Stadium to snap a four-game losing skid in the regional semifinal round.
For the first time since 2007, HP advanced to the Class 4A Division I Region II final, where it will face either South Oak Cliff or Wylie next week.
The Scots (12-1) stretched their winning streak to 12 games with a dominating first-half performance that included an efficient offense and a stifling defense.
HP shut down a powerful Legacy offense that had scored at least 30 points in 11 of its 12 games this season prior to Friday. The Broncos (10-3) managed just 22 total yards and one first down before halftime.
For the game, the Scots held a 501-90 advantage in total yards and posted their first shutout in more than two years.
Brooks Burgin completed 19 of 36 passes for 338 yards and five touchdowns to lead the HP offense. William Stowe caught three throws for a game-high 106 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown late in the first quarter to give HP a 10-0 advantage.
The Scots rebounded after a turnover on their first possession by scoring on four consecutive drives. After the Stowe touchdown, HP forced a three-and-out by Legacy and responded with a 15-play, 87-yard drive capped by a 12-yard scoring pass from Burgin to Andrew Clyde, a converted defensive lineman who lined up at tight end. It was Clyde’s second touchdown of the year, following a catch in the regular-season finale against Terrell.
Later in the second quarter, the Scots took over near midfield. Burgin found Chris Moize on a 30-yard strike, and Cole Feigl scored three plays later on a 16-yard run.
HP had a first-quarter touchdown nullified by an offensive pass interference penalty, leading to a 39-yard field goal by Will Sanders to open the scoring. It was the eighth field goal of the season for Sanders, who later added a 32-yarder in the fourth quarter.
The second half started with more of the same, as Burgin capped HP’s first three possessions with scoring passes. His touchdown throws went to Chris Moize (9 yards), Andrew Frost (27 yards) and Sam Malone (34 yards), stretching the margin to 45-0 early in the fourth quarter. Burgin’s 19 completions in the game went to 11 different receivers.
Legacy had its best scoring opportunity when it drove to the HP 35-yard line late in the third quarter, but a sack by Tanner Houghton on third-and-5 ended the threat.
