Defense Helps Propel Scots Toward Playoffs
Who would have thought the defense would be the most consistent factor this season for Highland Park?
That unit was lacking experience, changing coordinators, and had various other excuses to become a weak link during the Scots’ first season at the Class 6A level.
Yet the defense, for the most part, has been stellar. Another example came last week during a 34-7 win over Lake Highlands. That marked the fifth time in seven games that HP held an opponent to single-digit points, with three shutouts in the mix.
In the two other games, the Scots allowed 42 points to high-powered Pulaski Academy from Little Rock — who is currently 6-1 and has scored at least 49 points in every other game, by the way — and in a loss to Mesquite Horn.
Tonight, the Scots (6-1, 3-1) will travel to face Mesquite, an inconsistent outfit that remains in contention for one of the final two playoff spots in 10-6A. It will be the third trip to Hanby Stadium for HP in the past five weeks.
A week ago, the Skeeters (2-5, 2-2) scored three times in the fourth quarter during a 28-7 win over struggling Richardson Berkner. But they haven’t shown the ability this season to stop an offense as powerful as the Scots.
HP bounced back nicely from the Horn loss last week by scoring 34 unanswered points against the Wildcats. The Scots remain in sole possession of second place in the 10-6A standings, and while they can’t technically clinch a postseason berth tonight, their final three opponents have a combined overall record of 5-16.
