Scots Have Experience Edge Over Knights
If playoff experience is a factor, then Highland Park has a definite advantage in its area round series this weekend against Harker Heights.
The Scots are a perennial postseason qualifier who have been on this stage many times. The Knights are enjoying their best season in program history and won a playoff series for the first time last week.
HP will host the first game of the Class 6A Region II series at 7:30 p.m. tonight, before the series shifts to Harker Heights (which is in Killeen ISD) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. A third game, if necessary, would be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Glen Rose.
The Scots (24-5) extended their winning streak to 13 games with a sweep of Irving MacArthur in the bi-district round. William Adair pitched a shutout during a 1-0 win in Game 1, while Layne Looney drove home the winning run with a walk-off single in the seventh inning. In the second game, Sawyer Lake and Looney combined on a three-hitter to win 5-1, while Adair was the hitting standout.
Meanwhile, the Knights (18-10) eliminated Sachse in two games. Landon Persick and Daniel Cole each homered during a 7-2 victory in the first game, while Cole and Michael Zapata were the hitting stars in the second game, when Harker Heights rallied late for an 11-6 win in eight innings.
For what it’s worth, the teams have a common opponent in Belton, which defeated the Knights twice during District 12-6A play but fell to HP 2-1 in a tournament.
The winner of the series will face either Jesuit or Rowlett next week in the regional quarterfinals.
