Scots Confident New QB Will Fit Their System
Don’t expect a switch at quarterback to change Highland Park’s traditional success on offense this season.
Henry Allen will be the latest signal-caller to take over the Scots’ spread attack after seeing limited action in a reserve role last year. But don’t let the lack of experience fool you — Allen led the school to an undefeated junior-varsity campaign in 2014 and has many of the same dual-threat tools as his predecessor, two-year starter Brooks Burgin.
“We need a dual-threat guy for our offense to be really effective,” said HP offensive coordinator Grayson Wells. “He can throw and run. He throws a pretty pass and he sees the field and makes good decisions.”
HP will open the season on Saturday against Frisco Centennial at the Tom Landry Classic in Allen.
The Scots averaged 42.8 points per game last season — never being held to less than 28 points in any game — and racked up an average of 431.5 yards of total offense. About two-thirds of that came through the air.
The only returning offensive starters are tackle Jack Sides and running back Stephen Dieb, who led HP with 826 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
Besides Allen, this season will feature a new group of receivers including J.T. Dooley, Chris Buell, Jack Toohey, and Cy McCullough. Yet such turnover isn’t unusual for the Scots, and Allen said it shouldn’t be cause for alarm.
“All the receivers are new and I’m new,” Allen said. “During the spring our defense was kind of abusing us. Right now our offense looks so much better. Everybody is more comfortable with each other.”
