Scots Head to Frisco for Lone Star Showdown
Drew Dodge and Highland Park will face their final nondistrict test on Thursday against Frisco Lone Star. (Photo: Melissa Macatee)
If some prognosticators are right, Thursday’s game might not be the last time that Highland Park and Frisco Lone Star meet this season. The Scots and Rangers are two of the powerhouses in Class 5A Division I, Region I, and a postseason clash seems like a reasonable expectation.
But first thing’s first, as they say, which brings us to a significant nondistrict matchup between HP and Lone Star at Frisco Memorial Stadium. Both teams have looked impressive thus far.
It will be the final tuneup for the Scots (2-0) prior to the start of District 6-5A play next week and also their first road test following consecutive home victories over 6A foes Rockwall and Mesquite Horn.
The 35-18 win over Horn came well after midnight on Sept. 7, following multiple weather delays at Highlander Stadium, giving HP a short week of preparation after a physical contest.
Still, the Scots carry plenty of momentum. Junior quarterback Chandler Morris has completed more than 70 percent of his throws, racking up 647 yards and six touchdowns. He’s also scored five times on the ground.
Finn Corwin caught all four of Morris’ touchdown passes last week, and is averaging more than 24 yards per reception through two games. He’s tied with Ben Smith for team-high honors with 10 catches.
Meanwhile, the Scots have forced five turnovers on defense and have also recorded a safety — courtesy of a Prince Dorbah sack — against two high-powered offenses.
Perhaps their biggest test will come against Lone Star, which has earned its two victories against Richland and Denton by an average margin of 42.5 points. The Rangers (2-0) have only allowed eight points, two of which came on a safety and the other six on a garbage-time touchdown against the Broncos.
Lone Star’s offensive playmakers include dual-threat quarterback Julian Larry, running back Quinn Maloney, and receivers Ife Opere and Marvin Mims. Plus, the defense returns seven starters from a squad that won 12 games a year ago.
It will be the first meeting between the Scots and Rangers, who played their first varsity season in 2010. Lone Star has won nine playoff games in the past three seasons combined, including a 5A Division II state runner-up finish in 2015.
