Scots Finish Spring With Confidence, Eye Another Title Run
HP showcases impressive depth, skill during offseason scrimmages, conditioning
With so much offensive firepower set to return for Highland Park during the 2025 football season, the defense might comparatively be a work in progress.
However, as the Scots wrapped up spring practice with the annual Blue-Gold scrimmage on May 15 at Highlander Stadium, longtime HP head coach Randy Allen said a unit that lost most of its starters to graduation has been a pleasant surprise.
“We’ve gotten better,” Allen said. “I’ve been really impressed with our defensive play in the scrimmages. Our linebackers and secondary have really improved since the beginning.”
The Scots have high expectations after reaching the Class 5A Division I state championship game in December. The season-ending loss to Spring Branch Smithson Valley still stings but has provided plenty of motivation for returning players during the offseason, including the three weeks of high-intensity spring drills.
“There’s a quiet confidence and also a sense of finishing strong,” Allen said. “When you get a taste of it and want to get back, it’s a great motivator.”
The upcoming season will be Year 2 for starting quarterback Buck Randall, who made a stellar varsity debut a year ago, throwing for almost 3,900 yards and 40 touchdowns while leading the Scots to a 14-2 record. He also led the team with 12 rushing scores.
“He’s been throwing a lot,” Allen said. “He had 16 games of experience last year, so he’s way down the road in terms of his knowledge and decision making. He’s comfortable with his receivers.”
HP will return several contributors from that high-powered offense, highlighted by leading receiver Cannon Bozman. Fellow receivers Harrison Cullum, Charlie Olmstead, and Case Messer also will be back.
Allen said he’s optimistic about the depth at running back, led by Matthew White and Isaiah Lee. On the offensive line, coaches are trying to find the right mix alongside returning starters Stuart Allday and Tripp Townsend.
“We’ve had some guys who have played well in the scrimmages who have earned some playing time,” Allen said. “We still have a long way to go.”
HP will return to practice on Aug. 11, followed by a scrimmage 10 days later against Plano East. The Scots will host Rockwall-Heath in the regular-season opener on Aug. 29, and the District 12-5A opener is slated for Sept. 26 at Tyler.
