PC_Football2026_Digital

CHASING GREATNESS TEXAS’ WINNINGEST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PROGRAM SEEKS STATE CROWN

Buck Randall

CHRIS MCGATHEY

September 2026 @pcpeople |

@peoplenewspapers | peoplenewspapers.com.com

ParkCitiesPeople 2026 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

C2 | September 2026 B2 2025

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Expect More Balance Offensively From the Scots

People Newspapers

Points were not at a premium for Highland Park a year ago.

The Scots racked up an average of 47.5 points per game and scored more than 50 points on six occasions.

When the level of competition stepped up, so too did HP. The Scots averaged 46.5 points in their four playoff contests.

HP is hopeful for similar production in 2026, and with good reason. Quarterback Buck Randall is back for his third season starting under center.

Last year, Randall threw for 4,396 yards and 51 touchdowns while also chipping in 509 rushing yards and 12 additional scores.

But if you ask Randall, much of the optimism surrounding HP’s offense comes with its balance.

“I want to say that we’re going to be an explosive offense,” he said. “But at the same time, looking at our new personnel, I think we’re going to have a really good running game …

I think we’ll be able to lean on that more and control the game a little better.”

HP’s offensive line features two returning starters in Benton Weathersby and Cooper Alt, as well as Colton Williams — who earned a starting spot a year ago before suffering a season-ending injury in HP’s opener.

Rounding out the projected starters on the line are Luke Swaner and Trey Lander, while Caiden Reeves is projected to be the lead running back with support from James Flowers.

The biggest question comes at receiver, where HP was decimated by graduation. But Randall noted that he is al-

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Williams secured a starting spot on the offensive line in 2025, only to suffer a seasonending injury in HP’s first game. Now back to full health, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Williams will be a fixture in the trenches for the Scots and is receiving Division I offers.

ready developing a strong rapport with his new receivers.

Among the players expected to contribute as pass-catchers are James Axley, Evan Snelleman, Liam Thomas, Luke Cecil, Beckett Lawrence, and Dean Dulin.

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MELISSA MACATEE

By Justin Thomas

September 2026 | B3

parkcitiespeople.com

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GO SCOTS!

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B4 | September 2026

parkcitiespeople.com

Defense Has Big Shoes to Fill

contributors a year ago, while returning starter Graham Rodgers is joined at linebacker by Beckett With just three returning Curtis, captain Lee Wagner, and starters from 2025, HP’s de- Dean Williams. fense will take on a new look “I think things are looking this season. great,” Wagner said. “I think Fortunately for the Scots, this is the most stacked deck returnees and captains are we’ve had at linebacker in a available at every level of the long time. The depth is really defense. coming together, and I think Head coach Randy Allen we’re going to be really strong said he was there.”

Reigning pleased with “I think this is first-team all-dist h e p ro g re s s H P ’s performer the most stacked trict and captain Dean newcomers deck we’ve had Dulin is joined made during Sutton Spillspring camp, at linebacker in by man at cornerand noted a long time.” back, while HP’s that depth starting safeties figures to be a strength. are expected to be On the Cotton Patterson line, Charlie Flint, Boone and Max Green.

“Coming off of last year, Thompson, and captain Nick van der Westhuizen were varsity we have a lot of spots to fill

People Newspapers

Lee Wagner

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A Georgetown commit for lacrosse, Dulin is an anchor in the secondary for HP and the lone returning firstteam all-district defensive performer for the Scots.

from some really good graduating seniors,” Dulin said.

“A lot of guys need to step up, and we’ve seen a lot of improvement from guys that can really make an impact on this team and step into those spots. I’m really excited for the season.”

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September 2026 | B5

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B6 | September 2026

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MELISSA MACATEE

2026 SCOTS VA

No. Name....................... Pos ����Class

No. Name....................... Pos ����Class

No. Name....................... Pos ����Class

No. Name....................... Pos ����Class

2

Dean Dulin...................... CB ������������Sr.

13 Nick van der Westhuizen.DL ������������Sr.

27 Jaiden Patel.................... CB ����������� Jr.

36 Leyton Gilliam................. RB ������������ Jr.

3

Liam Thomas.................. WR �����������Sr.

15 Luke Cecil........................ WR �����������Sr.

27 Beckett Lawrence.......... WR ��������� So.

37 James Grimste............... RB �������������Jr

4

Caiden Reeves................ RB ������������Sr.

16 Henry Swanger............... WR �����������Sr.

28 Ford Jackson................... RB ������������Sr.

38 William Ledford.............. LB ������������ Jr.

5

Lee Wagner..................... LB ������������Sr.

19 Gavin Thornfield............. QB ������������ Jr.

29 Owen Isom...................... S ������������� Jr.

39 Michael Kelley................ S ��������������� Jr.

6

Cotton Patterson............ S �������������Sr.

20 James Flowers................ LB ������������ Jr.

30 Henry Leinart.................. S ������������� Jr.

40 Hudson Beall.................. LB ������������Sr.

8

Buck Randall.................. QB ������������Sr.

21 Josh Wade....................... S ���������������Sr.

30 Julian Patel..................... CB ������������ Jr.

41 William Henson.............. LB ������������Sr.

9

Benton Gordon............... LB ������������Sr.

22 Harley Eckert.................. CB ������������Sr.

31 Sutton Spillman............. S ������������� Jr.

42 Beckett Swanger............ LB ������������Sr.

10 Beckett Curtis................. LB ������������Sr.

23 Charles Gardner............. CB ������������Sr.

32 Dean Williams................ DB ������������Sr.

43 Brandon Galanos........... WR ����������� Jr.

11 Max Green....................... S �������������Sr.

25 Tashaun Stewart............ CB ������������Sr.

33 Sloan White.................... RB ������������Sr.

43 Brooks Kinkaid............... LB ������������ Jr.

12 Thomas Coffman........... QB ������������Sr.

26 Bentley O’Brien............... LB ������������ Jr.

34 Logan Jones.................... RB ����������� So.

44 James Hamilton............. LB ������������Sr.

Subscribe to SPORTS SPOTLIGHT at www.peoplenewspapers.com/sports-spotlight-newsletter/

September 2026 | B7

parkcitiespeople.com

ARSITY ROSTER No. Name....................... Pos ����Class

No. Name....................... Pos ����Class

No. Name....................... Pos ����Class

No. Name....................... Pos ����Class

45 Hawkins Schoenvogel... S ������������� Jr.

58 Alexander Diltz............... LB ������������ Jr.

73 Peter Sealy...................... LB ������������ Jr.

85 Owen Camillo................. WR ����������� Jr.

45 Jack Mahmud................. CB ����������� Jr.

59 Mark Mauser................... LB ������������ Jr.

74 Henry Peterson............... OL ������������ Jr.

85 Hutch Thomas................ WR ����������� Jr.

46 Robert McCallum........... CB ������������ Jr.

60 Kaden Boyd..................... OL ������������Sr.

75 King Hutchinson............. DL ������������Sr.

86 Evan Snelleman............. WR ����������� Jr.

48 Graham Rodgers............ LB ������������ Jr.

62 Cash Wagoner................ DL ������������ Jr.

76 Cooper Alt....................... OL ������������Sr.

87 Chad Savage................... WR ����������� Jr.

49 Corbin Gray..................... LB ������������ Jr.

63 Samuel Jenull................. OL ������������ Jr.

77 Colton Williams.............. OL ������������ Jr.

88 James Axley.................... WR ����������� Jr.

50 Luke Swaner................... OL ������������ Jr.

63 Brody Pacholski ............. DL ������������ Jr.

78 Gates Foley...................... OL ������������ Jr.

89 Bear Anderson................ WR ���������� So.

51 Ault Zelazny.................... LB ������������ Jr.

64 William Lajous................ DL ������������ Jr.

79 Vito Pogue....................... OL ������������ Jr.

89 Graham Sherman.......... WR ����������� Jr.

52 Shep Pryor....................... K ��������������Sr.

65 Ben Warburton............... OL ������������Sr.

80 Jack McCarty.................. WR �����������Sr.

90 Jackson Helms............... DL ������������ Jr.

53 Stephen Spence............. OL ������������ Jr.

66 Benton Weathersby....... OL ������������ Jr.

80 George Blaylock............. WR ����������� Jr.

91 Boone Thompson........... DL ������������ Jr.

55 Charles Davenport......... DL ������������Sr.

68 Henry Butler.................... OL ������������ Jr.

81 Brad Davey...................... WR ����������� Jr.

92 Billy Lokey....................... LB ������������Sr.

56 Major Andrews .............. LB ������������ Jr.

70 Trey Lander..................... OL ������������Sr.

82 Thompson Braner.......... WR ����������� Jr.

93 Slade Stapp.................... DL ����������� So.

57 Matt Friedman................ K �������������� Jr.

71 Carter Blurton................. OL ������������Sr.

82 Hunter Jenull .................. WR ����������� Jr.

95 Fischer Millican.............. DL ������������Sr.

57 Andrew Barker................ LB ������������ Jr.

72 William Gunnerson........ OL ������������ Jr.

83 Cadell Brown................... WR ����������� Jr.

98 Charles Flint.................... DL ������������ Jr.

58 Colt Stabler..................... K �������������� Jr.

73 Levi Shore........................ LB ������������ Jr.

83 Carter Patten.................. WR ����������� Jr.

99 Patton Vargas................. DL ������������Sr.

2026 SCHEDULE

JV BLUE

Sept. 17 Sept. 24

Argyle Naaman Forest

7 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 Sept. 24

Midlothian Heritage Plano

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

VARSITY

Oct. 1 Oct. 8

Richland R.L. Turner

7 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Oct. 1 Oct. 8

Richland Sachse

5:30 p.m.

TBD

Oct. 14 Oct. 29

Creekview Birdville

5:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

Oct. 29

Birdville

TBD

Nov. 4

Newman Smith

5:30 p.m.

Date Aug. 29 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 15 Oct. 30 Nov. 5

Opponent Lewisville Rockwall-Heath Tyler Argyle Naaman Forest* Richland* R.L. Turner* Creekview* Birdville* Newman Smith*

* — District 6-5A, Division I game

Stadium Time The Star 1 p.m.

Wilkerson-Sanders 7 p.m.

Highlander 7 p.m.

Eagle 7 p.m.

Highlander 7 p.m.

Birdville ISD 7 p.m.

Highlander 7 p.m.

Standridge 7 p.m.

Highlander 7 p.m.

Standridge 7 p.m.

Date Aug. 27

Opponent Lewisville

Time 7 p.m.

Sept. 3 Sept. 10

Rockwall-Heath Tyler

FRESHMAN BLUE

JV GOLD Date Aug. 27

Opponent Lewisville

Time 5:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

TBD

Sept. 3 Sept. 10

Rockwall-Heath Midlothian

5:30 p.m.

TBD

Date Aug. 27

Opponent Lewisville

Time 7 p.m.

Sept. 3

Rockwall-Heath

7 p.m.

FRESHMAN GOLD Date

Opponent

Time

Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 10

Lewisville 5:30 p.m.

Rockwall-Heath 5:30 p.m.

Garland 7 p.m.

Sept. 10

Tyler

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 Sept. 24

Argyle Naaman Forest

TBD 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 1

Richland 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 1 Oct. 8

Richland R.L. Turner

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Oct. 8

Poteet 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 14

Waxahachie 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 14 Oct. 29

Creekview Birdville

5:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

Oct. 29

Birdville

Nov. 4

Brewer 5 p.m.

Nov. 4

Newman Smith

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Subscribe to SPORTS SPOTLIGHT at www.peoplenewspapers.com/sports-spotlight-newsletter/

B8 | September 2026

LEWISVILLE

Saturday, Aug. 29 7 p.m. at The Star in Frisco

parkcitiespeople.com

2026 OPPONENTS ROCKWALL-HEATH

Friday, Sept. 4 7 p.m. at Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium

TYLER

Friday, Sept. 11 7 p.m. at Highlander Stadium

ARGYLE

Friday, Sept. 18 7 p.m. at Eagle Stadium

NAAMAN FOREST

Friday, Sept. 25 7 p.m. at Highlander Stadium

Nickname: Fighting Farmers Head coach: Michael Odle 2025 record: 8-3 (5-2 in district)

Nickname: Hawks Head coach: Casey Dick 2025 record: 8-4 (4-2 in district)

Nickname: Lions Head coach: Rashaun Woods 2025 record: 4-7 (3-3 in district)

Nickname: Eagles Head coach: Todd Rogers 2025 record: 12-2 (8-0 in district)

Nickname: Rangers Head coach: Jesse Perales 2025 record: 5-6 (4-4 in district)

Notable: Under head coach Michael Odle, Lewisville has turned into a perennial playoff team, qualifying in eight consecutive seasons at the Class 6A level. The Farmers return 12 starters, including versatile athletes Derrick Martin and Aiden Evans and standout tight end Landon Bogany, but have big holes to fill in the trenches.

Notable: Casey Dick takes over as head coach at Heath after claiming a state title in Arkansas a year ago.

Heath returned to the 6A playoffs for the fifth time in six years in 2025 after missing out in 2024. Quarterback Prosper Neal and running back Carter Zahm lead an offense that must replace four starting linemen, while Division I recruit Carson Adams anchors the defense.

Notable: The Lions hope to take another step forward in 2026 after qualifying for the playoffs last season under Rashaun Woods.

Tyler must replace a three-year starting quarterback, but Oregon commit and running back CaDarius McMiller provides the Lions with a dynamic playmaker.

Last year, HP prevailed over Tyler in a shootout, 70-66.

Notable: Powerhouse Argyle figures to be in the state title hunt in Class 5A Division II following a berth in the regional finals last season. Prosper Walnut Grove transfer Hayes Hackney takes over under center for the Eagles.

He will be throwing to one of the area’s premier receivers in Julian Caldwell behind one of the state’s top offensive lines.

Notable: Naaman Forest has dropped down a classification to 5A after making the playoffs a year ago in 6A. The Rangers figure to be among HP’s top competitors in 6-5A DII behind quarterback Jaki Robinson, who threw for nine touchdowns and rushed for another nine scores as a sophomore. Two-way star Braylon Deal also returns for the Rangers after a standout junior campaign.

parkcitiespeople.com

RICHLAND

Friday, Oct. 2 7 p.m. at Birdville ISD Athletic Complex

September 2026 | B9

2026 OPPONENTS R.L. TURNER

Friday, Oct. 9 7 p.m. at Highlander Stadium

CREEKVIEW

Thursday, Oct. 15 7 p.m. at Standridge Stadium

BIRDVILLE

Friday, Oct. 30 7 p.m. at Highlander Stadium

NEWMAN SMITH

Friday, Nov.5 7 p.m. at Standridge Stadium

Nickname: Royals Head coach: Ged Kates 2025 record: 9-4 (6-2 in district)

Nickname: Lions Head coach: Michael Farda 2025 record: 5-5 (3-5 in district)

Nickname: Mustangs Head coach:Dusty Ortiz 2025 record: 9-2 (7-1 in district)

Nickname: Hawks Head coach: Chris Smith 2025 record: 5-5 (4-4 in district)

Nickname: Trojans Head coach: Keith Houston 2025 record: 6-5 (6-2 in district)

Notable: The Royals have not only qualified for the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, but have also advanced to the third round. Richland will again have lofty expectations behind standout running back Jayshon Gibson, who already holds more than 30 collegiate offers, quarterback Brett Kates, and a defense that returns all 11 starters.

Notable: There is plenty of excitement within the Turner program coming off the 2025 season, when the Lions secured their most wins (five) in more than 20 years. Thirteen members of that squad will be back on the field for Turner, including eight defensive starters, while Legend Farda will likely be tasked with leading the wing-t offense under center.

Notable: Creekview has made the playoffs in each of its two seasons with Ortiz as head coach. It will be seeking a third consecutive berth behind third-year starting quarterback Cason Garcia.

Receivers Gavin Palacio and Tay Evans are also back for what could be a high-flying Creekview offense. The game will be broadcast on KDFI Channel 27.

Notable: Birdville is seeking its first playoff appearance under head coach Chris Smith, but is hopeful that drought ends in 2026. The Hawks are yet another 6-5A squad returning a three-year starting quarterback in Zach Wells and are well-equipped at the skill positions with receivers Braylin Montoya and Jake Subjeck and running back Anthony White.

Notable: Houston is in his first season leading the Trojans after previously being defensive coordinator at Fort Worth Southwest. He will have his work cut out inheriting a defensive unit that graduated 10 seniors from a playoff team a year ago. Offensively, Smith is seasoned at running back and on the line, but will feature a new quarterback.

GO SCOTS!

As the only bank headquartered in UniversityPark, PlainsCapital Bank is proud to cheer on the Highland Park Scots Football team for another year! Here’s to a great season on and off the field!

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B10 | September 2026

Unfinished Business: Scots Eye Seventh State Title

By Justin Thomas People Newspapers

The ingredients are there for Highland Park’s football team to make a deep postseason run in 2026.

It doesn’t start on the field, though, for a program like HP. It starts with upholding a tradition built over years and years as the winningest program in Texas high school football history.

More than 900 all-time victories. Six state championships. Sixty district titles.

“The team sets the goals for the team, but there’s been a standard and an expectation that the seniors leave the program better than they found it,” said Randy Allen, HP head coach. “They want to play as long as they can play and reach their potential. We start off with the idea that we’re the winningest team in the state of Texas, so we want to honor that tradition.”

With a state championship appearance in 2024 and a berth in the regional finals in 2025, HP’s seniors have already done their fair share of carrying on the tradition.

But the experience of coming oh so close to the program’s seventh state championship will also be a driving force for the Scots.

“There’s a lot of motivation and a lot of saltiness in our mouth from the last couple of years,” said senior captain and offensive lineman Cooper Alt. “I think we have what it takes to put it all together this year, though. We’ve been there, we’ve been close, and we have an amazing quarterback like Buck (Randall) who has started in the state championship before.”

On the field, eight playoff wins over the previous two seasons give a strong indication HP has the pedigree to play with anyone.

And if you ask HP’s captains, they have the talent this year, too.

That starts under center where seemingly the only thing missing on the resume of the aforementioned Randall is a state championship ring.

Now a three-year starter, the

Highland Park’s football team voted five players as captains for the 2026 season. Pictured, from left, are Buck Randall, Cooper Alt, Nick van der Westhuizen, Dean Dulin, and Lee Wagner. MELISSA MACATEE

SMU pledge is coming off a season in which he threw for 4,396 yards and 51 touchdowns while chipping in 509 yards and 12 additional scores on the ground.

For his performance, Randall was named the 2025 District 7-5A Division I MVP. That on the heels of a sophomore campaign in which he led the Scots to the state title game and threw for 3,899 yards with 40 touchdowns and 12 rushing scores.

In the backfield, Caiden Reeves is set for an expanded role after gaining 102 yards (4.3 per carry), while two-way player James Flowers (254 yards, eight touchdowns last season) will provide support in addition to his defensive duties.

The pair will be running behind an offensive line that appears capable of mauling opponents.

Alt and Benton Weathersby are returning after starting for HP a year ago, as is Division I prospect

Colton Williams, who was a starter a year ago but suffered a season-ending injury in HP’s first game. Luke Swaner and Trey Lander round out the projected starters for the Scots.

“We have some good experience coming back,” Alt said. “Even some of the guys who weren’t starters last year still got some playing time.

“The thing I really like about our line is that it is super tightly-knit. We’re all friends with each other and there’s no gaps between us. These are the guys I’m going to hang out with on a Friday night.

It’s not like I’m going to see you at practice and that’s it.”

With a beefy and deep offensive line, and three capable runners, the ground game could be an added weapon for a Scots team that has already produced prolific scoring numbers under the helm of Randall.

The extra security of a dominant rushing attack could also benefit the Scots’ passing game

as HP works in a new-look receiving corps.

Slated to start for the Scots are James Axley, Evan Snelleman, Liam Thomas, and Luke Cecil, while Beckett Lawrence, Dean Dulin, and Max Green are also expected to contribute.

“I have a ton of confidence in those guys, especially after seeing how the 7-on-7 games went over the summer,” Randall said. “We got to see guys like Colton Heinlen, who took two years off from football and just came back. He balled out and played incredibly. He’s going to be key on the outside for us.

Beckett Lawrence is a young guy, and we got to see a lot of him, and he had a lot of clutch touchdowns in 7-on-7. That’s really exciting, seeing those young guys that might not even necessarily be starters, but when guys go down, they’re going to be in there.”

Defensively, HP returns just three starters. But the Scots are

parkcitiespeople.com

fortunate to have not only a key returner at every level, but a captain.

“It’s funny that’s not how it’s supposed to fall, but it seems like every year that’s how it goes,” said returning cornerback and first-team all-district performer Dulin. “It’s how it should be. There are leaders in every area. Secondary, linebackers, d-line, o-line, and of course quarterback. So it works out pretty well.”

In the trenches, Boone Thompson is slated to start at nose tackle with Charlie Flint and Nick van der Westhuizen manning the defensive end spots. Patton Vargas, Slade Stapp, William Lajous, and Fischer Millican will also figure into the rotation.

Linebackers include captain Lee Wagner, Graham Rodgers, Beckett Curtis, and Dean Williams.

Joining Dulin in the secondary are cornerback Sutton Spillman and safeties Cotton Patterson and Green.

“I think we have a good amount of guys that gained a lot of experience last year, so I think we’re set up pretty good there,” Dulin said.

That potential defense, coupled with HP’s firepower offensively, figures to keep HP competitive in any game.

But if you ask Randall, the key ingredient to going one step further and reaching Texas football immortality may well be the chemistry and confidence he has seen throughout the offseason.

“I really think it’s going to come down to the belief we have,” he said.

“Looking back at the state team two years ago, I really see a lot of similarities to that team with a lot of defensive-heavy leadership guys and then some new, young offensive guys. They haven’t proven their skills at the varsity level yet, but I think we’re going to see it. There’s a lot of belief between each guy here, and I think later in the season, what’s going to get you points and wins is really believing late in the game that you can win it.”

Football-Preview_PeopleNews_Sep2026.pdf 1 8/5/2026 7:59:09 AM

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September 2026 | B11

B12 | September 2026

RANDALL’S RUN FOR THE RECORD BOOKS

By Justin Thomas People Newspapers

W

ith more than 900 victories, Highland Park is the winningest Texas high school football program of all time.

In addition to unparalleled team success, the Scots have produced a lineage of quarterbacks few in the state can match.

HP’s tradition of standouts under center began way back in the 1940s, when Bobby Lane quarterbacked the Scots before going on to star at the University of Texas and producing a professional football career worthy of Hall-of-Fame induction.

Many believe current NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, who led HP to a state title in 2005 and played collegiately at Georgia before being selected first overall in the NFL draft, is on his way to donning a gold jacket in Canton as well.

The success doesn’t stop there, however.

John Stephen Jones powered HP to

consecutive state titles before departing for Arkansas, when Chandler Morris stepped in and took the Scots to a third straight championship in 2018.

Morris is currently on Tampa Bay’s roster following a successful collegiate career with stops at Virginia and North Texas, among others.

Alexander Webb (Northwestern), Bill Foran (Princeton), Luke Woodley (Louisville) and Brayden Schager (Hawaii) are also among a contingent of Division I quarterbacks who have left their mark at HP. But senior SMU pledge Buck Randall is positioned to finish with his name above any and all at the conclusion of the 2026 season.

Entering his third year as HP’s starter, Randall

Barring injury, Highland Park quarterback Buck Randall is set to become the program’s all-time leader in passing yards in 2026. CHRIS MCGATHEY

needs just 655 passing yards to eclipse Stafford’s program-record of 8,958 yards.

That isn’t the only milestone within reach for Randall, however. Graham Harrell’s record-setting numbers while playing at Ennis are also in jeopardy of falling.

From 2000-2003, Harrell — who played collegiately at Texas Tech and for multiple seasons in the NFL before moving into the coaching ranks (currently as offensive coordinator at Abilene Christian) — amassed a total of 12,532 passing yards and 167 touchdowns.

The former number ranks first in the history of Dallas-Fort Worth public-school quarterbacks.

To pass Harrell, Randall needs to accumulate 4,330 yards through the air.

Last year, Randall racked up 4,396 yards over 14 games. “ We’re really

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proud of our quarterback tradition here,” said Randy Allen, HP head coach. “There aren’t too many who have done what Buck is doing.

Matthew was a three-year starter for us, and Alexander was a part-time starter for three years. Buck is the only other one to do that.”

When asked what makes Randall so productive, Allen didn’t hesitate.

“Accuracy,” he said. “He’s one of the most accurate quarterbacks we’ve ever had. Without a doubt.”

While accuracy has certainly played a role in Randall’s prodigious passing numbers, his legs have also been integral in the success of HP’s offense.

In two seasons as a starter, Randall has rushed for 884 yards and an additional 24 touchdowns.

Add it all up, and a place in the pantheon of legendary HP quarterbacks is already secure before Randall even takes the field for his senior season.

The only question is where it will finish.

n g i r a o S

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s t h g i e to new h GOAL: $1.9 MILLION

OUR LARGEST GOAL TO DATE

SUPPORTING TEACHER & STAFF SALARIES

HOW TO GIVE CREDIT CARD, DIRECT DEBIT, CHECK DONOR-ADVISED FUND, STOCK, MATCHING FUNDS, RECURRING CREDIT CARD VISIT HPEF.ORG/SUPPORTMADFORPLAID FOR MORE INFORMATION

September 2026 | B13

B14 | September 2026

Winner Winner Raising Cane’s Chicken Dinner

By Sarah Hodges

sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com

Cheering from the stands isn’t the only way fans can support their Scots on the field.

The team will shift its season into high gear with the Highland Park Football Caniac Supper & Auction, the largest football fundraiser of the year.

Supporters can visit muradbid.com/app/ public/bidapp/hpfootball to purchase tickets for the supper on Sept. 25, participate in the online auction from Sept. 20 to 27, or join the action during the early auction from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.

Money raised will help purchase new equipment, support coaching staff, and make it possible for fans to view all the plays at Game On Sports. The link to view the games, including halftime, will be available on the team’s Instagram, @hp_scots_football.

This will be the Scots’ 13th year hosting the fundraiser, an event that aims to unite the community behind the team.

“It started with the goal of bringing the community together and supporting the foot-

The team hopes fans will grab a seat at the table in the Highland Park High School cafeteria on Sept. 25 during its Caniac Supper. MELISSA MACATEE

ball program,” explained booster club director Katie Dulin. “The fans have been amazing.”

The Caniac Supper is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25, in the Highland Park High School cafeteria prior to the varsity home game against Naaman Forest.

Take out is available from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and dine in from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Items available during the early auction

from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 include four coveted Blue Back tickets to all HP Scots home games, two premier parking passes valid for all home football games, and an unforgettable sideline experience for two — the chance to watch the action on Randy Allen Field alongside players and coaches.

The competition will ramp up during the HP Football Silent Auction from Sept. 20 to

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27, when marquee items will include a Denago golf cart, a two-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, a Scottie Scheffler-signed Masters flag, a dove hunting experience at La Zenaida Lodge in Argentina, and premium sports tickets to watch the Cowboys, Stars, Longhorns, and SMU. Fans can also enter raffles through Sept.

25 for chances to win a $2,000 NorthPark Gift Card and VIP valet parking pass, the opportunity to be a football player for a day, anti-aging facials from Trammell Bright Skin, free Raising Cane’s for a year, a $2,500 Eiseman Jewels gift certificate, and a $2,500 package from Edwards Painting.

2026 Caniac Supper Chairs are Ashley Gray and Alexa Snelleman. HP Football Auction Chairs are Amy Camillo, Kristine McCallum, and Melanie Schoenvogel.

The team’s boosters hope that fans show their support both through the fundraiser and during the season.

“The boys look up into the stands and feel the incredible energy of our community showing up for them,” Dulin said. “There’s truly nothing like Highland Park Scots fans.”

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September 2026 | B15

B16 | September 2026

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