Park Cities People Football Tab 2017

Ringing in a New Year

2017 Highland Park High School Football Preview

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4B | SEPTEMBER 2017

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Motivated Scots Embrace Opportunity to Repeat

By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

T

he 2017 Highland Park Scots don’t want to become the 2013 Atlanta Falcons.

That Falcons team was coming off a season in which they tied for the NFL’s best regularseason record before a narrow loss in the NFC Championship Game. After a near-miss in 2012, they were poised for a Super Bowl run.

But nothing turned out as planned. The locker room became frayed under the weight of high expectations, and Atlanta tumbled to a shocking 4-12 season.

As the Scots look to repeat their magical run to last season’s Class 5A Division I state championship, the Falcons serve as a cautionary tale.

HP players and coaches spent part of their offseason reading You Win in the Locker Room First, a book co-authored by then-Falcons coach Mike Smith about how to deal with the pressure facing a team that’s on top and looking to stay there.

Longtime HP head coach Randy Allen said the book’s teachings include focusing on the process instead of the end result.

“You fight high expectations and complacency,” Allen said. “As a coach, you want your players to think about one game at a time.

People remember what happens in December, but it’s about enjoying the journey and improving so that you’re playing your best at the right time.”

In other words, as they prepare to open their season on Sept.

1 at Rockwall, the Scots are aiming for a repeat — something the state’s all-time winningest program has never accomplished.

They don’t shy away from the

C H R I S M C G AT H E Y

After a stellar junior season, John Stephen Jones returns to lead the Highland Park offense.



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Visit our website on Friday nights for complete game coverage. parkcitiespeople.com word. It’s even part of their team motto: “Reload. Repeat.”

However, as the book emphasizes, if those dreams are tripped up along the way, the season isn’t necessarily a failure.

Following the 16-7 win over Temple in December that brought HP its first state title since 2005, Allen knew the per-

ception of his team would change heading into this year.

“Last year we had the mindset that we were underdogs and we were playing with a chip on our shoulder,” he said. “This year, it’s a different mindset.”

Among HP’s returning starters this year is quarterback John Stephen Jones, who won a battle for the starting job last season and wound up passing for more than 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns in 16 games. He also ran for nine scores.

“He’s bigger, faster, and stronger. He has experience in big games. That year of experience will make him a better decisionmaker,” Allen said. “He’s a guy

who has football smarts. He understands the game and knows what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Jones, who earned offensive MVP honors in the state championship game, is the grandson of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the son of Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, both of whom were regulars in the stands at HP games last season.

With the title game coming on the first day of winter break last year, it made the holiday season that much merrier for the Scots. However, when the players returned to school in January, it was time to focus on the future.

“We had our time to celebrate,” Jones said. “Once school started again, we went back to work.”

Jones and his fellow team captains — running back Paxton Alexander, offensive tackle Thomas Shelmire, and safety James Herring — each were key contributors in the state title game.

With another chance at history, they know how fortunate they are to come back and play again — as Jones says, for 16 more games.

“It’s more motivation to do it one more time,” Jones said. “We know how hard we worked last year. We understand what it’s going to take.”

PAR KCITIESPEOPLE.COM

SEPTEMBER 2017 | 7B

P R O J E C T E D O F F E N S I V E S TA R T E R S

John Stephen Jones, QB

Paxton Alexander, RB

Carson Bryant, WR

Scully Jenevein, WR

Jay Smith, WR

Thomas Shelmire, LT

Ben Boudreaux, LG

Matt Sewall, C

Bolton Corwin, RG

Regan Riddle, RT

Chemistry Keeps Scots on Track With five starters returning from a team that won the Class 5A Division I state championship a year ago, Highland Park hopes it can pick up right where it left off.

After all, in addition to experience in big games, many of the current seniors have been playing together since middle school.

“They have really good chemistry,” said HP head coach Randy Allen. “They trust each other and know what the others are going to do.”

The group of returnees is headlined by quarterback John Stephen Jones, whose terrific junior campaign included more than 3,000 yards passing with 29 touchdowns, to go along with nine rushing scores.

Paxton Alexander is poised to take over as the starting running back, a role in which he thrived late last season, when a banged-up depth chart pressed him into service. He finished with nine touchdowns, including four in the state semifinal win over Denton Ryan.

“We’re ready to work harder,” Alexander said. “Every team is going to play us like it’s their championship game.

We’re trying to embrace that.”

The Scots also return their top two receivers from last season, Cade Saus-

Starter to Watch:

At 6-foot-5, Saustad led the Scots last season with 36 catches for 630 yards. The twoCade Saustad, sport standout WR has committed to Virginia to play lacrosse.

tad and Scully Jenevein, who combined for 68 receptions, more than 1,000 yards, and nine touchdowns before both suffered season-ending injuries.

They will lead another deep corps of receivers for HP that includes Carson Bryant and Jay Smith. Last season, 17 players caught at least one pass for the Scots.

Mammoth tackle Thomas Shelmire, who has verbally committed to Boston College, will anchor an otherwise inexperienced offensive line.

— Todd Jorgenson email sports@peoplenewspapers.com

8B | SEPTEMBER 2017

PAR KCITIESPEOPLE.COM

2017 SCOTS VARSITY RO

C A P TA I N S : From left, Thomas Shelmire, James Herring, Paxton Alexander, and John Stephen Jones CA P T I A N S ’ P H OTO S : TA N N E R G A R Z A T E A M P H OTO : M E L I S S A M ACAT E E

No. Name........................... Pos..............Cl. 2 Jack Marks........................WR.................Sr. 3 Jay Smith...........................WR.................Sr. 4 Zak Folts............................DB..................Sr. 5 Chandler Morris................QB................. So. 6 Kevin Shuman....................QB................. So. 7 Christian McAnalley...........QB..................Sr. 8 Conner Allen......................RB..................Sr. 9 John Stephen Jones..........QB..................Sr. 10 Carson Bryant...................WR.................Sr. 11 Walker Williamson.............WR.................Sr. 12 Padgitt Diehl......................WR................. Jr. 12 Ford Parker.......................DB.................. Jr. 13 Scully Jenevein..................WR.................Sr. 14 Jack Ham..........................QB.................. Jr. 14 Hudson Clark.....................DB.................. Jr. 15 Bennett Brown..................WR................. Jr. 16 Finn Corwin.......................WR................. Jr. 16 Jed Clouse.........................DB.................. Jr. 17 Nick Morris........................QB.................. Jr. 17 Ryan Khetan......................DB.................. Jr.

18 19 20 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 27 28 29 29 30 31 32 32 33 34 34

Davenn Robinson..............RB..................Sr. Jimmy Rupple....................WR.................Sr. Jack Liston........................WR................. Jr. Whit Winfield.....................DB.................. Jr. Cameron Reeves...............RB..................Sr. Cole Jackson.....................RB..................Sr. Grayson Serio...................DB..................Sr. Luke Schmit.......................DB..................Sr. Jack Hurt...........................DB..................Sr. Drew Dodge......................WR................. Jr. Sam Sloan.........................DB.................. Jr. Matteo Cordray.................K....................Sr. Benner Page......................RB.................. Jr. Brandt Brock.....................LB.................. Jr. James Herring...................DB..................Sr. Michael Mills......................DB..................Sr. Thomas Hurst....................WR................. Jr. Prince Dorbah...................DL................. So. Trusten McArtor................DL..................Sr. Andrew O’Brien.................RB.................. Jr. Justin Manson...................DL..................Sr.

35 36 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 43 44 45 46 47 47 48 49 49 50 51

Paxton Alexander..............RB..................Sr. Henry Hempel...................WR................. Jr. Spencer Borrego...............LB.................. Jr. Marshall Ballard.................LB..................Sr. Ryan Coxe.........................LB..................Sr. Noble Nash........................LB..................Sr. Luke Lochausen................LB..................Sr. Elliott Newsom..................DL..................Sr. Jack Brown.......................DL..................Sr. Avery Lewis.......................RB.................. Jr. Christopher Herrod...........DB.................. Jr. Trevor Hart........................LB..................Sr. Colton Shawver.................LB..................Sr. Henry Sherer.....................LB..................Sr. Will Vandermeer................WR................. Jr. Colby Hopkins...................LB.................. Jr. Blake Barton.....................LB..................Sr. Reid Walker.......................WR................. Jr. Chris Read........................DB.................. Jr. Matt Sewall.......................OL..................Sr. Tyler Kilgus........................OL.................. Jr.

51 52 53 54 54 55 56 57 58 59 59 60 60 61 61 62 63 64 64 65 66

Harris Feferman................LB.................. Jr. Ben Boudreaux..................OL..................Sr. Ryan Butz..........................OL.................. Jr. Trey Nanney......................OL.................. Jr. Charlie Craft......................LB.................. Jr. Wyatt Esquivel...................DL..................Sr. Bolton Corwin...................OL..................Sr. Cole Bohner......................LB..................Sr. Sam Jackson.....................OL..................Sr. Mason McKenney..............OL.................. Jr. Braden DeFeo...................DL.................. Jr. Brister Conser...................OL.................. Jr. Luke Sullivan.....................DL.................. Jr. Noah Landsberg................OL.................. Jr. Ryan Zolinski.....................K.................... Jr. Spencer Landwehr............OL..................Sr. Calvin Kean........................OL.................. Sr. Hudson Soetenga..............OL.................. Jr. Jarrett Jones.....................K.................... Jr. Ben Richardson.................OL..................Sr. Parrish Wilson...................OL.................. Jr.

KEEP UP WITH THE SCOTS ALL SEASON AT PARKCITIESPEOPLE.COM AND ON T

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | 9B

OSTER

66 67 70 71 72 73 73 74 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 81 82 82 83 85

Stephen Palles...................K.................... Jr. Jeffrey Copeland...............DL.................. Jr. Will Rhodes........................OL..................Sr. Thomas Shelmire...............OL..................Sr. Sumner Robertson............DL.................. Jr. Owen Dunston...................OL.................. Jr. Milan Floyd........................LB.................. Jr. Harrison Hall.....................OL.................. Jr. Jack Sitzer.........................LB.................. Jr. Marshall Reynolds.............LB.................. Jr. Regan Riddle.....................OL.................. Jr. Jack Jernigan....................OL..................Sr. Ryan Webb........................OL..................Sr. Colston Pierce...................DL.................. Jr. Landon Alhadef.................WR................. Jr. Cayden Davis....................WR................. Jr. William Ballard...................DB.................. Jr. Andrew Stanzel.................WR................. Jr. Loren Barrett.....................DB.................. Jr. Tal Armayor.......................WR.................Sr. Matthew Weyman..............WR................. Jr.

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86 86 87 88 89 91 91 92 92 93 93 94 95 96 97 97 98 99 99

Jake Walsh........................WR................. Jr. Grant McVeigh...................WR................. Jr. Nolan Roberts...................WR.................Sr. Cade Saustad....................WR.................Sr. Camden Clark....................WR.................Sr. Connor Henderson............WR................. Jr. Jeremy Hanes...................DL.................. Jr. Cade Pettijohn...................WR................. Jr. Grant Gallas.......................DL.................. Jr. Sam Stewart.....................WR................. Jr. Jack Jurgovan...................DL.................. Jr. Ben Borus.........................LB..................Sr. Jack Hickey.......................DL..................Sr. Jake Pogue........................DL..................Sr. Clay Grant.........................WR................. Jr. McClain Matter..................DL.................. Jr. Chance Chadwick.............WR................. Jr. Michael Downie.................WR................. Jr. James Lightbourn..............LB.................. Jr.

10B | SEPTEMBER 2017

PAR KCITIESPEOPLE.COM

2017 SCHEDULE VA R S I T Y S C H E D U L E Date

Opponent

Stadium

Time

Sept. 1

Rockwall

Wilkerson-Sanders

7:30 p.m.

Sept. 8

Waxahachie

Highlander

7:30 p.m.

Sept. 14

Mansfield Timberview

Vernon Newsom

7:00 p.m.

Sept. 22

Lovejoy*

Leopard

7:30 p.m.

Sept. 29

North Forney*

Highlander

7:30 p.m.

Oct. 13

West Mesquite*

Highlander

7:30 p.m.

Oct. 20

Mesquite Poteet*

Mesquite Memorial

7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27

Forney*

Highlander

7:30 p.m.

Nov. 3

Royse City*

Royse City ISD

7:30 p.m.

Nov. 10

Wylie East*

Highlander

7:30 p.m.

* — District 15-5A game

JV GOLD

JV BLUE

Date

Opponent

Time

Date

Opponent

Time

Aug. 31

Rockwall

5:30 p.m.

Aug. 31

Rockwall

7:00 p.m.

Sept. 7

at Waxahachie

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 7

at Waxahachie

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 Mans. Timberview

Sept. 13 Denton Ryan

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Sept. 21 at FW All Saints

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 Lovejoy

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Mesquite Poteet

6:00 p.m.

Sept. 28 at North Forney

5:30 p.m.

Oct. 12

5:30 p.m.

Oct. 12

5:30 p.m.

at Plano Vines

at West Mesquite

Oct. 19

Mesquite Poteet

5:30 p.m.

Oct. 19

Mesquite Poteet

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 26

at Plano Shepton

5:30 p.m.

Oct. 26

at Forney

5:30 p.m.

Nov. 2

Royse City

5:30 p.m.

Nov. 2

Royse City

7:00 p.m.

Nov. 9

at Coppell

4:30 p.m.

Nov. 9

at Wylie East

5:30 p.m.

FRESHMAN GOLD

FRESHMAN BLUE

Date

Opponent

Time

Aug. 31

at Rockwall

7:00 p.m.

Aug. 31

at Rockwall

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 7

Waxahachie

7:00 p.m.

Sept. 7

Waxahachie

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Mans. Timberview 7:00 p.m.

Date

Opponent

Time

Sept. 13 at Mans. Timberview 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Lovejoy

8:00 p.m.

Sept. 28 North Forney

5:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 North Forney

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 19

5:30 p.m.

at Mesquite Poteet

Oct. 12 West Mesquite

7:00 p.m.

Oct. 26

Forney

5:30 p.m.

Oct. 19

7:00 p.m.

Nov. 2

at Royse City

5:30 p.m.

Nov. 9

Wylie East

5:30 p.m.

at Mesquite Poteet

Oct. 26

Forney

7:00 p.m.

Nov. 2

at Royse City

7:00 p.m.

Nov. 9

Wylie East

7:00 p.m.

PAR KCITIESPEOPLE.COM

SEPTEMBER 2017 | 11B

P R O J E C T E D D E F E N S I V E S TA R T E R S

Elliott Newsom, DL

Luke Lochausen, DL

Marshall Ballard, LB

Ryan Coxe, LB

Cole Bohner, LB

Noble Nash, LB

Grayson Serio, CB

Hudson Clark, CB

James Herring, S

Zak Folts, S

New Faces Reload on Defense Remarkably, in nine out of 16 games last year, the Highland Park defense allowed seven or fewer points.

Four of those performances came in the playoffs, including a 16-7 victory over Temple in the Class 5A Division II state title game.

“If it wasn’t for our defense, we wouldn’t have won state,” said offensive tackle Thomas Shelmire. “There were always times when they stepped up for us.”

Just two starters — safeties Zak Folts and James Herring — are back from that squad, which made its mark with tackling precision and an ability to contain big plays. But there are plenty of familiar faces beside them, giving the Scots optimism about a possible repeat performance.

“We’ve got guys who got quality playing time,” said HP head coach Randy Allen. “We’ll continue to rotate some guys. We feel good about our depth chart.”

HP graduated its entire starting front seven in its 3-4 alignment. However, incoming seniors such as nose tackle Elliott Newsom and linebackers Marshall Ballard and Ryan Coxe all received significant snaps in addition to six weeks’ worth of postseason practices.

Starter to Watch:

Prince Dorbah DL

After an eyeopening spring, the two-sport standout likely will be the only sophomore starter for HP this season.

He also stars in basketball.

The Scots will be slightly undersized up front. Luke Lochausen and sophomore Prince Dorbah are expected to start at the two defensive end spots, while Cole Bohner and Noble Nash slide in at linebacker.

In the secondary, Grayson Serio and Hudson Clark are the probable new cornerbacks, but as with other spots, HP will rotate plenty of players into the mix.

“We have a lot of young talent,” Herring said. “We know what it takes.”

— Todd Jorgenson email sports@peoplenewspapers.com

12B | SEPTEMBER 2017

2016 Scots Make Historic Run to State Title Highland Park’s magical run to the fourth state championship in school history produced memories that will live forever. Looking back on the 2016 season, we’ll let some of our favorite photos tell the story.

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | 13B

H I G H L A N D P A R K 2 0 1 6 S E A S O N R E S U LT S REGULAR SEASON

OPPONENT

WIN/LOSS

SCORE

Aug. 26 Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4

Rockwall Waxahachie Mansfield Timberview Lovejoy North Forney West Mesquite Mesquite Poteet Forney Royse City Wylie East

Win Loss Win Win Win Win Win Win Win Loss

43-21 37-40 31-0 27-20 66-7 25-3 40-29 44-7 49-3 9-20

Mount Pleasant Frisco Independence Mansfield Lake Ridge Mansfield Legacy Denton Ryan Temple

Win Win Win Win Win Win

70-2 45-3 41-27 14-7 31-24 16-7

PLAYOFFS Nov. 12 Nov. 18 Nov. 25 Dec. 2 Dec. 10 Dec. 17

14B | SEPTEMBER 2017

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Opponents Here’s a look at Highland Park’s opponents for 2017. The season opener is Sept. 1, with District 15-5A play beginning on Sept. 22.

Friday, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 1, 7:30 p.m.

ROCKWALL at Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium 2016 record: 6-6 Coach: Rodney Webb Notable: The Yellowjackets are the only Class 6A opponent on the HP schedule. … Rockwall has advanced to at least the area round of the playoffs in each of the past four years. Last year, the Jackets lost to Coppell. … QB Caleb Estes takes charge of a high-powered offense that lost most of its playmakers to graduation.

Friday, Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept 29, 7:30 p.m.

WAXAHACHIE

MANS. TIMBERVIEW

LOVEJOY

NORTH FORNEY

at Highlander Stadium

at Vernon Newsom Stadium

at Leopard Stadium

at Highlander Stadium

2016 record: 6-4 Coach: Jon Kitna

2016 record: 6-5 Coach: James Brown

2016 record: 3-7 Coach: Todd Ford

2016 record: 4-6 Coach: Randy Jackson

Notable: Speedy WRs Jalen Reagor and Kenedy Snell, who combined for five touchdowns in a wild win against HP last season, are now at TCU. … QB Bryce Salik returns after throwing 23 touchdown passes last year. … The Indians haven’t made the playoffs since 2012, despite finishing 6-4 in each of Kitna’s first two seasons.

Notable: Versatile athlete Jalen Knox returns after leading the Wolves in both rushing and receiving yardage last season. … Timberview has qualified for postseason play in each of the past four years. … After closing the regular season with three straight wins, the Wolves lost to Frisco Centennial in the bidistrict playoffs.

Notable: The Leopards missed the playoffs for the first time in program history a year ago. … Many of Lovejoy’s top players return, including Arkansas commit Bumper Pool, one of the state’s best linebackers. … QB Carson Collins and WR Chase Van Wagoner connected for more than 800 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

Notable: Jackson takes over after highly successful stints at Mesquite Poteet and Grapevine. … The Falcons haven’t had a winning season since 2011, when they were in Class 3A. … Several playmakers return for North Forney, led by strong-armed QB Colby Suits, while DB Corey Mayfield is a top transfer from Parish Episcopal.

Friday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m.

WEST MESQUITE

MESQUITE POTEET

FORNEY

ROYSE CITY

WYLIE EAST

at Highlander Stadium

at Mesquite Memorial Stadium

at Highlander Stadium

at Royse City ISD Stadium

at Highlander Stadium

2016 record: 7-5 Coach: Jeff Neill

2016 record: 11-4 Coach: Kody Groves

2016 record: 4-6 Coach: Kevin Rush

2016 record: 3-7 Coach: David Petroff

2016 record: 9-4 Coach: Joe Lepsis

Notable: The Wranglers should again be one of the district’s top defensive teams after holding half of their opponents to 17 points or fewer last season. … Returning RB Curtis Williams was the top rusher and receiver for West Mesquite last year. … QB Connor Neill also is back after throwing for almost 1,500 yards and eight scores.

Notable: Poteet fell to eventual state champion Aledo in the 5A Division II state semifinals last season. … The Pirates have won at least nine games in each of the past five years. … Poteet lost several key players to graduation, although WR Da’Michael Smith is a deep threat who caught eight touchdown passes a year ago.

Notable: Two-way standout Jaylon Hutchings, at 280 pounds, returns after leading Forney’s rushing attack and defensive line last season. … Dual-threat QB Devon Rideaux also is back after accounting for 15 touchdowns a year ago. … Following a 2-0 start last year, the Jackrabbits lost six of their next seven games.

Notable: The Bulldogs haven’t had a winning season since 2008. …

Royse City lost seven consecutive games last year — three times without scoring a touchdown — before a season-ending upset of Lovejoy. … After taking over last season as a sophomore, QB Matthew Yelverton passed for four touchdowns and ran for three.

Notable: Gone is sensational RB Eno Benjamin, who scored twice in a comeback win over HP last season. He’s now at Arizona State. … However, RB Corbin Johnson returns after accounting for more than 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago. … The Raiders won two playoff games last year before falling to Lancaster.