The Scots took the field on Friday, September 25th with more to prove than their superiority over the North Mesquite Stallions. It was their first game back in Highlander Stadium since a home loss that ended their previous 84 home game winning streak and many wondered if they could get past it. The game began frighteningly like the last home game with the Stallions jumping out to an early 0-13 lead. Highland Park then put points on the board with an electrifying touchdown pass from Henry Allen to wide receiver Chris Buell off of a beautiful “flea-flicker” play, making the score 7-13 with 3:38 left in the first quarter. Mesquite was able to regain their earlier 13 point lead via a touchdown early in the 2nd quarter, but Highland Park answered shortly after with one of their own. Mesquite scored again with 6:22 left in the first half making the score 14-27. The Scots received the kickoff and a long pass to wide receiver Cy McCullough set the Scots up with a first down on the Mesquite 16 yard line. Running back Stephen Dieb later ran the ball into the Stallions’ end zone with 4:45 left in the first half to make the score 21-27. Highland Park’s defense came up big by forcing Mesquite to punt on their next possession for the first time that night and the half ended with Highland Park only 6 points behind.

Highland Park received the kickoff to begin the 2nd half but neither team was able to score in the third quarter. The teams appeared to have figured out each other’s offenses, and the 4th quarter began with Highland Park still trailing by 6 points. The Scots were forced to punt with nine minutes left in the game and the Stallions took over on the Highland Park 48 yard line. They began their drive with an attempted death blow that turned into a fatal mistake for them when safety Turner Rejebian intercepted a 38 yard pass, wrestled for the ball with the Stallion wide receiver, and came out on top, saving Highland Park from a probable Mesquite touchdown. Highland Park took possession of the football on their own 10 yard line and in a defining moment of his offense, quarterback Henry Allen lead the Scots down to the Stallion’s 6 yard line where a penalty turned an easy first down and 6 yards to the goal into a challenging 3rd and 12. After a timeout the Scots lined up to snap the ball on what was obviously going to be a shot at the end zone. Henry Allen received the ball and fired at wide receiver Cy McCullough, hitting him in the bottom of the numbers as he stepped across the goal line with 3 defenders covering him to tie the game. The crowd, the sideline, and the players on the field went ballistic as the team celebrated the end of the 90-yard drive which gave the Scots their first lead of the night, 28-27. It was all up to the Highland Park defense to stop the Stallions just one last time. After a hair-raising kick return to the Highland Park 44 yard line, the Stallions were only able to gain 3 yards and 4th and 7 with no options other than to go for it. With a minute and thirteen seconds left in the game it was do or die for Mesquite. The quarterback took the snap, stepped back, and threw to the out reached hands of a Stallion receiver 10 yards down the field. The ball hit the receiver’s hands, somersaulted in the air, and tumbled to the ground. Highland Park players and coaches alike cheered as they stepped out onto the field to celebrate the defense’s critical stop. With 1:05 left to play the Scots lined up in victory formation and Henry Allen took a knee to let the clock expire as a new home winning streak was born.