Many people say that never knowing what is going to happen when the players step out under those Friday night lights is what makes high school football so great. One minute, you think your team might pull off an impressive upset and the next, your opponent has more than doubled your score and shut you out in the 2nd half on your home field, as what happened to the J.J. Pearce Mustangs on Friday Oct. 2.

The Mustangs began the annual rivalry game by driving 75 yards for a touchdown, establishing an early 0-7 lead over the Scots. The lead was short-lived however as Highland Park quarterback Henry Allen scrambled for a touchdown on two consecutive drives to give the Scots a 14-7 lead off of a poorly executed center to punter exchange which landed them on the Pearce one yard line. Another Pearce punt, this time successful, placed the Scots on their own 25 yard line right before the first quarter expired. The Scotties proceeded to eat up yardage like a dog eats a stolen hamburger- as fast as possible without choking. Two consecutive first down passes followed by a breakaway burst by running back Stephen Dieb placed the Scots on the Pearce one yard line with four chances at the end zone, but junior, running back Jack Kozmetsky only needed one. 21-7, Scots.

After a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Hank Hughes to Pearce receiver Jake Griffin, the Scots got the ball back their own 35 yard line with 8:24 left in the first half. They didn’t have it for long however as Stephen Dieb went barreling down the field for the second time in 2 carries for a 65 yard touchdown on the first play of the drive, breaking 2 tackles in his race to the end zone. An unsuccessful extra point attempt made the score 27-14. While the Pearce defense was floundering, their offense was making up for Highland Park touchdowns with a few of their own. A 3-yard touchdown run brought the Mustangs within 6 points, but the Highland Park lead didn’t stay that small for long as their offense continued to burn through yardage like flash paper as Dieb continued to elude the defense. A first and goal set up by Dieb resulted in a Kozmetsky touchdown to bring the Scots lead up to 13, 34-21. Pearce’s offense continued to stay in the fight, matching the Scots’ long runs with deep passes that resulted in yet another touchdown. The shootout continued as Chris Buell caught a 44-yard pass from Allen and fought to outmaneuver and overpower the Pearce defender as he crossed the plain. A 2-point conversion off a pass from Allen to a very wide open J.T. Dooley made up for the missed extra point and extended the Scots’ lead to 42-28 before Pearce scored again and made it 42-35 as the first half came to a close.

The second half was 24 minutes of offensive and defensive domination by the Scots. It was as though Pearce’s offense stayed in the locker room after half time was over. Both Kozmestky and Dieb added 2 more touchdowns to their totals on the night, bringing them to 4 and 3, respectively. Chris Buell also caught another touchdown pass, his second of the game. Highland Park fans got a glimpse of next year’s starters after the Scots reached a very comfortable 70-35 lead and Coach Allen lets the backups have at it. Lead by junior quarterback Michael Clarke, the squad consisting of mostly juniors was able to bring the final score to 77-35. Turnovers were costly for the Mustangs in the second half as both of their fumbles were recovered by Highland Park near midfield and resulted in touchdowns. The Scots had an opportunity to break 80 points, but Coach Allen made the classy decision to have Clarke take a knee on the Pearce 3 yard line to let the clock expire on their blowout victory. Highland Park Scots 77, Pearce Mustangs 35.

The Scots’ next game at Highlander Stadium against district undefeated Mesquite Horn in what promises to be a showdown. The Scots will need all the spirit they can get, so come out and support the Scotties on Friday Oct. 9 at 7:30 PM as they hand the Jaguars their first loss of the season!