On Friday Oct. 9, the Highland Park Scots faced the Mesquite Horn Jaguars in their annual Blue Out game. Both teams were undefeated in district play and Highland Park was out for revenge after losing at Horn last year in a loss that ended their district winning streak. Before the start of the game, the Highlander Band drum line put on an energizing performance for dozens of students and parents outside of the Scots’ indoor practice facility. Their invigorating performance got the crowd fired up for the game and created a very charged atmosphere as the team made their walk to the practice facility between the drum line and their audience.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Scots were unable to get a first down and were forced to punt on their first two possessions. The Jaguars offense also sputtered, having to punt after just three downs as the Scots had. An interception by senior, linebacker Hayden Schnieders with eight and a half minutes left in the first quarter turned the game’s momentum towards the Scots and four plays later, senior, running back Stephen Dieb was maneuvering around blockers and across the goal line for a Highland Park touchdown to give the Scots a 7-0 lead. The lead didn’t last long after a long run after a catch by Horn receiver Jared Atkinson, who has committed to play football at Baylor University, tied the game midway through the first quarter. The Scots responded with a 79 yard drive dominated by runs from both Dieb and junior, Jack Kozmetsky. The series was capped off by Kozmetsky fighting his way across the goal line with the help of some key blocks from his teammates, giving the Scots a 14-7 lead right after the start of the second quarter.

Both teams were forced to punt on their first two possessions of the second quarter, but of an event of much greater importance happened on the Jags’ second possession of the quarter. Horn quarterback Chris Robison, who has committed to play at the University of Oklahoma, deeply bruised his right shin after colliding with a floor fan on the Highland Park sideline after failing to slow down as he ran out of bounds. The experienced senior was unable to play the remainder of the game and sophomore quarterback Ivory Martin was forced to make a premature debut, leading the Jags’ offense through the rest of the game. The Jaguars eventually turned the ball over on downs and Highland Park started their last drive of the half on their own 35 yard line with 2:06 left on the clock. The Scots’ march down the field was very reminiscent of the one they had made two weeks before to beat North Mesquite. Quarterback Henry Allen lead his offense 65 yards down the field in less than two minutes and connected with junior, receiver J.T. Dooley on 2nd and 6 from the Jags’ 12 yard line for a touchdown with ten seconds left to play in the half. At halftime the Scots lead, 21-7.

The third quarter was a test of Horn sophomore Ivory Martin’s mental toughness. Would the backup quarterback fold and throw interceptions, or would he use all his weapons effectively and continue to lead the team? That question was answered on the Jag’s first drive of the second half as he and his team went 85 yards down the field and scored off an 18 yard touchdown pass to receiver Cassian Foreman to cut the Scots’ lead to just 7 points. The next four possessions of the quarter were dominated by the defenses with both teams punting on consecutive drives. It wasn’t until two minutes into the fourth quarter that any more points were scored, with 3 finally coming for the Scots off of senior, kicker Will Moore’s field goal to extend Highland Park’s lead to ten points. The Jaguars then drove down the field into the Highland Park red zone and nearly scored a touchdown on third down with a pass to Atkinson, but senior, Highland Park defensive back Turner Rejebian laid a vicious hit on the receiver just before he could cross into the end zone, sending Atkinson’s helmet flying off and causing him to drop the ball before he could get full possession of it. The Jags had to settle for a field goal and the Scots still had a 24-17 lead with three and a half minutes left in the game. Mesquite Horn then tried for an onside kick after their field goal and actually recovered it, setting them up in Highland Park territory with plenty of time and momentum. The Highland Park defense was able to put serious pressure on Ivory Martin and although he proved to be very elusive, the pressure was enough to force him to throw it out of bounds several times. Finally it came down to 4th and 17 on the Highland Park 28 yard line for the Jaguars, who’s only realistic option at that point was to throw for the end zone. Martin took the snap out of the shotgun, dropped back, and threw deep down the field towards the Highland Park end zone into double coverage, where the ball fell to the ground between his intended receiver’s arms. Rejebian, one of the defenders, rose to a knee after tumbling out of the end zone and spread his arms out horizontally to celebrate the incomplete pass. The Scots’ offense then took the field to just try and get a first down and spin time off the clock, but Horn’s defense stood and forced Highland Park to punt without gaining a first down. However, Horn was forced to burn their two remaining time outs on consecutive Highland Park plays. The Jaguars found themselves on their own 31 yard line with a minute and eleven seconds left to play. and no time outs The Jags appeared disorganized for the first time that night, wasting time and plays on short passes that didn’t stop the clock from running. What hurt Horn more than anything was a sack from junior, linebacker John House on third down, pushing the Jags back to 4th and 13. Mesquite Horn was down to one option, the venerable “Hail Mary.” From deep in his own territory, Martin took the snap and fired, connecting with his receiver who was quickly brought down, around midfield as the clock expired and the Scots rushed the field. 24-17, Highland Park.