After a long trail to UIL bi-districts, the football team proved to be successful by winning the first of many playoff games against Austin-adjacent team Leander-Rouse, with a score of 48-0. This game marks the beginning of the playoff season after a recent realignment from 6A to 5A.
For this game, the Scots played on the home field. Many members of the community came out to support the team, leading to high expectations due to a large turnout of supporters.
“We wanted to win at home, and we wanted to send these seniors out the right way,” Varsity Coach Daren Eason said. “Regardless of what happens going forward, this will be the seniors last home game.”
The game began with a dominant performance from senior Benton Owens, who returned a kick to the 30 yard line, giving the Scots an opportunity for their first touchdown. This was followed by a play where junior Matthew White scored a touchdown, pushing the Scots up 7-0.
After this, the lead continued with another touchdown by White, pushing the score up to 14-0 just as the first quarter ended.
The second quarter led to two field goals, pushing the Scots up to a score of 20-0. This was followed by a touchdown from senior Jack Morse, bringing the score to 27-0.
After the halftime performance, the Scots continued to play well, with sophomore Buck Randall passing to senior Brandon Lilly for a touchdown. Additionally, junior Harrison Cullum completed a pass for another touchdown for the Scots, bringing the final score for this quarter to 48-0.
Finally, in the last quarter, the Scots didn’t score again, but maintained the energy until the last minute. The game ended with 48-0, with the Scots securing 2 turnovers and 2 fumbles.
“We came in really confident, but we didn’t take anything for granted. We knew this was gonna be a game where we had to come out firing,” senior captain James Lancaster said, “That’s exactly what we did.”
The 2024 football team is a relatively young one, made up mainly of sophomores and juniors, eager to give the departing seniors a memorable farewell season. With it being the first game of the playoffs, the energy and adrenaline was dynamic.
“The atmosphere, it was just electric. All the guys on the sidelines were just really energetic, and we had some great turnovers and crucial moments, and they really brought the energy there and kept the team hyped up,” senior captain Daniel Turner said.
Advancing to play against Frisco Wakeland is a monumental achievement for the seniors’ final season of high school football.
“I think it’s pretty consensus to feel like we’re supposed to be fully focused on this game because three years ago, 2021 we were in the same complex, and Frisco Wakefield actually beat us,” senior captain Anders Corn said. “Now that we’re seniors, we’re going to dominate them.”
This upcoming game against Wakeland will take place this Friday, Nov 22. Although the winning high remains, it’s pivotal to move from celebrating the past win to push the seven win streak onto the next game.
“Just focusing on getting 1% better every day,” senior captain Jack Morse said. “Knowing that we haven’t played our best level of football yet, and knowing we’re going to get better, we will keep getting better until our final play.”
Scots use this game to continue to improve, and to achieve the title as champions. This final game leaves a bittersweet mark for the senior captains, as they watch the legacy of their leadership to watch it unfold from the sidelines after graduation.
“This is one of the most bonding experiences I’ve had, being on this football team,” Corn said. “We’re just a group of brothers going out there fighting for each other.”
