Richland, in the Birdville school district, was a worthy competitor for Highland Park, with their quarterback, Brett Kates and running back, Jayshon Gibson, four-star UCLA commit. The game showcased offense from both sides.
The first score came when Richland’s Kates bobbled a ball that was grabbed out of the air by HP’s Charlie Flint and carried into the end zone. An extra point was tacked on by Shep Pryor, giving the Scots a 7-0 lead.
The offenses traded scores for most of the first half with Evan Snelleman having 197 receiving yards in the first two quarters. Richland kept down Highland Park’s running game to short runs.
The Scots defense came out with a different focus in the second half, holding Richland to 79 yards and stopping fourth-down attempts twice, one deep in Richland territory, giving the ball back to the Scots.
Scots had touchdowns scored by Evan Snelleman, Caiden Reeves, James Flowers and a field goal and extra points by Shep Pryor. Pryor didn’t just stick to kicking; a Richland returner most likely would have gone the distance for a touchdown if Pryor hadn’t tackled him.
Defensively, there were big stops from the Scots from Nicklas Van Der Westhuizen, Beckett Curtis, Benton Gordon, Lee Wagner, Cotton Patterson and other players.
Royal’s, Jayshon Gibson, left the game during the fourth quarter with leg cramps and after that Richland’s offense struggle to move the ball effectively. Gibson ran for 271 yards and and caught three passes for 68 yards.
Buck Randall passed for 444 yards, surpassing 2000 yards for this season, while Brett Kates of Richland passed for 121 yards.
The Scots held off Richland as time ran out, Highland Park 45, Richland 42. The win for the Scots have an impact on their run for District Championship for 6-5A Division I.
Next week the Scots return home to Highlander to play RL Turner at 7 pm.
