12-21-24 Smithson Valley
Here’s a dozen thoughts to keep in mind when contemplating Saturday’s state championship game between the Highland Park Scots and the Smithson Valley Rangers.
1. The Rangers played in the state championship game last year.
2. They lost to Aledo, 51-8.
3. The Smithson Valley quarterback, Cade Spradling, #18, is also a starting linebacker.
4. Rangers head coach Larry Hill has 324 wins. Scots head coach Randy Allen has 460. Combined, they bring the most wins to any Texas high school football state championship game ever played.
5. Who is the only sophomore quarterback to win a state championship for Highland Park? Matthew Stafford.
6. Remember Karese Hoyt, the Frisco Lone Star quarterback who passed for 231 yards and ran 27 times for 155 yards against the Scots in the quarterfinals? Smithson Valley’s quarterback, Spradling, is as dangerous a runner. He had a 70-yard touchdown run called back due to a penalty last week. But he did win the game with a 37-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. He is 6’2”, 190 and runs a 4.5. A linebacker with speed who plays QB.
7. One of the reasons the Scots survived the playoff battle to make it to the state finals is their expertise and depth on special teams. Both kickers, Sutton Stock and Reese Tiffany, have been superlative, as have been their cast of snappers, holders and blockers. Don’t take HP’s special teams for granted. Field goal, PAT, kickoff, kickoff coverage, punt and punt coverage have all shined. It take a village and the Scots have the Highland Park Village.
8. The cover of the state championship program, Scots Illustrated, has members of the Scots field goal team celebrating as they come off the field after Sutton Stock kicked the game-winning field goal against Denton Ryan.
9. When SV sophomore quarterback Ty Knutson spells QB/LB Spradling the Rangers offense becomes another animal. Still potent, but a whole new look. When they pass, they look for #7 Brody Day, who has good hands and sprinter speed. Running back Brad Sowersby (#26) isn’t big but he runs big. They usually have a tight end (Preston Baker #87) and an H-back (Cisco Carvajal #16) clearing holes for him. The Rangers like to pound the ball.
10. On defense the Rangers have several standout players. Safety Diego Davilla (#43) is their best DB and is a dangerous punt return man. The other safety, PK Moeller (#12) also starts as a receiver on offense.
11. The Scots are looking for their seventh state championship. This is the Rangers’ fifth finals appearance and they are looking for their first championship. Both teams will be hungry.
12. If you remember the Scots 2005 state championship win over Marshall, raise you hand. That was the only time a sophomore quarterback led the Scots into the championship game. None of today’s Scots were born yet but they should all be aware of the outcome of that game. The Scots won, 59-0.
Every high school team will have its final game, the last time they take the field together with their brothers. For the Scots, it will be this Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at AT&T Stadium. It will be an emotional time for the Highland Park players, coaches, staff, students, families and fans.
And collectively, all they want for Christmas is a state championship.