11-10-23 Arlington
They call it a trap game.
One team is rated higher or has a better record or is picked to win the game. Overconfident players feel like all they have to do it show up to win. It’s hard to get excited about a game like this.
Meanwhile, the weaker team lies in waiting, ready for an ambush.
In this case, the Arlington Colts will drive over to Grassmere Lane sporting a 4-6 record. No one picks them to win. The trap is set.
The Highland Park coaches know a trap game when they see one. In addition to preparing their guys to execute, they must keep them emotionally ready. If the Scots win this week’s trap game, they won’t have a problem getting up for McKinney or Flower Mound Marcus next week. Or Southlake Carroll a week later.
Years ago the Scots tasted defeat from a first-round opponent who played its best against the Scots. Every year some district champs lose to 5-5 teams in the first round of the playoffs. The defeated team doesn’t realize what happened until they are looking out the bus window on the way home.
More than most teams, the Scots are usually ready, under any circumstance.
Last year in the Scots’ first round playoff game against Arlington Bowie, HP held a slim 7-point lead in the third quarter when Bowie scored to tie up them game 28-28. But Adam Rourke, one of the Scots’ all-time best kick blockers, stormed in and blocked the Bowie PAT. An alert linebacker, Charlie Barton (who was Amazing Grace’s boyfriend) picked up the ball and sprinted the length of the field to score two points. So instead of a 28-28 tie, the Scots led 30-27 and the air went out of the Bowie players. They never scored again and the Scots scored twice, winning the game 44-27.
But without that blocked kick....
This Friday the Scots will be ready. The defense is hitting on all cylinders. The special teams are consistent. The offense has adjusted to a couple of key injuries – Warren Peck and Steel Tobin – and is prepared for the Arlington challenge. Fortunately Highland Park has excellent depth and shouldn’t miss a beat.
Arlington runs a spread offense, run by a sophomore quarterback named Coleman Cravens. His running back, Drelon Burton, can get the job done. Their line is big, their receivers are sure handed and everybody is athletic.
The Scots offense is dealing with losing its leader, quarterback Peck, who will miss this game due to an injury that kept him out of last week’s game. Back-up Parker Thompson, who already has a D1 offer in his back pocket, was impressive in last week’s 45-20 win over J.J. Pearce. Thompson averaged 12.3 yards per carry on 10 carries. He also completed 64-percent of his passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Canon Spackman scored once, Wilson Axley scored twice and Keller Holmes scored three times against Pearce.
The greatest Highland Park play last week didn’t happen. Thompson took off on a brilliant 61-yard touchdown scamper that was called back due to a penalty.
The Arlington Colts could fall into a trap if they don’t pay enough attention to the Scots’ backup quarterback.
So maybe this really is a trap game.