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THE FINAL 48: UIL Football State Championship Preview -- Highland Park vs. Smithson Valley (5A-D1)
This Saturday at 11:00 a.m., AT&T Stadium will play host to an exciting showdown between the Highland Park Scots and the Smithson Valley Rangers, as both teams vie for the title of UIL-5A-D1 State Champions.
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Highland Park enters the championship with a 14-1 record, nearly perfect this season. The Scots’ journey to this point has been impressive, highlighted by a thrilling 24-21 come-back victory over Denton Ryan last Friday, which was sealed by a field goal in the final seconds.
This is a familiar stage for Highland Park, as they are making their 10th appearance in the State Final. The Scots last claimed the title in 2018, completing a historic three-peat with a win over Shadow Creek, marking their sixth state title overall.
Now, under the leadership of head coach Randy Allen, the Scots are aiming to build a new dynasty.
On both sides of the ball, Highland Park has been firing on all cylinders. The offense is averaging over 36 points per game, while the defense has held opponents to just 16 points per contest.
At the helm of the offense is sophomore Buck Randall, who has been nothing short of spectacular. Despite his youth, Randall has shown remarkable poise, throwing for over 3,600 yards and 38 touchdowns. He has also added 322 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
In the backfield, senior running back James Lancaster provides steady leadership, having rushed for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior Matthew White has added 459 yards and 5 touchdowns, providing a dynamic second option.
When it comes to the passing game, Randall’s favorite target is junior wideout Cannon Bozman, who has caught 11 touchdowns on 63 receptions and is just one yard shy of reaching the 1,000-yard milestone for the season.
Even if Bozman is double-covered, the Scots have other reliable weapons in seniors Benton Owens (36 receptions, 726 yards, 7 TDs) and Brandon Lilly (38 receptions, 554 yards).
Defensively, the Scots are led by Jack Morse, a senior linebacker and Brown-commit who has been a game-changer. Morse, the 2023 District 7-6A Defensive MVP, leads the team in tackles (102), sacks (9.5), and interceptions (3). His versatility makes him a constant threat. Senior linebacker Anders Corn – a first-team, all-district selection – is another player capable of stepping up when it matters most.
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On the other side, the Smithson Valley Rangers are making their second consecutive appearance at AT&T Stadium. After suffering a heavy loss to Aledo in last year’s championship, the Rangers are eager to avenge that defeat and claim their first-ever state title.
Under the direction of coach Larry Hill, the Rangers are a formidable force. They come into the final with a 13-2 record, having won their last 10 games in a row. In last week’s State Semis, they defeated Angleton 21-14, securing their place in the championship.
Smithson Valley has been an offensive powerhouse this season, averaging 43.5 points per game, and if they continue their high-scoring ways, they could very well end the season with a title.
A key player for the Rangers is Cade Spradling, a senior who excels both as a quarterback and linebacker. Spradling’s ability to contribute on both sides of the ball makes him one of the most dangerous players in the game. Whether he's leading the offense or anchoring the defense, Spradling’s impact is undeniable.
On defense, the Rangers have been suffocating, allowing fewer than 12 points per game.
Senior safety Diego Davila, an SFA-signee, has been a standout in the secondary, while 6-foot-3 edge rusher Hudson Woods has been a dominant force on the defensive line. Both will play critical roles in limiting Highland Park’s high-powered offense.
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In what should be a battle of momentous proportions, Highland Park and Smithson Valley stake their claim for the title this Saturday (11:00 AM) at AT&T Stadium.
The reigning UIL-6A State Champs, Prosper Eagles, will aim to go back-to-back this Winter
THE ECHELON: VYPE DFW 2024 Preseason Soccer Rankings; Prosper, Flower Mound, Wakeland begin on top
It's almost that time of year again.
As the Fall season reaches its closing stages, we're now making our way back to the pitch as teams prepare to make another run for Georgetown.
Regarding the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the city featured several boys programs that reached the State level this past April -- namely Flower Mound, Wakeland, and Midlothian, with the latter ultimately claiming a championship.
While those squads are primed for a return to Birkelbach Field, the likes of Prosper, Mesquite, Keller, Walnut Grove, and Panther Creek (4A) are just some of the names who will look to throw their hat in the ring.
On the girls' side, Prosper and Wakeland took the State crown last Winter, in Class 6A and 5A, respectively, with Colleyville Heritage (5A) coming in a close second.
Given the targets on their backs, there's going to be plenty of resistance -- from teams such as Flower Mound, Southlake Carroll, FM Marcus, Wylie East, and Hebron -- in their mission to go back-to-back.
With the first kick-off rapidly approaching, these are the most elite squads, in our view, for DFW audiences to be aware of entering 2025.
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VYPE DFW BOYS PRESEASON TOP-10 (Class 6A-4A)
*Last section indicates 2024 result (W-L-T)
1. Flower Mound Jaguars (6A) -- 23-3-2 (UIL-6A State Runner-Ups)
2. Prosper Eagles (6A) -- 20-4-1 (Regional Semifinalists)
3. Wakeland Wolverines (5A) -- 19-6-3 (UIL-5A State Runner-Ups)
4. Midlothian Panthers (5A) -- 25-2-3 (UIL-5A State Champions)
5. Mesquite Skeeters (6A) -- 15-4-3 (Area Finalists)
6. Keller Indians (6A) -- 15-3-4 (Area Finalists)
7. Walnut Grove Wildcats (5A) -- 16-3-5 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
8. Allen Eagles (6A) -- 20-4 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
9. Panther Creek Panthers (4A) -- 18-9 (Region III-4A Finalists)
10. Grand Prairie Gophers (6A) -- 15-3-4 (Bi-District Finalists)
Honorable Mentions:
6A -- Coppell, Duncanville, Mesquite Horn, Dallas Skyline, Lake Highlands, Rockwall, Wylie
5A -- Denton Ryan, West Mesquite, McKinney North, Denton, Highland Park, Fossil Ridge
4A -- Diamond Hill-Jarvis, Lake Dallas, Castleberry, North Dallas
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VYPE DFW GIRLS PRESEASON TOP-10 (Class 6A-4A)
1. Prosper Eagles (6A) -- 26-2-2 (UIL-6A State Champions)
2. Wakeland Wolverines (5A) -- 26-0-2 (UIL-5A State Champions)
3. Flower Mound Jaguars (6A) -- 16-2-2 (Area Finalists)
4. Colleyville Heritage Panthers (5A) -- 24-1-2 (UIL-5A State Runner Ups)
5. Southlake Carroll Dragons (6A) -- 24-1-1 (Regional Semifinalists)
6. Hebron Hawks (6A) -- 18-4-4 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
7. Wylie East Raiders (6A) -- 25-2 (Region II-6A Finalists)
8. FM Marcus Marauders (6A) -- 17-7-4 (Region I-6A Finalists)
9. Highland Park Scots (5A) -- 18-4-3 (Area Finalists in 6A)
10. Waxahachie Life Mustangs (4A) -- 27-4-1 (Region I-4A Finalists)
Honorable Mentions:
6A -- Coppell, Rockwall, Duncanville, Allen, Garland Sachse, Wylie, Lake Highlands, Byron Nelson
5A -- Walnut Grove, Argyle, Midlothian, Frisco Reedy, Lucas Lovejoy, Frisco Lone Star, Grapevine, Fossil Ridge
4A -- Panther Creek, Lake Dallas, Sunnyvale, Decatur