The match up between Highland Park (8-0, 3-0) and Wylie (6-2, 2-1) is by far the most anticipated game of the year for the Wylie Pirates. Over the last 11 seasons, Highland Park has managed to keep Wylie without a victory. Wylie has however kept the last two games fairly close, only losing by a combined 8 points. 14-7 in 2003 and 35-34 last year. If they were to pull off a win this year, they would have to get past not only a talented team with a rich history, but also Matthew Stafford. Matt is the number 1 pro-style QB in the nation, and poses a threat to any team that stands in his way.

When the game started, Wylie knew that the only path to victory was through Stafford. They would have to pressure him from all angles, or it would be a nightmare for both sides of the ball. To make matters worse, Zach Abbot (QB) would not be playing in the game.

The replacement for Abbot would be (#9) Max Boe, ranked 15th in receivers in the DFW area with 513 total yards and 9 total touchdowns. If he had the strength everyone said he did, and could find his receivers deep, this game could be over before anyone had a chance to work their way into Pirate Stadium.

The game started off well for Boe. He worked up a drive that took nearly five minutes off the clock, before finishing it off with a 9 yard pass to Tyler O'Quin to start the game. Wylie had jumped out to the quick 7-0 lead. It looked as if this game would go down to the last possession. Or would it?

Highland Park doesn't play from behind often. Wylie would however hold them to a punt on their first possession. It didn't matter too much, as Wylie was forced to punt the ball after a few holding calls and false start backed the Pirates deep in their own territory with a lengthy 4th down and half the field to go.

On the ensuing possession for Highland Park, Matt Stafford showed why he is regarded as a top quarterback. He drove the field and passed the ball 25 yards to Holt Martin for the score. Martin finished the game with 3 receptions for 70 yards and 1 touchdown. The quarter would end in a 7-7 tie.

It didn't take long for the second quarter to start unraveling for the pirates. Wylie was held to a three-and-out, and Highland Park would take over with a short field. They marched right down the field and scored on a 1 yard run by Stafford to make it 14-7. This gave the Scots their first lead of the game, and they would never look back. The closest the Pirates would come is a 1 yard run by Boe to make it 14-14 late in the first half.

Before the half was over Stafford would engineer a drive in which he would throw 3 consecutive passes totaling 73 yards and finish it off with a 3 yard run with 0:48 remaining in the second half. The half came to a close with the score 21-14 Highland Park.

Down by 7 at the start of the third quarter, Wylie wasn't about to give up. The first possession would go to Highland Park, and we wouldn't see too much time run off the clock before they were in the end zone again. Before the game ended touchdowns were scored by senior WR Morgan Hudnall on a 68 yard pass reception, junior RB Alex Carroll on a 20 yard run, and a 1 yard run by senior RB Jake Feldt.

The final score of the game was 42-14 in favor of Highland Park. It looks like Wylie will have to wait one more year for their dream of a Highland Park defeat. And with Wylie looking to go 5A and Highland Park probably staying 4A, the only way these teams can play each other will be pre-district. Until then, Highland Park remains undefeated at 12-0 all-time versus Wylie.

Good luck to Matt Stafford next season at the University of Georgia.

Game Stats:

First downs: HP 25, Wylie 12

Rushing yards: HP 26-134, Wylie 35-138

Passing yards: HP 373, Wylie 118

Comp-att-int: HP 20-29-1, Wylie 10-18-1

Punts-avg: HP 2-44.5, Wylie 6-28.7

Penalties-yards: HP 5-60, Wylie 10-56

Fumbles-lost: HP 0-0, Wylie 2-0