Arlington, Tx – Even good things come to an end. In its previous 15 contest, Shadow Creek had no blemishes, but on a day of reckoning, misery became a reality.
For the first time this season, Shark fans witnessed something it had not seen when Alvin Shadow Creek suffered its first loss of the year, 27-17 at the hands of Highland Park in front of 28, 792 fans on Saturday afternoon in the Class 5A Division I Championship Game at AT&T Stadium.
In its first year of varsity play, Shadow creek knew nothing less than winning until the Sharks recognized its reality toward the end of its first state appearance.
The victory marks the third consecutive title for Highland Park.
The opportunity presented itself, but the Scots defense stood in the way.
The Scots defense accounted for four interceptions and nine sacks to keep the speedy Sharks out of rhythm.
Highland Park (16-0) managed a 27-9 lead, with its final points coming on a 23-yard field goal with 6:15 left in the third quarter, which served Shadow Creek the opportunity to play catch up.
In the fourth quarter, the emotions rose on the Shadow Creek’s side of the stadium after quarterback Jamarian George ripped off an electrifying 99-yard touchdown run, leaving 7:14 to play while trimming the deficit to ten, 27-17 with the aid of Kyron Drones two-point conversion.
George rushed 17 times for 153 yards and one touchdown. He was 13-21-3 for 87 passing yards and one score.
Morris led the Scots (16-0) on 23-35-1 attempts with 262 yards through the air and three touchdowns. Receiver Finn Corwin reeled in 12 receptions for 142 yards and a score.
As the momentum turned into its favor, the Sharks defense forced a three and out, looking to add points.
The Sharks (15-1) went on the attack once again, trailing 27-17, yet two costly mistakes prevented the drive from progressing. The Sharks scrimmaged from the Highland Park’s 28-yard line. Two plays within the drive watched sophomore receiver Carlton Guidry dropped a third-down pass at the 15-yard line, which would have been adequate for the first down. On fourth down, George suffered his fourth sack of the day when junior MVP defensive lineman Prince Dorbah bull-rushed from the right side, his fourth of the day.
The Sharks defense played well in the second half. But the offense struggled as it suffered self-inflicted wounds, while the fourth quarter opened with Highland Park’s defensive lineman Grant Gallas sacking George. A play later, defensive back Hudson Clark intercepted George at the Highland Park 45 yard line of the Scots with 11:11 left to play.
The benefits of Highland Park’s third score rested on the heels of Shadow Creek’s mistakes. Leading 14-10, with 11:48 left in the second quarter, the Sharks set up its offense at its 23-yard line. But a holding infraction and a high snap sailed over the head of George into the end zone kept things at a minimal.
The next play, Scot’s defensive lineman Grant Gallas dropped George for a two-yard loss at the 12. Even after Shadow Creek’s mistakes, the opportunity for a first down fell off the hands of
That’s when Savage exploited Shadow Creek’s special teams for a 14-yard pickup. Then Corwin utilized a lateral pass from Chandler Morris and staved off defensive back Ronald Nunnery Jr. as he pressed his way into the end zone to complete the final 17-yards, giving the Scots a commanding, 21-9 lead with 6:57 left in the second quarter.
Calamity continued to hamper the Sharks. On its next possession, receiver Keaton Jackson returned the kick-off to the 36-yard line of Highland Park. However, a few plays later, George obtained control of a second high snap. But the slow-developing play never had a chance as Highland Park’s junior defensive back Brock Bakich stopped sophomore running back Isaiah Harper behind the line of scrimmage for a one-yard loss at the 23.
Conditions worsened for the Sharks when Highland Park’s senior defensive lineman Roman Sabatini dropped Harper behind the line of scrimmage after a reception following a holding penalty.
A pair of plays later, linebacker Colby Hopkins intercepted George and returned the ball 18 yards to the Scots 46-yard line.
Morris made quick work of the turnover finding receiver Drew Dodge at the 19-yard line of Shadow Creek. However, on third and five, the Sharks held when defensive back Trey Palmer knocked away a potential touchdown in the end zone, which led to a Wesley Winters 36-yard field goal with 3:15 left in the second quarter. That made the score 24-9.
In the third quarter, Highland Park increased its defensive pressure, holding the Sharks scoreless. Dorbah and sophomore linebacker Patrick Turner sacked George on separate downs in the same series, on its last possession of the third quarter. Two other occasions, on Shadow Creek’s opening drive of the third quarter, resulted in stops for no gain.
Winters chipped in a 22-yard field goal with 6:15 to go in the third quarter as Highland Park padded its lead, 27-9.
The sad ending to its season could see the Sharks in the finals next season with the wealth of young talent returning.
Leave a comment
