Park Cities

High hopes for the home opener were exceeded in more ways than the score. Let’s start with an awesome new tradition, a “victory march” from the new Big Red Barn (a.k.a., “Multi-Purpose Activity Center”) across Grassmere into the stadium. Led by the HP Band’s bagpipe corps, the team walked arm-in-arm through a gauntlet of cheering fans into Highlander. The players had teenage macho pre-game scowls on their faces, but any parent could see they were loving the adoration. Pure gold (and blue).

Despite a 24-hour bus ride from Monterey, the boys from across the border started strong. They were, after all, the top high school team in all of Mexico for the past three years. But the fiesta ended quickly with Jake Howeth going 12-14 passing while Preston Miller zipped inside and outside for 150 yards. Then, in the second half, Brady Burgin came in and showed us why he’s got his own fan club. Burgin went 12-for-16 and two touchdowns. Receivers Dalton Stogner, Colin Stringer, and William Morris were Venus flytraps, catching everything in sight. Gotta give some love to senior DB Brant Green who snagged two interceptions at key times.

The Belles rocked halftime with the best routine ever, the purple-hoop-wavy-thing. Good spirit, although the Scotsmen were getting tired carrying those 900-pound HPHS flags every 8, count ‘em 8 touchdowns. The price of success! Talked with a wonderful family from Mexico after the game who said our team “played with vigor and with honor.” Es verdad. Couldn’t have said it better myself.