Dallas Highland Park 16, Temple 7

By Michael Wright
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Updated: December 17, 2016

Dallas Highland Park Scots (13-2) vs. Temple Wildcats (12-3)
noon Saturday, Arlington's AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium - The Dallas Highland Park Scots won a defensive battle against the Temple Wildcats 16-7 in the Class 5A Division I Championship. The Scots are now 3-3-1 in state championship games. Their last win was in the 2005 4A Division I game. Temple falls to 2-7 in the big game. Their last win was in the 1992 5A Division II game.

The teams traded punts to start the game and it was not until Temple's 2nd possession that we had a score. Wildcat running back Jemiyal Franklin took it in from 38 yards out for the score to make the score 7-0. The quarter ended with Temple about to punt.

Highland Park had to punt on their next possession and it got downed at the Temple 8. The Wildcats then used a strong short passing game to move down the field but could not convert on a 4th down conversion at the Highland Park 22. The Scots then went to a passing game themselves to get into the Temple side of the field. That set up a 36 yard touchdown run by quarterback John Stephen Jones. That made the score 7-7 with under 4 minutes left until half. Temple went back to their passing game but Scot defensive back Alex Walzel intercepted at the Highland Park 16 with 1:35 left. The Scots had a shot but they had a pass intercepted by Temple defensive back Monto President. The Wildcats ran the final seconds off the clock to end the half.

Half time stats had Highland Park with 187 yards and Temple with 109. Wildcat running back Franklin had 79 yards on 16 carries. Scot quarterback Jones was 7 of 16 passing for 68 yards while Wildcat quarterback Reid Hesse was 13 of 17 for 106 yards.

Temple had to punt on their first possession but the snap went through the punters legs and he attempted a pass which fell incomplete. The Scots took over at the Temple 40 yard line. A penalty and a tough Temple defense forced a punt. The teams traded punts with some outstanding defense being played. Highland Park then got the passing attack working again to move down the field Jones was able to hit paydirt with a 1 yard run on a 4th down play. That gave the Scots a 14-7 lead with 1:46 left in the 3rd. The quarter ended with Temple at the 13 yard line.

The Scot defense was able to hold as they stopped Temples 4th and 2 try from the 5. The Scots drove the ball to the Temple 44 and punted. The punt took a great Highland Park bounce out of bounds at the 1 yard line. The Wildcats took over with 5:19 left in the game. On the 3rd play, Scot defensive lineman Turner Coxe sacked the Temple quarterback for a safety. The Scots now led 16-7 and had the ball with 4:52 remaining in the game. The Scots were able to run it down to 21 seconds before Temple took over. The Wildcats made it to the Scots 20 yard line when the clock ran out.

The total yards was almost even for the game. Highland Park had 281 while Temple had 284. The Scots running back Alexander finished the game with 145 yards on the ground. Temple quarterback Hesse finished 21 of 31 for 177 yards. Jones finished 9 of 23 for 96 yards. On defense, Highland Park was led by defensive lineman Coxe (5.5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FR) and defensive lineman Marshall Hammack (7.5 tackles, 1.5 TFL).

Lone Star Gridiron

Attendance: 35,089

Players of the game:
Offensive Player of the Game - John Stephen Jones, Quarterback Dallas Highland Park
Defensive Player of the Game - Turner Coxe Defensive Lineman Dallas Highland Park