5.8 miles separate Jesuit Dallas and Highland Park High School. Both schools carry the stigma, whether right or wrong, of being a “rich white boy” school. Both schools’ colors are blue and gold. Both schools are in the same UIL district, and, oh yeah, happen to play each this week. Despite their many similarities, however, the schools have bitter hate for each other.
Unfortunately for the schools, these two teams have not had many opportunities to face each other in athletic competition in recent years due to Highland Park participating in the UIL 5A competition while Jesuit has competed in UIL 6A due to UIL rules on private schools. In the most recent years, the highlight of the competitions between these teams was lacrosse games, with both teams playing each other at least once each year. Both of these teams, along with the Episcopal School of Dallas, are known sort of as “the big three” in Texas high school lacrosse, each team making a serious case for a championship run each year. Last year, Jesuit handily beat Highland Park at Highlander Stadium, while the year before they each won one of the two regular season matchups with each other before Jesuit beat Highland Park in the championship. Last year, we also got the treat of watching Jesuit and Highland Park play in the Knights of Columbus Bob Straus Classic, resulting in a Highland Park victory.
History
Jesuit has only played Highland Park in football three times, none of which have faired well for the Rangers. Their first matchup was in 1951, in which the Rangers lost 36-0. The two teams did not face each other for about fifty years before they met again in 2000, resulting in a 35-14 loss for the Rangers. They played again the next year, in 2001, and the Rangers then lost 37-0.
In these matchups, the Scots have outscored the Rangers 108-14, holding the Rangers to an average of 4.67 points per game, including two shutouts.
Jesuit Dallas
Offense
So far this season Jesuit has season many standouts on offense. Of course, quarterback Charlie Schmidt ’23 is one of them, having thrown for almost 1000 yards through five games this season, and having a rating of 149.21. Schmidt also has almost 200 yards rushing. There are many rushers in the Jesuit offense that help the run game in addition to Schmidt. Cameron Martin ’23 has 219 yards, Jake Musso ’23 has 193, and Reed Pfaffenberger ’23 has 103. along with several other players having occasional rushes. On the receiving end Musso leads with 386 yards, Cooper Cutler ’24 is in second with 270 yards, and Luke Fawcett ’23 is in third with 130 yards of his own.
Defense
Luke Buckner leads the defense with 10 solo tackles and 16 assisted tackles, along with 1.5 sacks, Grayson Wombacher ’24 also has 10 solo tackles and 17 assisted tackles, and Grant Peters ’23 has 10 solo tackles and 12 assisted tackles, along with 4.5 tackles for loss.
Special Teams
The main kicker and punter for the Rangers this year is Noah McGough ’25. McGough has a 42-yard field goal and a game-winning field goal against Lake Highlands already this year. He averages 48.6 yards on the kickoff. The unit of Matty Wagner ’23, Will Greenwood ’23, and McGough has yet to miss an extra point kick this season.
Highland Park
Highland Park has started the year very well, going 4-0 thus far, and is coming off their bye week. The Scots and Rangers have two common opponents in Lake Highlands and Irving. The Scots beat Lake Highlands 52-21, while Jesuit beat them 32-31. The Scots beat Irving 63-0, while Jesuit beat them 56-7.
How We Win
Simply put, we must outdo them in everything. We must outperform them, outcoach them, outscout them, outcheer them, outdo them in everything. If we lack on even one of those aspects then we lose. The coaching staff must do a great job of scouting this very talented Scots team and implement that game plan well. It is then up to the players to execute the game plan to perfection, no mistakes can be made. While this is happening, it is up to the fans to cheer them on loudly and proudly, to encourage and hype up our players to outperform the Scots while also getting into Highlands Park’s heads through loud and energetic, but not obscene, chants and movements.
The game is currently set for this Friday at 7:00 at Highlander Stadium. Come out and cheer on the Rangers.
Stay tuned to The Roundup for more football news!
