Highland Park finds a way around, over and through Manvel's speed

ARLINGTON – Whenever Highland Park gets deep in the playoffs, as it so often does, the Scots’ speed disadvantage becomes a topic of discussion. It’s mentioned so often that you’d think the perennial powerhouse is fueled by a roster of guys with two left feet or noticeable limps. It’s not true, of course. But there’s also no doubt, as Highland Park tried to defend its Class 5A Division I title Friday night, that Manvel had a decided speed advantage at virtually every position on offense and defense. And for about 46 minutes of the 48-minute game, it looked like that would be the difference at AT&T Stadium. But then Highland Park, after giving up five touchdown plays of more than 60 yards, did what Highland Park so often does: The Scots found a way to win. They might not have been as fast as Manvel, but slow – or slower – and steady earned the Scots a 53-49 win and a second straight state title. “We’re always the underdogs when we get this far,” said receiver Cade Saustad, who caught the winning 16-yard touchdown pass from John Stephen Jones with 34 seconds left. “We’re not as big and we’re not as fast as the other teams, but coach [Randy] Allen always has a game plan and we trust in his game plan.” But even the game plan of Allen, one of the legendary coaches of Texas high school football, acknowledged that the Scots (15-1) were going to have a tough time against Manvel (14-1). Allen was worried about Manvel’s speed on offense, and how it might translate into big plays. It translated into a gusher of big plays for Manvel, which scored on passes of 69, 78, 62 and 95 yards. Manvel receiver Jalen Preston caught five passes for 220 yards, which is a state record for yardage in a championship game. He’ll share that record with Saustad, who caught 12 passes for 220 yards. “The only way we could compete was to keep after it and keep trying to answer,” Allen said. “We felt like if we could make it close in the fourth quarter, then we’d have a chance.” Manvel’s speed on defense contributed to its eight sacks, which tied a championship-game record. But despite getting thrown for a loss on many occasions, Jones’ pocket awareness and ability to escape helped Highland Park do enough to keep it close in the fourth quarter. Jones finished with 564 yards passing, another state record, and four touchdown passes. The winning touchdown was set up by two plays that exemplified how Highland Park so often can win games where it appears to be the underdog. The first was a perfectly executed onside kick that the 6-foot-5 Saustad snagged after it bounced high in the air. That gave Highland Park the ball back with 2:05 left. The second was on what looked like Highland Park’s last gasp – on a fourth-and-15 at the Manvel 39 with a little more than a minute left. Jones delivered a perfect pass to Finn Corwin for a 28-yard completion and a first down. Two plays later, Jones connected with Saustad for a touchdown, giving Highland Park its first lead of the game. “It’s just incredible,” Jones said. “I’ve got the greatest teammates and the greatest coaches.”