Scots’ Runner-up Finish Fuels This Year’s Hunger

Scots’ Runner-up Finish Fuels This Year’s Hunger

Almost nine months later, Highland Park still feels the sting of coming so close and falling just short.

By almost any measure, the Scots had a stellar season in 2024, with 14 wins, including 11 in a row, and a trip to the Class 5A Division I state championship game in late December.

However, a 32-20 defeat against Smithson Valley left a bitter taste in the mouths of returning HP players who haven’t dwelled on the loss so much as used it as motivation — eager to turn a new campaign into a second chance.

“They remember the feeling they had after the game and the disappointment,” said longtime HP head coach Randy Allen. “They understand what it takes. Our team last year set a great example and left a high bar.”

Indeed, HP is the winninges