Highland Park Bounces Back with 38-7 Homecoming Win Over Naaman Forest in District Opener
Highland Park defeated Naaman Forest 38-7. Fri · Sep 25, 2026
Highland Park Scots football · 2026 season · District.
The Highland Park Scots returned home in style for Homecoming, opening their district campaign with a dominant 38-7 victory over the Naaman Forest Rangers at Highlander Stadium. Bouncing back from a punishing non-district schedule, head coach Randy Allen's squad put together their most complete performance of the season to improve to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in district play.
Quarterback Buck Randall was electric through the air, carving up the Rangers' secondary with precision. Randall established an early rhythm, connecting with Evan Snellman for a 25-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone before hitting him again on a 27-yard scoring strike across the middle. The Highland Park signal-caller also delivered a devastating blow on fourth down, finding Luke Cecil for a 37-yard catch-and-run touchdown to blow the game open.
The Scots were equally effective on the ground, keeping the Naaman Forest defense off balance. Running back James Flowers continued his role as a reliable red-zone finisher, bulldozing his way up the middle for a 5-yard Highland Park touchdown. Randall also showcased his elite dual-threat capabilities, breaking loose for a massive 49-yard scramble down the right sideline to set up a first-and-goal opportunity.
Defensively, Highland Park enjoyed a massive turnaround after a difficult four-game stretch, preserving a shutout until the final minutes of the fourth quarter. The unit was opportunistic and aggressive, highlighted by Tayshaun Stewart's interception on the left side of the field. The defense also pounced on loose balls, with Beckett Curtis recovering a fumble forced up the middle and the duo of William Ledford and Charlie Davenport jumping on a botched exchange.
Now carrying the momentum of a resounding district-opening victory, the Scots will pack their bags and head on the road next Friday. Highland Park is set to travel to the Birdville ISD Athletics Complex in North Richland Hills to take on Richland, looking to stay unblemished in district competition.
Top plays
- Q1 · 6:22 — Buck Randall throws a swing pass to Caiden Reeves who reaches the end zone, but the touchdown is negated by an offensive holding penalty.
- Q1 · 3:59 — Braylon Deal throws to the left side and is intercepted by Tayshaun Stewart.
- Q1 · 2:45 — Buck Randall rolls left and fires a 25-yard touchdown pass to Evan Snellman in the corner of the end zone.
- Q2 · 9:31 — Highland Park converts on 4th down with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Luke Cecil.
- Q2 · 4:21 — Buck Randall throws a 27-yard touchdown pass to Evan Snellman across the middle.
- Q3 · 0:74 — Tristan Ellis carries the ball up the middle and fumbles, recovered by Beckett Curtis.
- Q3 · 3:44 — James Flowers rushes 5 yards into the end zone for a Scots touchdown.
- Q4 · 0:70 — James Flowers runs 5 yards up the middle for a Highland Park touchdown.
- Q4 · 2:39 — Highland Park's pass into traffic is intercepted by Jonathan Reed inside the 5-yard line.
Broadcast produced by Game On Sports.