Lions fall to Highland Park, 59-12
October 3, 2009

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE -- Luke Woodley passed for six touchdowns and the No. 9 state-ranked Highland Park Scots took advantage of four turnovers to whip the Greenville Lions 59-12 on Friday night at T.A. “Cotton” Ford Stadium.

Woodley went 24-of-32 passing for 373 yards as the Scots outgained the Lions 494-276 in total yardage.

“They’re good,” said Greenville coach Jim Phillips. “I’m not going to take anything away from them. They’re good and we’re not. We’re going in the wrong direction.”

It was the second straight lopsided loss for the Lions, who opened the season at 3-0. But the losses have been to two of the District 10-4A favorites, including last week’s 38-12 defeat at Rockwall-Heath.

Highland Park capitalized on three Greenville turnovers and the passing of Woodley to build a 49-6 halftime lead.

Greenville scored first after stopping the Scots on the game’s opening series and forcing a punt. The Lions marched 48 yards in six plays, including a 29-yard completion from N.J. Mason to Devonte Green on a halfback pass. That play set the Lions up at the Highland Park 18. Quarterback Alton Dennis scored three plays later on a 16-yard keeper up the middle. The Scots blocked Ryan Wilhelm’s extra point attempt following a low snap from center.

Highland Park scored on its next seven possessions, going 45 yards in three plays, 89 yards in 12 plays, 32 yards in six plays, 12 yards in one play, 42 yards in six plays, 29 yards in two plays and 19 yards in four plays.

Woodley’s six touchdown passes in the first half went for 23 yards to Morgan Stringer, 18 yards to Chris Hipps, 3 yards to Stringer, 12 yards to Brookes McIlhenny, 29 yards to Austin Miller and 16 yards to Preston Miller.

McIlhenny, the son of former Highland Park and SMU quarterback Lance McIlhenny, also ran 10 yards for a touchdown with 1:58 left before the half.

Highland Park cashed in on all Greenville turnovers in the first half, turning two fumbles on kickoff returns and one on a running play into 21 points. The fumbled returns set Highland Park up at the Greenville 32 and 12. The fumble on a run gave the Scots the ball on the Greenville 29.

Highland Park had a 352-157 advantage in total yardage in the first half.

After Andrew Bowman boooted a 28-yard field goal to give the Scots a 52-6 lead with 2:48 left in the third quarter, the Lions got back on the scoreboard with a 76-yard, six-play drive directed by backup quarterback Jeffro Davis. Davis fired a 22-yard strike to Green for a first down before going back to the 6-3, 180-pound junior wide receiver for a 53-yard touchdown pass with 5:45 remaining. Green led the Lion receivers with five catches for 151 yards.

Greenville’s bid to recover an onside kick failed. Highland Park’s reserves then drove 47 yards in six plays, topped off by a 16-yard touchdown run by quarterback Preston Edwards with 2:53 left for the game’s final touchdown.

Greenville fumbled the kickoff and the Scots’ Thomas Gibbons recovered the ball at the Lion 23. The Scots then ran off the final 2 1/2 minutes off the clock to improve to 4-1 for the season.

Dennis led the Lion rushers with 62 yards on 13 carries and was 6-of-14 passing for 63 yards.

Davis, in his relief role, was 2-of-3 passing for 75 yards.