ARLINGTON, TX — The 5A Division I Championship featured Dallas Highland Park (14-1) and Comal Smithson Valley (13-2) at the 2024 Texas High School State Championships in Arlington. An action-packed first half left Smithson Valley with a 3-point, 23-20 lead as both teams fought to bring home the title.
FINAL - Smithson Valley 32 Highland Park 20
1st Quarter
Highland Park jumped out to an early lead when Buck Randall hit Cannon Bozman for a 49-yard touchdown. Smithson Valley responded with field goals on two straight drives before Highland Park struck again. This time, the Scots' Randall connected with Benton Owens for a long, 73-yard touchdown.
Up 14-6, Highland Park looked to put some distance between themselves and Smithson Valley following a punt from the Rangers. However, Rangers' senior cornerback Julian Colunga had other plans. He stepped in front of an errant pass from Buck Randall and took the pick to the house. Smithson Valley trailed 14-13 at the end of the 1st quarter.
2nd Quarter
Comal Smithson Valley took their first lead of the game with just under 9 minutes to play until the half. Cade Spralding found Brody Day for a 24-yard touchdown and a 6-point lead.
The rest of the 2nd quarter failed to produce touchdowns, but both teams traded field goals to end the half. Highland Park hit from 40 and 42 yards out, while Smithson Valley nailed a 24-yard field goal. Smithson Valley held a 23-20 lead at the break.
3rd Quarter
Unlike the first half, both defenses showed to play in the final two quarters. Only Smithson Valley managed any points in the 3rd quarter. Trent Amaya hit a 30-yard field goal with 2:42 to go in the 3rd.
5A Division I Championship: Highland Park vs. Smithson Valley
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Scott Menchaca)
4th Quarter
Smithson Valley controlled time of possession throughout the 2nd half, but nowhere was it more apparent than in the 4th quarter. The Rangers impressed their will on Highland Park through a bruising ground game. Both teams continued to push the football back and forth, but only Smithson Valley scored.
Rangers quarterback Cade Spralding capped off a five-play, 55-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run with 3:39 remaining in the ballgame. Highland Park tried to counter, but the deep passes that were prevalent throughout the first half never emerged in the 2nd.
Smithson Valley claimed the 5A Division I Championship 32-20.
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