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.
In the 2nd half, Highland Park never matched their same offensive success, while Smithson Valley dominated in the ground game. The Rangers took home the victory, 32-20.
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
The Rangers grabbed their first lead of the game with just under nine minutes remaining in the second quarter. Cade Spralding connected with Brody Day for a 24-yard touchdown, giving Smithson Valley a 6-point advantage.
The rest of the quarter saw both teams rely on their kickers, with Highland Park converting two field goals from 40 and 42 yards, while Smithson Valley responded with a 24-yard field goal. The Rangers carried a narrow 23-20 lead into halftime.
Smithson Valley scores against Highland Park in the 2024 5A Div I Championship
(South Plains LIVE! Photo/Scott Menchaca)
3rd Quarter
The second half was dominated by defense as both teams clamped down on scoring opportunities. The only points of the third quarter came from Smithson Valley’s Trent Amaya, who drilled a 30-yard field goal with just under three minutes remaining.
4th Quarter
Smithson Valley’s dominance in the second half was most evident in the fourth quarter, as the Rangers controlled the clock and wore down Highland Park with their physical rushing attack. Despite both teams exchanging possessions, only Smithson Valley managed to add to the scoreboard.
Quarterback Cade Spralding delivered the decisive blow, capping off a methodical five-play, 55-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run with 3:39 remaining. Highland Park attempted a late-game rally, but the explosive passing game that had shone in the first half was noticeably absent in the second.
Smithson Valley claimed the 5A Div I Championship 32-20.
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