Denton Ryan and Highland Park were engaged in a playoff classic with a neck-and-neck affair that had several lead changes throughout the game that came down to a 24-24 tie to begin the fourth quarter. When running back Paxton Alexander garnered his fourth touchdown of the afternoon to put Highland Park up 31-24, it would be the lead needed as Highland Park defensive back Zak Folts came away with the interception on Denton Ryan’s final drive to preserve the win to send Highland Park to the state championship with a 31-24 victory.
Paxton Alexander played like a man possessed as he was able to rush for 137 yards and two touchdowns and net 68 receiving yards as well as two receiving touchdowns.
“I had to step up a little bit and my line had to lead me to the promise land,” said running back Paxton Alexander. “I think we have a lot of depth this season and we’ve gone up against great teams like Denton Ryan, Lake Ridge and it goes to show how much depth we have…everyone is willing to step up. We always talk about the next guy up and how everyone needs to be ready. Today everyone was ready to step up to fill the next position.”
Highland Park opened the game with a 3-0 lead in the first quarter after a 36-yard field goal by Jackson Hubbard. Looking to carry the opening tempo of the game, Highland Park was able to stop Ryan on its opening drive after the 4th & 2 attempt from the Highland Park 20 resulted in a fumbled snap which resulted in a turnover on downs for Highland Park.
However with a shot at the state championship on the line the Ryan defense stepped up and propelled Ryan up on the scoreboard. At the 4:26 mark, Ryan linebacker Toby Burch came from the right side and strip sacked quarterback John Stephen Jones as defensive lineman Dayton LeBlanc recovered the ball and gave Ryan its first points of the game with a 46-yard fumble return touchdown to go up 7-3.
Highland Park tied the game at 10 when Dillon McKnight made a 24-yard field goal. With the game tied at 10 Ryan was hoping to get a leg up on Highland Park, but quarterback Spencer Sanders was taken out of the game with an injury that kept him sidelined the rest of the game. With a crucial aspect of Ryan’s offense out Highland Park looked to take advantage of the game.
Highland Park was able to tie the game in the closing seconds of the first half after quarterback John Stephen Jones found running back Paxton Alexander wide open in the flat down at the 3-yard line to have the game even at 17 heading into intermission.
Facing a 31-24 deficit after a missed Highland Park field goal, Denton Ryan began the drive at their own 20 with the final minutes of the game winding down. With a first and 10 at the Highland Park 39, Creed Gentry tried to hit his target down the middle of the field, but junior defensive back Zak Folts was able to come away with the interception that helped Highland Park advance to the state title game.
“It’s great to know that all those long hours and hard work paid off and it’s just a great feeling,” said Zak Folts. “When the opportunity came I just took it and I was glad I actually caught the ball and didn’t drop it,” said Foles in regards to the interception to win the game.
Highland Park will face Temple in the 5A DI State Championship next Saturday at 12 p.m. in AT&T Stadium.
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