On Friday, Frisco Lone Star knocked off Class 5A powerhouse Highland Park in an epic showdown for the ages.
Lone Star beat Highland Park 33-27 in overtime at AT&T Stadium after junior running back Jaden Nixon scored an 18-yard touchdown late in the game, sealing the win and defeating the three-time defending Class 5A, Division I state champions.
Though Nixon was the hero of the game, there’s something not to be overlooked in the athleticism of sophomore quarterback Garret Rangel.
Rangel led Lone Star in an offensive explosion as it scored first in the regional semifinal. Rangel found Marvin Mims for an 11-yard touchdown pass to set the momentum.
Highland Park was able to quickly take the lead, and with less than a minute until halftime, Lone Star trailed 17-10. Rangel sent a 17-yard touchdown pass to Tolu Sokoya to tie the game.
By the time the fourth quarter came, Lone Star trailed by four points, and Rangel answered the call again, sending a 16-yard pass to Mims for a touchdown.
In overtime, Rangel completed two passes for 12 yards, setting up the game-winning touchdown run by Nixon.
After completing 35 of 49 passes for a total of 417 yards and tossing three touchdown passes, the 6-foot-2, 170-pound sophomore set the single season passing record in his first season as a starter.
Rangel leads all Class 5A Dallas-area passers with 4,203 yards and 47 touchdowns.
With stats like he has as a sophomore, it’s only a matter of time for Rangel to be noticed, especially after taking down a team like Highland Park as he leads his team, pushing forward toward a state title.
Rangel and Lone Star (13-0) are slated to face Lancaster (11-2) on Friday at Rockwall’s Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
