Highland Park High School's varsity football team cruised its way to a 42-7 homecoming victory over Forney on Friday at Highlander Stadium.

A balanced offensive attack with the help of a 97-yard opening kickoff return by Hank Howard led the Scots to their first conference victory of the season. During the game, Highland Park's offense rushed 38 times for 165 yards and also completed 168 yards through the air.

HP's offense was not the team's only strong suit in the game: The defense held Forney to only 58 rushing yards and 142 yards in the air — many of those yards coming in the fourth quarter when the outcome was all but decided. Highland Park's defense also forced three fumbles and recovered two of them.

Highland Park now has a 3-1 record for the season and is ranked No. 3 in its 4A division in the D-FW area and No. 9 in the state. The Scots next game is at North Forney at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4.

(Photos and information courtesy of University Park photographer Rob Graham.)