The Lake Highlands High School varsity football team squares off against the Jesuit Rangers tonight at home, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

Photography by Mike Duhon.

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In a district that is shaking up to be highly competitive, the game between two highly-rated opponents is likely to have significant implications in district standings going forward.

Ahead of tonight’s game, we caught up with Head Coach Cory Campbell to get his thoughts on the matchup.

Coming off of a big win, how are you feeling?

I think as we started the season, there were some questions about just who we were and our identity and some of the things that we were trying to accomplish. And I think halfway through the regular season, I feel like we’re in a good spot. We have some answers to some of those questions about our identity. Proud of the defense last Thursday night getting a shutout, those don’t come around every day. Offensively, I thought we were a little sloppy at times. And then, in the grand scheme of things, I was super happy for a lot of our guys to be able to get on the field and contribute in meaningful snaps.

There’s a lot of familiarity between these teams and staffs. What’s been your message to the team?

I think for us, it’s been pretty simple. As we’ve started district play, and opened it up with J.J. Pierce, we’re just kind of taking a 1-0 mentality. I really believe this district has got the possibility of getting turned on its head. And what I mean by that is, any Friday night, I think anything can happen. I really do. I’ve been here 15 years, and this is probably the most competitive district from top to bottom that I’ve been a part of. And so, our message to the team was pretty simple. Obviously we have a ton of respect for Jesuit.

Jesuit has played a lot of tough opponents in non-conference play, and has given up some yards on the ground this season. Running the ball is one of your strongpoints. How important will establishing the run early be?

It’s going to be critical, I think in the game of football, especially with our group, we have got to win on first down. First downs are huge. And whether we’re running the ball or throwing the ball, we’ve got to be successful on first downs. As you mentioned, their preseason schedule was brutal, opening up with Hebron, and then obviously playing Highland Park, and then they went to New Orleans and played Jesuit New Orleans, so their non-district schedule was very, very difficult.

You are averaging around seven penalties a game. This could very well end up a close game, so how crucial will discipline be?

It’s crazy important. It’s very critical. In the realm of high school football, when you get 10,000 people in the stadium, it’s a perfect opportunity for our young people for us to talk about discipline and composure. And you know, when those bullets start flying on Friday night, and things get physical in the trenches and stuff, we’ve got to do a good job of keeping our composure. And I think that’s a challenge, but I think that’s a coachable challenge.

Jesuit’s running back is back, but you guys have played great run defense this season. How do you think that your front seven is going to match up with Jesuit’s zone and power scheme tonight? 

Yeah, they’re definitely going to run the power there’s no question about that. You know, getting their running back back. He was an integral part of their offense early on, and with Charlie Peters at quarterback and that receiving core that they have, it’s going to be a challenge, because they are going to throw the football. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the DFW Metroplex.  So we’re not just going to line up and play a team that’s going to run the ball 57 times … I think their balance with them being able to throw the football the way they do, it really helps out their run game. And so it’s going to be a huge challenge for our front seven and for our secondary, you know, to be able to get those guys and unfavorable down in distances where, you know, we can get the ball back, okay?

What are going to be the keys to victory?

Offensively, I think protecting the football, winning on first down is the key, and then defensively, I think, it’s just trying to eliminate the big play. Making them work for everything they get and not allowing one or two play touchdowns.