IRVING – Highland Park beat West Mesquite for the second time in four weeks, only this time the stakes were higher. So was the margin of victory.

Highland Park quarterback Winston Gamso threw four touchdown passes to turn the rematch into a 49-6 runaway in the 4A Division II Region II final at Texas Stadium.

Three of Gamso's touchdown passes were 60 yards or longer.

Gamso has been splitting time with former starter Dutch Crews the last three games, but he had the hotter hand Friday night. Gamso was 10-of-12 for 292 yards and guided Highland Park to five of its touchdowns.

Highland Park (14-0) will meet the winner of tonight's game between Everman and Wichita Falls Rider in the state semifinals next week. Highland Park is bidding to win two state titles in three seasons after winning the 4A Division I title in 2005.

West Mesquite (10-4) saw its deepest playoff run ever end in a second loss to Highland Park. The District 10-4A foes met in the final week of the regular season, with Highland Park winning, 38-20.

This time, Highland Park set the tone early when Gamso threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Chris Morris. Gamso ran in the 2-point conversion for an 8-0 lead four plays into the game.

West Mesquite mounted an 11-play drive but had to settle for a 31-yard field goal by Christopher Walls.

After the kickoff, Highland Park took one play to score on another deep strike. Gamso found another uncovered receiver, Seth Gardner, on a flea-flicker for a 67-yard score. Highland Park couldn't convert a second two-point conversion and settled for a 14-3 lead.

MICHAEL AINSWORTH / DMN

Highland Park's Michael Thatcher stretches past West Mesquite's Kenny Davis for a catch.

West Mesquite answered with a nine-play drive that resulted in another field goal. Walls' 43-yarder with 2:37 left in the first quarter was West Mesquite's final score.

Gamso led Highland Park to another touchdown just before halftime. Running back Michael Thatcher made a spectacular 48-yard catch, stretching out to snag the ball with his fingertips, to set up his 12-yard touchdown reception.

After the offense built a 21-6 lead, Highland Park's defense flexed its muscle in the second half.

West Mesquite's first three possessions of the third quarter – six plays in all – ended in a fumble and two interceptions.

On the first play of the second half, Highland Park defensive back Johnny McKnight jarred the ball loose from receiver Jordan Schell. Linebacker Jeff Howeth returned the fumble 29 yards for a 28-6 lead.

Howeth had an interception three plays later to foil another West Mesquite possession. Defensive lineman Dan Samson then intercepted a shovel pass intended for Schell. That set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Thatcher for a 35-6 Highland Park lead.

Gamso then hit Gardner on a play-action pass for 60-yard score to push the lead to 42-6 with 5:44 left in the third quarter.

Crews, working his way back from a broken collarbone, threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Chase Davis for the final score.