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Plano avenges only loss
By Cory J. Mageors, Staff Writer
If Plano Senior (1-1 in District 9-5A) was suffering from any hangover after their loss to Allen last week, they got it all out of their system by 7:30 p.m. Friday night. By halftime, Plano led Lake Highlands (0-2), 34-0, on their way to a 41-6 bounce-back victory.
“I am just proud of the mental effort that our guys made tonight after that loss,” said Gerald Brence, Plano head coach. “That was a tough loss to a good team, but we came ready to play tonight. In the first half we were really hitting on all cylinders and you could tell between practice yesterday and getting ready for the game today that we were ready to go.”
In the first half, Plano junior quarterback Carson Meger was a perfect 12-for-12 for 195 yards with two touchdowns. Junior running back Rex Burkhead finished his night early, playing only in the first half. Burkhead still managed 124 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries.
“Like I said before, these guys are the reason we are able to score the way we do,” said Kris Lott, senior wide receiver, who finished with 83 yards on four receptions. “They give us so many chances on offense.”
Plano received the initial kickoff, and the offense didn’t miss a beat from there, marching 80 yards on 12 plays. Meger found Lott for 15 yards on the first play, then senior receiver Grant Davis for 11 yards. From eight yards out Meger hit senior receiver Nate Christian in the back of the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 6:52 left in the first quarter.
Lake Highlands quarterback Jacob Andrews left the game after the first offensive series following a sack by junior C.J. Martin on the Lake Highlands’ goal line.
“C.J. is a clutch player,” Brence said. “He is always there for us in the tough times and we really appreciate what he does on the field for us. We played much better on defense tonight than we did last week.”
On 1st-and-10 from the Lake Highlands 35-yard line, Meger hit a strike down the seam to Davis, who was tackled on the 2-yard line. Burkhead then pounded it in from the one, and Plano led, 14-0.
Lake Highlands brought in junior quarterback Jake Vines, but the Plano defense forced Lake Highlands to punt.
The Wildcats then began a drive from their own 9-yard line and Burkhead moved the chains with a 15-yard run. Then Meger received a low snap, but hit Burkhead for a 19-yard pass in the flat. Moments later, Meger rolled left, and hit Lott streaking down the left sideline. As Lott brought down the catch, he fumbled on the 20-yard line and the ball bounced to the end zone. Lott then fell on the ball in the end zone to a complete a 56-yard play. A missed extra point gave Plano a 20-0 lead.
Lake Highlands was again forced to punt, and Burkhead helped Plano capitalize. Meger handed the ball off and Burkhead hit the hole up the middle. As the pursuit moved to the right side of the field, Burkhead cut back to the left sideline and chased the end zone down with a big block from Lott. Plano followed with a successful two-point conversion to take a 28-0 lead.
Lake Highlands appeared to catch a big play as running back Desmond Roland snagged a pass over the middle and broke lose for a big gain. However, he was hit hard over the middle and fumbled the ball, where Plano junior Phillip Hale recovered the ball, giving Plano yet another possession.
On the next play, Davis had an 18-yard grab, but Lake Highlands senior safety John Shorter delivered a helmet popping blow. Davis held onto the ball though and put the visiting Wildcats at the Lake Highlands’ 26-yard line.
Moments later, Burkhead barreled in from 10 yards out for a touchdown with 3:54 remaining in the half, giving Plano a 34-0 lead, as again the extra point was missed.
Lake Highlands was left chasing for the entire second half, while Plano was able to rest their starters. Meger left the game 13-of-14 for 201 yards and two touchdowns.
Later, Plano senior quarterback Michael Sheffield hit Grant Davis on 4th-and- 14 for a 26-yard touchdown as Plano took a 41-0 lead.
Lake Highlands got their lone score when running back Alonson Wilson snapped off a 72-yard run and junior James Smith finished things off with a 13-yard run.
However, Plano was able to finish things out in a decisive 41-6 victory.
“I would have taken a one-point win,” Brence said. “But we have to keep things in perspective. You know we have a long road ahead of us. We have a whole lot of football still left to play and in this district we are going to face some tough teams. Just look at Allen and Berkner.”
Plano hosts Berkner at Clark Stadium Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Rams lost to Allen, 56-49, Friday night in double overtime.
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