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The demise of District 9-5A
BY Cory J. Mageors Staff Writer
If not for “Plano Mystique,” which happened to create a pulled hamstring on a definite game-tying touchdown, and two straight interceptions in the end zone on the final 90 seconds of play, the Wildcats could have lost to Rockwall and District 9-5A would have been swept by the boys of District 10-5A.
That was the scene, unexpected as it was, Saturday at Texas Stadium.
No. 3 state-ranked Allen, Plano West and Wylie all made immediate exits in the Class 5A Region II playoffs over the weekend; and what was once deemed as the toughest district in the state was outdone by surrounding city neighbors.
The Wildcats now move onto the Region II Area round to face Mesquite, who obliterated Dallas Molina, 51-0, in the bi-district round.
Heading into Saturday morning, nobody in the cities of Plano, Allen or Wylie thought that West would have to win for 9-5A to simply split the series with 10-5A.
The early assumption was that Allen would roll Rowlett handily, Wylie might get lucky against a streaking South Garland team, and Plano though facing a high-octane offense, would certainly keep Rockwall under wraps.
However, after Allen and Rockwall soaked up the early morning rays through Texas Stadium’s ceiling skylight, Allen looked lost as the demise of 9-5A began.
Three interceptions in the first half were converted for touchdowns by Rowlett, and a safety in the end zone gave them the edge necessary to stave off a scoreless second half.
Allen pieced together a 20-point final attempt, and was able to force four straight three-and-out series in the second half. But the 271 yards compiled by running back Dexter Imade, who averaged 102 yards per game during the season, was enough to keep the clock rolling.
Game 2 of the Texas Stadium quadrupleheader highlighted 10-5A’s top team, South Garland, against 9-5A’s lowest-ranked playoff squad, Wylie.
Colonels quarterback Nick Florence sliced-and-diced the Pirates for 302 passing yards and four touchdowns. On the other side, the South Garland defense held Wylie to less than 300 yards of total offense, showing their balance.
The third game of the day was simply a classic.
Rockwall’s posted 492 yards against Plano. What?
Seriously, they scored 35 points and still lost. On their way to tying up the game at 42-42, quarterback Braden Smith hit receiver Royce Miller, who had nothing but end zone in front of him.
Miller, however, pulled his hamstring, looking like Michael Johnson in his race against Donovan Bailey for the “fastest man in the world” title. Unlike Johnson, Miller was winning this race. And that’s where the “Plano Mystique” took over.
Two Smith passes floated into the arms of both Plano safeties at the end of the game, and the Wildcats squeaked out the first victory of the day for 9-5A.
In the final game of the day, West was evenly matched offensively and defensively with Garland Naaman Forest.
Most people felt West, standing only yards from the end zone and trailing by only four points, could pull out another miraculous finish.
However, Naaman proved that not only did they face tough competition this season, but they could play defense when it mattered down the stretch. The Rangers two losses during the season were by no more than a touchdown, and only to Rockwall and South Garland.
Plano head coach Gerald Brence said afterwards that he didn’t think 9-5A would have only one remaining representative after the first week of play. But he didn’t think 10-5A was going to be a pushover either.
Maybe that was the feeling heading into Saturday’s event; but somehow, someway, 10-5A came to play and came away with a 3-1 edge.
Who would’ve guessed it?
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