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My what a run
By Cory J. Mageors, Staff Writer
After turning over the ball on a fumble with 1:33 left to play in regulation in the Division I Class 5A State Semifinals, Plano Senior's season looked certain to be over as they trailed 24-21.
However, a resilient Wildcats defense decided to extend their year just a little longer.
Plano junior Justin Collins forced Euless Trinity running back Samir Baker, who rushed for 211 yards, into his first fumble of the game with 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
However, McDuff attempted his second field goal attempt in the extended session with a 41-yard field goal attempt, which fell just shy. Moments later, from 23-yards out, Trinity kicker Pery Negreiros gave the Trojans a 30-27 victory and a chance at the State Championship.
"We still believed," said C.J. Martin, Plano senior. "We believed to the very end. This defense, this team built a bond which I can't explain with words and it hurts that we couldn't get our ultimate goal."
Plano head coach Gerald Brence, coaching his last game for the Wildcats along with the seniors who played for him shared Martin's sentiments. After a 13-2 season in which Plano made it further than anybody expected, he knew neither of the two semifinal qualifiers would make it an easy battle.
"You have to give them credit," Brence said. "Our guys went out there and put everything they had into this game. Sure we made some mistakes, but we fell down early and fought our way back into."
Falling down early is exactly what happened.
Plano received the kickoff, and attempted two consecutive passes to junior receiver Kris Lott . However, on the second pass, Leo Tavo picked off the sideline curl pass, taking it back to the Wildcats 7-yard line.
From there the Trojans ran twice and had a pass deflected before kicking a 22-yard field goal to go up3-0 with 10:22 on the clock.
Two possessions and a Trinity missed field goal later, the Wildcats marched down the field, benefiting from a 37-yard run by Rex Burkhead putting them on the Trinity 19-yard line.
Moments later, Plano quarterback Carson Meger pumped three times to Lott before finding senior Grant Davis in the middle of the end-zone surrounded by four Trojan defenders.
Plano took the lead 7-3 with 40 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
However, the Trojans have a talented running back of their own, and they fed him the ball six times for 64 yards. The third time in the red-zone, Trinity needed a score and they got one from Dontrayveous Robinson who plowed in for a 1-yard touchdown. That put Trinity up 10-7 with 9:37 remaining in the first half.
On the next possession, Plano ran once for three yards with Burkhead, but on second down, Meger threw his second interception again to Tavo.
Trinity took advantage with a 33-yard pass over the middle, beating all Plano defenders for a touchdown, to take a 17-7 lead. Scoring twice in 53 seconds.
Plano then began to run with Burkhead, and on third-and-eight from the Trinity 28, Meger rolled right and threw to the front pylon just over the Trojans cornerback where Davis plucked his second touchdown of the game. That touchdown gave the Wildcats a three-point deficit and Trinity with 4:09 left in the half.
Just before the end of the half, on fourth-and-10 Trinity threw across the middle to Tyree Tucker for 13 yards and the first down. On the ensuing play, Trinity quarterback Denarius McGhee tossed his only interception, which was tipped and caught by senior Raphael Smith at the Plano 10-yard line.
"I was just trying to make a play on the ball," Smith said. "I thought I could score, but my knee was down."
The Wildcats knelt the ball for the final six seconds and the two teams headed into halftime with Trinity leading 17-14.
Plano opened second half forcing a three-and-out spurned by a big deflection by Smith.
The Wildcats took control at their own 45-yard line, then marched 10 plays before Meger punched it in on a sneak from one yard out. Burkhead got the ball seven out of 10 times on the play gaining 29 yards and the Wildcats went ahead 21-17 with 7:10 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
After consuming much of the third on a 15 play drive, as the clock was running out Meger threw a deep pass into the end-zone which was picked off by Wayne Heimuli, stifling another Plano scoring drive and giving the Trojans the ball back with the fourth quarter left to play.
"The play clock was so close to the regulation clock," Brece said. "Meger took a shot. You know some of the plays that have worked for us all year just didn't work for us tonight."
Trinity quickly took advantage of the turnover, scoring in one-minute and 10 seconds. The Trojans went to Baker four times, and the final was the charm as he broke loose for a 37-yard touchdown.
The Wildcats were then unable to convert on a third-and-22 pass from Meger to Lott, punting to Trinity.
However, with 3:49 remaining on third-and-four for Trinity, the Plano stopped Baker for no gain, giving themselves another crack at scoring.
After three straight incomplete passes by Meger, the Wildcats chose to go for it on fourth down. Meger shook a tackler and threw a strike across the middle to Lott for 15 yards.
Then stumbled forward for ten yards and a first down, into Trinity territory. Moments later, Meger hit Lott for 16 more yards. Then on second-and-10 from the 29-yard line, Meger ran right for eight yards and with 1:33 on the clock, was tackled. That was when he fumbled, and that was where the game took a tumultuous turn.
If Trinity would have chosen to kneel, they would have punted to Plano with 10 seconds left.
However, the Trojans chose to run the ball. Collins forced a strip of Trinity's Baker, which Plano's Martin fell on, but it was not enough for the Wildcats to win.
"I have a strong feeling when we get back to school our fans will welcome us with open arms," said Smith. "But its going to hurt for a while especially watching the game next week and not being there. But our schoolmates will be right there patting us on the back."
As they should.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Debbie Couch wrote on Dec 20, 2007 3:32 PM:
" Congratulations to THE PLANO WILDCATS. You had a fantastic year and should be very proud of all you accomplished.
Cory Mageors you did an excellent job reporting on this team and deserve a pat on the back as well. "
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