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West needs win, a little help
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@acnpapers.com
Few outside of Plano West would have predicted it, but the Wolves enter Friday's game against Plano Senior, 7:30 p.m. at Clark Stadium, with a legitimate shot at making the playoffs.
"I'm excited we have that chance," said Mike Hughes, West head coach. "Our kids have hung tough in the toughest district in the state."
But through a complex set of circumstances, West needs help to get to Week 11.
Either way, whatever playoff hopes West has largely depend on beating Plano.
"We can't control what happens with Hebron and Marcus," Hughes said. "The kids are smart; they know that and they know all we can control is how we play against Plano."
A Plano squad (1-5) that bears a resemblance to West's 2010 team.
"Plano reminds me of us last year," Hughes said. "They have been close in a lot of games, but couldn't quite get over the hump. They are still a very dangerous team though."
Plano head coach Jaydon McCullough shared similar sentiments about the Wolves.
"Last year, [West] was a much better football team than their record indicated," he said. "This year, they've done a great job winning some close games and that coaching staff has done a great job getting their team in the position they're in."
What position Plano is in come Friday night could be interesting as senior quarterback Richard Lagow (ankle) and senior running back Kevin Merrill (shoulder) are gametime decisions.
West is not anticipating Lagow under center.
"Plano has focused a lot on passing this season, but now you have to kind of throw those tendencies out the window," Hughes said. "They've got some good speed and talent with Merrill and (senior running back Rakeem) Crawford, so we will have to figure out their game plan and make adjustments as the game goes along. See if they run more or stick with the pass."
West's defense will be better equipped to make adjustments than it has in several weeks thanks to the return of a few key players.
"We are pretty healthy right now, especially on defense," Hughes said.
Senior defensive end Bryce Cottrell, senior linebacker Ike Egege and junior linebacker Mike Mitchell have been at full speed in practice with senior defensive tackle Avery Heanu also practicing Wednesday.
"[West is] very aggressive on defense," McCullough said. "They're going to try and take away the run. Beyond that, they all play hard and run to the football well."
Hughes feels the same way about Plano's defense.
"They are a lot like us," he said. "They run a 4-3 like we do; the techniques are a little different, but McCullough and his staff do a good job getting their guys running to the ball at all times, making sound tackles and playing with good technique."
That is a must against West, which defeated Flower Mound last week, 55-42, on the strength of six touchdowns from junior quarterback Travis Korry.
"I heard after the game they had to replace some of the light bulbs in the scoreboard," Hughes said jokingly.
But Korry's performance had others taking serious notice.
"[Korry] was amazing last week against Flower Mound," McCullough said. "We've got to contain him, that sophomore running back (Auston Anderson) and of course, (senior running back) Carlos Wiggins. It won't be easy against that offensive line. My brother (Joey) coaches them, so you can't take that lightly and his guys are always coming to play."
And therein lies perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the game: familiarity.
Not only will the McCullough brothers be on opposite sidelines, but Hughes knows plenty about West's opponent as well.
"I coached at Plano for 16 years," Hughes said, "so that's a huge part of my career."
Familiarity is also shared by the players.
"Our kids know and grew up with [the players at West]," McCullough said. "Whether it was playing Pee Wee football with them, going to the same school at one time or hanging out during the summer, these kids all know each other and it's personal, so that's what makes for such a great, competitive environment."
An environment likely to be intensified by the fact West is playing for a postseason spot and this will be the last game at Clark for the Wolves and Wildcats seniors.
"This week is about enjoying the time together with coaches and teammates, plus one more chance to play a high school football game at Clark Stadium against Plano West," McCullough said. "That alone is something to play for and practice for."
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