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Eagles swoop past Wildcats
BY Kevin Hageland Staff Writer
ALLEN – Plano Senior and Allen have had some epic battles over the last 15 years.
Friday night would not fit into that category as Allen scored on its first eight possessions in eventual 51-7 victory that gave the Eagles a 9-6 lead in the all-time series against the Wildcats.
“I don’t know what else we could have done to start the game better,” said Tom Westerberg, Allen head coach. “Our defense played really well tonight.”
Plano’s first four series ended in 3-and-outs as the Wildcats ran 12 plays for a total of 19 yards.
By contrast, Allen constructed drives of nine, three six and nine plays. Every one of them ended in a touchdown.
“We just kept moving the chains,” Westerberg said. “And Matt (senior quarterback Brown) is playing very well right now.”
Brown took the first touchdown in himself as he scampered in from 5 yards out midway through the first quarter. Brown was involved on each of the other three first half touchdowns, but all of those came via the pass. Brown, who completed his first six throws, connected on a 31-yard toss to junior Jonathan Lee to make it 14-0 and then hit senior Alex Pastor for back-to-back touchdowns of 30 and 8 yards, respectively, to make it 28-0.
“Our offense was really on point tonight,” Pastor said. “We executed well all game.”
Plano’s fifth drive represented its first first down as junior Murat Kuzu completed a 12-yard pass to junior Steele Hoetger with 5:40 remaining in the half. Kuzu would get two more first downs over the next three plays, both via run, but the Wildcats would eventually have to punt again.
The fifth straight punt by Plano was a direct result of a dominant performance from Allen junior Melvin Spears, senior Matt Craighead and the rest of the Eagles defense.
It wasn’t all good news for Allen’s defense though as the game had to be stopped for 18 minutes during Plano’s most productive drive after an injury to Matt Chenault. The senior was carted off the field after an apparent break of his right leg. Chenault gave a thumbs up to thunderous applause from both sides of the stands as he was wheeled off the field.
“We all dedicated this game to Matt,” Pastor said. “He is a great kid and a great player; we played our hearts out for him tonight.”
Allen tacked on another score before the half as the Eagles marched from their own 13-yard line to the Plano 1 in five plays. The Wildcats defense wouldn’t allow the home team any further though as Brown was stopped on back-to-back rushing attempts and Allen had to settle for a field goal. Senior Cody Phillips put it through from 19 yards to make it 31-0.
Allen didn’t take its foot off the gas at the start of the second half as the Eagles starters came back out and the team moved 81 yards in 11 plays.
Junior Kyree Owens got in the mix, with three carries and one reception, on the opening drive of the third quarter but it was Brown who finished it once more. Brown, who threw for 254 yards and four touchdowns while running for another 106 yards and a score, completed a 5-yard rocket to Lee for the touchdown. The catch from Lee, who had nine receptions for 156 yards, made it 38-0 with 8:15 left in the frame.
Allen senior quarterback Tucker Carter came in following another Plano punt and proved just as effective, leading two more touchdown drives before the end of the third. Carter ran the first score in from 15 yards out and junior Paul Walker, who had 75 yards on just six carries, scored the next touchdown with a 6-yard rush. Those two scores made it 51-0 heading into the fourth quarter as Wildcats junior Ben Laures managed a blocked extra point.
Plano continued building with small positive steps as junior quarterback Connor Michelsen, who completed 5-of-6 passes, came in and led a touchdown drive. The Wildcats scored on a 20-yard completion from Michelsen to sophomore Kevin Merrill to make it 51-7. Merrill had three receptions and 33 yards rushing.
Plano’s defense followed up by forcing its first punt.
But as had been the case all night, things quickly turned south for the Wildcats as they fumbled the ensuing kick. The running clock ensured the 51-7 score would be the final.
“I think we made some good strides tonight as a team,” Westerberg said. “And that’s what we look for in every game.”
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