07LislePreview

Bill Lidinsky Web Page

Top That !!

Plano’s Mission: Duplicate Perfection

By Bill Lidinsky

As the last picture had flashed, as the last hug had been embraced, as the last tear of joy had been shed, so ended the magic carpet ride of the Plano High School varsity football team in sheer jubilation on the floor of Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois.

Some 365 days ago Reaper Nation embarked upon a journey that would end up at that very spot on November 24, 2006. It became an adventure that most high school football teams can only dream of. It was in fact perfection! It was a spotless 14-0 season that culminated with a masterpiece victory, a scintillating 47-42 3A championship game thriller over St. Joseph-Ogden that now resounds loudly within the IHSA record books.

All have had nine months to bask in the glory that comes with being a state champion. The awards have been given out, the rings were fitted in majestic style, and scholarships were realized for some of the truly deserving that blessed the 2006 Reapers.

Now after all the hoopla, Plano’s task is more daunting than ever. How can you duplicate what is or what was perfect? Is it possible to reincarnate the spirit, determination, and desire that accompanied 06 perfection?

“You can’t be better, so there’s no use trying to duplicate what was perfect,” said Plano head football coach Jim Green. “All we can do in 2007 is try to play each week and be better than that team. Obviously we have a lot to defend. We’ll take the conference first then we’ll hopefully look again to the post season. We know the targets will be firmly on our backs.”

In his fifth season as Plano head football coach, Green has a monumental task in front of him this year. After losing 17-of-22 starters from 2006, he has to find a way to keep the phenomenal momentum that Reaper Nation has built by being state champs and state semifinalist in 2005.

Gone is probably the finest player in Plano football history. Nick Nasti is now on scholarship for football at Eastern Illinois University. A three year starter, Nasti was ‘Mr. Everything’ for the Reapers in 2006.

Gone also is three year starting quarterback Brook Bott and three year lineman Ben Quintero. Add to that the graduation of I-8 all-conference performers Dan Bocek, Jared Ferguson, Victor Diaz, Robbie LeMaster, and Josh O’Hara and you have a tough task ahead of you as a coach in reduplicating greatness.

“The seniors this year have all been a part of our success over the past two seasons. They’re looking forward to trying to recapture the magic of the last two years. They had a lot of fun and they want to succeed again,” Green said. “Yes we’ve lost 17-of-22 starters, but we have leaders in key spots on both sides of the ball.”

On offense, Green’s son Brian takes over the helm at quarterback from Bott. Brian Green (Sr.) was a key contributor all season long on both offense and defense as a safety in 2006.

Luis Alvarado (Sr.) will be the work horse in the Plano backfield. Alvarado ran in the shadows of Nasti and Ferguson in 06, but scored three touchdowns in the title matchup against St. Joseph-Ogden including the game winner late in the ballgame.

“We know a lot of teams will be keying on Luis, but Adam Iverson (Jr.) along with Jared Schimandle (Sr.), and Kevin Day (Jr.) will provide some help running the ball,” Green said.

Returning starter Matt Smith (Sr.) will be a key at tight end and new starters Ty Staton (Jr.), Randy Niles (Sr.), Colton Carlson (Sr.), Kirk Kabala (Sr.), and Chris Martinez (Sr.) will anchor the offensive line.

On defense, the Reapers will look to nine offensive starters to play both ways. Smith will anchor the defensive line, while Dan Peruski (Sr.) will call the shots at middle linebacker. Alec Haws (Sr.) will command the Plano secondary also as a returning starter.

“The only thing that concerns us this year is our depth. Right now starting out we’ve got nine guys going both ways on offense and defense,” Green said. “The coaching staff is making a concerted effort to fill in when needed at spots to rest some of the key guys and see how it works. It’s too many to play both ways. Hopefully we can find a few players who will step up and help us.”

Plano also has another weapon in three year starting kicker Kevin Jernigan (Jr.). Jernigan has a monster leg and can kick 50 yard plus field goals. The Reapers plan to use him much more than in the past two season.

Reaper Nation opens their quest for another perfect season on Friday at Lisle. In week one at home in 2006, Plano crushed the Lions 42-0 then again in week one of the playoffs 31-14. But it’s a different year and the Reapers once again have a lot of work to do to achieve greatness and the dream of overall perfection.

“This will be our fourth time in less than three seasons that we’ve played Lisle,” Green said. “We know what they’re going to do and they know what we’re going to do. Hopefully we can stay injury free and go out in week one and show why we were the state champions last year despite all the kids that we lost to graduation.”

Archive Stories

All-Star Girls I-8 vs Little Ten Basketball

All-Star Boys I-8 vs Little Ten Basketball

Seneca vs Amboy

Seneca Looks Toward Third Straight Sectional

Seneca Advances to I-8 Championship

Seneca vs Newark BBSK

Seneca Vs Dyett BBSK

Seneca 6 wins to Record/Sandwich Loses 4 in a row

Plano's Christmas Classic Articles

State Champion Article and Bureau Valley Game

Bureau Valley Pregame