BeaconNewsOnline.com
PLANO--After pitching their third shutout of the year on Friday night against Westmont, Plano football coach Jim Green gave a quick summary of his team's defense.
"I think that carries their average out to two points a game that they're giving up," said the coach.
"That's pretty awesome."
The Plano defense, which has given up ten points in five games, held Westmont to only four yards of offense in the second half as they grinded out a 23-0 win at Reaper Stadium.
The Reapers improved to 5-0 overall with their 19th straight win. Plano is 2-0 in the Interstate Eight Small Division. Westmont dipped to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the league.
Plano got all the scoring it would need on its opening drive when it moved the ball 58 yards in just over five minutes. Luis Alvarado capped the drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Kevin Jernigan added the first of three point after attempts to make it 7-0 with 2:08 remaining in the first quarter.
The Reapers made the 7-0 lead hold up through halftime and then completely dominated the second half. The Reapers went 80 yards on the opening drive of the second half. Quarterback Brian Green snuck in from one yard out as the Reapers went up 14-0.
Plano drove deep into Westmont territory on their next possession, but an interception gave the Sentinels the ball at their own one-yard line.
Quarterback Josh Vervack fumbled the snap on the next play, and linebacker Dan Peruski pounced on Vervack as he recovered for the safety.
Peruski led the way for the defense with 8.5 tackles, two of which went for a loss, and one sack on the night.
"We really got fired up in the locker room at halftime," said Peruski. "Everyone just wanted to get a piece of the ball, and the running back."
Meanwhile, the Plano offense was busy chewing up clock. Alvarado scored again on the Reapers' next drive to ice the win.
Neither team completed a pass, but Plano held a commanding 326-94 advantage in rushing yards. It also held a 24-6 advantage in first downs (18-2 in the second half).
"Guards, centers, tackles...everyone had a great game," said Alvarado. "Everyone got to their blocks."
Alvarado was the benefactor of some great blocking, as he rushed 29 times for 201 yards. Alec Haws (6 carries, 50 yards) and sophomore Jeremy Cannon (4 carries, 25 yards) were next in line with all of their yards coming in the second half.
Plano will be at home again next week when it faces Wilmington for a Saturday afternoon homecoming game.
Plano 23, Westmont 0