8/18/06
It’s
“Champaign or Bust” For Plano
Reapers Dedicated To Goal Of A 3A Title In 2006
By Bill Lidinsky
The dream was never supposed to end in 2005 for the Plano High School varsity
football team and their throng of fans that make up a state of mind and a group
of people called “Reaper Nation”.
Last season, Plano rode a magic carpet ride to an 11-2 record and an IHSA Class
3A semifinal appearance that concluded 10 miles south and one game short of
their ultimate goal which was a state championship.
After an opening game loss to Coal City, the Reapers reeled off an awe inspiring
11 game winning streak that brought them to the brink of what would have been
“Nation Nirvana”.
But a 31-20 loss at Tolono Unity in week 13 derailed Plano’s ride in a
game that was geographically within a stone’s throw of where the Reapers
ultimately aspired to be. And that place is Memorial Stadium on the campus of
the University of Illinois a mere 10 miles up the road from Tolono.
In a town that was starved in terms of post season appearances, the first playoff
run since 1980 rejuvenated community spirit. And despite the week 13 loss, Reaper
Nation is even more determined now to rededicating the 2006 effort in order
to eclipse the 10 mile gap and heist a trophy in November.
“The only way any of us are going out this year is going to be playing
10 miles north of Tolono in Champaign. That’s the only way I’ll
accept going out is capturing that championship trophy in 3A at Memorial Stadium,”
said Plano senior standout Nick Nasti.
Nasti devoured opponent defenses last year to the tune of 1693 total rushing
yards on 242 carries and 23 touchdowns. He was easily one of the best players
in the Interstate Eight Conference while anchoring the Plano defense at linebacker.
Nasti is one of three Reaper players who now enter their third year as varsity
starters. The other two are senior quarterback Brook Bott and senior lineman
Ben Quintero. Each know what it takes to reach the pinnacle of success playing
in a tough conference and focusing on a lofty playoff goal.
“Last year we had no experience going into the playoffs. This season we
know what we have to do to be champions,” Bott said. “In 2006 we
definitely know what we have to do to take it to the ultimate level of achievement.
And we’re bound and determined to accomplish what we’re all dreaming
of and that’s a state title.”
Quintero echoes his teammates sentiments.
“We want to use last year as a motivation to get even better and reach
our goal of a state championship,” Quintero said. “Hopefully that
motivation will get us further than we made it last year. This is the last year
for the three of us as well as the other seniors. We won’t leave anything
in the tank.”
Along with Nasti, Bott, and Quintero, three other senior starter return on offense.
Donny Poat anchors the offensive line at center, while Robbie LeMaster and Dan
Bocek knock heads at the tackle spots. Senior Victor Diaz, Jared Ferguson, Josh
O’Hara, Josh Wright, and Eric Nelson along with promising juniors Luis
Alvarado, Brian Green, Matt Smith, and Alec Haws will surely see a lot of action.
On the other side of the ball Nasti, Bott, and Quintero will also anchor defensive
coordinator Steve Lucas’ 3-5 base defense that returns seven starters.
Diaz, O’Hara, LeMaster, and Bocek come back also to join Haws, Wright,
Green, Paul Corbin, Danny Peruski, and Kirk Kabala in what should be a solid
unit stopping opponents offensive attacks.
“Our defense is very solid especially with our returning senior players
and the juniors that will surely make an impact,” said Plano head football
coach Jim Green. “Our linebacking core is solid with Nasti, and Peruski
has made a definite impact as a junior. So we feel we are ready to defend especially
well despite losing some great talent off last year’s squad.”
On special teams the Reapers will call on sophomore sensation Kevin Jernigan
to handle the place kicking duties. Jernigan may have been the best kicker in
the I-8 as a freshman nailing 40-yard plus field goals in 2005. Sophomore Jose
Lopez backs up Jernigan and Bott will handle the punting duties as he’s
done for two previous seasons.
All in all the Reapers are ready to shine in a big way in 2006. Plano opens
up defense of their 2005 I-8 conference championship with a home game on August
25 versus Lisle.
“We’re sick of hitting one another. We’ve got double practices
out of the way now and are ready for game preparation,” Green said. “We
can’t take anyone lightly and we can’t put the cart before the horse.
We know we can win a state title if we put our minds to it, but we have to take
it game by game and can’t overlook anybody. We certainly plan on it being
another fun ride again in 2006.”
This time maybe the ride will conclude 10 miles north of where things came to
an end in 2005 for Plano and all of Reaper Nation will be toasting the accomplishments
of a 3A title in Champaign come November.
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