Bill Lidinsky Web Page
Plano
Uses Total Balance In Win Over Westmont
Reapers Roll To 5-0
By Bill Lidinsky
Nothing signifies total team success more than a balanced attack where a number
of players step to the forefront in helping attain victory.
So far during the 2006 high school football season, the Plano varsity gridiron
squad has modeled this success. Last Friday night at Westmont would prove no
different as the Reapers used the pinpoint passing of quarterback Brook Bott,
the nimble running of Jared Ferguson, and the big play receiving of Josh O’Hara
to roll by host Westmont 35-14 to go 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Interstate Eight
Small Division.
“We were very efficient tonight offensively and we also played sound defense,”
said Plano head football coach Jim Green. “Anytime Brook completes 70
percent of his throws, while Jared (Ferguson) and Josh (O’Hara) catch
their lone two passes for touchdowns, I know we’re doing our jobs on the
offensive end. Couple that with Ferg’s 95-yards on five carries running
the ball and Nick Nasti’s 70-yards rushing, I know we did nice work with
limited opportunities and that’s very encouraging.”
Plano got on the board first, but for the first time this year it wasn’t
until their second possession.
“Everybody’s getting accustomed to us jumping out so early on teams.
We didn’t score on the first possession and everyone was like ‘oh
no’,” Green said. “But we scored on three of our next four
series in the first half, so we showed that we were OK.”
The first tally came at 6:52 of the first quarter when Bott hit O’Hara
with a 36-yard scoring strike. Kevin Jernigan’s point after kick was good
and the Reapers led 7-0.
“It was a play that we ran earlier that didn’t work out. I told
Josh to try to get behind the guy again because he was quicker,” Bott
said. “Next time we ran it, he did get behind him and I hit him in stride
for the touchdown.”
But Westmont didn’t roll over and mounted a long drive of their own late
in the first quarter. After the period ended with Plano up 7-0, the Sentinels
scored at 10:17 of the second quarter in Joe Drover’s 1-yard run. The
point after kick was good and Westmont had shocked the Reapers early on.
“We were definitely surprised. Their lineman did a great job firing out
quicker than we were. It took us awhile to adjust, but for a time we struggled,”
Bott said. “I don’t know if we just came out flat defensively, but
then we got things together in the second quarter and got our heads on straight.”
Toward the tail end of the first half, Plano lit up the scoreboard. At 3:17,
Ferguson scampered 77-yards for the score. Brian Green’s two-yard conversion
run gave the Reapers a 15-7 advantage.
“They kept stacking up their defensive line inside which left the outside
wide open. Our offensive guys down blocked everyone and I was able to score
untouched,” Ferguson said. “It sure makes it fun for me when our
guys block like that.”
Then less than three minutes later Bott hit O’Hara on their second touchdown
hookup with 1:27 left to play in the first half, this time with a 24-yard scoring
toss.
“I scored on a corner pattern for my first touchdown. This time it was
a post. We run that play in practice and it’s my favorite pass play because
I’m always open on it,” O’Hara said.
Bott echoed O’Hara’s sentiments.
“He tells me that’s his favorite pass play and that he’ll
be open no matter what. So I faked the ball to Nick, and the guy was rushing
in on me. I threw it up and Josh ran underneath it for another touchdown,”
Bott said.
Jernigan’s kick was true and Plano took a commanding 22-7 lead into the
locker room at the half.
More dominant Reaper play late in the third period as Plano would ice the win.
Bott hit Ferguson with a 12-yard touchdown pass at 5:54, then again with a 57-yard
screen play at 1:40 of the third quarter to give the Reapers an insurmountable
35-7 advantage.
“The screen play is initially to the right. I go that way and I’m
looking, looking, looking, and then I turn and at the last second and hit Ferg
on the other side of the field while we have our lineman down field blocking,”
Bott said. “He didn’t get touched before the two yard line and he
dove in for the touchdown. It worked perfectly.”
“Everyone on the left side did their thing. Brook threw a perfect lead
pass, while the right side of our line busted butt down the field to take care
of their defensive backs. Fortunately for me, another pretty easy score where
I was relatively untouched,” Ferguson said.
Westmont added a meaningless fourth quarter score and Plano prevailed by 21.
Bott was seven-of-ten passing for 181 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Ferguson
accounted for 198 total yards in offense with 95 yards rushing on five carries
along with 2 receptions for 69 yards and a 34 yard punt return. O’Hara
also tallied 60 yards receiving on 2 catches.
Lost in the win was Nasti who contributed well rushing for 70 yards and 13 carries
along with playing a monster middle linebacker position with 8 solo tackles
and nine assists. Despite his recent ankle injury, Plano’s leader has
stepped up strong playing in pain.
“We know Nick’s going to break out soon. It’s great that we’ve
been so balanced this year, so we’ve been able to take the pressure off
him since he’s been hurt,” Bott said. “Don’t be surprised
if you see him play an awesome game next week at Wilmington. We’re all
going to be ready for that one.”
The Reapers next travel to Wilmington (3-2, 1-1) on Friday to take on the Wildcats
at the site of one of their greatest triumphs in 2005. Last year, Plano beat
Wilmington 27-24 in overtime on Bott’s ‘17 Keeper’ touchdown
play in the extra session. The win propelled the Reapers to great heights in
05 and the 3A playoffs after defeating one of the best programs in the IHSA.
This year, the shoe is on the other foot. Plano is the favorite, while the Wildcats
are underdogs. The Reapers also defeated Wilmington 21-7 at Plano in the second
round of the 3A playoffs in 2005, so the Wildcats are certainly ripe with revenge.
“It’s been a number of year’s since Plano’s gone in
as a favorite in a game versus Wilmington. Even last year in the playoffs, we
weren’t the favorite to win,” Green said. “We relished that
underdog role last year. This year we’re expected to win because they’ve
dropped two and we’re 5-0. Our kids know they can’t take a week
off. We’ve got to go out and keep on doing what we’ve been doing
to keep us successful. If we do that, we’ll be OK. We believe we’re
the only one’s who can beat ourselves. Penalties have been our only downfall
so far this season and I believe we can correct that. We know they’ll
be ready for us that’s for sure. They’ve probably got their fireworks
loaded and ready to go. But we’ll be ready also. I know our kids will
be up for this game. All we have to do is mention the name Wilmington.”
With that, the Nation will be ready to roll on Friday against the Wildcats.
In a most hostile atmosphere, Plano figures to face their toughest test so far
in 06 against a Wilmington squad who tasted defeat twice at the Reaper’s
hands in 05. Friday night high school football doesn’t get much better
than what lies ahead on Sept. 29.
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