Allen dominates Plano in District 8-5A opener
September, 23, 2011
9/23/11
11:31
PM CT
PLANO, Texas – It's pretty tough to find flaws in Allen's game right now.
The Eagles missed an extra point. There's that.
And Plano stung Allen with a few big kick returns. Does that count?
It might to Allen's coaches when they do film study this week, but it didn't show up on the scoreboard Friday as the Eagles mauled Plano, 44-7, at Clark Stadium behind a dominating performance from both their offense and defense.
"It's not ever flawless, but we played pretty well," said Allen head coach Tom Westerberg.
Is that ever an understatement. Offensively, No. 1 Allen (4-0, 1-0 in 8-5A) scored on all but one of its possessions through the three quarters that the team's starters played.
Quarterback Alec Morris, who has yet to throw an interception this year, threw for 293 yards and four touchdowns, effortlessly guiding the Eagles down the field.
"You got to pick your poison each week," said Allen running back Jonathan Williams, who played for the first time since leaving Allen's Zero Week game with back spasms. "If you try to stop the run too much, the passing game will be dominating. If you try to stop the pass, the running game is going to dominate. It's a good system we have here."
Receiver Andrew Rodriguez caught eight balls for 145 yards and three touchdowns, the second of which was a beautiful diving grab in the end zone late in the first quarter that gave the Eagles a 13-0 lead.
That was all Allen really need. No. 10 Plano (3-1, 0-1) couldn't get anything going offensively, gaining only one first down through the first three quarters. Plano gained just 152 total yards, 56 of which came in junk time in the fourth quarter when Allen's backups were in.
"Our defense is playing lights out," Westerberg said. "Our front seven are doing a heck of a job this year. We were pretty good last year but we were pretty young. Now all those kids are returning starters from a year ago."
The only real bright spot for Plano was defensive end Xavier Harbert. He tallied three sacks and accounted for Plano's only points of the game.
Early in the third quarter, Harbert stepped between Morris and Williams during a handoff. The senior took the ball and ran 65 yards to the end zone untouched.
Williams looked as elusive as ever in his first game back since his injury. He gained 80 yards on 13 carries and scored a touchdown.
"They were trying to lighten my load because it was my first game back, but I felt good," Williams said. "I'm 100 percent healthy."
The Eagles missed an extra point. There's that.
And Plano stung Allen with a few big kick returns. Does that count?
It might to Allen's coaches when they do film study this week, but it didn't show up on the scoreboard Friday as the Eagles mauled Plano, 44-7, at Clark Stadium behind a dominating performance from both their offense and defense.
"It's not ever flawless, but we played pretty well," said Allen head coach Tom Westerberg.
Is that ever an understatement. Offensively, No. 1 Allen (4-0, 1-0 in 8-5A) scored on all but one of its possessions through the three quarters that the team's starters played.
Quarterback Alec Morris, who has yet to throw an interception this year, threw for 293 yards and four touchdowns, effortlessly guiding the Eagles down the field.
"You got to pick your poison each week," said Allen running back Jonathan Williams, who played for the first time since leaving Allen's Zero Week game with back spasms. "If you try to stop the run too much, the passing game will be dominating. If you try to stop the pass, the running game is going to dominate. It's a good system we have here."
Receiver Andrew Rodriguez caught eight balls for 145 yards and three touchdowns, the second of which was a beautiful diving grab in the end zone late in the first quarter that gave the Eagles a 13-0 lead.
That was all Allen really need. No. 10 Plano (3-1, 0-1) couldn't get anything going offensively, gaining only one first down through the first three quarters. Plano gained just 152 total yards, 56 of which came in junk time in the fourth quarter when Allen's backups were in.
"Our defense is playing lights out," Westerberg said. "Our front seven are doing a heck of a job this year. We were pretty good last year but we were pretty young. Now all those kids are returning starters from a year ago."
The only real bright spot for Plano was defensive end Xavier Harbert. He tallied three sacks and accounted for Plano's only points of the game.
Early in the third quarter, Harbert stepped between Morris and Williams during a handoff. The senior took the ball and ran 65 yards to the end zone untouched.
Williams looked as elusive as ever in his first game back since his injury. He gained 80 yards on 13 carries and scored a touchdown.
"They were trying to lighten my load because it was my first game back, but I felt good," Williams said. "I'm 100 percent healthy."
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Travis L. Brown
Travis L. Brown covers high schools for ESPNDallas.com. He is a graduate of TCU, where he was sports editor of the student paper, The Daily Skiff.
Randy Jennings
Randy Jennings covers south Metroplex high schools for ESPNDallas.com. His 34-year career as a sports writer includes eight years at the Dallas Morning News. Jennings is a graduate of UT-Arlington.
Jeff Andrews
Jeff Andrews covers north Metroplex high schools for ESPNDallas.com. He covered high school sports for four years at the Denton Record-Chronicle. Andrews is a graduate of UNT.
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