High School: Plano High
Imperfect Plano shuts down Irving MacArthur
September, 3, 2010
9/03/10
11:19
PM CT
By
Jeff Andrews | ESPNDallas.com
PLANO, Texas -- If Plano can handily defeat playoff teams on off nights, District 8-5A will be in trouble when the Wildcats are on their game.
Despite multiple first-half hiccups, Plano shut down an Irving MacArthur team loaded with offensive playmakers en route to a comfortable 24-8 win Friday at Clark Stadium.
"That first half we should have played a lot better," Plano quarterback Connor Michelsen said. "We dug ourselves in a hole, but I'm proud of the way we came back."
Plano (2-0) gave MacArthur's weapons little room with which to work. The usually explosive Cardinals gained just 266 yards -- 85 of which came on two big plays by running back Johnny Haynes.
MacArthur (1-1) converted just two third downs and didn't really get in a rhythm until the fourth quarter, when it trailed by 24.
The win didn't come without warts for Plano. The Wildcats turned the ball over twice in the red zone -- as they did last week -- and another time in MacArthur territory. False start penalties plagued the offense in critical situations.
"It wasn't perfect, but we never panicked," Plano coach Jaydon McCullough said. "We played great defense. This is my third year, but we're starting to create a culture."
Still, Plano moved the ball methodically, mixing the run and the pass fluidly. Michelsen was efficient, going 20-for-34 for 201 yards, a touchdown and an interception
Running backs Murat Kuzu and Kevin Merrill carried the load on the ground, rushing for 96 and 71 yards, respectively.
Plano had a 10-0 lead at halftime and took control in the third quarter. Merrill helped Plano convert a MacArthur fumble into points with an 11-yard touchdown run.
On the next Wildcats drive, Michelsen found Hunter Gore in the end zone from 10 yards out, the second of two spectacular catches for Gore on the drive.
The back-to-back scores left Plano with a 24-0 lead that MacArthur bit into with when Shay Smith caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Shahzeb Khan late in the fourth quarter.
Despite multiple first-half hiccups, Plano shut down an Irving MacArthur team loaded with offensive playmakers en route to a comfortable 24-8 win Friday at Clark Stadium.
"That first half we should have played a lot better," Plano quarterback Connor Michelsen said. "We dug ourselves in a hole, but I'm proud of the way we came back."
Plano (2-0) gave MacArthur's weapons little room with which to work. The usually explosive Cardinals gained just 266 yards -- 85 of which came on two big plays by running back Johnny Haynes.
MacArthur (1-1) converted just two third downs and didn't really get in a rhythm until the fourth quarter, when it trailed by 24.
The win didn't come without warts for Plano. The Wildcats turned the ball over twice in the red zone -- as they did last week -- and another time in MacArthur territory. False start penalties plagued the offense in critical situations.
"It wasn't perfect, but we never panicked," Plano coach Jaydon McCullough said. "We played great defense. This is my third year, but we're starting to create a culture."
Still, Plano moved the ball methodically, mixing the run and the pass fluidly. Michelsen was efficient, going 20-for-34 for 201 yards, a touchdown and an interception
Running backs Murat Kuzu and Kevin Merrill carried the load on the ground, rushing for 96 and 71 yards, respectively.
Plano had a 10-0 lead at halftime and took control in the third quarter. Merrill helped Plano convert a MacArthur fumble into points with an 11-yard touchdown run.
On the next Wildcats drive, Michelsen found Hunter Gore in the end zone from 10 yards out, the second of two spectacular catches for Gore on the drive.
The back-to-back scores left Plano with a 24-0 lead that MacArthur bit into with when Shay Smith caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Shahzeb Khan late in the fourth quarter.
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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.