PlanoFootball.com

‘Big Play Ben’ lifts Plano past Hebron, 31-30

Posted on 12. Sep, 2009 by Brian Porter in Varsity

A sophomore set the stage Friday, a kicker which had struggled perfectly converted the game-winning score and “Big Play Ben” made the play to snap Plano’s three-game losing streak.

Plano (1-2) and Hebron (2-1) waited out an 80-minute flash flooding and lightning delay at John Clark Field to set the stage for some second-half fireworks in a 31-30 Plano win.

It ended up being a replay of last season, as a Hebron kickoff late in the game was returned for a touchdown and Plano would never trail again.

“The turn of events was pretty insane,” linebacker Ben Laures said. “We made some stops, the offense stepped up and scored and a sophomore stepped up for the seniors to help them get a win at home.”

Jared Kirchmeier, the workhorse of the offense so far this season, was knocked out of the game on the first series of the second half. And Kevin Merrill rose to the occasion. He compiled 103 yards on five carries in the third quarter alone and scored to close a double-digit lead. Then he followed a Hebron score with a 105-yard kickoff return to put Plano up for good.

“I just saw a big hole and went to it,” Merrill said.

It was at best an ill-advised return. He fielded the ball three yards deep and stepped back five yards deep in the end zone before advancing the kickoff.

“But I had blocking and I just ran,” Merrill said.

Then Grant Pierce had the opportunity to put bitter memories of the Irving MacArthur loss behind him. He converted a 32-yard field goal with 7:23 left to spot Plano a 31-24 lead.

In a fourth quarter that had included four scores in 4:37 of the game clock, the outcome was far from settled. And with 46 second left do-it-all quarterback Kyle Aubuchon rushed in from 7 yards out to narrow the margin to 31-30.

But seven plays earlier Laures knocked the started kicker out of the game on a pass reception.

“He’s a gladiator,” McCullough said. “That’s one of the greatest hits I think I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen a lot of football. When I saw that, I said, ‘now, that’s a hit.’ ”

Laures wasn’t done. Hebron had a shot to tie the game with a conversion kick and Aubuchon lined up to convert it. And the linebacker got another block on special teams to seal the victory.

“He’s motivated to block the kick every time,” defensive end Alex LaButis said. “I tell him that’s fine…I’ll pick up the ball. He’s really good at it.”

“I’ve been bullrushing kicks the entire time,” Laures said. “I just put it in my head that I’m not going to let them get it.”

Between Merrill scores, Holt Hoetger broke past the secondary on a 63-yard touchdown reception from Connor Michelsen for the quarterback’s second touchdown strike of the game.

A second storm system set at the edge of the Metroplex outside of Mesquite for a majority of the game and throughout the second half. All the while, Hebron had the lead and could have been in position to win were the game to be called.

“We got tired of losing,” LaButis said. “We wanted this win more than anything.”

And when Laures made the big play to block the conversion kick, Plano had it. And shortly thereafter the skies opened back up, but not before the three-game losing streak came to an end.

Tags: Alex LaButis, Ben Laures, Connor Michelsen, Grant Pierce, Hebron, Holt Hoetger, Jared Kirchmeier, John Clark, Kevin Merrill