Confidence led to better execution
Posted on 13. Sep, 2009 by Brian Porter in Varsity
A little confidence can lead to execution. And execution makes a difference.
That was the story Friday as Plano (1-2) picked up its first win of the season in a 31-30 victory over Hebron (2-1) at John Clark Stadium.
“Once we started executing, it just seemed like we went crazy,” linebacker Ben Laures said. “We had all the alumni, parents and fans here. It was raining and they were still here to help the team out.”
Plano ended the first half with four consecutive punts and two on the opening two drives of the second half. Trailing, 17-7, and with starting halfback Jared Kirchmeier knocked out of the game, the night could have quickly turned for the worse.
On his second carry of the season, Kevin Merrill rolled off a 37-yard run and then a 33-yard run. A penalty was only a momentary setback before Merrill closed the drive with a 24-yard touchdown run.
“Our kids fought through adversity,” Plano coach Jaydon McCullough said. “We started to have a little confidence. Every time something good had happened for us, something bad had happened. All this team lacked was confidence.”
Merrill’s touchdown closed the margin to 17-14 and Connor Michelsen connected with Holt Hoetger on a 63-yard strike to give Plano a 21-17 advantage. Even when Hebron countered on a big passing play to take the lead back, Plano had the answer. The lead lasted for just 16 seconds as Merrill fielded the ball three steps deep in the end zone, stepped back five yards deep and then sprinted 105 yards for a touchdown.
“We got tired of losing,” defensive end Alex LaButis said. “We wanted this ‘W’ more than anything. We wanted to get a ‘W’ for everyone.”
For consecutive seasons Plano defeated Hebron and in both games a kickoff return for a touchdown was a turning point.
But there was also the case of Grant Pierce converting a 32-yard field goal for a 31-24 lead with 7:23 left, after having two prior misses from that distance this season.
But the first piece of momentum came in the first quarter. Plano had allowed scores on opponents’ first two drives in the first two games this season and had not scored to open the game. That changed Friday as Matt Johnson caught a touchdown pass from Connor Michelsen to cap Plano’s first drive, sandwiched between defensive stops and a Xavier Harbert interception on the first three Hebron drives.
“We tried to focus on the little things,” LaButis said.
“It feels good because we practiced hard all week long,” Merrill said.
And, perhaps, the experience at DeSoto helped. The defense came into the game off an experience against quarterback Ryan Polite, a dual-threat quarterback similar to Hebron’s Kyle Aubuchon.
“Polite did help us a lot,” LaButis said. “We learned we have to respect the run, and at the same time the pass.”
