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Late FG lifts Temple past Plano, 17-14

Posted on 18. Sep, 2009 by Brian Porter in Varsity

Lache Seastrunk scored two touchdowns but ultimately it was Garrett Walsingham to push Temple past Plano, 17-14, Friday at John Clark Stadium.

Walsingham made a pair of big catches on the game-tying drive for Temple and with seven seconds left converted a 42-yard field goal as Temple (1-2) recorded its first win over Plano since 1979.

Clayton Parlin carries for an 8-yard gain, but he wasn't targeted in the passing game. Using Parlin more could produce results. He has 14 yards on two offensive touches this season. He was selected by PlanoFootball.com as a "Hidden Gem" of the state 7-on-7 tournament.

“We knew without a doubt this was going to be a hard-fought game,” Plano coach Jaydon McCullough said. “They’re tradition-rich like we are. We knew it was going to take everything we had.”

Plano (1-3) will meet Plano East (1-2) at 7:30 p.m. next Friday in a District 8-5A opener.

It was an all too familiar tale for Plano. In each loss this season it has allowed opponents to score on its opening drive. It happened on the second play from scrimmage as Seastrunk broke outside and 67 yards down the sideline to put Temple up, 6-0, just 31 seconds into the game.

“That is something we do need to fix,” McCullough said. “Our defense did a great job. That’s not why we lost the game.”

In fact, it was the defense which made the play to set up what had the look of a game-winning drive. Ben Laures, the hero in last week’s victory, intercepted Temple and Plano started a drive late in the fourth quarter at the Temple 44. Plano drew a pass interference penalty on a crucial third down and moved to the 7-yard line before failing on a 29-yard field goal.

The defense got a stop that could have sealed the game, but a muff on the return gave Temple new life. Walsingham immediately caught a 32-yard pass and in five plays Temple moved 14 yards and it was enough to give Walsingham the chance to win the game with a 42-yard field goal and just seven seconds left.

Mohammed Kuzu pulls down Lache Seastrunk, the No. 1 running back recruit in the country. But Seastrunk became the third 100-yard rusher Plano has allowed in four games.

The defense helped Plano get its first piece of momentum in the game. Collin Brence recovered a fumble at the Temple 31. A couple of Kevin Merrill runs and a pass to Murat Kuzu set up the go-ahead score on a fade to the left corner of the end zone from Connor Michelsen to Holt Hoetger.

Another short field set up by a three-and-out defensive series to open the second half led to a 13-yard Merrill touchdown run for a 14-6 lead. But Temple countered as Seastrunk set the school record with his 42^nd career touchdown run from 21 yards out with 43 seconds left in the third quarter.

“When you get in the red zone you can’t have penalties and dropped passes,” McCullough said.

And with the game on the line near the four minute mark it had first-and-goal from the Temple 7. A run for no gain, an offensive penalty, a dropped pass and a reception for no gain forced Plano into a field goal it missed.

Its those same type things which have led to a 1-3 start and had they not happened Plano had the opportunity to be 3-1.

“That’s why we’re so disappointed,” McCullough said.