Banquet caps ’09 season
Posted on 21. Feb, 2010 by Brian Porter in '09 Season
Going off script has been a criticism of the administration in Washington, nothing good comes from it.
But it provided one of the best moments Saturday during the annual Plano Wildcats Football Banquet at Southfork Ranch.
Defensive end Alex LaButis had his line stolen by receiver Holt Hoetger, so being left with nothing scripted to say to the underclassmen he came up with a gem.
“Just beat (Euless) Trinity,” LaButis said. “It has been three years in a row now. Beat them.”
Trinity won state championships in two of those three seasons.
Playing like a champion
The 2009 seniors participate in their final celebration typically reserved for the locker room. / biglouphotos.com
The 2009 season did not begin as planned. Plano got off to a 1-3 start in non-district and was 2-6 with two games remaining on its schedule and the playoffs appearing bleak.
But, in typical Plano fashion the team rallied and defeated McKinney Boyd and Jesuit Prep in succession to reach the playoffs.
“It was a challenging but successful year,” Plano coach Jaydon McCullough said. “My definition of a winning team is everyone must play like a champion. A champion gives his all at all times. Our players have all done that.”
The season ended with an appearance in an area playoff for consecutive seasons and matching the playoff penetration of the previous season. It was said Plano was playing at a level equal to any team in the state when it fell in the area playoff and it’s a true statement considering the team’s performance against eventual state champion Trinity. As assistant coach Steve Thomas put it, “It’s not how you start, but how you finish.”
Chasing dreams
So, what does the future hold for the seniors on the 2009 football team?
Three have completed decisions to play in college. Others are weighing their options of playing on scholarship, choosing to walk on or perhaps just being a student. Their coach says he understands how tough the decision can be.
“My dream was to be a NFL player,” McCullough said. “However, I’m 5-foot-7 and 175 pounds. But I found my dream.”
McCullough completed his second season as the head coach and during his address noted the impact former coaches Tom Kimbrough and Gerald Brence had on him.
“It was a privilege to coach and watch this team,” McCullough said.
Remember the Alamo
The defenders of Texas liberty at the Alamo did not fall in vein. Because of their 13-day standoff with Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Texas Gen. Sam Houston was able to ready an army to win Texas independence.
What does this have to do with the Wildcats? ‘Fire the cannon’ became a rallying cry for the 2009 football team. Santa Anna asked the occupants of the Alamo to surrender and their reply was to fire the cannon as a message of refusal.
“We had every opportunity to wave the white flag,” McCullough said.
Like the Alamo in Texas history, the hope is the 2009 season sets the stage for future success.
Reflections on ’09
There were four moments of considerable significance that turned the page for the 2009 version of the Plano Wildcats, according to McCullough.
Plano started with consecutive road losses and had just two games left to collect a non-district victory. It came against Hebron in a 31-30 victory.
Jaydon McCullough said there were four turning points in the season. He is shown with Kendall Hamrick, left, and Jared Kirchmeier, right. / biglouphotos.com
“We needed that win in the worse way,” McCullough said.
A Grant Pierce field goal with 7:13 left provided the difference when Ben Laures blocked a conversion kick with 43 seconds left.
Two losses followed and Plano was desperate for a win again at Wylie. A little trickery with new quarterback Murat Kuzu led to a 27-20 victory. The change back to a Plano offense of old and a uniform number switch involving Kuzu was said to have been the best kept secret in Plano for some time.
“It was a must-win. Our backs were against the wall,” McCullough said. “I believe this was the turning point in our season because we became a family.”
Plano found its way to the playoffs and there met Duncanville, a familiar opponent for the Wildcats.
In what may have been the best playoff comeback since the 1977 meeting with Highland Park, Plano recovered from a 17-0 halftime deficit to win 28-17. Robert Robinson scored three of the four touchdowns in the second half.
“Everyone wants to know what we said at halftime,” McCullough said. “Our defense just played like gladiators. Setback equaled comeback.”
Plano advanced to meet Euless Trinity for the third straight time in the playoffs. Trinity scored a touchdown with 3:02 left that helped it past Plano, 41-38. Connor Michelsen, who went 27-of-42 for 354 yards passing in the game, scored a touchdown with 45 seconds left that gave Plano one last chance to advance.
“We were 40-point underdogs,” McCullough said. “I’ll be truthful. I was scared.”
But, the team has not received enough credit for getting to the playoffs. With the top three playoff berths all but sealed and fighting for the last spot, Plano was 1-3 in district play. It defeated McKinney Boyd and then went on the road to defeat Jesuit, 21-12, in a win to get in game. The Boyd game began a three-game winning streak – the longest of the season.
Protecting the tradition
There are few, if any, football programs in the state that can be mentioned with the reverence of Plano. For the past five decades, no program has won more games than Plano.
“We feel the pressure to win,” McCullough said. “However, that is not what we emphasize.”
In the head coach’s reflections on the season, McCullough was clear to point out the goal of the football program and numerous times called himself a teacher.
“Character still matters,” he said. “We teach leadership every day.”
Recalling the past
A Plano football banquet just wouldn’t be so, it seems, without an obligatory Rex Burkhead mention. It’s been that way for the past four banquets. So, it was among the first words uttered in the welcome message by Josh Benson and Brandon McCalister and then focus turned to the 2009 team.
He wasn’t the only one recalled. Linebacker C.J. Martin was also noted for his lasting impact as a player.
And if you’re keeping score, there’s a new Superman in the program. The gift exchange between outgoing Quarterback Club captains Jim and Marsha Kirchmeier and Brian and Teresa Michelsen included a gift bag with a Superman cape. Marsha said Teresa would need it.
Contributions honored
The Plano Wildcats Quarterback Club presented four awards and a scholarship during the banquet.
Winning the Wildcat Service Award were David Odell and Mike Sigman.
Brandon Bordonaro, right, was awarded the booster club's 2009 academic scholarship. He is shown with Tanner Craven, quarterbacks coach and head coach of the junior varsity district champions. / biglouphotos.com
Odell, a member of the 1977 state champion team, has served the team for four decades. The players just call him “Big O”, but he’s been credited for doing so many little, behind the scenes things that have to be done. He’s a sideline fixture during games.
Sigman is said to have no hobbies, other than the Wildcats. He’s coached the 7-on-7 team for countless years, attends spring drills and summer practice, and this season earned acclaim for his dedication to announcing junior varsity football games.
Winning the Wildcat Spirit Award were Cheryl Wilhite and Phil and Carla Schattle.
Wilhite operated the booster club Web site this year and was credited for her efforts that included sometimes having information before the quarterback club captains.
The Schattles were noted for their willingness to volunteer. They helped run the annual golf tournament, organized homecoming week and the parade and were instrumental in the steak cookout banquet.
Brandon Bordonaro was awarded a $2,000 academic scholarship from the booster club.
