Tag Archives | Sam Morell
Nine 2011 Football Wildcats Sign To Play
PSH Athletic Director Jaydon McCullough introduced nine 2011 Wildcats football players today who signed agreements to play for new schools at the next level. Seven will play football; one signed to play both football and baseball; and, one will go on to play lacrosse.
Stephen Collins signed with Wayland Baptist University.
Andrew Dockrill signed with Midwestern State University.
Hunter Gore signed to play lacrosse at The University of Denver.
Xavier Harbert signed with Tyler Junior College.
Alex Hicks signed to play football and baseball with Bacone College.
Dwayne Hicks signed with Tyler Junior College.
Kevin Merrill signed with Wayland Baptist University.
Sam Morell signed with Snow Junior College.
Darron Shannon signed with Evangel University.
ALSO TODAY Plano Baseball Head Coach Rick Robertson introduced Matt McLean who signed with Grayson County Junior College; Justin Arrington who signed with Hill Junior College; and, Hunter Raley who signed with T.C.U.
Plano Girls Soccer Head Coach Diane Davey introduced Alli Murphy who signed with Texas Tech University; Ashlee Trotter who signed with Southwestern Oklahoma State University; and, Sheridan Keller who signed with Southwestern College-Kansas.
Plano Boys Track & Cross Country Head Coach Tim Eshleman introduced Michael Bain who signed with Baylor University, and Kenny Stice who signed with University of Central Arkansas.
Plano Girls Hockey Head Coach Stan Tugolukov announced that Hannah Hoenshell signed with Penn State University.
Plano Senior High Spring Signing Day, 2012
Plano East Snatches 28-24 Victory Over Varsity Wildcats
With the Wildcats leading 17-0 at halftime Friday night, many Plano fans were wondering if the 2011 match against Plano East would be a repeat of 2010′s 38-0 shut-out. Others cautioned that this season’s Plano East team, which went toe-to-toe with Allen all four quarters, should not be counted out even with this half-time deficit.
The caution was warranted. Plano East snatched the lead for the first time of the night, and the win, with a touchdown and PAT with only 47 seconds remaining on the clock.
The game started on a sour note for the Wildcats on their first punt when a penalty was assessed because the Wildcats hammered the Panther player who apparently indicated a fair catch. 4:02 into the 1st quarter Plano got a break when East’s field goal kick went wide to the left, leaving both teams scoreless. With 3:15 left in the quarter Plano gave East a break with a fumble on the East 9 yard line, stalling what had been a solid Plano drive. The 1st quarter ended 0-0.
#12 Xavier Harbert pulls down the pass from L.J. Ausama on a fake punt play. Harbert's TD was called back by a penalty./Photo by Thad Fenton.
2:52 into the second quarter Plano set up for a field goal attempt by #32 Cole Eckeberger with #25 L.J. Ausama holding. The snap bounced off the turf and was captured by Ausama, who rolled to the right, spotted #12 Xavier Harbert in the open, and lobbed the ball. Harbert pulled it in and rushed into the end zone amid the stunned Panthers as the ref indicated a touchdown. But flags on the field for ineligible receiver down field spoiled the play and the touchdown. After assessment of the penalty, Eckeberger made good on his field goal attempt and Plano was on the board, 3-0.
Eight minutes later, #22 Rakeem Crawford crossed the goal line for a touchdown, and with the PAT Plano went up 10-0. But Plano didn’t let the 2nd quarter close without scoring again. As East began its offensive drive to get out of its half of the field, #4 Tyler Grant dashed in front of a Panther receiver to intercept, and a flat-footed Panther offense couldn’t stop him as he rushed to the end zone for a touchdown and another Eckeberger PAT. With 20 seconds left in the half, Plano was now up 17-0, and the Wildcats went to the locker room with a notable lead.
The Panthers struck the first blow of their comeback 3:52 into the 3rd quarter with a touchdown and PAT, followed by another touchdown and PAT less than six minutes later. The 3rd quarter ended with the Wildcats lead whittled down, 17-14.
#4 Tyler Grant intercepts with 20 sec. in the half and rushes into the end zone to put Plano up 17-0./Photo by Thad Fenton.
The 4th quarter opened with promise for Plano as #8 Sam Morell won the wrestling match with the East defensive back in the end zone for #21 Richard Lagow’s pass, and with a PAT Plano regained some lead cushion, 24-14. The game seemed to be back on track for Plano two and a half minutes later when #14 David Griffith intercepted and put the ball back into the hands of Plano’s offense. Two minutes later the offense stalled out, and on 4th down Plano called on Ausama once again to make magic in punt formation as the holder. And he did, taking a good snap and scampering to the left side for an easy 1st down.
But the magic ran out for Plano after that play as the offense wasn’t able to capitalize on the fresh set of downs, and East scored a touchdown and PAT with 4:11 remaining in the game. On its next offensive drive, with 3:43 left in the game Plano quarterback Lagow went down, but was able to limp off the field. Then, driving off a short Plano punt, East banged into the end zone with 47 seconds left in the game to take a 28-24 lead, giving Plano scant time to retake a lead with a touchdown.
Freshman back-up quarterback #28 Christian Hutzler took the remaining snaps for the Wildcats, but with his back against the goal line due to a series of penalties called against the Wildcats, the team wasn’t able to advance down field within striking distance of the goal line. With just eight seconds left, Hutzler took a knee and put the game into the record book.
#22 Rakeem Crawford had 94 yds rushing, 12 yds receiving, and 1 TD for the night./Photo by Thad Fenton.
Offensive highlights from the stands (Unofficial)- Passing: #21 Lagow was 10 for 19 for 123 yards, no INT’s, and #28 Hutzler was 2 for 5 for 10 yards . . .Receiving: # 8 Morell had 3 catches for 72 yards and 1 TD, #24 Hunter Gore had 4 for 52 yards, #25 Ausama had 2 for 25 yards, #22 Crawford had 2 for 12 yards, and #9 Anthony Antwine had 1 for 5 yards . . . Rushing: #22 Crawford had 20 carries for 94 yards, #25 Ausama had 4 for 42 yards, and #21 Lagow had 11 for net -3 yards . . . #32 Eckeberger scored 1 FG, 3 PAT’s, and punted 4 times for a 27 yard average.
Official defensive stats – see below.
Odds & Ends: Plano had 133 passing yards and 136 yards rushing . . . was penalized 10 times for 70 yards . . . Lagow appeared to have been sacked 6 times . . . Plano fumbled twice, recovered once. . . Intercepted East twice, once for a TD.
| Plano Wildcats 2011 | Plano East Game 10-28-11 | ||||||
| Defensive Rec Sheet | |||||||
| Name | T | AT | QBP | INT | PBU | TB | TDs |
| Coates, #54 | 4 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Collins, #40 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| Cullers, #41 | |||||||
| Davis, #2 | 5 | 3 | |||||
| Eckeberger,#32 | 1 | ||||||
| Geibler, #47 | |||||||
| Grant, #4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Griffith, #14 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Hanks, #26 | 5 | 5 | 1 | ||||
| Hansen, #16 | 2 | 7 | |||||
| Harbert, #12 | 4 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| Hicks, #88 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Hintz, #46 | |||||||
| Holland, #68 | |||||||
| Laures, #36 | |||||||
| Morell, #8 | 4 | 4 | |||||
| Murray, #69 | 5 | 2 | |||||
| Oliver, #17 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Parks, #15 | |||||||
| Propes, #58 | 1 | ||||||
| Rich, #43 | 1 | ||||||
| Tecklenburg#76 | |||||||
| Yeager, #3 | 2 | ||||||
| T | AT | QBP | INT | PBU | TB | TDs | |
| Team Totals | 41 | 34 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Late Recap Of Homecoming Game
#22 Rakeem Crawford makes a prime time catch before a Homecoming crowd./Photo by Jay DiNucci.
We don’t have the usual verbal walk-through of the game this week, but we do have offensive highlights from our eagle-eye in the stands, some great photos from Jay DiNucci, and the official defensive stats from the game. Let’s recap with the benefit of a few days distance.
Offensive highlights from the stands (Unofficial)-Passing:#21 Richard Lagow was 18 for 29 with 3 INT’s . . .
#17 Sean Oliver tackles./Photo by Jay DiNucci.
Receiving: #8 Sam Morell 5 catches for 121 yards (including a spectacular 55 yard TD catch and 1 TD, #24 Hunter Gore 6 for 78 yards, #22 Rakeem Crawford 2 for 52 yards and 1 TD, #9 Anthony Antwine 1 for 18 yards, #25 L.J. Ausama 3 for 14 yards, #86 Kevin Leamy 1 for 7 yards . . . Rushing: #25 Ausama 8 carries for 44 yards, #22 Crawford 10 for 12 yards, #8 Morell 1 for 8, and #21 Lagow 6 for net -17 and 1 TD . . . FG and 3 PAT’s by #32 Cole Eckeberger . . . no punts.
#25 L.J. Ausama holds for #32 Cole Eckeberger, who kicked 6 points onto the board./Photo by Jay DiNucci.
Official Defensive Stats (Marcus Game Only)
| Plano Wildcats 2011 | Marcus Game 10-14-11 | ||||||
| Defensive Rec Sheet | |||||||
| Name | T | AT | QBP | TFL | INT | PBU | |
| Coates, #54 | 3 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Collins, #40 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Connell #7 | 1 | ||||||
| Cullers, #41 | 1 | ||||||
| Davis, #2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | ||||
| Eckeberger, #32 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||||
| Geibler, #47 | 1 | ||||||
| Grant, #4 | 4 | 1 | |||||
| Griffith, #14 | 11 | 4 | |||||
| Hanks, #26 | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Harbert, #12 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| Hicks, #88 | 3 | 1 | |||||
| Hintz, Matt #46 | |||||||
| Laures, #36 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| Morell, #8 | 5 | 15 | |||||
| Murray, #69 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Oliver, #17 | 1 | ||||||
| Phillips, #31 | 2 | ||||||
| Propes, #58 | 2 | 4 | |||||
| Rich, #43 | 3 | 4 | 1 | ||||
| Sheldon, #48 | 1 | ||||||
| Tecklenburg,#76 | |||||||
| Yeager, #3 | |||||||
| T | AT | QBP | TFL | INT | PBU | ||
| Team Totals | 46 | 46 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
Varsity Uneven In 42-35 Loss To Flower Mound
For the second time in as many weeks, the varsity Wildcats staged a rally in the second half that couldn’t be sustained for a district win.
This week, against Flower Mound on home turf at John Clark Stadium on October 7, the Wildcats took the lead with two minutes left in the 3rd quarter until the Jaguars regained the lead half way through the 4th.
#22 Rakeem Crawford scored receiving and rushing./Photo by Thad Fenton.
The Jaguars put points on the board first, three minutes into the game, and the Wildcats responded with a rushing touchdown by #22 Rakeem Crawford and successful PAT by #19 Kevin Merrill. The 1st quarter ended 7-7.
Flower Mound scored a touchdown three minutes into the 2nd quarter to go up 14-7, and three minutes later added three points with a field goal to make it 17-7.
With 4:35 remaining in the second half, Plano finally responded with a touchdown by #8 Sam Morell, and with a #32 Cole Eckeberger PAT the gap was closed to 17-14. But just two minutes later Flower Mound added another 7 to the board, and then another 7 again with just 9 seconds in the half, building a 31-14 lead. Plano quarterback #21 Richard Lagow took a knee to close out the quarter and the half, with Plano down by 17 points.
In the first half Plano’s defensive scheme was primarily weighted in favor of linebackers and defensive backs, with only 3 players on the defensive line. That defensive scheme apparently went out the window at the half, as the Wildcats defense lined up with a more traditional, beefier defensive line at the beginning of the second half. That change, along with other adjustments, allowed the Wildcats to outscore the Jaguars 21-3 in the 3rd quarter.
The Jaguars scored first in the 3rd quarter with field goal, but the Wildcat rally caught fire with #22 Crawford’s second touchdown of the game five minutes into the
#21 Richard Lagow tossed the ball to the ref after scoring on a QB keeper in the 3rd Q./Photo by Thad Fenton.
quarter, followed two minutes later by a quarterback keeper touchdown by #21 Lagow, followed three minutes later by a touchdown by #25 L.J. Ausama. The 3rd quarter ended with the Wildcats in a precarious 35-34 lead over the Jaguars.
The teams entered the 4th quarter in a race to score first and last, and Plano forced a turnover when #8 Morell intercepted a Flower Mound pass with 9:37 left in the game. But the officials spotted the ball on the Plano 1 yard line, and the Wildcat offensive opportunity was largely spent avoiding a safety. With 5:42 still on the clock, Plano was at mid-field and faced 4th down with six yards to get the next set of downs. Plano turned the ball over on downs, and on the first play of that resulting offensive set Flower Mound took the ball into the end zone. After some confusion on the line of scrimmage and a Jaguar time out, the Jaguars went for two and were sucessfull, pulling themselves into the lead again, 42-35 with 5:25 still on the clock. A Plano fumble a minute later allowed Flower Mound to burn time off the clock, and on Plano’s last offensive set, deep in their own territory, Flower Mound’s penalties weren’t enough to help Plano score to tie.
Offensive highlights from the stands (Unofficial)- Passing: #21 Lagow was 21 of 35, with 2 INT’s . . . Receiving: #8 Morell 10 catches for 161 yards and 1 TD, #25 Ausama 2 for 42 yards and 1 TD, #24 Hunter Gore 3 for 41 yards, #22 Crawford 1 for 30 yards and 1 TD, #9 Anthony Antwine 2 for 21 yards, #86 Kevin Leamy 2 for 20 yards, and #19 Kevin Merrill 1 for 10 yards. . . Rushing: #22 Crawford 13 carries for 125 yards and 1 TD, #8 Morell 4 for 17 yards, #19 Merrill 1 for 6 yards, #25 Ausama 1 for 1 yard, and #21 Lagow 8 for a net of 0 and 1 TD . . . #32 Eckeberger punted once for 30 yards and #19 Merrill punted once for 33 yards, and each kicked PAT’s.
Defensive highlights from the stands (Unofficial)- Sacks: it appeared that #14 David Griffith had 2, #88 Dwayne Hicks and #12 Xavier Harbert each had 1 . . . Tackles for loss: #2 Marcus Davis, #26 Brian Hanks and #14 Griffith each appeared to have 1 . . . Pass break ups by #3 Doriel Yeager, #17 Sean Oliver and #4 Tyler Grant . . . #2 Davis lead tackling . . . QB pressures by #46 Matt Hintz (2), #26 Hanks and #14 Griffith.
4th Q interception by #8 Sam Morell was spotted on Plano's 1 yd line./Photo by Thad Fenton.
Odds & Ends – Plano had 325 yards passing and 149 yards rushing . . . 24 first downs . . . appeared to have 5
#3 Doriel Yeager denies a Jaguar reception./Photo by Thad Fenton.
penalties for 33 yards . . . was intercepted twice, fumbled twice and lost one.
Allen Lives Up To Hype 44-7 Over Plano
The sports press from all points have anointed Allen top rank in Texas 5A football in 2011, and after their performance on Sept. 23 against a 3-0 Plano team, Allen is living up to the hype.
Captains #42 Lanier, #47 Geibler, #19 Merrill, & #8 Morell face the visitors from Allen as they march to midfield for the coin toss./Photo by Thad Fenton.
The game started with high hopes for the Wildcats in a packed John Clark Stadium (stated capacity – 14,224 seats) as #8 Sam Morell fielded the Allen kick-off and ran it back to the Allen 18. But Plano’s offense stalled, and then fizzled when the ball went wide on the ensuing field goal attempt and Plano failed to change the scoreboard.
Allen’s offense responded when they had the ball, and scored their first touchdown with 5:52 remaining in the 1st quarter. The Eagles scored again in the quarter, capitalizing on an interception from a missed catch tipped up by Plano. With 1:53 remaining in the 1st quarter Allen was up 13-0.
But the Eagles were by no means perfect. Their kicker missed the PAT attempt after their first touchdown, and what would have been a touchdown from the 1st quarter interception was called back due to stacked penalties against the Eagles.
The Eagles’ most costly mistake occurred in the 3rd quarter. With Allen up 30-0 and 7:31 left in the quarter, Allen’s quarterback muffed the snap and dropped the ball to the ground. As if shot from a canon, #12 Xavier Harbert shot through the Allen offensive line, scooped the ball up at the quarterback’s feet and raced to the end zone for Plano’s sole touchdown of the game. The PAT by #19 Kevin Merrill was good, and Plano was finally on the board, 30-7.
The Eagles put up 14 more points by the end of the 3rd quarter, making it 44-7. Neither team would score again, and both teams reached into their depth charts until the clock ran out.
Offensive highlights from the stands (unofficial)- Passing: #21 Richard Lagow was 6-14 for 42 yards and 1 Int . . . Receiving: #25 L.J. Ausama 2 catches for 28 yards, #19 Merrill 3 for 9 yards, and #8 Morell 1 for 8 yards . . . Rushing: #22 Rakeem Crawford 8 carries for 64 yards, #8 Morell 6 for 28 yards, #19 Merrill 6 for 11 yards, #25 Ausama 1 for 8 yards, and #21 Lagow 5 for -7 yards . . . Big kickoff returns by: #8 Morell for 72 yards, and #19 Merrill for 33 yards . . . 1 PAT by #19 Merrill . . . #32 Cole Eckeberger punted 5 times for an average of 41 yards.
#12 Xavier Harbert scoops fumble and begins 57 yd TD run for Plano./Photo by Thad Fenton.
Defensive highlights from the stands (unofficial)- Fumble recovery: by #12 Harbert and 57 yard run for a TD, and #26 Brian Hanks . . . Interception by freshman #16 Mitchell Hansen . . . Sacks: it appeared that #12 Harbert had 2, and #43 Dylan Rich had 1 . . . #88 Dwayne Hicks had 1 notable tackle for loss . . . Notable Pass Breakups by #4 Tyler Grant, #3 Doriel Yeager, and #16 Hansen .
Odds & Ends- It appeared Plano was penalized 6 times for 65 yards . . . made 6 first downs . . . had 106 yards rushing and 42 yards passing.
