It is said that tradition never graduates, but that mantra would have been a difficult sell to Plano High faithful in the early part of this decade.  Plano’s precipitous fall from the top began in the late 90s, and bottomed out with an 0-9 showing in 2003.  However, in 2005, the Wildcats won 13 games in a row with a talented senior class before losing a tightly contested state quarterfinal game to Southlake Carroll.  The 13-win effort was Plano’s first double digit win season since 1994.  The Wildcats followed that up with an unconvincing 4-6 season before last year’s team steamrolled to another 13-win season.  Plano finished 2007 with a 13-2 record. 

          The Wildcats lost a thrilling 30-27 overtime encounter in the state semis against eventual champions Euless Trinity.  The regular season loss came at home to Allen (35-26 score).  Overall, 2007 was Plano’s most successful season since winning state in 1994.  After nearly 10 years of mediocrity following the 1994 title, the Plano program is showing signs it may be recovering its strength.

          The 2008 Wildcats return 10 starters (6 offense, 4 defense) and 20 lettermen.  Longtime assistant Jaydon McCullough takes over as head coach after Gerald Brence stepped down to take a district position.  McCullough has been at Plano for 15 years. 

          Senior QB Carson Meger (6’1 195 4.75) leads Plano’s offense after bursting onto the scene as a junior.  Meger passed for 3,342 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior.  Meger’s ability in the passing game allows Plano to spread the field and be more multiple in their approach.  Meger is a definite favorite for post-season MVP honors, but he’ll be battling some of his own teammates for those distinctions.

          Senior all-purpose stand out Rex Burkhead (6’0 205) will earn his fourth varsity letter this fall.  Burkhead first appeared for Plano as a freshman, and in that time he has lined up everywhere but the concession stand.  Burkhead racked up 1,769 rushing yards, 523 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns last year.  And he passed for a touchdown too.  Junior fullback Jared Kirchmier (5’10 170 4.48) adds depth in the backfield.

          If all that isn’t scary enough, Plano also returns its top receiver.  Senior Kris Lott (6’2 200 4.5) caught 72 passes for 1,263 yards and 11 TDs as a junior.  Junior Holt Hoetger (6’3 195 4.5) is expected to step in and contribute.  Senior Ryan McDuff (6’2 185 4.6) will also see time at receiver.  McDuff is also the team’s kicker, and scored 72 points kicking in 2007.   

          Three starters anchor the Wildcat line.  Seniors OT Hanur Kim (6’3 260), OT Jordan Talley (6’1 257) and OG Justin Boyde (6’0 210) return after starting all 15 games last year.  After posting a respectable 32.7 points per game in '07 with a very young roster, the Plano offense is set to explode this fall.

          Plano’s defense isn’t as experienced as the offense, but there are returning starters back in each of the three units.  Senior DE Luke Terrell (6’3 225) is Plano’s most experienced player up front.  Senior DT Preston Leahy (6’2 230) is a returning letterman. 

          Senior OLB Phillip Hale (5’10 185 4.5) is a returning starter.  Senior OLB Reid Lyness (6’1 205 4.76) adds more senior leadership and athletic experience.  The secondary will be a strength of this team and features one of the best safety combinations in the state.  Senior free safety LaRon Kelly (5’10 180 4.37) is one of the state’s top defenders along with senior strong safety Justin Collins (6’2 190 4.5).  Senior Andrew Caufman (5’10 180 4.47) also has experience. 

          If the Wildcat defense can play at the level it did last year or better, the team will be in very good shape considering the offense will be among the very best in Texas.  Experienced players also return in the special teams units.  Plano has a balanced range of experience as a foundation for this year’s effort.  Realignment moved Plano’s district back into Region 1 (8-5A).  The Wildcats play a challenging non-district schedule versus Irving Macarthur (home), DeSoto (home), Hebron (away) and Temple (away) before kicking off district play against rivals Plano East.  Plano doesn’t return a huge amount of experience overall, but the players they do return were absolutely crucial in the team’s success last year. And with the right commitment to teamwork and fundamentals in 2008, this Plano team has the potential to contend for a district, region and state championship.

 

2008  Team  Outlook

Pre-Season State Top 25:  2nd Pre-Season Rank (Region):  2nd (R1) Pre-Season Rank (District):  1st (8) Returning Offensive Starters:  6 QB Carson Meger (Sr.) RB Rex Burkhead (Sr.) *Dist. MVP WR Kris Lott (Sr.) OL Hanur Kim (Sr.) OL Jordan Talley (Sr.) OL Justin Boyde (Sr.) Returning Defensive Starters:  4 DE Luke Terrell (Sr.) OLB Phillip Hale (Sr.) FS LaRon Kelly (Sr.) SS Justin Collins (Sr.) All-State Players (Team): QB Carson Meger (1st) WR Kris Lott (1st) ATH Rex Burkhead (1st) DB LaRon Kelly (1st) Returning All-District Players (Team):  6 QB Carson Meger (1st) RB Rex Burkhead (1st) WR Kris Lott (1st) SS Justin Collins (1st) OL Hanur Kim (2nd) FS LaRon Kelly (2nd) Other Players to Watch: FB Jared Kirchmier (Jr.) WR Holt Hoetger (Jr.) WR/K Ryan McDuff (Sr.) DT Preston Leahy (Sr.) OLB Reid Lyness (Sr.) CB Andrew Caufman (Sr.) RB/DB Brandon McCallister (Jr.) RB/DB Darryl Ferguson (Jr.) WR/DB Spencer Umoh (Sr.) K Bryce Eckeberger (Jr.)   2008 Schedule (Stadium): 8/29     Irving MacArthur (Clark)              7:30 9/4       DeSoto (Kimbrough)                     7:30 9/12     Lew. Hebron (Hawk)                     7:30 9/19     @ Temple (Wildcat)                       7:30 9/26     @ Plano East (Clark)                     7:30 10/3     Wylie (Clark)                                   7:30 10/10   @ Plano West (Clark)                    7:30 10/17   Allen (Clark)                                   7:30 10/23   @ McKinney Boyd (Poe)               7:30 10/31   OPEN 11/7     Dallas Jesuit (Clark)                      7:30 Opponents Combined Record:  69-33 Projected 2008 Record: 10-0 Key Games (Rank): vs. DeSoto vs. Lewisville Hebron @ Temple @ Plano East @ Plano West vs. Allen Unit Rankings: Total Offense (1st) Backfields (1st) Receivers (3rd) Offensive Line (5th) Defensive Backfield (5th) The Bottom Line: Strengths: All-State Talent at QB, RB, and WR Experienced O-Line Talented Secondary Playoff Experience Weaknesses: Just 20 Returning Lettermen