Plano Wildcats -- How is this Possible?

[Favpack]

To go from 0-10 in 2003 to 10-0 in 2005? That's mind-boggling.

Is your talent just unbelievably superior to two years ago?
Coaching?
Scheduling?
Weaker district?
Were you that bad in 2003 or did the team quit?

Truly hard to comprehend.

[AllenEagle06]

Most of their starters from their 0-10 season are still playing this season so they have a lot of experience. Now Plano wants revenge for all the losses they've had in the past couple of years. Unfortunately, we were on the receiving end of that.

[reed35]

To go from 0-10 in 2003 to 10-0 in 2005? That's mind-boggling.

Is your talent just unbelievably superior to two years ago?
Coaching?
Scheduling?
Weaker district?
Were you that bad in 2003 or did the team quit?

Truly hard to comprehend.
coaching is better, not great yet.
Talent is much better and heart is better
they were that bad in 03 and team did quit. coach would not change bad players. sometimes he plays name and not talent.
it hurts to say, but it is the truth.

[planocat05]

Lets break it down here.

2002
Record: 3-7
Problem: Coaching and talent

2003
Record: 0-10
Problem: combo of no talent, bad coaching choices, absolutly no teamwork or respect for the coach, and the team was mainly sophmores

2004
Record:4-6
Problem: Still a young team, we actually werent bad. lost over time games to Allen and East (double Ot knocked us out of the playoffs) and lost to lewisville in the last 2 minutes of the game. Shoulda been 7-3. Team was coming together but wasnt there completely. We came in with a new attitude, wanted to bring tradition and teamwork back to Plano. And of course there were coaching errors.

2005
Record: 9-0 (10-0 after next week)
Solution: sophmores that started 2 years back are now three year starters with tons of experience. which is a large majority of the defense and a few on offense. Team is unfied. been playin together ofr a long time and everyone wants revenge for the 0-10 season. Brence finally realized this year that the he needs to pass in order to be successful. Justin Jordan and Mark Sfikas are a duel threat on offense. there is depth in rotation However the biggest thing is there attitude. this year they are out to prove that PLano is still a power house.

Reliable source.... i played last year for Plano
Go Cats

[PlanoNative]

Hey planocat05 or anyone else.. any update on injuries? Will the LB's be ready for the playoffs? thanks.

[Butch Fifield]

I am blown away at how good Plano is this year with Brence still at the helm. I do not know what he is doing differently. Maybe he just lucked out and got a year where they were stacked with talent? I don't know.

I am afraid this is a one year deal. They will not return to being a dominant program until they bring in a new coach.

[Plano Wildcat Fan]

I am blown away at how good Plano is this year with Brence still at the helm. I do not know what he is doing differently. Maybe he just lucked out and got a year where they were stacked with talent? I don't know.

I am afraid this is a one year deal. They will not return to being a dominant program until they bring in a new coach.

I agree. He is no Tom Kimbrough or John Clark He was interviewed on the "Big Game of the week" on Texas Highschool Scoreboard show after the East win. He came off as a over hyped uncomposed highschool coach.

Good talent this year is the big overlying reason. He has let his coordinators coach though. I guess after 7 years of being average he finally decided he had to do something different. I am hoping JayDon gets Head Coach gig soon. He commands my respect.

[Butch Fifield]

He has let his coordinators coach though.

I am really hoping that this is a big reason for the success.

I remember an interview with him like 10 years ago where he said he was a defensive coach and didn't know anything about offense. I will always remember that quote.

[wildcatforever]

I have been watching wildcat games for nearly 30 years so I think this will make me qualified for what has happened to Plano the last few years and their success this year. Yes, I have always questioned Brences playing calling at certain times, but have realized he is trying to get his best players the ball or run behind his best players.
Late 90's Had a ton of Offensive lineman with lesser skill kids, ran the ball 95% of the time. Good defense... Usually led to victories.
2001- Great offensive line, Lott, alexander.(failed in playoffs). very average receivers, who could blame him for throwing the ball very much.
2002 High character kids, ok off. line, tough kid in Rb Forrester, was their only really true skill kid except FS Oubre (who weighed 140). When Forrester hurt is hamstring in a tough 3 game district stretch, they had no one else to fall back on.
2003- 2 very bad classes back to back. sr and jr. Best sr football players had quit and had no character. Junior class had not won hardly any games from 7th on up. Depended on the sophmore class as their were many (8-11) sophmore starters. NO experience. Can not win %A football with that many sophs.
2004- Juinors mainly. Very talented skill kids. above average off line. Lost many heaet breakers. 3 overtime losses in district. Any 1 one would have put them in the playoffs. west was awsome, Allen was way more talented and experienced (yet plano almost won). east won basically on a Hail Mary which was not caught in bounds . Great experience , but couldn't finish.
2005- Brence finally has two legit receivers and that why he is willing to throw. Brence has always been smart when it comes to getting his players the ball. But a little predictable when it comes to down and distance.
It seems a few ex players have been questioning the coaching on here, and thats what it comes down to. Thats why (those who grad last year) are not as succesfull as this years team. These players are doing what they are coached to do. Not questioning. Its called character. As of right now there are no top 100 players listed on their roster (which their should be), but yet they are dominating like they have many. west has 3 on that list, where are they at. no one questioned their coaches last year, but their have been complaints this year. It comes down to PLAYERS and their willing to be coached and not question.
Some of these ex players from the last few years need to take a look in the mirror and realize there is a reason you are not playing college football anywhere. In fact, I talked to a Plano coach who said that they had not seen hardly any college recruiters the last few years, but they came pouring in this year. What does that tell you.........truth hurts, but be a man

[planocat05]

I am hoping JayDon gets Head Coach gig soon. He commands my respect.

AMEN!! i love McCoullough he should be head coach. Hes on scary SOB tho.

Btw i m pretty sure Bryce Ryan will be back for the playoffs. Coner Bertrand should be back this week i think he practiced monday and as far as i kno hes ok. colby smith is back too.

[AllenEagle06]

Well I have to say it's nice to see more people from 8-5A on this forum since there were almost none 2 months ago. Anyway, going back to that Allen and Plano OT game last year, I was PO'd like none other because the week before we blewout Lewisville and then go and nearly lose to a team that was 0-10 the year before. I thought that something must have happened to us between those 2 games but now I've realized that it was just Plano working their way up. Congratulations Wildcats from flopping an 0-10 to a 10-0 in just 2 years.

[planocat05]

It seems a few ex players have been questioning the coaching on here, and thats what it comes down to. Thats why (those who grad last year) are not as succesfull as this years team. These players are doing what they are coached to do. Not questioning. Its called character. As of right now there are no top 100 players listed on their roster (which their should be), but yet they are dominating like they have many. west has 3 on that list, where are they at. no one questioned their coaches last year, but their have been complaints this year. It comes down to PLAYERS and their willing to be coached and not question.
Some of these ex players from the last few years need to take a look in the mirror and realize there is a reason you are not playing college football anywhere. In fact, I talked to a Plano coach who said that they had not seen hardly any college recruiters the last few years, but they came pouring in this year. What does that tell you.........truth hurts, but be a man

OK man i think u are takin it to far with the accusations. I never said brence was a bad coach. I said he made coaching erros and mistakes. However, i did say that his players lack some respect for him which is still true this year. The players still double check his moves sometimes maybe not as much but they still do. Just becasue im not playin for OU or UT doesnt mean i didtn do what the coach asked. We all did. I never started till my senior year but some how i became a starter on that above average O line of which u speak. I didnt teach my self how to get there. I dont understand y you are attacking ex players. Btw even brence admitted he made mistakes so you cant say he dint make any.

[wildcatforever]

Just responding to this post made by you------
---------------------------------------
2002
Record: 3-7
Problem: Coaching and talent

2003
Record: 0-10
Problem: combo of no talent, bad coaching choices, absolutly no teamwork or respect for the coach, and the team was mainly sophmores

2004
Record:4-6
Problem: Still a young team, we actually werent bad. lost over time games to Allen and East (double Ot knocked us out of the playoffs) and lost to lewisville in the last 2 minutes of the game. Shoulda been 7-3. Team was coming together but wasnt there completely. We came in with a new attitude, wanted to bring tradition and teamwork back to Plano. And of course there were coaching errors.

2005
Record: 9-0 (10-0 after next week)
Solution: sophmores that started 2 years back are now three year starters with tons of experience. which is a large majority of the defense and a few on offense. Team is unfied. been playin together ofr a long time and everyone wants revenge for the 0-10 season. Brence finally realized this year that the he needs to pass in order to be successful. Justin Jordan and Mark Sfikas are a duel threat on offense. there is depth in rotation However the biggest thing is there attitude. this year they are out to prove that PLano is still a power house.

Reliable source.... i played last year for Plano
Go Cats
------------------------------------------------------
Now you claim that coaching was part of the problem between 2002-2004, thats why I responded to your post. I am not attacking an ex-plyer, I am responding to your post. I love the wildcats and have neen to more than 180 Wildcat games and have seen a difference. I believe the same coaching staff is in place except for one coach. I believe they have a tremendous staff and always put their kids in position to win. So whats the difference between this year and the previous. Not the coaches. You mentioned something about realizing having to pass. Well, in their 0-10 year they threw more passes in one game than I have seen them throw in a year. it comes down to players. You mentioned something about respect and the lack of for Brence, you may be right, as with some players and most head coaches. You cant please everyone. brence definatley has his flaws, but makes up for it other areas just like most High school coaches. I just find it very irritating that an ex player from the era of 0-10 would come on here and partially blame coaching, when brence never once blamed athletes, in fact he said he needed to do a better job. the front page the the Dallas morning News that year but brence blamed himself and took alot of heat. never once did he blame the players, yet you come on here and say he was part of the problem and that he made errors..Instead of pointing fingers, keep it in the house and be proud of being a Wildcat...

[planocat05]

Just responding to this post made by you------
---------------------------------------
2002
Record: 3-7
Problem: Coaching and talent

2003
Record: 0-10
Problem: combo of no talent, bad coaching choices, absolutly no teamwork or respect for the coach, and the team was mainly sophmores

2004
Record:4-6
Problem: Still a young team, we actually werent bad. lost over time games to Allen and East (double Ot knocked us out of the playoffs) and lost to lewisville in the last 2 minutes of the game. Shoulda been 7-3. Team was coming together but wasnt there completely. We came in with a new attitude, wanted to bring tradition and teamwork back to Plano. And of course there were coaching errors.

2005
Record: 9-0 (10-0 after next week)
Solution: sophmores that started 2 years back are now three year starters with tons of experience. which is a large majority of the defense and a few on offense. Team is unfied. been playin together ofr a long time and everyone wants revenge for the 0-10 season. Brence finally realized this year that the he needs to pass in order to be successful. Justin Jordan and Mark Sfikas are a duel threat on offense. there is depth in rotation However the biggest thing is there attitude. this year they are out to prove that PLano is still a power house.

Reliable source.... i played last year for Plano
Go Cats
------------------------------------------------------
Now you claim that coaching was part of the problem between 2002-2004, thats why I responded to your post. I am not attacking an ex-plyer, I am responding to your post. I love the wildcats and have neen to more than 180 Wildcat games and have seen a difference. I believe the same coaching staff is in place except for one coach. I believe they have a tremendous staff and always put their kids in position to win. So whats the difference between this year and the previous. Not the coaches. You mentioned something about realizing having to pass. Well, in their 0-10 year they threw more passes in one game than I have seen them throw in a year. it comes down to players. You mentioned something about respect and the lack of for Brence, you may be right, as with some players and most head coaches. You cant please everyone. brence definatley has his flaws, but makes up for it other areas just like most High school coaches. I just find it very irritating that an ex player from the era of 0-10 would come on here and partially blame coaching, when brence never once blamed athletes, in fact he said he needed to do a better job. the front page the the Dallas morning News that year but brence blamed himself and took alot of heat. never once did he blame the players, yet you come on here and say he was part of the problem and that he made errors..Instead of pointing fingers, keep it in the house and be proud of being a Wildcat...

i agree with...you are right but u cant say that he didnt make mistakes i also said there was a lack of talent and team work. Im pointing fingers at the team as well. Every coach makes mistake like we both acknowledged brence took blame which was the noble thing for him to do but you and i both know it cant be the coach all the time the team was largly to blame. As far as Passing goes in the 0-10 season i personally think he tried to bust out the passing at the wrong time with the wrong people. We passed alot but we went about it the wrong way. tryin to jump right into a shot gun offense out of nowhere. He tried to go with the shot gun formation instead of easing into it with players who were talented enough to pull it off. This year we have talent and experience that is making his pass plays a success. Btw i am proud of being a wildcat even in our 0 -10 season i was on jv and went to every single varsity game

[wildcatforever]

------i agree with...you are right but u cant say that he didnt make mistakes.

Why even make this comment. Who doesn't make mistakes. Mack brown does, Todd the almighty Dodge does( whom had a hard time winning at previous schools) Franchione, Tom Osborne (couldnt win the big game, ala Bobby Bowden)-- and those are all college coaches making millions. This is what I am talking about. Why go on an forum and say this. I do not understand..

----As far as Passing goes in the 0-10 season i personally think he tried to bust out the passing at the wrong time with the wrong people. We passed alot but we went about it the wrong way. tryin to jump right into a shot gun offense out of nowhere. He tried to go with the shot gun formation instead of easing into it with players who were talented enough to pull it off-----

From my close sources he never wanted to run the spread. It is not what he knows. But he did it because he knew there were going to be tough times and that he wanted the kids to have a good time. He wanted the kids to want to come to practice since there was a lack of work ethic.. (which I heard was very noticable during summers etc., very few worked out and made themselves better. You either have the drive or you dont..I am in no way bashing you by saying this, I am bashing the good portion of kids that was part of that team in which football was not the top priority...I also heard that one of the best offensive lieman from the 0-10 year quit right before the first game because he said that he did not want to be apart of a team with so many players that did not care whether they won or loss....

[planocat05]

------i agree with...you are right but u cant say that he didnt make mistakes.

Why even make this comment. Who doesn't make mistakes. Mack brown does, Todd the almighty Dodge does( whom had a hard time winning at previous schools) Franchione, Tom Osborne (couldnt win the big game, ala Bobby Bowden)-- and those are all college coaches making millions. This is what I am talking about. Why go on an forum and say this. I do not understand..

----As far as Passing goes in the 0-10 season i personally think he tried to bust out the passing at the wrong time with the wrong people. We passed alot but we went about it the wrong way. tryin to jump right into a shot gun offense out of nowhere. He tried to go with the shot gun formation instead of easing into it with players who were talented enough to pull it off-----

From my close sources he never wanted to run the spread. It is not what he knows. But he did it because he knew there were going to be tough times and that he wanted the kids to have a good time. He wanted the kids to want to come to practice since there was a lack of work ethic.. (which I heard was very noticable during summers etc., very few worked out and made themselves better. You either have the drive or you dont..I am in no way bashing you by saying this, I am bashing the good portion of kids that was part of that team in which football was not the top priority...I also heard that one of the best offensive lieman from the 0-10 year quit right before the first game because he said that he did not want to be apart of a team with so many players that did not care whether they won or loss....

that and he hated coach brence. i lost respect for that player tho becuase instead of steppin up and taking a postion of leadership which we badly needed on behalf of the players he quit and ran away btw thats not a very good reason to run the spread especially when you dont know what your doin with it. I like that he was tryin to expand the offense cuz it needed to be mixed but he went a lil to fast with it

[wildcatforever]

Many players hate coaches. I am sure that there were a few Jimmy Johnson haters. You might be right if that was a good reason to run the spread. Who knows, there might have been more that quit if he would have gone 3 yards and a cloud of dust theory. Either way, the team was going to have its troubles........

[planocat05]

Many players hate coaches. I am sure that there were a few Jimmy Johnson haters. You might be right if that was a good reason to run the spread. Who knows, there might have been more that quit if he would have gone 3 yards and a cloud of dust theory. Either way, the team was going to have its troubles........


just a thought but i probably kno you :)

[wildcatforever]

I doubt it. Just an old geezer that has nothing to do but watch wildcat Football from the 50 yd line every year and pray for the unmatched 8th State Championship.

[Butch Fifield]

I have been out of state for 3 years, so I haven't been able to keep up with the Wildcats like I used to.

When they were 0-10, did they run the spread offense? That would explain alot. You can't just start running that offense, with your same offensive coaches, and expect it to work. You need to bring in a coach that has run and knows that type of offense, and even then it takes a few years to get it going. You need to get your feeder schools to run that same offense.

I have always liked the option offense at Plano. I have never wanted Plano to pass, but I would not mind Plano going to a more modern, passing attack if they brought in a new coach to do it.

As long as Brence is there, they need to run the option offense, and keep the passing to a minimum.

[planocat05]

u have to admit then that the games have been pretty boring this year....no challenges. wish i was in town to watch them tho. i bet i know somebody that knows you then. ;)

[Maroon Cathead]

Based upon my observations, the difficulty of the Plano Senior High School football program originated when the program featured the passing spread offense as its main offensive formation.

In the 90’s, the program began tinkering with offensive formations. It changed from its traditional split backs to the I formation. Sometimes, in certain situations, the offense would line up in different sets. Yet, basically, the program appeared to settle on the I formation until suddenly (about 2002) opting for the popular passing spread formation. The change was implemented downward through the PSHS feeder schools.

Believe this change led to the disastrous 2002 and 2003 seasons for the PSHS Wildcats.

In 2004, the program started the shift back to an option oriented offensive attack based out of the I formation. It paid dividends of four wins and a few close losses.

The program has returned to its roots with a disciplined and well-coached team that does not beat itself. The offense features a ground oriented, option based attack. Though Plano can pass effectively, it only does so when necessary.

The old school Plano approach combined with an experienced and talented roster has yielded to many what appears to be a miraculous turnaround.

On a completely different note, is the poster above the Butch Fifield that quarterbacked for Plano in the early 80’s?

[Butch Fifield]

No I am not Butch Fifield. That is why I put a disclaimer in my signature. I don't want people to think I am him. He is just one of my favorite old Plano QBs, right behind Steve Needham. Plus I like his name.

[SLCDad]

To go from 0-10 in 2003 to 10-0 in 2005? That's mind-boggling.

Is your talent just unbelievably superior to two years ago?
Coaching?
Scheduling?
Weaker district?
Were you that bad in 2003 or did the team quit?

Truly hard to comprehend.I heard they changed the size of their cleats. It's amazing how much impact the little things can have.

[AllenEagle06]

u have to admit then that the games have been pretty boring this year....no challenges. wish i was in town to watch them tho. i bet i know somebody that knows you then. ;)
Wasn't Marcus threatening you guys a few weeks ago? I know they kept close for 3 quarters until Plano scored 21 points in the 4th. That couldn't of been boring.

[planocat05]

Wasn't Marcus threatening you guys a few weeks ago? I know they kept close for 3 quarters until Plano scored 21 points in the 4th. That couldn't of been boring.

lol i dont kno i wasnt there im off to school at college now....but yea ur right im sure it was exciting but it still ended up being a pretty easy win when the forth came around.

[Maroon Cathead]

Coach Randy Mayes of Flower Mound Marcus had a great game plan versus Plano Senior High School this year. Coach Mayes is familiar with facing off against Coach Brence of Plano Senior High School. In the 5A state semifinals in 1994, Coach Mayes’ Odessa Permian Panthers faced off against Plano.

In this year’s game, it was close through three quarters. On FM Marcus’ kickoff to Plano to begin the second half, FM Marcus performed an onside kick that they recovered. FM Marcus pulled out all the stops. Despite excellent coaching and effort on the part of FM Marcus, Plano would not be denied. In the fourth quarter, Plano’s ground game wore down and finally rolled over FM Marcus.

Both teams played well.

[dragonsdaddy]

welcome to all the newbie wildcat fans. the ranks were pretty depleted and quiet for the last few years. as an old player for the great coach clark, it's nice to have the cats back in contention. i'm expecting a long run. my best case scenario would be for slc to win out in d-1 and the cats take d-2.

[PaulinPlano]

It is great to see the Wildcats doing so well. I like to think that the East game was closer than 24-7 :rolleyes: . But in the end, Plano wore down the Panthers and a close game turned to domination. But I think this was their closest game this year. Right? :confused:

[planocat05]

It is great to see the Wildcats doing so well. I like to think that the East game was closer than 24-7 :rolleyes: . But in the end, Plano wore down the Panthers and a close game turned to domination. But I think this was their closest game this year. Right? :confused:


yea it was there closest game...gotta give to the panthers tho they have a hell of a defense...it was plano's biggest challenge this year

[Plano Wildcat Fan]

AMEN!! i love McCoullough he should be head coach. Hes on scary SOB tho.

Btw i m pretty sure Bryce Ryan will be back for the playoffs. Coner Bertrand should be back this week i think he practiced monday and as far as i kno hes ok. colby smith is back too.


You need a head coach to be intimidating. You think John Clark or Tom Kimbrough carried themselves like Brence. NO way. Times change, coaches change. Give me Kimbrough as a head coach anywhere he wins. Put Brence in the same position. No way.

Brence goes for win 100 tomorrow night it ook him 14 seasons. It took Kimbrough 9 seasons and 5 games to hit 100.

[Plano Wildcat Fan]

No I am not Butch Fifield. That is why I put a disclaimer in my signature. I don't want people to think I am him. He is just one of my favorite old Plano QBs, right behind Steve Needham. Plus I like his name.

Who was a better option QB. Tony Cook from 84 85. Butch Field from 80-81 or Needham from 87?

[Plano Wildcat Fan]

It is great to see the Wildcats doing so well. I like to think that the East game was closer than 24-7 :rolleyes: . But in the end, Plano wore down the Panthers and a close game turned to domination. But I think this was their closest game this year. Right? :confused:

NO way. Marcus was much tougher. I never had a sense that Plano East could move the bay consistently against Plano's Defense. Marcus through the ball well. I wasn't sure about that game until Plano stopped them mid 4th quarter on a 4 down play up by 7.

[PESHfan]

It is great to see the Wildcats doing so well. I like to think that the East game was closer than 24-7 :rolleyes: . But in the end, Plano wore down the Panthers and a close game turned to domination. But I think this was their closest game this year. Right? :confused:

I kind of wonder what the final score might have been had the East player not dropped the ball on the 15 yard line when he clearly had a touchdown in front of him to take the lead and not a Wildcat in sight near the end of the first quarter. As it was, the Wildcats were held to a mere 3 points in that first quarter of the game. The final score was their lowest of the season and the narrowest winning margin as well. Had fate not dropped that ball, the score at the end of Q1 would have been 7-3 Plano East. Our Panthers then spent the next two quarters trying to figure out how they lost their momentum. They finally found it in the 4th quarter, but it was too late by then. Plano won that game fair and square, but it was hardly a wipe-out.

As long as Plano ISD keeps supporting 11 other school districts in addition to our own as a result of Robin Hood, I don't think we'll see any of our schools bring home a State Championship in the near future. Way too many budget cuts over the last 10 years to truly build up our football teams. I've been in the district for 16 years and have seen the massive budget cuts which hurt everything from the classroom to the football field. Not making any excuses here, just making an observation.

Best of luck to everyone next week in the play-offs!

[Plano Wildcat Fan]

I kind of wonder what the final score might have been had the East player not dropped the ball on the 15 yard line when he clearly had a touchdown in front of him to take the lead and not a Wildcat in sight near the end of the first quarter. As it was, the Wildcats were held to a mere 3 points in that first quarter of the game. The final score was their lowest of the season and the narrowest winning margin as well. Had fate not dropped that ball, the score at the end of Q1 would have been 7-3 Plano East. Our Panthers then spent the next two quarters trying to figure out how they lost their momentum. They finally found it in the 4th quarter, but it was too late by then. Plano won that game fair and square, but it was hardly a wipe-out.

As long as Plano ISD keeps supporting 11 other school districts in addition to our own as a result of Robin Hood, I don't think we'll see any of our schools bring home a State Championship in the near future. Way too many budget cuts over the last 10 years to truly build up our football teams. I've been in the district for 16 years and have seen the massive budget cuts which hurt everything from the classroom to the football field. Not making any excuses here, just making an observation.

Best of luck to everyone next week in the play-offs!

Budget cuts? Their might be cuts but not to funding Athletics. New KimbroughStadium, each high school school as a new 60 yard indoor practice facility with massive weight rooms less than 3 years new.. Clark Field is getting a 250,000 makeover this year.
You had 13,500 at the Plano vs East game average ticket $6,00 Thats $80000 in revenue. Plano vs West had 14,500 over $90,000 in ticket sales. Budget cust aren't the reason. 3 Highschools and slow erosion of talent is the reason.

At least for 1 year Plano has it put together. Desoto GOING NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT. :)

[dragonsdaddy]

I kind of wonder what the final score might have been had the East player not dropped the ball on the 15 yard line when he clearly had a touchdown in front of him to take the lead and not a Wildcat in sight near the end of the first quarter. As it was, the Wildcats were held to a mere 3 points in that first quarter of the game. The final score was their lowest of the season and the narrowest winning margin as well. Had fate not dropped that ball, the score at the end of Q1 would have been 7-3 Plano East. Our Panthers then spent the next two quarters trying to figure out how they lost their momentum. They finally found it in the 4th quarter, but it was too late by then. Plano won that game fair and square, but it was hardly a wipe-out.

As long as Plano ISD keeps supporting 11 other school districts in addition to our own as a result of Robin Hood, I don't think we'll see any of our schools bring home a State Championship in the near future. Way too many budget cuts over the last 10 years to truly build up our football teams. I've been in the district for 16 years and have seen the massive budget cuts which hurt everything from the classroom to the football field. Not making any excuses here, just making an observation.

Best of luck to everyone next week in the play-offs!
the same budget nightmares are going on all over the state. slc is giving their share and then some, so i guess i'd hold off on the budget excuses were i you.

[Butch Fifield]

Who was a better option QB. Tony Cook from 84 85. Butch Field from 80-81 or Needham from 87?

I will always go with Needham. The ex-linebacker turned quarterback was tough. He knew how to run that option offense. He wasn't a fast guy like Tony & Butch, but he always got good yards. He also had a pretty good arm when he needed it. He was just a solid, solid quarterback.

I also liked Scooter Asel. They didn't move him to starting QB until the playoffs in '94. Without that move, they don't win state that year. The guy he replaced, Jason Little, really wasn't an option QB. The previous year, they replaced Jason with Mike Nelson for the playoffs, and they also made a run to the state final game.

Some other old Plano QBs to bring back memories.....

Steve Ulmer, Ronnie Mullins, Mike Miller, Paul Davis, Monty West, Bobby Schaeffer, Ro Cook, Mitch Maher......

[WildcatFan]

Its possible just like any other team on any given year the stars seem to fall into place.

Many ask if its that the coaching is better, well least we forget Gerald Brence has won 1 state title while at the helm of the program. I would say the coaching has always been good.

Talent is where its at as this team is the most talented in a long time. I would'nt go as far as saying they are the best I would say 87 holds that rank but that's my opinion.

I believe that when Plano West opened it put a dent in the talent pool as there was a big shift to the west side. I think we can expect to see the ups and downs of this result over the years as Plano becomes more mature and the schools level off. A perfect example is West's implosion and Plano's rise. East is still the biggest HS in Texas and will always have a slight advantage over PSHS and PWSH.

For the near future I think Plano will go deep in the playoffs whether or not they can take D2 State, well I will take it week by week.

The line is still young mostly Jr's and Sophs so expect next years Wildcats to be dominating up front. Also we have yet to see the full impact of the Vines 9-1 team that still have 2 years to go and not a bad crop of players coming from this years Vines and Jasper teams.

Win or loose it has been a great season, fun to watch and will get even better over the next few weeks.

Go Cats Go!!!!!