Poise prevails in Plano win

Timely tosses from Mendez key for Plano

Billed as a potential season-changing contest coming in, the annual "War on 34" may prove to be just that six weeks from now as the Plano Reapers passed a severe gut-check Friday night with a 28-27 victory over rival Sandwich in Plano.

The Indians built leads of 14-0 and 21-6 in the first half and led 27-20 heading into the fourth quarter, but like in many years before, the Reapers broke their hearts.

And they did it in a most unexpected way -- on the arm of quarterback Johnny Mendez.

Mendez entered the game with more passing attempts than Plano coach Jim Green would prefer, but the practice paid off in the form of two long touchdown passes to Cesar Ocon (37 yards) and Ryan Lee (22 yards). Those completions got the Reapers (2-1) back in the game, allowing the offense to do what it does best in running the ball.

"He showed a lot of poise," Green said of Mendez.

Geraldo Garcia (45 yards) scored his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run with 8 minutes, 34 seconds left on the clock to pull Plano within 27-26.

Green emphatically held up two fingers to signal a 2-point conversion attempt. This was no sure thing, as the Reapers had been denied on two previous conversion tries. This time was different as Joseph Jones walked in easily to give Plano a one-point lead.

"We were down two scores on three separate occasions and they didn't give up," Green said. "That would have been very easy to do after we were shell-shocked last week. I hope this team learned that if you do your responsibilities, and do things right and don't turn the ball over and give the other team field position, you're going to win ballgames."

The Reapers then held the Indians offense in check, forcing a turnover on downs with 3:40 left. The offense then ran out the clock.

In the first 30 minutes it looked as if the Indians (2-1) would dominate the contest in rushing for 168 yards and compiling 208 yards of offense. Nick Futrell had 86 of those rushing yards, including a 55-yard touchdown run on the second play of the game. Sam Hill also found room on sweeps left, picking up 61 yards.

Curiously, after the Indians capped a 13-play, 75-yard, nearly 7-minute drive with a 7-yard scoring run by Hill to build some momentum and take a 21-6 lead, they chose to squib the ensuing kickoff.

Plano recovered easily at its own 48 and took advantage of the field position, scoring within three minutes on Mendez's pass to Ocon to make it 21-14.

"We're disappointed with the results, but the kids have nothing to be ashamed of," Sandwich coach Derek Avery said. "It's a football game. It's not one play, it's not one person. Give Plano credit -- they made a couple plays when they needed to in the second half. I think we'll be a better team because of this. I really do."

That decision by the Sandwich coaching staff proved key, as the Reapers made their comeback complete in the final quarter. Fullback Brandon Grote led the way for the Reapers with 103 yards on 21 carries while Futrell rushed for 112 yards and three scores.