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PLANO – Plano West defensive tackle Gavin Gross summed it up perfectly after his team’s 56-22 win over Princeton.
“If we had lost, we would have been done,” Goss said. “We’re not done.”
No, they are not.
Carson Kolb’s 72-yard kickoff return for a touchdown broke open a potentially close game and Plano West used a powerful running attack to enhance their playoff hopes in a crucial game for both teams on Friday night at Clark Stadium.
Plano West’s victory left four teams lumped together, battling for the final two playoff spots from District 6-6A. Plano West (4-3 in district, 5-3 overall) and Princeton (3-3, 5-3) both have three losses in district. Prosper Rock Hill and Plano are both 3-3 in district. Princeton and Plano West each have one game left against Prosper.
High School Sports
“As a senior, my last game at Clark Stadium, this means a lot,” defensive safety and captain Kenneth Chapman said. “A lot depended on this game. Our season would have been in jeopardy. This means a lot because we were able to fight through adversity.”
Plano West was led by quarterback Jordan Grant, who rushed for 149 yards and four touchdowns. Operating behind an offensive line of Aidan Ray, Carlos Fonts, Ryan Moses, Avon Cook and Dhruy Shah, Plano West had 348 yards rushing on the night.
“That was exciting,” Grant said. “I don’t even know how many yards I had. I was able to get outside and then inside. A chance to get in the playoffs, we needed this.”
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Plano West had 205 yards rushing in the first half alone while Grant completed just one shovel pass for a three-yard loss. But he scored three touchdowns on the ground in the first two quarters as Plano West led 35-6 at halftime.
Then, on the second play of the third quarter, Grant found a hole off the left end and bolted 61 yards for another touchdown.
Plano West led 7-0 after the first quarter. Princeton quarterback Marcus Flowers scored on a three-yard run in the first minute of the second quarter but a fumble on the conversion attempt kept Plano West ahead. Then Kolb returned the ensuing kickoff all the way for a touchdown that gave Plano West a 14-6 lead.
“Big time play,” Plano West coach Tyler Soukup said. “Carson has been explosive all year. We were hoping they would kick to him because there’s always a chance that could happen.”
Flowers, starting on the Princeton four, had his team on the move with their next possession, driving to a first down at the Plano West 39. But two quarterback sacks, first by linebacker Trey Martin and then by Gross put a halt to the march.
Plano West’s defense had another touchdown set up by Cayden Carter’s interception at the Princeton 18 with 47 seconds left before halftime and set up another Grant touchdown. Carter had two interceptions on the night.
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