{"id":426921,"date":"2026-09-05T06:56:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T06:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/426921\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T06:56:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T06:56:10","slug":"wyatt-gregory-runs-wild-as-sandwich-remembers-its-always-good-to-beat-plano-shaw-local","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/426921\/","title":{"rendered":"Wyatt Gregory runs wild as Sandwich remembers \u2018it\u2019s always good to beat Plano\u2019 \u2013 Shaw Local"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a game where Plano<\/a> made some big plays, Sandwich<\/a>\u2019s senior running back had an even bigger night.<\/p>\n

Wyatt Gregory ran for more than half of the 303 rushing yards that gave the Indians everything they needed to beat the Reapers 27-20 in the 115th edition of one of the state\u2019s most storied high school rivalries.<\/p>\n

Chase Clark was the lead workhorse for Sandwich (2-1, 1-0 Kishwaukee River Conference), rushing 22 times for 108 yards and a touchdown. But Gregory wasn\u2019t far behind.<\/p>\n

After piling up 259 yards and scoring twice last week, he ran 15 times for 165 yards and two touchdowns \u2014 including a 61-yard score on his first carry.<\/p>\n

And he did all that while battling through the hot, humid conditions that forced other schools across the region to postpone or reschedule their games.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to keep coming off the sideline. I was feeling overheated and sick,\u201d said Gregory, who also led the defense with six tackles. \u201cBut no matter what, I wanted to keep going out there for my teammates, and I knew we could beat Plano.\u201d<\/p>\n

Football: Plano at Sandwich Sandwich’s Landon Coleman runs in a touchdown during football game between Plano at Sandwich Friday, September 4th, 2026 in Sandwich. (Gary E Duncan Sr. for Shaw Local)<\/p>\n

Just as Gregory broke things open for the Indians, he also finished them.<\/p>\n

After helping the defense make a fourth down stop with two minutes left, Gregory picked up two first downs to seal Sandwich\u2019s fourth straight win over Plano (0-3, 0-1 KRC).<\/p>\n

As Indians coach Jason VanPelt reflected on the win, he remembered the words of his late mentor, former Sandwich principal Gil Morrison, who passed in 2017.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny time we beat Plano, he\u2019d always say, \u2018it\u2019s good to beat Plano,\u2019 and happy to do that for him … it\u2019s very special for us to do that,\u201d VanPelt said. \u201cVery happy for our guys. It\u2019s a good win for our guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sandwich started the game with a fourth down stop in the red zone, setting up the offense at its own 8-yard line. <\/p>\n

A few plays later, Gregory popped out of the dogpile and sprinted for the first score of the night.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve been talking about me all week, saying I\u2019m not going to do nothing,\u201d Gregory said. \u201cFirst time I get the ball, I just run all the way down the field on them. I was so stoked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Plano answered on the first play of the second quarter with Brenton Gsell\u2019s 58-yard punt return touchdown. The Indians pulled back ahead with junior Landon Coleman\u2019s 6-yard TD run, followed by a missed extra point, to make it 13-7.<\/p>\n

The Reapers had a chance to take the lead right before halftime. Braylon Schmidt connected with Ethan Taxis for a 31-yard gain to set up an 8-yard TD pass to Finley Winter with one second left. <\/p>\n

After connecting with @ethantaxis3<\/a> for a 31-yard gain, Braylon Schmidt links up with Fin Winter for a 8-yard @PlanoReapers<\/a> score right before halftime.<\/p>\n

However, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty leads to a missed XP. It\u2019s a 13-13 tie between Plano and Sandwich at the halfway po pic.twitter.com\/MxMRWpU91p<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Friday Night Drive – Shaw Local (@FNDrive) September 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

But an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty led to a missed extra point, keeping the game knotted at 13.<\/p>\n

Plano finished with 10 penalties for 100 yards, while Sandwich had seven for 74 yards.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe go back and continue to find the mistakes,\u201d Plano coach Kyle Tutt said. \u201cConsistent execution is something we\u2019ve talked about, and it\u2019s not like we\u2019re getting blown out of games. We\u2019re right there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gregory found pay dirt again midway through the third quarter on a 2-yard run, with a failed two-point conversion run making a six-point difference.<\/p>\n

Clark later scored on a 3-yard plunge and QB Cash White called his own number with a two-point play to go up 27-13 with 11:32 left. <\/p>\n

That score only held for 25 seconds though, as Taxis caught a pass from Schmidt and scurried downfield for a 64-yard catch-and-run score.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just didn\u2019t wrap up our tackle,\u201d White said. \u201cWe knew that shouldn\u2019t have happened. We came up big that next defensive series, didn\u2019t let him do that again.\u201d<\/p>\n

White only attempted two passes, completing neither. Schmidt was 5-of-11 passing for 64 yards, two TDs and an interception. Taxis led the game with three catches for 83 yards and a TD.<\/p>\n

After stopping Sandwich late, Plano attempted a game-tying drive. The Reapers picked up just two yards on three plays before White stopped Cooper Beaty in his tracks on fourth down.<\/p>\n

\"Sandwich's<\/p>\n

Football: Plano at Sandwich Sandwich’s Cash White celebrates a tackle for a loss during football game between Plano at Sandwich Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 in Sandwich. (Gary E Duncan Sr. for Shaw Local)<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we did what we wanted,\u201d Tutt said. \u201cWe got in fourth-and-3, we knew we were in four-down territory, and you\u2019ve got to give credit to them making a play on that play.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sandwich ran off the remaining time to seal their 59th win in the series.<\/p>\n

It\u2019ll also be the Indians\u2019 last before departing next year for the Illinois Central Eight Conference, where they\u2019re expected to play a closed nine-game schedule.<\/p>\n

Though the uncertain future of the \u201cWar on 34\u2033 brings mixed emotions, Sandwich will enjoy pressing pause while sitting in the win column.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels relieving,\u201d Gregory said. \u201cIt\u2019s sad that it\u2019s over, but I\u2019m glad that we won, and part of me is happy it\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n