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A Plano West Thanksgiving: Playoff win means Wolves stay together for the holidays
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
Amidst the excitement of the Plano West football team's first playoff victory in eight years, there was one comment from Wolves head coach Mike Hughes that drew more cheers than any other during the post game.
"Looks like we're spending Thanksgiving together," he said to a thunderous response.
After practicing Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, West's walk through was scheduled for Thanksgiving.
His players validated that opinion ... almost verbatim.
"Families spend the holidays together," said Soso Jamabo, West sophomore running back, "and that's what we're going to do."
"We get to spend Thanksgiving together," added Travis Korry, West senior quarterback, "and there isn't anyone I would rather spend it with than this group of guys. Usually we are watching other teams during the holidays, but now we're playing."
The Wolves will be playing a familiar foe.
In just its second area game ever (7:30 p.m. Friday at Eagle Stadium in Allen), West draws a South Garland team it beat, 31-21, in Week 2.
Don't expect the Wolves to be overconfident though as they lost to Lake Highlands in Week 1 and reversed that trend Friday with a 42-35 win.
"Exactly," Hughes said. "When you beat a team once, it is harder to beat them that second time. We can't get complacent because of that first game; we have to keep grinding because they are playing better right now and we are too."
The parallels between Lake Highlands, West and South Garland go even further.
West was without its starting quarterback in the regular season loss before getting Korry back and winning in the playoffs. South Garland was without its starting quarterback and had to turn to Isaiah Harris in the regular season loss to the Wolves, but will have Trey Porter back for Friday's playoff game.
"Lake Highlands is a good example of why we can't get cocky," Jamabo said, "because this could turn on us too."
"You can't take these rematches for granted," Korry added.
And West can't take Marquel McNac for granted.
"South Garland's tailback (McNac) is phenomenal," Hughes said. "So obviously we're going to need to stop the run."
McNac is second in the Metroplex this season with 1,725 yards rushing. He also has 21 touchdowns on the ground, the latest of which came with 1:05 remaining Friday against Rockwall-Heath and gave South Garland a 31-27 playoff victory.
McNac was largely kept in check during the first meeting with West senior linebacker Jake Wodka frequently there for a tackle to prevent McNac from getting to the next level. The Colonels' running back broke a 46-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to finish with 137 yards on 25 carries. West also got a good push up front in the first game with seniors Davis Roeschke, Rel Cooper, juniors Parker Dunn and Lance Cottrell registering sacks. Though the quarterbacks have changed, getting pressure on Porter (another running threat) remains a focus.
As does controlling the line of scrimmage on offense.
Hughes, Jamabo and Korry all heaped praise on the offensive line, which recently moved senior Stephan Randall back into the fold and paved the way for West's 374 rushing yards Friday.
The improved play on the line is indicative of the team as a whole.
"We are peaking at the right time," Jamabo said.
"We've won four in a row, so our team chemistry and confidence is really high right now and we feel like we are playing our best football," Hughes added. "But you have to stay grounded too; you can't talk about all that and feel too good about yourself or else this could all come to an end quickly.
"And we don't want this thing to end."
West has never advanced to the third round of the playoffs.
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