Plano East senior wide receiver Braeden Quatch (5) runs past a Euless Trinity defender for a touchdown at Pennington Field on Friday. Photo by Andy Redmond / C&S Media
By David Wolman
BEDFORD — Plano East had Euless Trinity on its heels in the first half of Friday’s Class 6A Division I bi-district playoff game.
But after taking a 17-14 lead into halftime, the Panthers spent much of the second half watching from the sideline as Trinity’s rushing attack took control.
The Trojans piled up 330 rushing yards after halftime and put together two touchdown drives lasting at least six minutes to rally for a 35-24 victory at Pennington Field.
Trinity didn’t attempt a pass in the second half, using its physical offensive line and four running backs to wear down the Panthers.
Plano East scored on its first three possessions to build a 17-7 lead against a Trinity defense that entered the game allowing just 14.6 points per contest.
Senior kicker Logan Watkins opened the scoring with a 32-yard field goal.
After forcing a Trinity punt, the Panthers struck again.
Senior quarterback Josh Gordon connected with senior wide receiver Braeden Quach on a 43-yard touchdown pass. Quach made the catch in tight coverage, broke away from a defender and outran the secondary to give Plano East a 10-0 lead with 4:20 remaining in the first quarter.
The Panthers’ defense also made an early impact, limiting Trinity to 120 total yards in the first half.
Trent Turner accounted for 32 of those yards on a touchdown run with 11:05 remaining in the second quarter, cutting Plano East’s lead to 10-7.
The Panthers answered with another sustained drive.
Sophomore running back Treyce Seldon capped a 10-play possession that consumed five minutes with a 2-yard touchdown run, extending Plano East’s lead to 17-7 with 5:58 left before halftime.
But Trinity responded immediately on special teams.
Senior Chayce Davis returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, pulling the Trojans within 17-14 and shifting momentum before the break.
Just over a minute into the second half, Kohen Fiefia broke free for an 87-yard touchdown run to give the Trojans their first lead at 21-17.
Barber then capped a seven-minute possession with a 1-yard touchdown run, pushing Trinity’s advantage to 28-17.
Plano East responded on the final play of the third quarter when Seldon broke loose for a 51-yard touchdown run.
The score cut the deficit to 28-24 and gave the Panthers hope entering the fourth quarter.
Gordon completed 15 of 28 passes for 167 yards and added 35 rushing yards on four carries in his first playoff appearance.
Seldon rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. He also had another touchdown run erased by a penalty.
But Trinity’s ground game again kept Plano East’s offense off the field.
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