PLANO – Last night’s game was all but settled in the third quarter when Coppell scored 21 unanswered points and held a 35-13 lead over Plano but one thing stood between them and its first district win: turnovers. 

Despite putting up five touchdowns in the first and third quarters, the Cowboys turned over the ball six times to the Wildcats. Four interceptions from Coppell senior quarterback Ryan Walker, a botched punt return by Coppell senior wide receiver KJ Liggins and a muffed punt by Coppell senior kicker Tyler Reid gave Plano the offensive confidence to claw itself out of the hole, only falling two points short of a potentially-remarkable comeback. 

The Plano comeback fell short as Coppell held on to a 35-33 victory in the District 6-6-A opener at John Clark Field on Friday night. 

Going into this game, there was only ever going to be one heavy matchup that would be the highlight: Walker’s passing game vs. Plano’s pass defense, both highly ranked in the area.

Walker’s offense put up 10 touchdowns and zero turnovers in it’s last three games but was different. For the first time since last season, Walker threw an interpretation early in the first quarter, and followed it up by throwing three more throughout the game. Still, the Cowboys (3-1 overall, 1-0 in district) turned to him to conduct their offense.

“I wasn’t even thinking about that first pick,” Coppell offensive coordinator Jay Jones said. “I trust him with what we got, he knows the offense and he does a great job with it. I am not going to change what we do [offensively] because of one play.” 

Walker persisted in his offensive role and did redeem himself however, rushing for a touchdown and throwing a touchdown pass to each of the Coppell junior wide receivers Anthony Black and Dylan Nelson as well as Coppell senior wide receivers Liggins and Gavin Osteen. 

“[Walker] is a warrior,” Coppell coach Michael Dewitt said. “Just because he threw an interception doesn’t mean that he’s a bad quarterback. He is a dang-good quarterback, he’s a leader on our team, and he’s a warrior. Sometimes things don’t go your way and you might throw an interception but so be it, I am proud of him for getting back up and getting back out there to lead the team and competing.”  

Coppell’s defense also played a major role in limiting the amount of open chances that Plano (0-3, 0-1) was able to execute. With Coppell senior defensive back Will Kraus and Liggins both picking off Plano senior quarterback Oliver Towns in the third and fourth down respectively, and multiple drive stifling defensive efforts, the Cowboys were able to disrupt any substantial Wildcat offensive rhythm long enough to where they would win the game.

The six turnovers will be a cause for concern going forward. By the end of last night’s game, the Cowboys were clinging on to the game defensively, barely managing to make it out after two of the Wildcat onside kick attempts failed. While Plano’s offense did put up 33 points, not nearly as potent as that of Plano West, next week’s homecoming matchup.

“The little things got us [this game and going forward] we’ll need to focus on the little things,” Jones said. “To be breast and to win ball games, you got to do the little things right and we just got lucky tonight that we did enough to come away with a win.”

Next Friday, Coppell will take on Plano West for their homecoming game at Buddy Echols Field at 7:30 p.m.

“Next week is going to be a lot different,” Walker said. “We are going to start early and try to keep our foot on the gas, play every play like it’s our last because that is not what we did tonight.”

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