Inside the 25: New HC keeps Plano rolling; state or bust for WF Rider

CLASS 5A's #2: Plano
2007 Preseason Ranking/Final Ranking: NR/3
2007 Final Record/Playoff Finish: 13-2/DI state semifinalists
Why They're Ranked: Every time we've talked Plano football of late, we've mentioned their "triplets" -- QB Carson Meger, RB Rex Burkhead, and WR Kris Lott. This three-headed offensive monster deserves every drop of ink (or every byte) it's been given. Meger threw for 3,342 yards last year; Lott reeled in 1,263 of those yards; and Burkhead is one of the few preps deserving of his nickname, Superman, after starting for the third straight year and totaling more than 2,000 yards of offense. But from here on out, let's give credit to the rest of the Wildcats, because as history has proven over and over again, individuals can only do so much. It takes a strong, unified team for lofty group goals to be met. Let's start with the offensive line, where three regulars return. Hanur Kim (6-3, 260) may be that unit's top prospect, but both Jordan Talley and Justin Boyd started all 15 games last year and graded at least 75 percent. Moving across the line, two part-time starters return with Luke Terrell (25 tackles, 19 QB pressures in three starts) and Preston Leahy, while the secondary is set with four players who started at least four games, led by big-hitting all-district FS Laron Kelly (53 tackles, 3 INTs). One key replacement is at the very top; longtime coach Gerald Brence is now AD for PISD athletics. Don't expect a rough transition with Jaydon McCullough taking over. Not only is he a former assistant under Brence, he also donned the maroon and white as a Plano player. And while depth concerns McCullough, he notes this senior class is pretty special, so much so that his debut as a head coach should be a season to remember..audio_b{background:#FEFFEC; border:1px solid #E5E7BF; padding:3px; font-size:10px; font-family:verdana; width:160px; text-align:center; float:right; margin-left:4px;}

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