The Colts defeated the Plano East Panthers in their Homecoming game Friday night by a score of 56-21.

The Colts dominated the first quarter starting with an 85-yard touchdown catch and run from senior QB D’Montae Davis to senior RB Kenland McCray. Davis added a 17-yard rushing touchdown with 1:41 remaining in the quarter to give the Colts an early 14-0 advantage.

The second quarter was a back and forth affair. Plano East got on the scoreboard with a 41-yard touchdown pass that came on a 4th down attempt. The Colts responded in kind with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Davis to junior WR Trey Cleveland to make the score 21-7 late in the quarter. The Panthers then finished the scoring in the quarter with a 7-yard touchdown pass, with only 41 seconds remaining.

The long Homecoming halftime seemed to energize the Colts, as they came out red-hot in the second half scoring on every possession in the third quarter.

Davis started Arlington’s first drive with an explosive 37-yard run, capping it off with an 11-yard touchdown pass to sophomore WR Jahari Rodgers. Two minutes later, the defense came up with a big turnover on an interception by senior DB Xzavier Guyton. Guyton finished the game with two interceptions.

“If you win the turnover margin, a lot of times you’re going to win the football game,” head coach Scott Peach said. “We were very opportunistic tonight defensively.”

The turnover gave Arlington the ball at their own 46-yard line, giving the offense a great starting field position. A few plays later, McCray rushed for a 29-yard touchdown, and all of the sudden the Colts had a three touchdown advantage 7:00 into the half.

Immediately following the McCray touchdown, Plano East returned a kickoff for a touchdown, making the score 35-21. This would be the last time the Panthers would score in the game, as the Colt defense stymied the Panther offense the rest of the way.

“The biggest adjustment in the second half was for our defense,” Peach said. “We had some really good play at the cornerback position late. Xzavier Guyton made some awesome plays and we stuffed them in the run game when we needed to.”

Davis continued his domination of the game by rushing for a 26-yard touchdown on the next drive, giving the Colts a 21-point edge. Davis totaled over 250 yards passing and 100 yards rushing, accounting for seven total touchdowns.

“D’Montae Davis is a special football player,” Peach said. “He can run it well, which you saw tonight, and he can throw it well too.”

Senior K Griffin Kell attempted a pooch kick on the ensuing kickoff, leading to an AHS recovery. Of course, the Colt offense took advantage and scored on another 11-yard touchdown pass from Davis to Rodgers with 1:36 remaining in the quarter. The Colts had broken the game wide open.

The Panthers got the ball back absolutely needing a score to stay in the game. They couldn’t get anything going offensively, so they called on the punt team. Arlington blocked the punt and recovered the ball at the Plano East 47-yard line.

Arlington scored three plays later on an unbelievable play by Davis. He dropped back to pass and the ball slipped out of his hands. He then picked the ball up, rolled to his left, and found a wide open Trey Cleveland for a 29-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach with a 56-21 lead.

“He extended a couple plays tonight where he got bottled up,” Peach said of Davis. “Having a kid like that at quarterback who can make plays sometimes when there’s not a play there is going to be great for our football team.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE COLTS:

The Colts will be at home next Friday night to face the 2-1 North Crowley Panthers at 7:30 P.M. at UTA Stadium.

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Gordon Smith

Sophomore WR Jahari Rodgers stiff arms an opponent. Rodgers scored a touchdown in the third quarter.