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Plainview rises to the occasion
By Kelly Bunch
The Weekly Post
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Published September 9, 2009
When the Bears fumbled on the opening play of the game and Columbia covered and scored one play later, Plainview coach Dale Pruitt had to be highly concerned. This was definitely not Plainview High School football, but Pruitt’s concerns could be laid to rest as the Bears scored five unanswered touchdowns before the half in their first win and first game of Class 4A, Region 6 action, en route to a 42-14 win.
Columbia (0-2, 0-1) capitalized quickly when Plainview (1-1, 1-0) fumbled the opening play of the game. On the Eagles' first play of the game after the fumble, quarterback Corey Collier hooked up with Emory Kelly on a 35-yard scoring strike, allowing Columbia to go on top 7-0 with 11:39 left in the first quarter.
The Columbia fans would have little to cheer about the rest of the game as the Bears overcame their early game miscue.
“We played hard, not perfect by any means,” said Pruitt. “I feel like we are going in the right direction now.”
On Plainview’s first scoring drive, running back Jordan Fee scored his first of three touchdown runs on a 16-yard burst, and Brandon Redman added the PAT to tie the game at 7-all with 9:39 left in the first. Fee’s first score was set up by two nice runs by Will Ingle and a 16-yard pass from quarterback Cole Porter to Byar Buchanan.
Fee scored once more in the first quarter on a 1-yard plunge with 6:12 remaining, Redman added the extra point to put the Bears on top 14-7, a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the contest.
The Eagles mounted somewhat of a scoring drive on their next possession, only to be shut down by the Plainview defense on third down when Buchanan charged through and sacked Columbia’s quarterback, forcing the Eagles to punt. On the ensuing punt, Ingle crashed the line and blocked the punt, also covering it, giving the Bears good field position and setting up Fee’s next touchdown on a 5-yard jaunt with 11:55 left in the half. Redman’s PAT was true and the Bears led 21-7.
Plainview’s defense kept the Eagles off balance most of the night. On the Eagles' next possession, the Bears once again forced another punt. Trey Haymon fielded the punt on the 26-yard line and streaked down the right sideline for a 74-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 28-7 after Redman’s PAT kick.
The Bears scored one more time before the half. Porter dashed in on the eleventh play of the drive on an 8-yard run around the right end with 3:03 left; once more Redman toed the PAT, the Bears led 35-7 and that’s the way the half would end.
Columbia received the second-half kickoff, which pretty much started a punting party for the third quarter with both teams swapping punts throughout the third stanza.
The fourth quarter looked like it might be a remake of the third with Columbia forced to turn the ball over on downs and Plainview fumbling on their next possession.
The Eagles were once again able to capitalize on the Bears' mistake after scoring with 8:53 left in the game when Collier connected with Cameron Davis on a 36-yard pass.
On the ensuing onside kick, Plainview began their drive at the 49-yard line and marched down the field in nine plays to post its final touchdown. Russ McFall scored from 7 yards out with 5:04 left on the clock, Redman added the extra point and Plainview led 42-14.
After the kickoff, the Bear defense once again forced a punt and their offense run out the clock.
Plainview will travel to Douglas this week.
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