FLOWER MOUND — Plano East’s formula for an offensive explosion in its 38-17 win over Flower Mound Marcus on Friday was as simple as TNT: Turnovers ’n’ Taylor.
The Plano East defense recorded a safety and recovered four fumbles, including three in the second quarter. Sophomore quarterback Taylor McGehee, coming in for the injured Mario Smalls, converted on two of them with touchdown runs of 32 and 25 yards to take the Plano East into the half leading 24-7.
“Those turnovers in the first half were huge in getting us some more points on the board, because they never go away,” Plano East coach Johnny Ringo said. “There’s times when we’re bending and times maybe when we’re breaking but I’ll tell you, they’ve done a great job.”
Smalls, who had thrown every pass in East’s first three games, suffered a high ankle sprain late in the first quarter. Senior Justin Wheeler replaced Smalls during East’s first series in the second quarter but fumbled after a rush on the 15-yard line. McGehee took over the next series. The second play he took off up the middle and broke a tackle at the 2-yard line to put Plano East up 16-7.
McGehee would come back in two possessions later and score on the series’ first play.
“When I get the ball, I just feel something, just get down the field,” McGehee said. “I had great blocking from my receivers, breaking tackles, that’s just repetition.”
McGehee threw just one pass (completed for minus-4 yards) but finished with seven rushes for 84 yards.
Heavily limping, Smalls played for most of the second half, finishing 18-of-25 for 248 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll have three weeks to recover, as Plano East doesn’t play again until Oct. 12 against Allen.