Junior running back Viron Ellison looks to continue his reign of terror against opposing defenses as the varsity football team prepares to head to Plano West (1-4, 0-2 district). The team comes off of its most dominant victory of the season over Coppell, and looks to carry the momentum forward onto their matchup with the Wolves on Oct. 7.

The team (4-1) has taken center stage next to Marcus and Plano as District 6-6A’s undefeated district teams, all 2-0 in district games. 

Last week, the varsity football team breezed past Coppell, scoring on all but one of its offensive drives. All five touchdowns were rushing touchdowns, and the defense held the Cowboys to nothing but a field goal in the third quarter, good for a final score of 38-3.

The team’s offensive line, averaging above 300 pounds, paved the way for four Farmers to get into the scoring festivities through the rushing game. One of them was backup running back Xavier Lewis, who broke loose in the final minutes of the game for a 61-yard rushing touchdown. He totaled 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries. The leading rusher was Ellison, who carried the football 22 times for 185 yards and a touchdown. 

“Man, they make us look good,” senior center Scotty Parker II said. “When we make the hole open, they just get up there, and when they break free, they’re gone.”

Another player to watch is junior quarterback Ethan Terrell, who has eight touchdowns; four passing and four rushing. His rushing numbers have stayed fairly consistent throughout the season, and he’s completing 60% of his passes. 

Last week against Coppell however, Terell only attempted eight passes, completing four of them for 40 yards. He was also intercepted by junior cornerback Braxton Myers on a broken play during the second quarter. It didn’t hinder the offense’s success, but is still a notable difference when looking at Terrell’s season totals.

The team also found success on special teams with senior linebacker Garcia Johnson and senior kicker/punter Freddy Joya. Joya made a 46-yard field goal with ease to put the team up 17-0 at halftime against Coppell. Johnson, meanwhile, has 20 total tackles and four tackles for loss this season. The linebacker has found success all over the defense, shifting positions from time to time to make plays all over the field.

“I’ve always been a hybrid [player],” Johnson said. “[Coaches] let me play loose and play free. On special teams it’s the same mentality.”

A look at Plano West reveals a similar offense; senior quarterback Vance Feuerbacher can be efficient as a rusher, and senior running back Dermot White is a strong option out of the backfield. In a 46-35 loss to Coppell, Feuerbacher rushed for 205 yards on 22 carries. His athleticism gives the Wolves chunk plays and great field position when he can find the open space.

The Wolves’ defense has struggled throughout the season, having allowed 38 points per game through two district games. Senior defensive tackle Reed Olmstead and senior linebacker Johnnie Ingram provide some leadership on defense, with the latter totaling 71 tackles in 2021; both started all 10 games a season ago. 

“They [are going] to blitz a lot,” Parker II said. “They’re really gonna have to stop the run.”

Despite both teams’ records this season, players and coaches alike are staying locked in and preparing to take on an opposing crowd.

“[Head] Coach [Michael] Odle tells us every year that it’s hard to win in Plano,” Johnson said regarding the atmosphere in an away crowd. “It’s just a nasty game [and] an ugly environment … but we’ve got to stay locked in.”