Allen tallies over 500 yards of offense in win over upset-minded Plano

Allen survived a scare for the second consecutive week as the Eagles used a 21-point second-quarter scoring barrage to defeat upset-minded Plano 49-14 at Eagle Stadium on Thursday night.

The game, which was moved up one day due to weather concerns, started after a 1-hour, 47-minute delay for lightning.

On a night in which Allen (4-0 overall, 1-0 District 9-6A) amassed 513 yards of total offense, junior running back Celdon Manning jump-started the big night for the Eagles with a 47-yard touchdown run on the third play of his team’s first drive, for a 7-0 Allen lead. He finished with 99 yards on just four carries.

Allen coach Terry Gambill announced earlier this week that senior transfer Andrew Henry will undergo surgery to repair a knee injury, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season.

Plano senior running back Kyron Cumby, who came in averaging 13.8 rushing yards per carry, accounted for 94 yards, including a four-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter in which he lined up in the wildcat formation, tying the score at 7-all.

The rest of the Wildcats (1-3, 0-1) amassed just 128 yards of offense.

Allen responded with 28 consecutive points that included touchdown passes of 11 yards, 12 and 52 from senior quarterback Grant Tisdale as the number one team in the state assumed control.

Tisdale passed for 204 yards before being replaced in the third quarter.

Allen increased its regular-season winning streak to 59 consecutive games with the victory.

Play of the game: Allen answered Plano’s only score of the first half with 21 second-quarter points that included a 12-yard touchdown pass from Tisdale to Bryson Green with 23 seconds left in the first half for a 28-7 lead.

Offensive player of the game: Manning got off a few big runs that brought Allen’s offense to life after a Plano played the defending state champions tough in the early-going.

Defensive player of the game: Allen defensive back Devyn Butler intercepted a pass in the opening minute of the third quarter – the second giveaway thrown in as many plays – that led to a 52-yard touchdown pass from Tisdale to Theo Wease on the very next play.

Unsung hero of the game: Allen’s front seven bottled up Plano’s vaunted rushing attack to the tune of 32 rushing yards on 32 carries, an average of one yard per carry.

What’s next? Plano will look to bounce back at home against rival Plano West, Friday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m. Allen travels to McKinney, Friday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.

This story was originally published September 20, 2018 at 10:58 PM.