Plano East Panthers – 190-109-4 overall / 16-16-1 in playoff games

2008 Record: 1-9 (1-5 in 8-5A)

Head Coach: Johnny Ringo (75-54-2 record overall as a head coach / 28-28 in Sixth season at Plano East)

Interview with Plano East Senior High Head Football Coach Johnny Ringo:

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Lettermen Returning: 21 / Letterman Lost: 35
Starters Returning: 6 on Offense, 5 on Defense

Key Losses: Chase Howland (Texas State), Toben Opurum (Kansas), Josh Peprah (Wisconsin)

Players to Watch: DL Jake Brendel (Jr., 6’5, 240), SS Nyalls Carlton (Sr., 6′3, 170), WR Ryan Garrey (Jr., 5’10, 170), CB Dayvyon Henry (Sr., 6′4, 180), G Jack Ivers (Sr., 5′10, 220), FS Lyndell Johnson (Jr., 6’4, 190), RB Brandon Lewis (Sr., 5′11, 180), RB D’Lyle Washington (Sr., 5′10, 180), QB Brandon Wesley (Sr., 6′3, 170), WR Denzelle White (Sr., 6′3, 190)

CSR Outlook from Ryan Mueller: Although fans on the East side of Plano may view the Panthers’ 2008 one-win season a disappointment, Head Coach Johnny Ringo considers it a year to grow on. Plano East’s one triumph over the Boyd Broncos at Poe Stadium late last season was more than a moral victory, it was a mere foreshadowing of the explosive team expected to take the field in 2009. Although losing premier athletes like RB Toben Opurum (University of Kansas) and LB Josh Peprah (University of Wisconsin) will be difficult, excitement surrounds the new starters on the varsity squad. The PESH offense replaces Opurum with another barreling bruiser in senior RB Brandon Lewis, who saw limited action last fall. Lewis’ size and strength will be spelled by the incredible speed and cut-back ability of three-year varsity running back D‘Lyle Washington. Familiar faces return at quarterback as senior Brandon Wesley will build off a solid season in which he seemed to improve every single week. In 2008, Wesley’s completion percentage jumped from 49% through the first four games of the season to 65% by the end of the year. With Senior QB Ryan Foster’s quick feet stepping in every third offensive series of each half, a dynamic change of pace will keep opposing defenses on their toes. Speaking of defense, Plano East will have junior Jake Brendle and second team all-district senior Darius Hood back on the interior of the defensive line. Both Brendle and Hood will have a terrific supporting cast behind them, especially with safeties Nyalls Carlton and Lyndell Johnson patrolling the PESH secondary. Coach Ringo can also be pleased with the return of senior cornerbacks Alex Harris and Davvyon Henry as both will provide quickness and superior athletic ability necessary to cover 8-5A’s talented receivers. With 11 Plano East starters having already battled through a tough non-district schedule against teams like Abilene, Colleyville Heritage and Skyline in 2008, the Panthers are expected to be ahead of the game by the time Plano/PESH takes center stage in late September. Do not be surprised when the Panthers make a lot of noise on the East side of Plano this fall.