Arlington, Tx – For years coaches have preached the importance of defense; the old cliché’. Offense win games, but defense win championships.

The Coppell Cowboys (10-1) shutout the Plano East Panthers 14-0 on Saturday afternoon at Cowboy Stadium in the first of four area round playoff games.

With the victory, Coppell will face Arlington (10-2) in the regional I semifinals on Saturday at Birdville ISD Stadium at 1:00 pm.

“Our kids bowed up and made a big play to keep them out,” Cowboys coach Joe McBride explained.

Coppell’s offense and defense have been ranked among the top ten in Class 5A all season.

With defense headlining the day, Coppell held Plano East to seven first downs and 163 total yards

“You just don’t go far in Texas state playoffs, and it just gets harder and harder, and it’s tough,” McBride mentioned. “The athletes they have over there are well-coached. You got to seize the moment, or you won’t be here tomorrow,”

The Cowboys forced two turnovers with its bend but don’t break defense. Coppell’s linebacker Teddy Johnson picked off backup quarterback Brandon Wesley’s pass after the ball deflected off a primary receiver hands to foil the Panthers drive at the 44-yard line.

The Panthers (7-4) were on the move once again when Cowboys’ David Busby intercepted Wesley at the two-yard line with 42 seconds before halftime. The halted possession wiped out a beautiful 25-yard catch by Gabe Carter with a defender all over him at the Cowboys 41.

Wesley started in the absence of quarterback Ryan Foster, who suffered an ankle injury in last weekend’s bi-district contest against Irvin MacArthur.

“I was proud of their effort today and all season long,” says Plano East coach Johhny Ringo. “We played really well defensively. We just couldn’t get on track offensively.”

Coppell’s quarterback Hayden Hawk’s ten-yard touchdown run sent the Cowboys to halftime with a 7-0 lead.

Hawk finished the day, attempting 20-of-29 with 197 passing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns. Receiver Jeff Johnson caught six passes for 110 yards.

“Our kids got a little dejected because we’re so used to lighting up the scoreboard a few times this year, they got down,” said Coach McBride. “This is the third round of the playoffs. You’re not going to get a gimmie. “People are going to fight you tooth and nail for everything you got.”

Linebackers Teddy Johnson and Josh Montgomery led Coppell’s defense, which frustrated Plano East offense most of the day.

Hawk extended the deficit after he scored on a seven-yard keeper to capped a 66-yard drive, making the score, 14-0.

Plano East’s last desperate attempt to avoid the shutout failed at the Cowboy’s one-yard line when the defense got penetration through the interior line, forcing Wesley to throw an illegal pass.

After, Coppell ran out the clock to end the game.

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