Coppell wasted little time setting a tone at Buddy Echols Field, but it was the defense that carried the night. The Cowboys smothered Plano’s run game, kept everything in front on the perimeter, and walked away with a 38–0 bi-district win. Plano finished with 112 total yards and never reached the red zone.
Early miscues kept Coppell from pulling away sooner, yet the Cowboys still built a 17–0 halftime lead. Quarterback Carter Zingelmann steered long, methodical drives, then flipped the script after the break with explosive plays. His 47-yard strike to Crew Davis midway through the third quarter turned a comfortable lead into a decisive one.
Plano’s best chance came to open the second half when a heavy package finally pushed the Wildcats past midfield. On fourth down just outside the red zone, senior lineman Eduvie Nesiama knifed through for a sack of CJ Smith, ending the threat. It was one of four sacks as Coppell’s front rotated fresh bodies and won first down all night.
From there, Coppell’s offense found its rhythm and never looked back, scoring on every second-half series. Zingelmann finished 15 of 20 for 255 yards and three touchdowns, distributing to eight receivers, with Davis posting 74 yards. On the ground, Jayden George powered for 82 yards and a score, while Zingelmann and Dylan McAfee combined for 107 more.
The Cowboys booked a spot in the area round, where Richardson awaits next week at a site to be announced. Plano closes the season having battled to the end against a unit that matched speed with discipline and made the field feel very small.
Photos by Das Mitchell
