Plano East Panthers

Head Coach: Tony Benedetto (5th season; 17-24 record)

Last Season: 2-8; 2-6 in district

Returning Lettermen: 21 (5 returning starters on offense; 3 on defense)

Plano East Key Players and Storylines

After back-to-back six-win seasons, Plano East finished just 2-8 a year ago. However, three of those six district losses came by ten points or less, so the Panthers weren’t actually that far off from a playoff berth.

Head coach Anthony Benedetto is encouraged by the players he has back this year, starting with dual threat quarterback Josh Gordon (650 passing yards). The Panthers also return good depth at receiver with reliable senior Cody Warner (183 receiving yards) and fellow senior Kariem Pittman (280 receiving yards and four touchdowns).

Running back Treyce Seldon (870 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns) burst onto the scene last year as a freshman, earning the district’s Newcomer of the Year.

True Freshman…
I’m Just getting started

1100yds 8TDs
District 6-6A Leading Rusher
Leading all 2029 Varsity Rushers in state of Texas.@PlanoEastFB @tonybenedetto19 @coachemupkidd @ckylesanders59 @Dsolis79 @coachdrecortez @MaxPreps @TFloss32 @GPowersScout @PrepRedzoneTX… pic.twitter.com/NqXihOQO2W

— Treyce “BUMP” Seldon (@IAM_BUMP28) October 26, 2025

Plano East did get hit by graduation hard on the offensive line, but there are no such problems on the defensive line with Division I prospect defensive end Javon Rogers (36 tackles, 11 TFLs). Behind him, linebacker Laeli Tamilini (31 tackles) was another key contributor as a freshman last year, while cornerback Jordan Stafford (26 tackles, one INT) is fast with “good coverage skills.”

With several young players having gained experience last year, Benedetto believes this team is poised to take a step forward this year. Their goal is simple: his players want Plano East’s first playoff berth since 2023.

2026 Schedule

*-Denotes District 7-6A contest

August 27 Thursday @ Mesquite Horn at Memorial Stadium — 7:00

September 4 Friday vs. Rock Hill at Kimbrough Stadium — 7:00

September 11 Friday @ South Grand Prairie at Gopher/Warrior — 7:00

*September 18 Friday vs. Lake Highlands at Kimbrough Stadium — 7:00

*September 25 Friday @ Plano West at Clark Stadium — 7:00

*October 9 Friday vs. Richardson at Kimbrough Stadium — 7:00

*October 16 Friday vs. Plano at Kimbrough Stadium — 7:00

*October 23 Friday @ Berkner at Wildcat/Ram Stadium — 7:00

*October 30 Friday vs. Pearce at Kimbrough Stadium — 7:00

*November 5 Thursday @ Coppell at Echols Field — 7:00