Scouting Report: Plainview Indians

<em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em> After a slow start to the game, the talented Indians from Plainview went toe to toe with Tuttle for much of the second half. With a tough non-district schedule, the boys from the Texhoma area will be battle tested for the rest of the season. Let’s take a look at a few of their playmakers from this past Friday, and who should be key for them going forward. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Lane Johnson, Senior Offensive Lineman/Defensive Lineman</strong></span> The most consistent player for Plainview on the night was their stout senior lineman Johnson. From the opening drive, it was a regular sight to see 55 knifing into the Tuttle backyard. He racked up tackles for loses, while also routining disrupting plays and putting pressure on the quarterback. Johnson might not be the tallest player, but he’s got a strong build. He often looked like a wrestler, wining at the point of attack and exploding into the backfield by using his leverage. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="38767" first="Caden" last="Pickens"], Senior Running Back/Linebacker</strong></span> Pickens looked like the emotional heart of the Indians, the fiery linebacker and running back was a grinder for them. He fought for the tough yards and first downs which kept the defense honest. His hard-nosed running style opened up some of their bigger plays they were able to have success with on the perimeter. On defense, Pickens was consistently flying around and helping to slow down the powerful Tiger rushing attack. He even recorded a big third quarter tackle for loss that helped derail a very promising Tuttle drive. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Blue Norman, Senior Running Back/Linebacker </strong></span>The senior provided two of the biggest moments of the night. Sadly neither one of them were official in the stat book due to penalties against Plainview. Midway through the second quarter, he broke free and went 75 yards for a touchdown. Unfortunately a holding call completely wiped that one out. Then to start the second half, he took the opening half kick the distanced. In this case, it was a very late block in the block that negated it. Still that explosive return set up Plainview with great position, leading to their first score of the game. On the defensive side of things, Norman helped stop the Tuttle on 4th and Goal on the game’s opening drive. While also recording a tackle for loss early in the fourth quarter. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="38762" first="Reis" last="Taylor"], Senior Quarterback/Athlete</strong></span> The dynamic Taylor had a quiet first half. But he made up for it a memorable third quarter. He put the Indians on the scoreboard in the third quarter with a pinpoint pass while scrambling on 3rd and goal. The next position he was the key man behind their 81 yard scoring drive on the stout Tigers scoring defense. On a crucial third and one, he pulled the ball on a zone read and used his quickness to scamper over 20 yards for a first down. Faced with 3rd and short situation, Taylor did it again this time going the full 33 yards for the score. Better defensive discipline kept Taylor more contained in the final quarter, which is why going forward he’ll also need to make teams pay with his arm. <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="38782" first="Morgan" last="Pearson"], Junior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back</strong></span> The most highly touted Plainview player, had a quiet night as he battled cramps. Still he had a couple splash plays, showing why from an athletic standpoint he’s a valued football and baseball recruit. His one reception was a screen pass that he eluded tacklers and picked up a first down. Then on a fourth quarter kickoff return, he showed good acceleration.