Football: Reapers looking to reverse skid as Plano hosts Homecoming

Any spark will do.

As Plano's football team looks for a way – any way – to reverse the skids on a four-game losing streak, the Reapers play host to a big week in the community.

It's Homecoming, and Plano will welcome Streator on Friday evening.

Reapers' coach Brad Kunz will take the positive energy it could bring.

"That is the hope," Kunz said. "Usually we have been in a situation where it is the other way around, where we are worried about it being a distraction. This year it's more like we need something to get us going in the right direction."

It's indeed been a rough few weeks for Plano (1-5, 0-4), particularly at the offensive end.

The Reapers have not scored a touchdown in nine quarters. In a 28-3 loss at Coal City last Friday, Plano's defense actually hung in there for three quarters.

Coal City's Connor Skubic ran for 233 yards, but it was only 14-3 until the Coalers scored two late fourth-quarter touchdowns.

"Our defense did an awesome job of holding them out," Kunz said. "They had the one guy getting chunks of yardage, but our guys were bending but not breaking."

Keegan Shettles was 11-for-24 for 157 yards, Alex Chavez catching six passes for 121 yards. But the Reapers were justs 2-for-14 on third-down conversions, 2-for-6 on fourth down.

"We had a couple big plays if we turn it the other way," Kunz said. "It feels like it has been that way the whole season. We're one small detail from having a great game."

Kunz is complimentary of his defense, and with good reason.

Jesus Herra had 17 tackles against Coal City, and intercepted a pass. Ivan Garcia made 14 tackles, Uriel Rodriguez 11 and Eric Boutin 10.

"They kept us in the game," Kunz said. "Matt Kee has done an awesome job with our defense. It has been very inexperienced but we're bringing some guys along. Jesus Herra has been awesome for us."

Kunz doesn't know if there is a magic formula to right the ship.

"Every week has its own challenges," he said. "It's just a matter of our guys continuing to get better to how we are doing. To react and retool, let guys get better."

Streator would seem a good tonic to what ails an offense. The Bulldogs (2-4, 1-3) have given up 227 points, worst in the Interstate Eight Conference.

"Streator has had some injuries, and deal with things with their experience," Kunz said. "They have put together a couple really good games. They have the potential to be good."

Last week's loss clinched Plano's first losing season since 2010, the last time the Reapers missed the playoffs. Kunz has plenty of underclassmen he needs to ready to build toward next year, but it won't come at the expense of his seniors.

"There will be some times we will substitute when we wouldn't have," Kunz said, "but I feel like those seniors should have the opportunity to play out the season and not let down. There is a reality, that we need to get guys experience, and they understand that. They are having a good attitude with stuff like that.

"That is the goal these last three games. We want to develop guys, but we want to win and make sure we feel good about some things going into offseason."