Not many outside the Plano East program expected the team to challenge for a spot near the top of the District 9-6A standings entering the 2018 season. While the Panthers returned 14 starters, the team was just 3-7 last season with its seven losses coming by an average margin of more than 18 points. 

But coach Joey McCullough knew this season had the potential to be a breakthrough year for Plano East. McCullough, who is entering his fifth season with the program, saw the way his team responded to the adversity it faced last season and knew there was too much talent on the roster for the Panthers not to take a dramatic step forward this year. 

Plano East, on the shoulders of an explosive offense and a shutdown defense, has translated that talent into a 5-0 start for the first time since 2007.