Lake Highlands Edges Plano East 21-14 in District Opener on Thibodeaux's 3 TDs

Three times John Cothern looked for Christopher Thibodeaux Jr., and three times it meant points on the board. The Lake Highlands receiver's hat trick of touchdown receptions proved to be the difference as the Wildcats knocked off Plano East 21-14 in a district opener at Plano East.

The Panthers actually drew first blood despite a fumble on the opening snap. Plano East responded with an 11-play, 68-yard drive that chewed up the field methodically, finishing with a 14-yard Treyce Seldon run to put the home team up 7-0.

Lake Highlands answered with a drive of their own — 9 plays, 78 yards — capped by a 31-yard strike from Cothern to Thibodeaux to even the score. Early in the second quarter, the same connection produced a 16-yard touchdown, giving the Wildcats a 14-7 lead. Plano East battled back to tie it, but Thibodeaux caught his third touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to seal the 21-14 victory and hand Lake Highlands an important early district win.