Plano East opened its 2026 football season with a 55-21 victory over Mesquite Horn at Mesquite Memorial Stadium. Sophomore Treyce Seldon was the standout performer, rushing for 186 yards and catching passes for 63 more to total 249 yards of offense.
Seldon scored five touchdowns, four of which came in the first half, helping the Panthers build a 41-7 lead by the end of the second quarter.
The Panthers started the game aggressively, scoring on each of their first five possessions. On the second play of the game, senior quarterback Josh Gordon option-pitched to Seldon for a 51-yard touchdown run. Seldon also scored on runs of 63, 24, and 2 yards during the first half.
His cousin, junior Tyson Seldon, added a 15-yard receiving touchdown, contributing 50 yards and a score on three catches.
Head coach Tony Benedetto noted that the team’s ability to generate explosive plays was a key area for improvement this season. He stated that the defense may have become fatigued after the offense scored quickly in one or two plays, leading to a Horn touchdown later in the first half. Despite this, Benedetto expressed excitement about the team’s ball movement and energy.
The Plano East defense also contributed significantly to the early lead. Senior Jordan Stafford intercepted a pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown, extending the Panthers' advantage to 27-0 with 4:13 remaining in the first quarter. Senior Javon Rogers recorded multiple tackles for loss in the backfield.
