PLAINS – The Plains Horsemen football team hosted their home opener last week against the Whitehall Trojans.

The game was played Friday night Sept. 12, under the lights at Plains High School.

Whitehall carried the contest and defeated Plains by a score of 56-0.

Plains opened the game with a strong offensive drive with Senior quarterback Ethan Stafford delivering a 30-yard strike to junior receiver Trent Brouillette.

Brouillette also performed well on defense snagging and interception from his position at safety to net a turnover.

“They played with a lot of heart to the end. This team has a lot of integrity,” Plains Head Coach Juan Lulack said.

The Horsemen dressed 16 football players for the game, far less than Whitehall who fielded a full squad.

Lulack noted the shorthanded nature of the rosters was a disadvantage going into the contest and was further complicated by a few injuries suffered by the team during the game.

On one play Stafford was hit hard in the backfield and was examined on the sideline.

Though Stafford did not have a concussion his injury, in addition to a couple others forced three freshmen into the lineup.

“I want to make sure Ethan (Stafford) is ok,” Lulack said.

Due to the injuries the team has cancelled next week’s matchup against Mission, a non-conference game, in order to heal up and prepare for a stretch of conference games.

Lulack said the team would put the extra practice time to good use.

“Emphasis wise we have some defensive technique to work on and offensively we need to keep rehearsing,” Lulack said.

The drills in upcoming practices will limit contact to maximize the impact of the time off on healing the team’s players.

Lulack said he would have liked to be able to play the game against Mission next week but it is too risky with all of the team’s injuries.

“We are going to work hard to get these guys healthy,” Lulack said.

The Horsemen’s next came will be their homecoming night against Troy at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26.