All eyes on Plumley as El Reno makes a run
EL RENO — Dorian Plumley had a major setback at the beginning of the football season.
After injuring his ankle in a season-opening overtime victory against Cache, the El Reno senior quarterback wasn't sure if he could play again this fall. The injury was that severe and painful.
His absence was equally painful for El Reno, which was blown out in the next two games without him.
Plumley was back on the field for the Indians' next game, and although he wasn't 100% healthy, he was more motivated than ever.
“Ever since I came back, my goal has just been to put the guys on my back and lead the guys to a state championship,” he said. “I believe we are on the road to doing that right now.”
El Reno has won seven consecutive games since Plumley's return. The Indians are one of the hottest teams in Class 5A, and Plumley has been the driving force behind their success. He led El Reno to a 41- 14 victory against Piedmont last week, the program's first playoff win since 2009.
El Reno has never won a football state title.
Plumley and his teammates are trying to change that, hoping to take the next step Friday night when No. 6 El Reno hosts No. 7 McAlester in the quarterfinals.
But now, they're playing for more than just wanting to make history.
On Monday, El Reno assistant coach Jake Briggs died from a singlecar crash. He was 24.
The Indians will honor Briggs with a “JB” decal on the back of their helmets.
Plumley approaches each game with a lot of focus and fervor. That will be heightened Friday night.
“He is not scared of any situation, anyone,” El Reno coach Chuck Atchison said.
El Reno is simply a better team with Plumley on the field.
The Indians lost by at least 24 points in the two games following his injury.
The first loss was against Piedmont, which beat El Reno 24-21 in the first round of last year's playoffs. Plumley played with a broken hand during that 2019 game.
Plumley was healthy last week against Piedmont and helped El Reno get some revenge.
“He was jacked,” Atchison said. “He was ready to go. All the other kids were, too. They feed off of him, his energy. Sometimes, his biggest problem in my mind is he needs to just relax a little bit because he gets too amped up, tries to do too many things.”
Plumley is a versatile player. Listed at 6-foot2, he's effective with both his arm and legs and also plays defensive back.
He is being recruited at both positions, and after receiving an offer from the University of Central Oklahoma over the summer, the Bronchos are at the top of his list.
He doesn't hold a Division I offer but is doing everything he can to change that.
“I'm personally hoping to win the championship,” he said, “and hopefully that will open some more colleges up,”
Plumley was born and raised in Geary and moved to El Reno as a fifthgrader. He started playing quarterback during his sophomore year and has fallen in love with the position.
He has a unique ethnic heritage. He's half Black and half Native American (Cheyenne and Arapaho).
He takes pride in his ancestry.
“It's been pretty good for me knowing that,” he said. “You're 50-50, so you kind of have a chip on your shoulder.”
Plumley certainly plays that way. His passion for the game has helped him have a great high school career.
He hopes it ends with his team raising the gold ball.
“He's helped me in four years take this program to whole new heights that we haven't been to,” Atchison said. “Definitely couldn't do it without him.”