PLANO – John Tyler won the yardage battle, Plano won the war.

Behind the running of Brandon Stephens and a pair of interceptions, the Wildcats opened 2015 with a 35-17 victory over the eighth-ranked Lions at John Clark Stadium on Friday.

John Tyler held a 333-280 advantage in total yards but committed three turnovers, including an errant snap on a punt attempt that Plano’s Nic Melson recovered in the end zone for a touchdown for the final score of the game with 10:10 to play.

“(Plano) capitalized on our mistakes, made the best of their opportunities,” JT coach Ricklan Holmes said. “Wasn’t nothing they did spectacular, we put them in position by not making tackles or not being where we need to be and also giving up the ball on interceptions.”

Lions junior Bryson Smith, in his first varsity start at quarterback, completed 10 of 23 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown but had two first-half interceptions to Jacoree Sanders and Aaron Ragas.

While the passing game struggled, Smith was the star for the JT offense with 144 yards on 15 carries, including a 60-yard touchdown.

Stephens, a 1,200-yard rusher last year, took his first touch of the new season 41 yards untouched to the end zone, aided by a block from Garrett Frederick down field. His first reception of the game went 39 yards on a screen and set up his 7-yard score to make it 14-0.

Stephens finished with 100 yards and three scores on 17 carries, carrying in a 4-yard direct snap midway through the third to put Plano up 28-14.

The Lions pulled within 28-17 on a 35-yard field goal from Devan Salazar with 2:34 left in the third, but his miss on a 44-yard attempt with 6:16 remaining, all but ended JT’s shot at a comeback.

After two three-and-outs to start the game, Smith got the Lions going with his long TD run, stepping back to pass before taking off, weaving through the entire defense for the first score of the season.

Bryston Gipson, who burst onto the scene last year with two defensive touchdowns against Plano, again made is presence felt when he blocked a 40-yard field goal attempt by Plano early in the second quarter. John Tyler then marched 64 yards down the field to tie the game at 14 on a 15-yard catch-and-run by Damion Miller.

Plano first-year starting quarterback Matt Keys completed 5 of 11 passes for 106 yards but added an 8-yard scoring run to send the Wildcats into the half up 21-14.

The Lions now have an extra day to prepare for Longview, which comes to down for a Saturday game at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.

“I’ve seen that they know how to battle, fight,” Holmes said. “Still, made too many mistakes, missed opportunities. But it’s the first game. We’re going to learn from it and we’re going to move forward. We’re going to get ready for Longview.”

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Non-District

Plano 35, No. 8 John Tyler 17

At John Clark Stadium

John Tyler 7 7 3 0 – 17

Plano 14 7 7 7 – 35

First Quarter

PLA-Brandon Stephens 41 run (Blake Mazza), 9:32.

PLA-Stephens 7 run (Mazza), 5:53.

JT-Bryson Smith 60 run (Devan Salazar kick), 4:21.

Second Quarter

JT-Damion Miller 15 pass from Smith (Salazar kick), 6:55.

PLA-Matt Keys 8 run (Mazza kick), 3:06.

Third Quarter

PLA-Stephens 4 run (Mazza kick), 5:47.

JT-Salazar 35 FG, 2:34.

Fourth Quarter

PLA-Nic Melson fumble recovery in end zone (Mazza kick), 10:10.

JT PLA

First Downs 18 16

Rushes-Yards 41-213 37-174

Passing Yards 120 106

Comp.-Att.-Int. 10-23-2 5-11-0

Punts-Avg. 3-27.7 4-37.3

Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-1

Penalties-Yards 8-57 9-85

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-John Tyler, Bryson Smith 15-144, Dejuan Beal 10-36, Martrevious Allison 16-33. Plano, Brandon Stephens 17-100, Lopaka Yoro 9-49, Matt Keys 7-34, Sean Ferdinand 3-(-7).

PASSING-John Tyler, Smith 10-23-2-120. Plano, Keys 5-11-0-106.

RECEIVING-John Tyler, Duntayviun Gross 5-46, Damion Miller 2-39, James Allen 2-12, Martrevious Allison 1-23. Plano, Tarence Raymond 3-54, Stephens 1-39, Ryan McConnell 1-13.