Clutch DNA: McKinney’s run of responding to adversity has carried over into this season

For most teams, an overwhelming swing of momentum, a touchdown deficit and less than a minute left on the clock would make for a perfect time to panic.

It would be natural, but even instinct can be relative, depending on the subject.

That’s why when McKinney coach Marcus Shavers told his team the reality of their situation Friday — trailing Plano 35-28 with less than a minute left — there was a bar of familiarity and almost an expectation of what the response would be from his team.

“I think that’s kind of been our DNA,” Shavers said, “how we respond to adversity.”

The Lions proved it yet again Friday. After a penalty forced a re-kick, McKinney’s Cameron Rivas took the ensuing kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown. Shavers — knowing his team’s propensity for clutch plays, and knowing how tired his team was — went for the lead. Senior RJ Carver “ran as hard as he’s ran,” Shavers said, to find the end zone and a two-point conversion. An interception on the following drive sealed a 36-35 season-opening win for McKinney.

“We talk a lot about our response to adversity in our program,” Shavers said, “and I think we’ve had a lot of opportunities to practice.”

No kidding. Just look at last season. McKinney needed to win each of its last four games last year to make the postseason. It also needed some help. In every sense of the phrase, McKinney’s season was at a do-or-die level.

Shavers didn’t ignore that reality with his team. He talked about it and challenged them.

“When you get hit with that adversity you can do a couple of different things: you can lay down or you can stand up and continue to fight to improve the situation.”

The message was received a year ago. McKinney won all four of its final regular season games to sneak into the postseason. Then it won its playoff opener.

That mentality seems to have carried over into this season as shown in the Lions' Week 1 win. Being clutch when it mattered most seemed natural, almost like it was in their DNA.

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