Texas high school football is more than just a game — it’s a way of life. Dave Campbell's Texas Football is spotlighting a different program from across the Lone Star State, diving into their history, traditions, and legends. From powerhouse programs to hidden gems, Texas High School Football Spotlight is your deep dive into what makes each team unique. Whether it’s unforgettable seasons, iconic players, or fierce rivalries, this series celebrates the schools, communities, and stories that define Texas high school football.

Today’s Spotlight: Plano Wildcats

The Rundown

Allow me to take you back to a time before Dallas-Fort Worth became one of the 10 largest metropolitan areas in the nation. Before that growth shot suburban populations like Plano’s up 72.5 percent in the 1990s alone. There was a time when the Plano Wildcats were the type of small-town superpower TV shows are made about. There was a group of men, most without high school-aged kids, known as ‘The Committee’ that used to sit in the back room of the End Zone bar and discuss the team. Seriously!

Plano’s dynasty may not have withstood the rapid growth. The program’s last state championship was in 1994, and the last 10-win season was 2008. But nothing can take away Plano’s place in Texas high school football history. The Wildcats rank second all-time in games played (1,246) and ninth all-time in wins (790). 

Let’s take a trip down memory lane – and get insight on how the Wildcats are building back after finishing with a winning record for the first time since 2017.

By the Numbers

Class – 6A
Enrollment – 2,258 in grades 9-12 (Plano is a Senior High School)
Location – Collin County, 20 miles north of Dallas

Trophy Case

State Championships – 7 (1965, 1967, 1971, 1977, 1986, 1987, 1994)
State Championship Appearances – 9 (1965, 1967, 1971, 1977, 1978, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994)
District Championships – 35 (most recent: 2005)
Playoff Appearances – 52 (most recent: 2025)

Glory Days

Let me take you behind the curtain of this production. Whenever I’m picking the greatest team in a program’s history, I always reference the UIL’s 100 Years, 100 Teams list. Normally, that list heavily influences my selection. But for a program as historic as Plano, it can only narrow the field. Both the 1977 and 1987 Plano Wildcats are listed. 

I’m giving the nod to the 1987 squad as the best team in program history. Of Plano’s seven state championship teams, 1987 was the only time the Wildcats went undefeated as well. The 28-21 victory over Houston Stratford was the program’s 28th consecutive win. At the conclusion of the season, National Sports News Service ranked Plano the No. 1 team in the country and named Tom Kimbrough the National Coach of the Year. Plano mauled teams with an offensive line that averaged 246 pounds, massive for 1980s standards.  

The GOAT

Billy Ray Smith Jr.’s two-year run in 1977 and 1978 still qualifies him as the best player in program history. A standout offensive guard and defensive tackle, Smith led Plano to back-to-back state championship appearances. He was named All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year as a senior before following in his late father’s footsteps by playing college football for Arkansas. 

Smith was just as dominant in college football, a two-time All-American and the 1982 Knute Rockne Trophy winner, as the nation’s most outstanding defensive player. Smith holds the Razorback record with 63 career tackles for loss. He was inducted into the TXHSFB Hall of Fame in 1989 and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. 

Smith was the fifth overall selection in the 1983 NFL Draft and played 10 seasons for the San Diego Chargers. He was a Second Team All-AFC in 1986 and 1987, and a Second Team All-Pro in 1989.

The Architect

This is a grueling decision when there are two stadiums in the city named after legendary Plano coaches – John Clark and Tom Kimbrough. But considering John Clark’s TXHSFB Hall of Fame bio reads, ‘Clark was the architect of a football dynasty in Plano,’ I’d be a fool not to pick him as ‘The Architect.’ 

As Plano’s head coach from 1966-75, Clark’s teams went 107-17. In those 10 years, the Wildcats won the district title nine times and earned two state crowns. He then moved into an athletic director role for 17 seasons, overseeing the program and mentoring Kimbrough as the latter extended the dynasty. 

Kimbrough finished his career with a 171-28-7 record and may have coached for longer, but even he would pick Clark as the man who started the dynasty.

“John Clark was very inspirational and was my role model,” Kimbrough said. “Any success I’ve had, I share with him, because he taught me everything I know. He was so instrumental in whatever success I’ve had over the years.”

Battle Lines

From 1970 to 1980, Plano’s population exploded from just under 18,000 to over 72,300. The school district opened Plano East in 1981 to accommodate growth. In doing so, it split up four-time state champion Plano’s student body – and ignited one of the fiercest rivalries in Texas.

“If you beat Plano East, you can argue you had a successful year at Plano Senior High,” Plano athlete Blake McJunkin said in a documentary about the rivalry. 

In that case, the Wildcats have had a successful year in four of the past five seasons. They’ve dominated the recent series against the crosstown rival.

Home Turf

Plano and Plano West play home games at John Clark Stadium. The stadium opened in 1977, two years after its legendary namesake moved from head coach to athletic director. The Wildcats won a state championship that year as a housewarming present. Plano ISD approved a February 2026 bond that will lay down new field turf.

The Year That Was

Plano went 6-4 in a grueling District 6-6A, the program’s first winning season since 2017. The Wildcats relied on a ground-and-pound attack with First Team All-District center Connor Washington paving the way for 1,100-yard running back Chance Culley. The defensive line was stout with all-district performers Paris Walker at nose tackle and Daniel Olusola coming off the edge.

Looking Ahead

In three years at the helm, Coach Cody White has improved Plano from 2-8 to 5-5 to 6-4. Could the Wildcats be in for another leap in 2026? There’s intriguing depth at the skill positions, specifically cornerback with returning all-district selection Nuri Simms (6-foot-2, 175 pounds) and Reggie Berry. The Wildcats are also excited about their linebacker corps with Stephen Brown and Nolan Chapel on the outside.

Xs and Os

Offense – Spread
Defense – 4-2-5

On the Rise

Brothers Kaedyn and Kameryn Brown are two dynamic offensive weapons on the Wildcats’ offense. Kaedyn had 26 catches for 326 yards and five touchdowns from his receiver spot as a sophomore, but fans should expect him to line up in the backfield as well this year. That’s where running back Kameryn found his home as a sophomore, rushing for 464 physical yards between the tackles. He can also catch it well out of the backfield. The pair has excellent chemistry with fellow junior QB CJ Smith, who showed a lot of promise and mobility in extended action last year. 

In Their Own Words

“The deep, rich history of success, coupled with the community support, makes Plano a special place to coach,” Cody White