Texas high school football is basically a religion, and if the sport has a cathedral, it’s probably located somewhere in Plano. People talk about the "good old days" of the 1970s and 80s like they happened yesterday. It's wild. You walk into John Clark Stadium and you can almost feel the weight of those seven state championships pressing down on the turf.
But things are different now.
The landscape of Plano Senior High football isn't just about dusty trophies anymore; it’s about a program trying to find its footing in an era where the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has exploded with massive new schools and stiff competition. To understand where the Wildcats are going, you have to actually look at where they’ve been—and why the maroon and white still command respect despite the changing tides of 6A ball.
The Dynasty That Built Plano Senior High Football
Let's be honest: the 1970s belonged to Plano.
Under the legendary coaching of guys like Tom Kimbrough, Plano Senior High wasn't just a team; it was a machine. They won state titles in 1971 and 1977, and then just kept rolling through the 80s. When you look at the 1987 team, you’re looking at what many historians call one of the greatest high school squads ever assembled in Texas. They finished 16-0. They didn't just beat people; they dismantled them.
That 1987 championship against Houston Stratford is still a major talking point at local diners. It wasn't just about the win. It was about the culture. Back then, Plano was the "big" school before the district split into Plano East and Plano West. Every athlete in the city wanted to be a Wildcat. That kind of centralized talent is rare now because of how much the city has grown and divided its talent pool.
The Impact of John Clark
You can't talk about this program without mentioning John Clark. He wasn't just a coach; he was the architect. He led the team to the 1965 2A title and the 1967 3A title before becoming the athletic director. The stadium bears his name for a reason. He set a standard of discipline and physical football that became the "Plano Way."
It was "three yards and a cloud of dust" but with a psychological edge. Teams would show up to play Plano and feel like they’d already lost because of the name on the jersey. That’s a powerful thing for a teenager to carry.
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The Modern Struggle: 6A Realities and Redistricting
Things got complicated.
As Plano grew, the "one-school town" vibe vanished. The opening of Plano East and later Plano West meant that the elite talent was suddenly split three ways. For the Plano Senior High football program, this was a massive shift. You went from having 5,000 students to choose from to sharing the zip codes.
Lately, the Wildcats have had to scrap for every inch in District 6-6A. It’s a gauntlet. You’re playing against powerhouses like Prosper, Allen, and McKinney. These are programs with brand-new facilities and massive booster clubs.
Recent Performance and Coaching Shifts
The last few seasons have been a bit of a roller coaster. There have been flashes of that old brilliance—tough, defensive-minded games that remind you of the Kimbrough era—but consistency has been the ghost they’re chasing.
When Cody Moore took over as head coach a few years back, the energy shifted. He brought a sense of "respect the past, but own the future." It’s a tough needle to thread. You want the kids to be proud of the seven stars on the helmet, but you don't want them paralyzed by the expectation of 1987.
The 2023 and 2024 seasons showed grit. Even when the win-loss column didn't look like a championship season, the Wildcats remained "the toughest out" in the district. They play a brand of football that’s physical. They might not always have the five-star recruits that Allen has, but they will absolutely hit you. Hard.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Program
People think Plano is "down."
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That’s a lazy take.
Is the program winning a state title every five years? No. But the 6A level in North Texas is arguably the most difficult high school football environment in the entire country. If you took the current Plano Senior High team and put them in almost any other state, they’d be a perennial Top 10 powerhouse.
The "decline" people talk about is really just a democratization of talent in the suburbs. The playing field leveled out.
- Myth: The tradition is dead.
- Reality: The tradition is evolving. The school still produces college-level talent every single year.
- Fact Check: Plano Senior High still holds one of the highest all-time win percentages in the state of Texas when you look at the long-term historical data.
The Game Day Experience at John Clark Stadium
If you've never been to a Friday night game at Clark Stadium, you're missing out on a specific kind of Texas magic. It's not as flashy as the $60 million stadium in Allen, but it feels... real.
The "Plano Drumline" is legendary. Seriously, they’re loud, they’re synchronized, and they provide a soundtrack that makes the atmosphere feel like a college game. The "Maroon Out" games are still a sight to behold. You see three generations of fans sitting together—grandfathers who played for Kimbrough, fathers who played in the 90s, and kids currently in the stands.
Key Players Who Went Pro
The alumni list for Plano Senior High football is actually kind of insane. It’s a "who’s who" of guys who actually made it.
- Billy Ray Smith Jr.: A College Football Hall of Famer who went on to be a star for the San Diego Chargers.
- Justin Blalock: A massive offensive lineman who was a legend at UT and then played nearly a decade for the Atlanta Falcons.
- Rex Burkhead: The versatile running back who won a Super Bowl with the Patriots. Rex is often cited as the "gold standard" for a Plano athlete—humble, versatile, and incredibly tough.
Seeing these names on the wall in the locker room does something to the current players. It makes the NFL feel like a possibility, not just a dream.
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Why the Rivalry With Plano East Still Hits Different
The "Planos" (Senior, East, and West) all play each other, but the Senior vs. East game is the one that feels like a civil war. It’s been dubbed the "Battle of Plano."
In the 90s, this rivalry produced what many consider the greatest high school game ever played: the 1994 playoff game where Plano East staged an impossible comeback only to lose on a kickoff return. While that’s technically an "East" story, the rivalry defines the Senior High experience. You cannot be a Wildcat and not feel a certain way about the Panthers.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Parents
If you’re moving to the area or have a kid entering the program, here is what you actually need to know about the current state of Plano Senior High football.
Support the Booster Club Early
The success of these programs today depends heavily on the "Quarterback Club." Unlike the 80s, where the school district covered almost everything, modern 6A football requires private funding for specialized coaching, better tech, and travel.
Understand the "Senior High" Structure
Remember that Plano is unique. It’s a 9-10/11-12 split. This means the varsity team is comprised of juniors and seniors from the main campus, while the "feeder" schools (Vines and Clark) handle the freshmen and sophomores. This can be jarring for families used to four-year high schools, as the "varsity" bond only has two years to truly solidify.
Focus on Development, Not Just Stars
Plano's coaching staff is notoriously good at taking "undersized" players and turning them into disciplined, technical athletes. If your kid isn't a 6'4" receiver by age 15, don't sweat it. The Wildcat system is built on execution over raw athleticism.
Attend the Spring Game
To see the future, skip the highlight reels and go to the Maroon and White spring game in May. This is where the depth chart actually gets settled and you can see the next generation of leaders emerge without the pressure of the regular season.
The program is currently in a "rebuilding of identity" phase. They are leaning heavily into their history while trying to innovate their offensive schemes to keep up with the high-flying spread offenses of modern Texas ball. It's a fascinating transition to watch.
Plano Senior High football isn't just a sports program; it’s a cultural touchstone for the city. Even as the skyline of Plano changes with corporate headquarters and new developments, Friday nights at Clark Stadium remain the one place where the city’s past and future collide. The Wildcats might not be the undisputed kings of the state right now, but they are far from finished.