Plano's place in the state playoffs came down to the Wildcats' final regular-season outing. And it was Plano's traditionally strong defense thatled the way in.

Plano shut down Jesuit, 21-12, at Haggar Stadium to clinch the fourth and final playoff berth in District 8-5A.

"Like the old saying, 'It's not where you start, it's where you finish,'" Plano coach Jaydon McCullough said. "There's been some disappointment with the season but we're proud of the way the players have prepared. That's Plano tradition."

The Wildcats started their season 1-4 but won their last two district games and three of the last five to qualify for the state playoffs.

Plano (4-6, 3-3) likely will meet Irving MacArthur in a Class 5A Division I playoff game next week, according to McCullough.

Plano had a comfortable, 21-3 lead midway through the second quarter as its youthful defense stifled an often explosive Jesuit.

After trailing 3-0, Plano took a 7-3 lead as quarterback Conner Michelsen scored on a 1-yard dive on a quarterback sneak.

Plano led 17-3 after showing its potential game-breaking talents as junior Robert Robinson broke free on a 52-yard scoring pass.

Plano led 21-3 in the second quarter as a Jesuit fumble set up a 62-yard TD pass to Holt Hoetger from Michelson.

Plano, led by juniors Ben Laurens, Alex LaButis and Collin Brence, held Jesuit (4-6, 2-4) without a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter.