MESQUITE – Skyline had finally hit a big play with quarterback Troy Stoudermire – a 44-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-1 to get within a score.

And Skyline had the ball back, even if it was at its 4-yard line. Coach Reginald Samples felt his team was back in the game, trailing Plano 21-13, with 7:11 left in the third quarter.

"We had the momentum," Samples said. "We should have sustained a drive."

But Plano's defense had other ideas. Backup defensive end Luke Terrell made a big stop on third-and-7, forcing Skyline running back Keldon Hampton out of bounds at his 12-yard line.

Rex Burkhead, Plano's main offensive threat, produced the play of the game on the next snap, breaking off a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown that paved the way to a 41-20 victory in Saturday's 5A Division I Region II final at Mesquite Memorial Stadium.

"They outplayed us," Samples said. "They played all three phases very well – offense, defense and special teams."

Skyline's defense had its worst game of the season, allowing almost 400 yards over its season average. So Samples needed his offense to have a big day.

It never happened. Stoudermire and running back James White connected on 21-yard touchdown pass to tie the score, 7-7, early in the second quarter. But that was it for the first half.

Skyline got the ball back when Plano's Carson Meger threw his second of three interceptions, this one to linebacker Keanon Cooper. But an offensive pass interference penalty on Skyline's first play disrupted the drive, and Stoudermire's pass to Dajon McKnight was broken up in the end zone by Plano's Kenny Watkins.

Plano scored on its next two possessions to take a 21-6 halftime lead, and had the momentum before Stoudermire's TD run, his only big play in the running game.

Stoudermire, who was held to 84 yards rushing, made a great fake on a handoff to White, then broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage and sprinted for the score.

"That was a beautiful play by Stoudermire," Plano coach Gerald Brence said. "He faked out five guys."

Stoudermire took his last snap at quarterback with five minutes left in the third quarter when he suffered a left shoulder injury.

Skyline's offense did very little after that, going without a first down until backup quarterback Javiar Hall's 45-yard pass to Mike Davis with just under three minutes left in the game. By that time, Plano had a 41-13 lead.

Stoudermire, who led the school to its deepest playoff run since 1972, was left to bemoan his injury and Skyline's second loss.

"It hurts," Stoudermire said. "It makes you crazy."