On a murky, rain-soaked night in North Dallas, Jesuit Dallas rushed for 308 yards and four touchdowns en route to defeating Plano, 34-26, on Friday at Postell Stadium. Jesuit held off a determined Plano team down the stretch of the fourth quarter as a pair of second half touchdown runs by senior EJ Smith played a key role in holding off the Wildcats. 

Smith finished the game with three touchdowns, rushing the ball 17 times for 133 yards. The senior has scored 11 rushing touchdowns this season and earned his second 100-yard rushing game of the year with Friday's performance. Junior Jake Taylor carried the ball 23 times for 174 yards, leading the team in both categories. Over the last three games, Taylor has averaged 133 yards per game and has provided a reliable option to move the ball down the field.
 
Jesuit's defense placed the pressure on Plano throughout the evening, holding the Wildcats to 94 rushing yards, a 38 percent conversion rate (5-of-13) on third down and a pair of big plays on special teams. Senior Tommy Roy recorded eight tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, recorded a safety and blocked an extra point. Junior Peter Melle also secured eight tackles, senior Jack Barton posted seven stops and classmate Jhalen Spicer added five tackles and a pair of pass breakups.

How it Happened

• Both teams stalled on their respective first drives of the game, but Jesuit went ahead with 4:01 left in the first quarter a seven-play, 52-yard drive. On fourth and four from the Plano 22-yard line, Holman completed a 20-yard pass to Smith to bring the Rangers inside the red zone. Holman would score two plays later for the game-opening score.
   
• Jesuit took a two-possession lead after a stalled drive and short punt gave Jesuit the ball at the Plano 43-yard line. A 17-yard rush by Taylor brought the Rangers to the 26-yard line before Smith punched the ball in from 18 yards out to Spot Jesuit a 14-0 advantage heading into the second quarter.
   
• Plano scored its first touchdown of the night with 6:28 remaining in the first half and Jesuit was held without a score in the second quarter, entering halftime with a 14-7 lead. Plano started the second half with the ball and scored, but missed the extra point to keep Jesuit's lead intact. 
   
• Jesuit's ensuing drive stalled, but a 49-yard punt by Holman was downed at the Plano three-yard line to pin the Wildcats deep in their own territory. Plano went three-and-out, giving Jesuit the ball back at the Wildcat 31-yard line. Smith scored from 25 yards out to put Jesuit back up by eight points with 6:18 remaining in the third.
   
• The Wildcats started their next drive at their own 13-yard line, but a tackle behind the line of scrimmage by Campbell put Plano further back. On fourth down, a mishandled snap was picked up by the Plano punter, where Roy brought him down for safety to increase the lead and carry a 10-point advantage into the fourth.
   
• Jesuit scored to start the fourth quarter as Brown converted a 22-yard field goal to complete a 12-play, 48-yard drive that took 4:22 off of the fourth quarter clock. A quick touchdown by Plano cut the lead to six, but Jesuit scored again on a drive that took 4:24 off the clock and returned the team to a 14-point lead after Holman found Cook for a two-point conversion. 
   
• Plano made one last gasp at the Jesuit lead, scoring a touchdown with 1:12 left on the clock. However, Barton blocked the extra point attempt, forcing Plano to score a touchdown and grab a two-point conversion to tie the game. Jesuit recovered the onside kick to end the comeback.