When you take a look at the season standings, it’s no surprise to find the DeSoto Eagles among the area’s best. But who can upset the Eagles in 6A Division II playoff bracket?
Sure, there are the obvious picks: Allen, Southlake Carroll and Euless Trinity but those teams aren’t even a lock to be in the same bracket. Due to the current UIL setup, playoff brackets are determined by school enrollment. Since DeSoto is the third-smallest school in District 7-6A, they likely won’t qualify for the 6A Division I playoff bracket.
But that doesn’t stop us from imagining the “what-ifs” and “how comes.” So without further ado, here are five teams that could beat Desoto and make a statement in 6A.
1. Euless Trinity (4-1) District 5-6A
Yeah, I know. The Trojans are coming off a loss from Southlake Carroll. But the fact remains the same: don’t count the Trojans out—ever. If anyone of these teams matches up with DeSoto, it’s Euless Trinity. The Trojans have size and speed that could defend Eagles quarterback Shawn Robinson and wide receiver KD Nixon. The Trojans have a stout linebacker corps and even better secondary. I would pay good money to see Cam Jones and John Davis cover KD Nixon and Laviska Shenault.
2. San Angelo Central (5-0) District 2-6A
The Bobcats love to score. In fact, the Bobcats have averaged 59 points in their five games this season. This would be an intriguing matchup with DeSoto because of the Eagles’ defense. They’ve played strong games, holding Denton Guyer to 17 and Dallas Jesuit to 13, but they’ve been exposed as well. Midland scored 43 and almost upset the Eagles in week three. The Bobcats have an offense that could potentially challenge the Eagles. Bobcats senior quarterback Cal Vincent has been outstanding. Vincent has 17 touchdowns passing and zero interceptions with only 117 attempts.
3. Allen (5-0) District 6-6A
If only we could see DeSoto and Allen battle it out again like we have in the past years. Unfortunately, this isn’t a likely matchup due to Allen’s enrollment size. But we can still dream. I know there are plenty of DeSoto fans out there that still remember what Allen has done to them in the postseason. It was just last season that Allen won 41-40 after DeSoto missed a potential game-tying extra point. If there is a team in 6A that can beat DeSoto—it’s Allen. They have the psychological edge and talent to get it done.
4. Duncanville (4-1) District 7-6A
At 4-1, perhaps the surprise of District 7-6A has been the Duncanville Panthers. Albeit coming off a 4 point loss to Cedar Hill, that result suggests that the Panthers have the ability to keep pace with DeSoto. Luckily for us, these teams meet later this month on October 21 at Duncanville’s home stadium. Anything can happen when it comes to district play, especially when Duncanville senior quarterback is having the type of season he is. Jaylin Nelson leads the Panthers offensively with 1,171 yards passing and nine touchdowns. On the ground, Nelson has 375 yards rushing and six touchdowns.
5. Southlake Carroll (4-1) District 5-6A
The Dragons have more touchdowns rushing than passing? It’s exactly the reason I think the Dragons would match up well against DeSoto. If the Dragons could establish the run like they did against Euless Trinity, this would be a very close game. Senior running back for the Dragons, Audricke Gaines, has had a spectacular season thus far. Gaines has accumulated 10 touchdowns rushing in only 110 attempts. Oh and it’s quite possible that these two teams meet in the playoffs. Southlake Carroll has the second smallest enrollment (2691.5) in District 5-6A so they’ll most likely end up in Division II with DeSoto.
