It’s the heavyweight fight everyone in Texas looks forward to each year. For the fifth time in the last six years, Duncanville and North Shore will battle for the state title.
North Shore won the first three editions, but Duncanville finally broke through last year behind a fourth down stand late in the fourth quarter. It was the first-ever state title for Duncanville head coach Reginald Samples.
Three of the four meetings between these schools have been decided by just one score, including North Shore’s famous Hail Mary in 2018. Here’s what to watch for on Saturday at 3:00 as these teams meet on the gridiron yet again.
Duncanville Panthers (13-1)
Head Coach: Reginald Samples (9th season; 104-19)
Distance from AT&T Stadium: 15 miles
2o23 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 63-7 vs. Hutto
Area: W 62-24 vs. Rockwall-Heath
Regional Semifinals: W 49-21 vs. The Woodlands
Regional Final: W 70-28 vs. Westfield
State Semifinals: W 52-10 vs. North Crowley
Key Players and Storylines
Duncanville has run rampant in the playoffs, averaging 59.2 points per game.
Last year in the title game, Caden Durham rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Keelon Russell broke off an 88-yard touchdown run.
Those two are back this year. Durham, a LSU commit, has 1,841 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground this year. He’s coming off a 226-yard performance against North Crowley in the state semifinals.
Russell (2,986 passing yards and 32 touchdowns), meanwhile, has been just as dangerous when throwing the football. Five-star receiver Dakorien Moore (1,243 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns), another LSU commit, is by far the Panthers’ most dangerous weapon in their passing attack.
Sophomore tight end Zachery Turner (521 receiving yards and eight touchdowns) is another player to watch. He’s already attracting looks from the next level.
Defensively, Duncanville is giving up just 12 points per game. Good luck trying to get much of a push in the trenches when Texas commits defensive linemen Colin Simmons and Alex January are lining up against your offensive line.
Linebacker EJ McKinney will be the player Duncanville will rely on in the middle of the field, while safety Tyren Polley Jr. (79 tackles and three interceptions) is another dynamic weapon for the Panther defense.
North Shore Mustangs (15-0)
Head Coach: Willie Gaston (1st Season; 15-0)
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 266 miles
2023 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 42-14 vs. Deer Park
Area: W 49-21 vs. Clear Springs
Regional Semifinals: W 45-9 vs. Cy-Fair
Regional Final: W 34-28 vs. Atascocita
State Semifinals: W 23-14 vs. Westlake
Key Players and Storylines
North Shore didn’t miss a beat as Willie Gaston replaced Jon Kay as the Mustangs head coach after Kay left to take a position on the Rice coaching staff.
The return of junior quarterback Kaleb Bailey has also been a big boost. He led the Mustangs to the 2021 state title before missing the second half of last year due to injury. This year, he’s thrown for 2,965 yards and 33 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He can move as well. He’s North Shore’s second leading rusher with 650 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
Bailey has a number of talented weapons to aim for as well in the receiving corps. Air Force commit Terrence Guillory (882 receiving yards and nine touchdowns) and three-star receivers Christopher Barnes (803 yards and nine touchdowns) and Deion Deblanc (434 receiving yards and three touchdowns) are a trio the Duncanville secondary will have to monitor.
Look for the Mustangs to rely on running back D’Andre Hardeman Jr. (1,584 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns) to grind out yardage as well. He had 29 carries a week ago.
Defensively, a lot of eyes will be watching to see if and how five-star corner Devin Sanchez matches up with Dakorien Moore. The Mustangs also have three-star prospect LaVonte Johnson back at safety, while linebacker Jarvon Coles had two interceptions last week against Westlake.
Final Thoughts
This game will have the physicality of a college football game.
A week ago, North Shore held Westlake to just 29 yards passing and 85 yards on 25 carries. Duncanville, meanwhile, limited North Crowley quarterback Chris Jimerson to just nine completions on 31 attempts.
With how tough these defenses are, whichever running back out of Durham and Hardeman can move the ball consistently could go a long way towards deciding who wins this game.
Another slugfest should be on tap on Saturday afternoon and don’t be surprised if this one goes to the wire yet again.
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