It’s finally here. The “Shawn Robinson Bowl” is scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 at DeSoto’s Eagle Stadium. It’s arguably one of the most intriguing storylines of the season—the No. 5 dual-threat quarterback in the nation via 247 Sports takes on his former team, the Denton Guyer Wildcats.
Robinson’s success has been well noted. He accumulated a 44 to 13 touchdown to interception ratio during his sophomore and junior seasons playing for the Wildcats. The four-star recruit led Denton Guyer to the quarterfinals of the 2015 6A Division II state playoffs (Lost 44-7 to Mansfield).
Now, the Eagles’ senior quarterback (and TCU verbal commit) has a chance to make a major statement—albeit, in a different jersey. Robinson transferred to DeSoto in the spring after his mother, Andrea Robinson, took a coaching position in the school district. According to UIL rules, Robinson was immediately eligible due to his mother taking a position within the school district as well.
Both the Eagles and the Wildcats comfortably won their opening games against Dallas Jesuit and Mansfield Lake Ridge, respectively. Not to mention that both teams rank high in both the AP and TexasHSFootball.com polls (DeSoto at No. 2 and Guyer at No. 15).
Robinson’s replacement, junior Luke Stillwell, struggled passing the ball against Lake Ridge. Stillwell only completed 3-of- 12 passes for 19-yards but he did manage to run for 92-yards and a touchdown.
According to the Wildcats’ head coach John Walsh; the plan is simple this week. Posted on their team website, Walsh wrote about three things that are key to defeating the Eagles—and Robinson for that matter.
1. Win the turnover ratio.
2. Turn up the physical meter a few notches.
3. Eliminate penalties.
Both Walsh and Eagles’ head coach Todd Peterman have been focusing on making this game about two good football teams—and not about Shawn Robinson.
Peterman said last season’s 6-6 record is more than enough reason to focus on the game, not the players.
“Everyone else can make it a bigger game than what it is.” Peterman told Adam Boedeker from the Denton Record-Chronicle. “We’re getting ready to play a great football team, and we’re coming off a 6-6 season so the other drama has not been drama.”
Despite the position of both head coaches, it’s difficult to make the game about two teams when a cloud surrounds one of the best and high-touted prospects in the state of Texas.
Robinson offered very few words in regards to the upcoming game. “It’s a really good school,” Robinson told Matt Wixon of SportsDayHS. He finished by saying that the Wildcats are in a good position with Stillwell. “He’s a good quarterback,” Robinson said.
