DeSoto Eagles
Head Coach: Claude Mathis (8th season; 83-16 record)
Last Season: 13-3; 6-1 in district (Defeated C.E. King in 6A Division II State Title Game)
Returning Lettermen: 28 (4 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)
DeSoto Key Players and Storylines
DeSoto made 6A Division II its playground in recent years with three state titles in the past four seasons.
Even more impressive, they chose to opt up to play in 6A the last two years despite having 5A numbers. However, this time around, the Eagles have decided to stay put. It’s a brand new challenge. They haven’t played in 5A since 2013 and that’s back when 6A didn’t even exist.
They’ll expect to get after it this fall on the ground with one of the best running backs in the nation, Texas Tech commit Sa’Rod Baker (3,206 rushing yards and 46 touchdowns). He’ll run behind an offensive line that is led by 6’4″, 300-pound tackle Cantrell Polk and 6’0″, 300-pound guard Elijah Andrews.
The passing game will still need to come together as the Eagles don’t return their starting quarterback or a receiver that had over 100 yards a year ago. They did add senior quarterback Jayden Shaw, who threw for 2,523 yards at Arlington Lamar last season.
DeSoto RB Sa’Rod Baker rushed for 3,206 yards last season and accounted for 52 total touchdowns.
On the other side of the ball, the Eagles will be able to push opposing offensive lines to their limit. 6’3″, 305-pound defensive tackle K’Adrian Richmond demands a double team and the Eagles also added highly touted defensive end Khing Thibodeaux (75 tackles, 20 TFLs) from Lakeview Centennial over the offseason.
Penn State cornerback Dhillon McGee is another addition from Red Oak. He’ll be a key playmaker alongside safety Rickshown Hanks Jr., who makes the calls for the secondary. Linebacker Quinten Billings will be big in run defense with his ability to fill holes.
The Eagles will challenge themselves right away in non-district play with a matchup with Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas followed by Duncanville and Allen. With the drop in classes, the Eagles will be satisfied with nothing less than district and state titles this fall.
DeSoto Eagles 2026 Football Schedule
*Denotes District 8-5A Division I Contest
August 29 (Saturday) — @ St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL) — 4:00 PM
September 4 (Friday) — @ Allen — 7:00 PM
September 12 (Saturday) — vs. Duncanville at Cotton Bowl — 11:00 AM
*September 18 (Friday) — @ Burleson Centennial — 7:00 PM
*September 25 (Friday) — vs. Midlothian — 7:00 PM
October 2 (Friday) — BYE
*October 9 (Friday) — @ Lancaster — 7:00 PM
*October 16 (Friday) — vs. Mansfield Summit — 7:00 PM
*October 23 (Friday) — @ Cedar Hill — 7:00 PM
*October 30 (Friday) — @ Mansfield Legacy — 7:00 PM
*November 5 (Thursday) — vs. Cleburne — 7:00 PM
