It was the battle of two two-time defending state champions.
In one corner, the DeSoto Eagles have won back-to-back 6A Division II titles. In the other, the Duncanville Panthers are proud owners of double 6A Division I championship hardware.
Ultimately, Duncanville delivered the winning KO combination, outmatching the Eagles 42-20 at Eagle Stadium on Friday night.
Quarterback Keelon Russell connected with receiver Dakorien Moore for four first half touchdowns, finishing with a remarkable 429 passing yards and six total touchdowns. Moore was another standout on the offense; averaging more than 100 receiving yards per game, he went off for 229 yards on nine catches.
By halftime, the Panthers were up 28-6, credited to Russell’s 246 first half passing yards.
However, the Eagles wouldn’t go away. Myson Johnson-Cook accounted for 79 rushing yards after halftime and a 46-yard touchdown scramble. Deondrae Riden’s touchdown run finally pulled DeSoto within two scores with under five minutes remaining. After defense forced a punt, the Eagles drove to the Panther’s red zone again, but a costly snap that tumbled over quarterback Kelden Ryan’s head doomed their momentum to a 26-yard loss. Following the faux pas, Duncanville’s Jaylyn Manning picked Ryan off, effectively ending the game.
Of the 44 projected players who started Friday night, an estimated 34 are committed to competing at the Division I level. They are as follows:
Duncanville recruits
- QB Keelon Russell
- WR Dakorien Moore
- WR Zach Turner
- WR Trenton Yancey
- WR Ayson Theus
- RB Devine Green
- LT Desean Bryant
- C Ameer Ross
- RT Kam Newhouse
- DE Kevin Ford
- DE Landon Barnes
- LB Nehemiah Borner
- LB Mason Williams
- CB Javion Holliday
- S Tyren Polley
- CB Braylon Edwards
- DT AJ Brown
DeSoto recruits
- QB Kelden Ryan
- RB Tiger Riden
- RB Myson Johnson-Cook
- WR Daylon Singleton
- WR Boobie Feaster
- WR/RB Sarod Baker
- LT Byron Washington
- DE Keke Abrams
- DE DJ Rumph
- LB Sael Reyes
- CB Caleb Holmes
- CB Canden Mathis
- S Jordan Stevens
- OG Vincent Williams
- OT Xavier Watkins
- C Jebralon Stewart
- CB Jai Trawic
Duncanville will continue its three-peat aspirations, facing Lancaster next Friday. DeSoto looks to get back in the winning column against Horn next week.
