Duncanville didn’t just win Friday night — they made a statement. Behind a breakout performance from junior quarterback Denson, the Panthers rolled past DeSoto 48-28 in a rivalry game that delivered every bit of the hype it promised. It was fast, physical, emotional, and filled with big plays — everything Texas high school football fans expect when these two powerhouses collide.
The game started with fireworks. Duncanville jumped ahead early thanks to a 22-yard touchdown strike from Denson to Emmanuel Ellison, followed by a 29-yard score to Ayson Theus in the final seconds of the first quarter. DeSoto answered behind the legs of SaRod Baker, who continues to be the engine of the Eagles’ offense, breaking loose for a rushing touchdown that briefly closed the gap. But Denson and company weren’t slowing down.
In the second quarter, the Panthers’ offense caught fire. Denson found Trenton Yancey for a 33-yard touchdown on fourth down, then hit Theus again on a quick slant that turned into a 26-yard sprint to the end zone. DeSoto showed heart, though. Quarterback Legend Howell connected with Ethan “Boobie” Feaster for a pair of touchdowns — one a highlight-reel grab in traffic right before halftime — to make it 28-20 heading into the break.
Coming out of halftime, Duncanville slammed the door shut. The Panthers opened the third quarter with another scoring drive, capped by a pass to Zachery Turner in the corner of the end zone. Then, moments later, Denson dropped a deep ball right into the hands of Ellison for a 50-yard touchdown. It was the sixth touchdown throw of the night, and it felt like the exclamation point on a nearly perfect offensive night for the Panthers.
Even when DeSoto tried to rally in the fourth, Duncanville responded. Denson connected with Yancey one final time for a 26-yard score, extending the lead to 48-20. Baker found the end zone again late for DeSoto, but by then, the Panthers had full control of the game. The final whistle sealed another chapter in a rivalry that’s produced plenty of classic battles over the years.
Denson finished with 350 yards and seven touchdown passes on 23-of-32 passing, spreading the ball around to four different receivers. Theus, Yancey, Ellison, and Turner all scored, showcasing just how deep this Duncanville roster is. DeSoto, now 3-3, battled hard but couldn’t overcome penalties and turnovers. Duncanville, improving to 3-1, once again looked like a team built for December football — balanced, explosive, and built to win big games.
Photos by Das Mitchell
