CEDAR HILL – Just last week, Duncanville Head Coach Reginald Samples notched a historic 250th career win that placed him in the record books as the all-time winningest black coach in UIL history.
In regards to his 251st win that came on Friday night, Coach Samples was all business as he claimed, “That was a big one, but this was an even bigger one because this is for district and we’re trying to prepare ourselves for the playoffs” as Duncanville emphatically defeated Cedar Hill 41-6 inside Longhorn Stadium.
Duncanville (5-0, 2-0 in 7-6A) off the near flawless performance of their defense was able to come out the victor this time around as Cedar Hill (1-4, 0-2 in 7-6A) had won the five previous meetings. The defense held Cedar Hill to just seven first downs and 132 total yards and scored three defensive touchdowns that proved to be too much for Cedar Hill to try and overcome.
“Even sweeter to come in somebody else’s own backyard and beat them. Even sweeter! I’m proud of the guys and my coaches did a great job preparing them,” Samples said with his team celebrating not too far from him.
The defense looked well prepared as the first points of the game came off the awareness and hands of linebacker Gerald Bowie as he plucked an Isaiah Graham pass attempt out the air and earned himself a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Gordon DeLoach/Texas HS Football
Both teams would then struggle offensively to move the ball downfield as the next four series resulted in both teams having to punt twice and giving off the implication that this game would have to come down to the which defense would step up to help the offense.
Duncanville would be the one to respond to the call as once again the Panthers would go on the board thanks to the efforts of their defense as this time linebacker James Johnson had a 67-yard interception return for a touchdown that had Duncanville up early to a 14-0 lead with 2:04 remaining in the first quarter.
Duncanville running back Keilon Elder would be the scoring force that eventually helped the offense get its footing in the second half as his efforts in the run game accounted for 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Gordon DeLoach/TexasHSFootball.com
“The coaches got into us good. They didn’t like how the defense had more touchdowns than us [offense] so we knew we had to get it back the second half and that’s what we did. We just pounded the ball and kept moving forward,” said Elder in regards to how the offense was challenged to improve their play come the second half.
Elder’s first score of the night gave Duncanville a 21-0 lead in the second quarter and linebacker Keyshawn Johnson gave the Duncanville defense its third score of the night with a scoop and score fumble return from 19-yards out that put Duncanville up at 28-0 heading into the half.
Elder’s second score would see Duncanville hit the 35-mark and running back Willie Calhoun would score from 19-yards out to give Duncanville their final points of the night.
Brought to you by:
