ALLEN, Tx – The DeSoto High School football season kicks off with a bang as the defending Division II state champions head to Allen, Tx, on August 25 to take on the Allen Eagles in the Tom Landry Classic.
DeSoto begins its season on the road, traveling to Eagle Stadium as this event promises a display of unparalleled talent and sportsmanship.
DeSoto is led by senior quarterback D.J. Bailey and four-star junior running back Deondrae Riden Jr., who finished with nearly 200 yards on 30 carries in the 6A-DII championship.
DeSoto has never beaten Allen and is 0-4 all-time, and Allen has eliminated DeSoto in the playoffs for four consecutive years.
The last time the two teams met on the gridiron was in the 2015 postseason when Allen was led by Kyler Murray, the No.1 overall NFL draft pick and starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals.
According to MaxPreps.com, DeSoto is ranked No. 17 nationally.
For Allen, this matchup will be a good tough first test for their new head coach, Lee Wiginton, who previously coached for Midlothian Heritage.
While there, Wigington led the Jaguars to a record of 60-17 in six seasons, appearing in a 4A Division I regional final in 2019.
Wiginton has a career record of 157-89.
Allen will rely on their four-star senior defensive end Zina Umeozulu to try and stop DeSoto’s Riden Jr.
These two powerhouse teams will likely showcase many future NCAA Division 1 players and future NFL prospects.
Kickoff for the game starts at 7 p.m., gates for the venue open for the venue at 5:30 p.m.
For more gameday information as well as ticket information, click here.
Joshua Carter