ALLEN – Under scorching temperatures reaching 107 degrees in Allen, TX, the DeSoto Eagles showcased their dominance as the defending champions secured a resounding 39-7 victory over the Allen Eagles in the Tom Landry Classic.
DeSoto was 0-4 against Allen all-time, but Friday night, the Eagles dominated and flew past Allen for the first win of the season.
One notable attendee for DeSoto predicted that the Eagles would defeat Allen in commanding fashion.
“Oh man, DeSoto by three touchdowns,” said Corey Borner, a graduate of DeSoto High School who was paralyzed in a freak accident while in practice in 2009.
Allen surged ahead with a strong start, but DeSoto’s determination on both offense and defense swiftly overwhelmed their efforts.
“It’s a good game,” said Kieth Johnson, an attendee at the Tom Landry Classic. “I thought Allen would put up a little bit more offense. They look like they came out strong, but the size of DeSoto, they are just physically dominating,” said Johnson.
DeSoto would use smash-mouth football to impose their will on offense, as junior running back Deondrae Riden Jr., seniors Jaden Trawick, and Marvin Duffey ran the ball with power and purpose.
But towards the end of the first half on 4th and 1 at Allen’s one-yard line, DeSoto tried to punch the ball in with Riden Jr. and was unsuccessful as Riden Jr. was stopped short.
Riden Jr. was injured on the play and would need to be carted off the field. However, he was able to stand and walk to the cart.
A team of medical staff members surrounded Riden Jr. as his entire left arm was put in a brace and carted off the field.
After the game, DeSoto head coach Claude Mathis said they don’t believe his arm was broken but possibly dislocated.
Before being carted off the field, Riden Jr. finished the game with 17 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Seniors Trawick and Duffey would finish the game with a combined 168 yards and a touchdown.
DJ Bailey, DeSoto’s Quarterback and Sam Houston State commit finished the game, completing 73.9% of his passes for 222 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
The Eagles are flying high after the win.
“Definitely feels good just to come out here knowing that all the summer stuff we did paid off,” said Offensive Tackle Byron Washington, who was offered a recruiting offer by the University of Texas.
“Definitely wanted to up the score a little bit more, but this is the first game, we’re going to continue to get better week by week.”
Coach Mathis was ecstatic about the win, praising his team.
“Feels great, it feels great to get this. It always feels great to be 1-0 and our kids did a great great job tonight coming out and executing. just watching them play and fly around the ball and when you have your first ball game it’s been so hot you don’t know how good a condition they are in,” said Mathis.
“Anything can happen, but our kids came out tonight, and the conditions were great they executed on offense, defense, and special teams and I’m proud, our coaches had them prepared.”
The Eagles have a week off before they fly into South Oak Cliff on September 9 to take on the 5A Division II Champions Golden Bears as they look to knock off another tough opponent.
Joshua Carter