Soaring ever higher above the clouds, the DeSoto has taken one step closer to reaching the state championship title game after blowing out Cedar Hill 59-16.
Dubbed Battle of Beltline II, the Eagles dominated their cross-town rivals from beginning to end, sinking their talons into the Carcass of the Longhorns.
In the bitter Friday night cold, DeSoto scored three touchdowns before the first quarter ended, making it 21-0.
The first was a 37-yard touchdown pass from Sam Houston commit DJ Bailey to wideout Antonio Pride Jr. to put DeSoto up 6-0.
The second Eagle touchdown came from a one-yard run into the endzone by 4-star running back Deondrae Riden Jr. and a two-point conversion, making it 14-0.
Before the end of the first quarter, the Eagle’s defense would score a touchdown off a pick-six from noseguard Marshall Kirven to make it 21-0.
The Longhorns finally got on the board in the second quarter, scoring on a 25-yard touchdown pass and converting a two-point conversion, making it 28-8.
By halftime, DeSoto led Cedar Hill 38-8.
The Eagles offense combined for a total of 467 yards.
Baily completed 85% of his passes, 17 of 20 for 270 yards and two touchdowns.
DeSoto’s ground game once again did not disappoint as Riden Jr., nicknamed Tiger, carried the ball 10 times for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Three Eagle running backs each scored a touchdown in the blowout win over the Longhorns.
Antonio Pride Jr. led the way for DeSoto’s receiving core, catching just four passes for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Wideout Eathen Feaster also reached the endzone on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Bailey.
DeSoto’s defense has been stout all season long and has become even more stingy in the playoffs, allowing fewer than 35 points per game.
The Eagle’s defense scored two touchdowns off interceptions and garnered a total of four turnovers, all interceptions, in the win over the Longhorns.
Up next, DeSoto takes on Southlake Carroll High School at Eagle Stadium in Allen.