Headed to State | Eagles Soar Above Dragons

ALLEN – For the second year in a row, DeSoto High School has reached the Class 6A Division II State Finals as it looks to win its third state title.

In perhaps one of the most electrifying Texas High School football playoff games of the year, top-ranked DeSoto pulled out a hard-fought win against Southlake Carroll 45-38 to advance to the Class 6A Division II State Finals.

Among the notable attendees at this highly anticipated matchup were Shedeur Sanders, star quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, along with University of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.

The two perennial powerhouses did not disappoint as both teams went toe-to-toe, blow for blow, in efforts to reach the state championship game.

Southlake got on the board first with a 56-yard touchdown run, but DeSoto responded, scoring on a 6-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive.

By the third quarter, there were five lead changes, highlighting the intense competition.

The momentum shifted in the Eagles’ favor during a key play in the third quarter.

Trailing 35-31 to DeSoto late in the third quarter, Southlake Carroll quarterback Graham Knowles attempted to dive into the endzone on a fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line but was met with a ferocious hit by a DeSoto’s Keylan Abrams, resulting in a turnover on downs.

From there, the Eagles took control of the game.

DeSoto Wideout Antonio Pride Jr. caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from quarterback DJ Bailey, putting the Eagles up by 11, 42-21.

The Dragons attempted a last-minute comeback, scoring on a 12-yard touchdown pass, making it 45-38 late in the fourth.

However, DeSoto finished strong, holding off a tough opponent.

“We’re going to state, it was well-played, with fewer penalties, and this is a great job; they deserve to go to state. We got one more game,” said DeSoto Alum Corey Borner.

The Eagles accounted for over 600 yards on offense in a game that saw over 1000 yards between the two teams.

On the ground, DeSoto imposed their will, unleashing their four-star running back Deondrae Riden Jr., nicknamed Tiger, who carried the ball 34 times for an impressive 248 yards and two touchdowns.

“I unleashed him today; he asked me to, so I had to,” said Coach Claude Mathis when asked about Riden Jr.

“I had to take the restraints off of him. The doctor gave him the go-ahead, and he just took over. All of our running backs did great,” said Mathis.

Through the air, DeSoto’s Sam Houston commit Bailey completed 9 of 12 passes for 189 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

Bailey also ran for 81 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown run.

After the game, Coach Mathis praised Bailey’s leadership.

The Eagles will face Houston Summer Creek at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7 P.M.