A rivalry with a new address

Duncanville and DeSoto met at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas instead of a district field, and it was no longer a district game at all.

“One of the best modern-day rivalries in Texas high school football is getting a new look.”

Out of the District of Doom

DeSoto dropped to 5A Division I, ending years of fighting Duncanville for the 11-6A title in a district nicknamed the District of Doom.

Both teams arrived hurting

Duncanville came in 1-1 after losing 26-7 to Allen. DeSoto was 0-2, having given up 88 points to St. Thomas Aquinas and Allen, and passing for 28 yards against Allen.

The gamble

DeSoto moved standout tailback SaRod Baker, a Texas Tech commit, to quarterback for this game. Wyatt Davis took over as the primary running back.

First drive, first proof

DeSoto took the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards in 11 plays. Baker finished it with a 24-yard run, 7-0 with 9:13 left in the first.

“SaRod Baker on the keeper scores from 24 yards out.”

A muffed punt evens it

DeSoto muffed a punt near its own 20. Brayden Arnold lined up in the Wildcat and darted in from 11 yards out to tie it 7-7.

Baker's arm kept giving it back

Chance Finley picked him off a minute into the second quarter, the first of three interceptions Baker threw. He went 7-of-13 for 86 yards on the day.

DeSoto's defense held the line

The Eagles stopped Duncanville on fourth down near their own 20, then sacked Maximus Denson on another fourth down late in the half.

“DeSoto defense stands tall. Short by less than a yard.”

Davis breaks it open

Wyatt Davis ripped off a 65-yard run to set up first-and-goal, and Baker powered in from a yard out. DeSoto led 14-7 with 3:13 left in the half.

The hat trick before the break

A 12-play, 64-yard drive ended with Baker's third touchdown, an 8-yard run with nine seconds on the clock. DeSoto 21, Duncanville 7.

One player, one whole offense

At halftime Baker had 86 rushing yards and three scores. Duncanville had 90 yards of total offense. DeSoto had 221.

Fourth down kept failing

Duncanville went 0-for-3 on fourth-down tries, twice stalling inside the DeSoto 20 when points would have changed the math.

Two picks, one answer

Malik Hudson and then Jeremy Clayton II intercepted Baker in the third. The second set up Denson's 29-yard touchdown to Jairus Ingram, 21-14.

“Maximus The Great Denson links w/ Jairus Ingram for the Panthers.”

The snap that sailed

With under five minutes left, the ball flew over the DeSoto punter's head. Duncanville took over inside the 5 with the game there for the taking.

“Ball is snapped over the DeSoto punters head and Duncanville takes over inside the 5.”

A touchdown nobody planned

The ball was fumbled into the end zone and Chris Jackson Jr. fell on it. Duncanville had pulled within one with 4:08 to play.

The kick that decided it

Duncanville lined up to tie the game with the extra point. DeSoto broke through and blocked it, leaving the Eagles up 21-20.

“BUT, THE PAT IS BLOCKED. INCREDIBLE.”

Baker ran out the clock

Duncanville had spent its last timeout. Baker picked up a first down on the ground and the Panthers could not stop the clock again.

What the numbers said

Baker: 208 total yards, 122 rushing on 21 carries, three touchdowns. Davis: 131 yards on 18 carries. Duncanville's entire offense: 213 yards.

The series is level again

DeSoto's win made the all-time record 18-18. Duncanville had taken seven of the last eight, including 48-28 a year ago.

An 0-2 start they have seen before

DeSoto opened 0-2 last season too, then won 13 of its next 14 and took the 6A DII state title. The Panthers sit 1-2, ranked No. 5 to DeSoto's No. 11.

“DeSoto gets off the mat and picks up its first win after an 0-2 start.”