The Cooldown: Week 17
The Cooldown: Week 17
Congratulations to DeSoto, Duncanville, Aledo, Anna and Gunter on winning state championships! DeSoto, Duncanville, Aledo and Gunter all went back-to-back while Anna won its first state title in school history. Unfortunately, none of the games were great as the DFW teams that won over the weekend all largely dominated the competition.
DeSoto wins 6A DII State Championship Game
DeSoto dominated Summer Creek in the 6A DII State Championship Game 74-14. The Eagles racked up 36 points in the first quarter before toning it down the rest of the way. DeSoto’s 74 points set a state record for points in a championship game across all divisions. The Eagles outgained the Bulldogs 558-159 and dominated the game in all three phases, including a blocked punt that was recovered and lateraled for a touchdown. DeSoto had a point to prove that it is a championship program with discipline. This game certainly proved it, but I would argue its wins over Southlake Carroll and Duncanville earlier this season proved it even more.
DeSoto quarterback DJ Bailey completed 16 of his 22 passes for 286 yards and five total touchdowns. Daylon Singleton tied a 6A title game record for receiving touchdowns with three, all in the first quarter. Singleton finished with five receptions for 141 yards and three scores. Antonio Pride Jr. added eight receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown and Ethan Feaster chipped in two receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown. Feaster is a freshman and should dominate over the next few seasons, so remember his name. Marvin Duffey led the ground attack with 12 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown and Deondrae Riden added 12 carries for 72 yards and a score. Jaden Trawick chipped in eight carries for 59 yards and a score.
Summer Creek’s two touchdowns were both courtesy of star running back Lloyd Avant, who finished with 20 carries for 44 yards. Quarterback Blake Thomas passed for 91 yards and rushed for 24 yards to account for the rest of Summer Creek’s offense.
DeSoto proved its the best team in the state of Texas by winning the 6A DII State Championship Game and beating the 6A DI champion, Duncanville, in the regular season. DeSoto won’t win the national championship, but I would argue it should be considered for that honor. There’s no disputing that DeSoto is the best public school in the nation.
Duncanville wins 6A DI State Championship Game
Duncanville made it back-to-back state titles over North Shore with a convincing 49-33 win. There was never any doubt in this one after the Panthers raced out to a 21-7 lead. The trio of Keelon Russell, Caden Durham and Dakorien Moore is the best trio of offensive players I have seen on one team in my six years covering Texas high school football. Add one of the best defenders in the nation in Colin Simmons and beating Duncanville gets to be really difficult. As talented as North Shore is, it really never stood a chance in slowing down the Duncanville offense.
Duncanville quarterback Keelon Russell completed 14 of his 20 passes for 288 yards and four total touchdowns Caden Durham led the rushing attack with 22 carries for 230 yards and four touchdowns in what was one of the most impressive performances of the season. Ayson These led the receivers with five receptions for 106 yards. Zach Turner added two receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns and Dakorien Moore caught five passes for 62 yards and a score.
North Shore quarterback Kaleb Bailey was impressive in this game, passing for 251 yards and three touchdowns and adding 114 yards on the ground. Bailey’s performance kept North Shore in the game, but it ultimately wasn’t enough. Duncanville had an answer every time North Shore cut into the deficit. It was a well deserved second title for the Panthers and coach Reginald Samples. Duncanville, DeSoto and South Oak Cliff all have two titles in the last three years, making it clear where the best football is played in Texas. South Dallas is dominating the rest of the state right now.
Aledo wins 5A DI State Championship Game
Aledo’s run of dominance continued with a 51-8 win over Smithson Valley in the 5A DI State Championship Game. The Bearcats lost to South Oak Cliff in their final run in 5A DII, but have won two 5A DI state titles since moving up. Smithson Valley actually got out to an 8-0 lead in this game before surrendering 51 unanswered points to close the game. Aledo held the Rangers to just 69 yards of total offense and did pretty much anything it wanted on offense.
Aledo quarterback Hauss Hejny completed nine of his 17 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Two interceptions were the only thing that kept this game from getting as lopsided as the DeSoto-Summer Creek final score. Hawk Patrick-Daniels won Offensive MVP of the game by racking up 194 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. Hejny added 13 carries for 76 yards and a score and RJ Blake also added a touchdown on the ground on one of his four carries. Kaydon Finley led the receivers with three receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, and Colton McCoy caught the other touchdown pass.
It was nice for Smithson Valley to make it to the state title game. Much like Summer Creek, the Rangers represented some new blood in Arlington, but never really stood a chance against a superior program. Aledo trailed after the first quarter but dominated the rest of the way and looked like the same team we’ve come to know so well over the last decade. Aledo’s run of dominance could come to an end if it moves up to 6A or DeSoto moves down to 5A DI. Either way, the path forward will be more difficult for the Bearcats than it has been in a long time.
Offensive Player of the Week
My Offensive Player of the Week is Duncanville running back Caden Durham! The LSU signee rushed for 230 yards and three touchdowns in a display of dominance over the team that has tormented Duncanville over the last six years. Tormented isn’t quite the right word anymore as Duncanville has now won two of the five state title meetings between these two teams, and Durham is a big reason why North Shore doesn’t have an undefeated record against the Panthers. In five matchups, I have never seen one of these two teams be more outmatched than North Shore was against Duncanville last weekend, and a lot of players and coaches are to thank for that.
Defensive Player of the Week
My Defensive Player of the Week is Duncanville defensive end Colin Simmons! The Texas signee finished with eight tackles and three sacks in the title match against North Shore. Simmons is another one of the players that has contributed heavily to Duncanville’s last two state championships. Durham and Simmons, along with several others, will forever be legends in Duncanville, Texas, and every bit of recognition those two receive is well earned. I would bet on both of these young men being productive and leaders on their college teams, and I can’t wait to see what these two do at the next level.