Duncanville Takes Down Desoto 42-20

Written By: Jay Pace

On a night where the biggest stars took center stage under the brightest of lights, no one's star shined brighter than Duncanville's do it all quarterback Keelon Russell. Russell’s latest virtuoso performance lifted his team to a scintillating 42-20 win over district foe and arch nemesis Desoto (4-2)

In a season’s worth of highlights reel performances, the Panthers veteran signal caller saved his best for when it mattered most. With the eyes of the nation affixed on a titanic matchup, featuring two of the best programs in the country, Russell turned in yet another A-list effort, going 26-for-36 with 429 yards passing and 6 touchdowns.

In an especially strong year for quarterbacks, Russell made his case as the leader of the pack for the class of 2025 nationally. “I'm a game changer,” said Russell behind a radiant postgame smile in front of a throng of reporters gathered near midfield. “I'm an athlete. One thing I can do is throw (the ball). The other thing I can do is run it. I can do a lot of things with my hands and a lot of things with my feet.”

You'd be hard-pressed at getting an argument otherwise from anyone in the overflow crowd assembled at Eagle Stadium Friday night, who watched the 5-star QB take apart Desoto’ s defense at will.

After a slow start by both teams throughout a penalty marred first half, Russell and his favorite target, Dakorien Moore, the No.1 WR in the land, hooked up for a 66 yard touchdown pass and an early 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing possession, the Panthers drive appeared to have stalled out in Eagle territory after a Desoto stop on 3rd and 6. However, a Desoto penalty gave the Panthers new life and a fresh set of downs to work with.

On the very next play, Russell, in the face of some heavy pressure, stepped up in the pocket, before surveying the field and eventually rolling right and firing a beautiful strike to Moore in the end zone for a 19 yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

In total, the pair hooked up for 4 touchdowns in Friday nights win. All four of those came in an explosive first half for Duncanville, who led 28-6 at the break.

Moore’s first half would be considered a good month for most wide receivers. Through the first two quarters, Moore recorded 5 catches for 129 yards and 4 touchdowns. He would finish with 9 catches for 232 yards and 5 touchdowns.

“Our offense has been grinding since the summer,” said Russell. . “We've been building relationships and building chemistry. Especially with that dude over there,” said Russell with a nod towards his game breaking wide receiver Moore. “The offense is electric. We got studs on the outside and on the inside. Guys that will do anything for the ball.”

The Panthers padded their lead early in the second half when Devine Green scored on a well developed 42-yard screen pass down the Desoto sideline, stretching the lead to 29 points at 35-6.

Desoto responded with 14 unanswered points after a pair of touchdowns courtesy of it's two-headed monster at running back. Sophomore Myson Johnson Cook scored on a 47-yard run straight through the teeth of a salty Duncanville defense that didn't allow an offensive touchdown in the first half.

Texas A&M pledge, Deondrae Riden Jr. scored from a yard out later in the third quarter, to pull the Eagles within striking distance at 35-20. On their next possession, with the Eagles on the move and inching closer to a one possession game, Duncanville's Jaylyn Manning intercepted Kelden Ryan's pass, dashing any last ditch hope the Eagles harbored of a legendary comeback.

“We knew it was going to be a dog fight,” said Duncanville coach Reginald Samples. “And it was. In the second half, they got better on offense. That's a great team,” concluded Samples. “We just had to suck it up.”