Duncanville and North Shore set for Texas state title rematch

Video: Dematrius Davis

Junior highlights of MaxPreps Sophomore Player of the Year

It will be near impossible to top last year's epic state championship but expect another big matchup next week when North Shore (Houston) battles fellow Texas power Duncanville (Texas) square off at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 21.

North Shore finished last season as the No. 1 team in the country thanks to a Hail Mary connection  from Dematrius Davis Jr. and Ajani Carter to give the Mustangs a 41-36 win.

One year later they get to run it back after posting semifinal victories on Saturday.

Third-ranked Duncanville will most likely be without 2020 Texas commit Ja'Quinden Jackson who suffered a knee injury in its 56-14 win over Rockwall (Texas) in the semifinals. He got hurt late in the first half and returned to the sideline in the second half on crutches.

Freshman Christopher Parson stepped in at quarterback and played well in the second half throwing for a touchdown and rushing for another and 2020 Central Arkansas commit Trysten Smith had another big game rushing for over 150 yards and two scores. He has rushed for over 1,700 yards and 25 touchdowns this year.

Sixth-ranked North Shore (Houston) moved into the finals with a 49-38 win over Lake Travis (Austin). It has won 14 in a row since a season-opening loss to Katy (Texas).

Dematrius Davis Jr. and 5-star running back Zachary Evans have been putting up big-time numbers this year and especially in the playoffs but face one of the best defenses in the country next Saturday. The Mustangs are averaging 58.6 points/game in the playoffs while the Panthers are allowing less than 10 points per game in 2019.

North Shore will be going for its fourth state title in school history and third since 2015 while Duncanville is hoping to win its first state championship since 1998.