Video: Duncanville highlights Watch the Panthers eliminate Rockwall last week.
It may be asking too much for the eagerly anticipated rematch between
North Shore (Houston) and
Duncanville to produce the drama provided one year ago.
But with the star power available in the two camps, do not rule out the possibility of another UIL state championship classic.
Duncanville (15-0), No. 1 in the MaxPreps Texas Top 25 for the last 16 weeks, faces No. 2 North Shore (14-1), the defending state champion, in the Class 6A Division I title game at 3 p.m. Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
North Shore stunned Duncanville a year ago when Dematrius Davis' rainbow pass found the outstretched hands of a leaping A.J. Carter in the back corner of the end zone on the game's final play for a 41-36 victory, sending North Shore's sideline into a wild celebration.
On the opposite sideline, Duncanville players, that only moments before were basking in Ja'Quinden Jackson's five-yard touchdown run for a 36-35 Panthers lead with 1:02 remaining, were frozen in shock.
From that moment, getting a second chance at winning a state title became a driving force for Duncanville, just as defending its title was North Shore's quest.
North Shore atoned for its season-opening stumble to Katy by defeating the Tigers in a third-round playoff rematch, 56-35.
The best two teams a year ago have proven to be the best two again this year.
The top game of Week 17 also happens to be the top game of the 2019 season.
Here is a preview of the top state championship games this week. (MaxPreps Texas Top 25 ranking included):
Dematrius Davis Jr., North Shore
File photo by Tom Dendy
Class 6A Division I
Saturday, 3 p.m., AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Top players
In addition to the unforgettable finish, last year's game produced 997 yards of total offense. Duncanville rushed for 445 yards led by Ja'Quinden Jackson's 226 yards and 152 by Smith. North Shore's Davis threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns with Banks making nine catches for 179 yards two scores. Those four stars are back this year. But Jackson's availability for the championship game is in doubt. He suffered an injury to his left knee in the second quarter of Duncanville's 56-14 state semifinal win over Rockwall. The backup quarterback, freshman Chris Parson, in limited action is 13-of-28 passing for 244 yards and three touchdowns.
No. 6 Ryan (Denton) vs No. 10 Shadow Creek (Pearland)Class 5A Division I
Friday, 7 p.m., AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Top players
Ryan (15-0) beat Lone Star (Frisco) 35-7 last week to finally get over the state semifinal hurdle that ended its previous three seasons despite the Raiders' record of 42-3 in those seasons. There has not been even one close call for Ryan this season with 24 points being its smallest winning margin. Shadow Creek (15-0) in its second varsity season is making its second state final appearance. Highland Park, the team that ended Ryan's previous three seasons, defeated Shadow Creek 27-17 in last year's title game. Foster (Richmond) gave the Sharks their only scares, 24-17 in a district play and 36-31 in a third-round playoff.
No. 5 Guyer (Denton) vs No. 8 Westlake (Austin)Class 6A Division II
Saturday 7 p.m., AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Top players
Guyer completed back-to-back Class 4A state title runs in 2012-13 and is seeking its first 6-A championship. The balance between the passing of 6-4 junior Stowers and the ground game built around Cobbs has allowed Guyer to average 46 points per game. The defense for Westlake (14-1) has held opponents to less than nine points in 11 of its wins. Often a state finalist, Westlake has had difficulty completing the job with a 1-5 championship game record since 1994. The Chaparrals lost in overtime in their last two appearances, to North Shore (Houston) in 2015 and to Trinity (Euless) in 2009. Westlake with Drew Brees at quarterback beat Cooper (Abilene) 55-15 in 1996 for its only title.
No. 12 Fort Bend Marshall (Missouri City) vs No. 13 AledoClass 5A Division II
Saturday, 11 a.m., AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Top players
This is a rematch of last year's championship won by Aledo 55-19. Aledo (14-1) is one of five schools tied for the most state championships with eight. It is the only program remaining this season with a chance to take the solo lead. Aledo lost its season-opener to Guyer (Denton), a Class 6A Division II state finalist, and has won 14 in a row. In the last two playoff wins over Ennis and Cooper (Lubbock), Aledo was pushed to the limit. Marshall (14-1) lost to District 11 foe Manvel, but made amends for that with a 40-10 playoff victory over the Mavericks in the fourth round. It will be the second trip to state for Marshall. Aledo is making its fourth consecutive title game appearance and its 11th overall.
No. 25 Carthage vs La Vega (Waco)Class 4A Division I
Friday, 11 a.m., AT&T Stadium
Not at all surprising to see these two schools in the finals. One or the other has been state champion the last four seasons. La Vega is the defending champ and also took the crown in 2015. Carthage had a two-year reign in 2016-17, part of six state championships for the school, all coming since 2008. La Vega has lost five games in the last five seasons while Carthage is 45-1 over the last three years. The schools have split two recent playoff games with Carthage winning 46-39 in 2017 and La Vega enjoying a 39-3 blowout in 2015.
