DeSoto (Texas) vs. Coppell (Texas)
Solomon Thomas and Coppell compete in the nation's toughest playoff bracket.
Photo by Jim Redman
A key second-round game in the Texas 5A/Division I playoffs,
which is the toughest playoff bracket in the nation this season. Both teams have appeared in the Top 10 of the Xcellent 25 this season. DeSoto, currently ranked No. 2, steamrolled Copperas Cove, 67-21 – its seventh-straight game with 50 or more points. Senior quarterback
Desmon White (a TCU commit) had 393 passing yards in the game and surpassed the 3,000-yard barrier for the season. Coppell peaked at No. 9 in the Xcellent 25 before losing to third-ranked Allen on Sept. 27. Led by a defense that features four-star senior defensive end
Solomon Thomas, the Cowboys (9-1) have erected a veritable iron curtain since that game, limiting their last six opponents to a combined 37 points.
Just the facts: Saturday's game is a rematch of a second-round game from last season won in convincing fashion by DeSoto, 42-14. It's the only other meeting between these teams in the last 10 years. … Coppell needs a win to clinch its fourth season with at least 10 wins in the last five years. DeSoto (11-0) has already achieved its fourth-straight double-digit win season and fifth in the last eight years.
Mitch Stephens: Coppell 31, DeSoto 28
Kevin Askeland: Coppell 42, DeSoto 41
Jamie DeMoney: DeSoto 35, Coppell 21
Stephen Spiewak: DeSoto 42, Coppell 28
Leland Gordon: Coppell 37, DeSoto 35
Colin Ward-Henninger: DeSoto 28, Coppell 24
