DeSoto (Texas) vs. Allen (Texas)
DeSoto looks to keep its state title hopes alive in a showdown with Allen on Saturday.
Photo by Neil Fonville
It's merely a semifinal-round game and not the state championship, but no pairing in the Class 5A/I bracket will draw as much anticipation as this one featuring a pair of national Top-5 teams. Because of an ice storm that paralyzed the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex last Saturday, fourth-ranked DeSoto (14-0) had to wait until Monday to play its quarterfinal game against Trinity (Euless). The Eagles stayed alive after scoring the go-ahead touchdown with only six seconds left to play in a 48-41 victory. No. 2 Allen (14-0) had two extra days to prepare for DeSoto because it played its quarterfinal game as scheduled last Saturday. The defending state champs breezed past previously unbeaten Westfield (Houston), 48-13.
Just the facts: Previewing this game may invoke moments of déjà vu. Both teams were also nationally ranked – in fact DeSoto was No. 1 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 – when they butted heads in the semifinals last year. Allen won that game, 51-36, and went on to capture the 5A/I title a week later. … Saturday's game might also decide which quarterback ends up with top billing when the Class 5A all-state teams are announced. DeSoto senior quarterback
Desmon White (a TCU recruit) has 5,293 combined passing and rushing yards and accounted for 54 touchdowns this season. Allen junior signal caller
Kyler Murray has totaled 4,118 total yards and 57 scores.
Mitch Stephens: DeSoto 35, Allen 34
Kevin Askeland: DeSoto 42, Allen 40
Jamie DeMoney: Allen 42, DeSoto 28
Stephen Spiewak: DeSoto 44, Allen 41
Leland Gordon: DeSoto 49, Allen 45
Colin Ward-Henninger: DeSoto 35, Allen 28
