Duncanville vs. DeSoto: Everything you need to know, stream links, score predictions (10/28/2023)
Update: The Duncanville vs. DeSoto game has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday due to heavy rain and lightning on Friday night. Follow along for live updates.
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At last, two Texas high school football titans clash.
Duncanville and DeSoto face off Friday in a District 11-6A battle and the game of the year in the Lone Star State. The game was set to kick off at 7 p.m., but has been delayed due to heavy rainfall.
Follow along here for the latest live updates from DeSoto.
The matchup pits the No. 1-ranked Panthers (7-0) and No. 2 Eagles (7-0) in a showdown between defending UIL Class 6A state champions and district foes.
The game is set to draw eyes from around the country. Duncanville is the No. 5 team in the country and DeSoto is No. 7 in the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national football power rankings.
SBLive Texas has you covered in the lead-up and on the ground in DeSoto on Friday, providing information on how to watch, game updates and more live coverage — stories, highlights and more.
Here's how to watch the game live. SBLive will also be providing live updates of big moments, scoring updates, breakout plays and more. Refresh this post for a link to our live updates post.
Catch up on the 31 best prospects in the Texas showdown, from 5-star LSU-committed wide receiver Dakorien Moore, to
Also take a look at the most notable alums of each program, how both coaches are preparing for the annual tilt and the impact of the efforts of DeSoto running back Marvin Duffey, who had stepped up and helped carry the Eagles' run game after 4-star junior Deondrae Riden got hurt in Week 1.
Three more things before kickoff ...
DUNCANVILLE'S DEFENSE? STIFLING
Soccer teams give up more points than the Duncanville defense has in 2023.
The Panthers' 7-0 start to the season has included five shutouts and an average fewer than four points allowed per contest.
That's what the DeSoto's is up against. That said, the Eagles, averaging 50 points per game, are the most potent offense Duncanville has seen all year.
The most points in a contest given up was against South Oak Cliff (6-2), the No. 16 ranked team in the the state. Duncanville won 34-13.
When you look at their personnel, the formidability becomes clear. D'Ville's D has depth, eye-popping size and athleticism, and seldom makes mistakes. Its team defensive stats — interceptions (5), sacks (10), pass deflections (29) and fumble recoveries (2) —don't even tell the whole picture, as the Panthers haven't played in a close game all season.
Five-star Texas commit Collin Simmons, the top prospect in Texas, is on one end of the line, Kevin Ford Jr., the top sophomore in Texas, is the other edge rusher. Fellow Texas commit Alex January and senior Javian Council are the tackles.
DISTRICT IMPLICATIONS
Simple as this: The winner claims the District 11-6A championship, as well as a national ranking boost and the No. 1 ranking in Texas.
Due to enrollment allotment, Duncanville (Division I) and DeSoto (Division II) will pare off into separate 6A playoff brackets.
If Friday's winner loses the Week 11 regular season finale, and the loser wins, the winner will still own a head-to-head advantage, though tiebreakers are decided by each district's executive committee.
So, if Vegas set lines, who would be the favorite?
SBLive polled the newsroom to predict the winner and score. Here are the picks:
STAFF PICK'EMS
Buck Ringgold (@Buck_SBLiveOkla) — Duncanville, 31-17
Cody Thorn (@CodyThorn) — Duncanville, 42-21
Ryan Childers (@SA_HCPreps) — Duncanville, 41-35
Chuck Cox — Duncanville, 34-21
Ian Napetian (@ian_napetian) — DeSoto, 54-38
Rene Ferran — Duncanville, 28-27
Andy Buhler (@AndyBuhler) — Duncanville, 38-21
MORE DUNCANVILLE-DESOTO COVERAGE:
-- Andy Buhler | andy@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx
