Allen (11-2) vs Southlake Carroll (13-0), 2 p.m. Saturday at Denton’s Apogee Stadium: Two 6A juggernauts clash in the regional finals as Allen looks to present Southlake Carroll their first challenge of the playoffs. Allen got revenge against Euless Trinity after knocking the Eagles out of the playoffs last year. Allen got a 38-7 lead at halftime and never looked back, winning it 59-21. Jaylen Jenkins was the lead out of a trio of backs, who all had at least 50 yards and two touchdowns, earning himself 112 yards and two touchdowns. The Allen defense also stood tall forcing three interceptions out of the Trojans. Southlake Carroll pitched a shutout against a feisty Lewisville squad with a 52-0 win. Quarterback Kaden Anderson didn’t need to do much, throwing for only 130 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Owen Allen kept the clock moving with 29 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown. The Dragon defense locked the field down allowing only 153 yards and forced three fumbles, considering Lewisville has an offense loaded with playmakers the defensive performance is that much more impressive. An Allen squad that received a lot of criticism early could silence doubters with a win against a talented Carroll squad. But it will be a tall order since the Dragons have had it rolling on all cylinders all year. Both teams are peaking at the right time and they both have big fan bases, expect a massive crowd at UNT on Saturday afternoon for this one. It’s hard to go against Coach Riley Dodge and the Dragons at this point. DCTF Intern Joshua Price’s Pick: Southlake Carroll by 7
Duncanville (11-1) vs DeSoto (11-2), 7 p.m. Saturday at Frisco’s Ford Center: It’s a rivalry game so good they’ve got to play it twice as favored Duncanville will look to make it four wins in a row over DeSoto and back-to-back regional final victories. Both teams come into this showdown playing maybe their best football of the season as Duncanville rolled past Spring 42-7 a week ago, while DeSoto cruised past unbeaten Spring Westfield 34-17. Duncanville’s defense was the story in the 42-7 blowout of Spring as the Panthers held Spring to just 223 yards of offense and had a pair of interception returns for touchdowns in the win. Duncanville’s offense didn’t roll up big yardage totals because they were constantly granted short fields by their vaunted defense. DeSoto’s defense employed a bend, but don’t break policy in their win over Westfield holding the Mustangs to two field goals on four first half red zone possessions, that enabled the Eagles to take a 14-6 lead into halftime, despite not playing very well on offense. The Eagles got the passing game going behind backup QB DJ Bailey who finished with 219 yards through the air and three passing touchdowns in the second half. DeSoto had three receivers with at least 100 yards receiving with Mike Murphy tallying 128 yards and two scores, Johntay Cook adding 102 yards and two touchdowns and Jaylan Bean adding in 103 yards receiving on nine receptions. Can DeSoto replicate that kind of aerial success against this Duncanville defense? If they can, they will pull the upset as this is not a dynamic Duncanville offensive unit, but what the Panthers do have is one of the state’s top defensive units and until proven otherwise, the Panthers get the nod over DeSoto. Stepp’s Pick: Duncanville by 10