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The Duncanville Panthers hit their victory pose following their second-straight Class 6A-I State Championship
TITLE TOWN: Duncanville makes it back-to-back against North Shore for the State Championship
Rest assured that their fifth meeting did not disappoint.
After taking the crown from their rivals across the state a year ago (28-21), the Panthers had their sights set on a repeat. The first half was indicative of their steadfast pursuit.
It didn’t take long for the action to begin, as Caden Durham compiled a whopping total of 213 yards on the ground, plus three scores, in the first half alone.
“It all started with my O-Line," said Durham. "We knew what the game-plan was before the first whistle blew, and we were able to execute. I haven't really gotten to play a full four quarters much this season, so it meant a lot to do that for my last game in high school."
Sr. RB Caden Durham accepts the UIL Offensive MVP awardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
Durham would go on to finish the afternoon with yards 231, which unanimously earned him Offensive MVP honors, just as he did a year ago.
Similarly, on the defensive side of the ball, the eventual Defensive MVP Colin Simmons (his second-straight, as well) gave the Panthers the competitive edge in this matchup with 8 tackles, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble on the day.
He, along with other play-makers such as Mason Williams, Alex January, and Ka'Davion Dotson-Walker were able to limit the explosive potential of North Shore's offense.
Sr. EDGE Colin Simmons accepts the UIL Defensive MVP awardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“This means a lot, especially to DFW," Simmons said. "This is probably one of the biggest rivalries in all of Texas, so being able to show up like we did means everything. Us getting our get back -- there's nothing better."
North Shore would make an impressive effort for a comeback in the second half, however the deficit that Duncanville had established was simply too much to handle in the end, as the Panthers ran away with a 49-33 victory, courtesy of two second-half TDs by junior QB Keelon Russell (288 yds passing, 3 TDs, 1 rushing TD).
After winning his first state title in his thirty-plus-year career in 2022, coach Reginald Samples adds another to his storied tenure, making the Dallas program back-to-back champions in the Class 6A-DI sector.
Coach Reginald hoists the UIL State Title for the second time in hisMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
"I'm very proud of the effort," said Samples. "Our coaches did a great job of preparing these young men for the battle that took place. Winning back-to-back, I really don't know how to describe the feeling -- I'm still kind of numb, honestly. We play teams with great players and we come out on the winning side. The record and what you see on the field speaks for itself."
"I'm still motivated to stick around, because I don't want to let North Shore get away with saying they beat me one more time than I beat them. That's my thought process, and I don't know how far it'll go, but it's really in my mind to win one more time and make it 3-to-3. That way I can say nobody was better than us."
With that mindset, it seems more than clear that Coach Samples and co. are far from being done at this stage. However, Duncanville can now revel in yet another taste of championship glory.
How will Duncanville handle being the hunted, instead of hunter?
So, now they are the hunted instead of the hunter.
“Trust me, we aren’t looking past what is right in front of us,” he said. “Here’s why. We were trying so hard to beat North Shore in those state games, and lost. Eventually, we beat them. These teams in front of us are the same way. They are trying to knock us off like we were with North Shore. There are only really good teams left and we respect our opponents”
The Panthers are freakishly talented with the likes of QB Keelon Russell (SMU-commit) RB Caden Durham (LSU-commit), WR Dakorien Moore (LSU-commit), OL (Baylor-commit) DE Colin Simmons (Texas-commit), DT Alex January (Texas-commit), DB Ka’Davion Dotson (SMU-commit) walking the hallways. There is nearly a dozen more college commits on the way.
“We try and keep the outside noise to a minimum,” he said. “Yes, there are college recruiters here all the time, but we try and limit the distractions during the season, especially in the playoffs. You can have a bunch of great players, but if you don’t win, that doesn’t build a program. We are here to get kids recruited and we do a great job of that, but when it comes down to it, we’re also here to win ball games for Duncanville High School.”
The star of the Panther Den on the offensive side of the ball is Caden Durham, who has over 1,500 yards and 21 scores for the season. When the Panthers need a big play, he’s the guy.
“Caden started off slow and didn’t have those big stats, because we didn’t need that early on. We were winning by large margins,” Samples said. “In a lot of games, we pulled him by halftime because we knew we were going to need him later. He didn’t pout or anything, he just stayed positive. He’s a winner and all the great ones have another gear. He certainly does. When we have needed plays when the games count, he’s the guy that wants the ball and he delivers.”
With an explosive offense that is averaging nearly 50 points per game, the offense is equally as dynamic. The Panthers are only giving up 10 points a game and are punishing teams.
“We hang our hat on defense and being physical,” Samples said. “I’ve always leaned to the defense side of the ball and I believe defense wins championships.
“When those guys who now star on defense for us came into the program, we could easily have put them on the offensive side of the ball. They would have been really good, but we think put them in the right spot. I think they would agree.”
Unfortunately, so would their opponents.
So, how will Duncanville handle being the defending state champs as the postseason whittles down? With an unmatched swagger and the experience winning their first under Coach Samples, more dangerous than ever before.