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PREVIEW: DeSoto Football Searching for a Repeat
A state title to their name, DeSoto Eagles football is on the hunt for a repeat this season. After hard work, dedication, determination, and grit helped them finish strong in the 2022-23 season, the Eagles are looking toward what should be another dominant year on the field. Sitting near the top of the VYPE DFW 6A Preseason Football Rankings, we dive into what fans can expect from the Eagles this season:
REWIND
After a deep playoff run ended in a 38-20 loss to Duncanville during the 2021-22 football season, the DeSoto Eagles put the pedal to the metal and brought home a state title in 2022. Opening their season with strong victories over the likes of Louisiana's St. Augustine (35-10), and eventual back-to-back state champions South Oak Cliff (42-23) during preseason, DeSoto was ready to face-off against their district opponents with almost flawless effort.
Going 6-1 in district play, the Eagles downed Waxahachie (42-24), Mansfield Lake Ridge (86-26), Mansfield (28-16), and more en route to the playoffs. Once in playoffs, DeSoto took it all the way to the 'ship by sending home Pflugerville Weiss (37-20), Rockwall-Heath (52-7), Tomball (38-14), Harker Heights (60-24), and Denton Guyer (47-28) to keep the Wildcats from a second-straight state appearance. In the UIL Class 6A Championship game, DeSoto posted a 42-17 finish over Austin Vandegrift to seal their season with a title.
LOOKING AHEAD
As the team gears up for the 2023-24 season, fans will see the return of Kelon "KJ" Davis, Jaden Trawick, Daylon Singleton, Mario Buford, Deondrae Riden Jr., Brandon Booker, Jason Douglas, and more. These strong athletes have worked hard through the off-season and can be expected to bring a dominant defense as well as a prolific offense to the field each and every game. Looking toward what could be a repeat season, the Eagles are already focused on finishing strong.
DeSoto will begin their season on the road against Allen on August 25th. From there, the team will square off against other non-district opponents like South Oak Cliff before opening district play against Dallas Skyline in September. Looking at a line of district opponents who want to put a stop to DeSoto's aggressive style of play, fans can expect the Eagles to bring the heat this fall.
PREVIEW: Parish Episcopal working toward fifth consecutive title
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022... count them. Four consecutive state titles adorn this decorated team. Dominance is just one word that can be used to describe the Parish Episcopal Panthers' football program. The team sits at the top of the VYPE DFW Private School Preseason Football Rankings with good reason as they begin their run for a fifth-straight TAPPS State Title. What can fans expect from the Panthers this fall?
REWIND
Plano John Paul II (36-0, 2019), Fort Worth Nolan Catholic (42-28, 2020), Midland Christian (56-17, 2021), and Prestonwood Christian (38-14, 2022) have all fallen victim to Parish's TAPPS State Championship victories. Last season, the team was coming off of a then three-peat with the goal of securing a fourth consecutive state title. Opening non-district play against tough opponents, the team impressively downed Aledo (24-17), Bellaire Episcopal (24-17), and Austin LBJ (44-21) before putting up a strong battle against eventual back-to-back UIL 5A State Champions South Oak Cliff falling 31-28.
Learning from their time on the field during non-district play and continuing non-district with strong advances against their opponents, the Panthers finished out the rest of their season undefeated. Topping Nolan Catholic (42-7), Trinity Christian Academy - Addison (42-6), Prestonwood Christian Academy (42-14), and more, Parish Episcopal finished district play undefeated and headed into playoffs ready to get the job done. Taking out Bishop Lynch (56-14), Houston's St. Thomas Catholic (42-7), and Prestonwood Christian, the Panthers secured their fourth state title in four seasons.
LOOKING AHEAD
A roster full of seasoned athletes ready to secure a fifth title, the Panthers are returning strong, familiar faces. Recent Purdue commit quarterback Sawyer Anderson is prepared to help lead the squad consisting of other returners like D.C. Crane, Jaylen Pile, Hutch Crow, Bryson Fields, Taylor Pettit, Adam Roth, Caleb Bowers, Landry Sattler, and more.
This season, the Parish Panthers open non-district play on the road against Aledo on August 25th. From there, the team will go head-to-head against many of the same non-district opponents from last year before entering district play against Bishop Lynch on the Friars' turf. Looking for a strong start and the ability to prove that they are going to remain dominant for seasons to come, the Panthers' fans can expect big things from this crew. With another deep playoff run possibly resulting in a fifth-straight state title, Parish has high expectations for their football program this season.