Allen sophomore steals show as Dallas Skyline falls in state quarterfinals

By Travis Brown

Special to the Star-Telegram

MESQUITE -- Dallas Skyline quarterback Devonte Kincade jumped into the spotlight this summer, separating himself as one of the region's top quarterbacks at the Nike Elite 11 camp after leading Skyline to the state semifinals in his junior year.

The opponent on Saturday had a quarterback who wears Kincade's No. 1 and possesses similar dual-threat abilities as the Skyline senior and Ole Miss recruit.

Sophomore quarterback Kyler Murray and the Allen Eagles ended Kincade's senior season with a 37-17 victory at Mesquite Memorial Stadium in a Class 5A Division I state quarterfinal.

A natural runner, Murray rushed for 127 yards on 22 carries for two touchdowns, one of which countered Kincade's 24-yard touchdown run with a 24-yarder of his own. Through the air Murray hit 11 of 21 targets for 130 yards and a touchdown.

The scary thing is Murray has two more years to gain experience and grow.

"I mean, I just turned 15," Murray said when asked about his future as a quarterback.

Allen senior running back Marcus Ward also rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown.

"We've been able to run the football all year long," Allen coach Tom Westerberg said. "We've played well up front offensively and defensively all year and we didn't change anything up for this game."

Allen (13-1) led 17-7 at halftime, then quickly turned two Skyline (12-2) turnovers into 10 points. Kincade finished with 101 yards rushing, 232 passing.

Allen advances to the state semifinals to take on DeSoto, preliminarily scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at SMU's Ford Stadium.

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