DeSoto dominates Cedar Hill, advances to face winner of Southlake Carroll-Byron Nelson
DALLAS — DeSoto is one step closer to a return to the state finals.
The defending Class 6A Division II champions hammered Cedar Hill 59-16 in a Region 2 finals on Friday night at John Kincaide Stadium.
The Eagles (13-0) will have to wait and see who they will play next week in the semifinal. The Region 1 final is Saturday between Southlake Carroll and Trophy Club Byron Nelson at 7:30 p.m. CT. DeSoto has never faced Byron Nelson and are 2-3 vs. Carroll during the past 20 years.
“We will get treatment tomorrow and on Monday we’re going to move to the next game,” DeSoto senior running back Jaylin Jones said. “We are going to stay on our grind and stay humble.”
The Eagles’ defense had four interceptions against a Cedar Hill team that passed the ball 34 times. Coming into the game, the Longhorns averaged 87 yards per game passing.
DeSoto coach Claude Mathis felt the Eagles might see more of a passing game despite Cedar Hill’s recent results.
The Longhorns had a pair of 100-yard rushers in last week’s win against Tomball.
“I knew they couldn’t run the ball,” he said. “We had a funny feeling they were going to do that. I went into the office today and called my defensive coordinator and he was already drawing up the pass plays to go over with the kids again. We felt they would throw the ball a lot and they did. I’m glad I followed my gut.”
DeSoto held Cedar Hill to 54 yards on 27 carries. DeSoto had the most success in terms of touchdowns rushing, but the first score of the night was through the air.
Sam Houston State commit Darius ‘DJ’ Bailey connected with Antonio Pride Jr. for a 37-yard touchdown a little less than 2 minutes into the game.
Cedar Hill (8-6) got a little bit of momentum after that big play by blocking the PAT and Yusuf Thomas ran it back 67 yards. That turned into a baseball-like 6-2 score in favor of DeSoto.
The Eagles tallied the next 22 points to provide a cushion and led by 28 points at the break.
Two scores in that span were from the defense, a 1-yard interception return by defensive lineman Marshall Kirven and a 17-yard interception return by SMU pledge Brandon Booker.
The latter score was a span of two scores in 15 seconds for the Eagles. Angel Diaz kicked a 38-yard field goal and on the next player, Booker had the pick-six.
Marvin Duffey and Deondrae Riden Jr. both ran for scores for DeSoto in the first half, helping the Eagles lead 38-10.
The Eagles expanded the lead to 59-16 after the third quarter.
Cedar Hill struck first on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Edwards to Kymeion Turner, but 16 seconds after that score, DeSoto got on the board.
Pride returned the ensuing kickoff return 87 yards for a touchdown. Jaden Trawick ran for a score, while Bailey connected with Ethan Feaster for a touchdown in the third quarter.