Tensions were high as two familiar opponents stepped onto the field at AT&T Stadium.
Prior to Saturday’s matchup, the juggernauts of Texas high school football – North Shore and Duncanville – had faced off in the UIL State Championship four times, with the Mustangs holding a 3-1 advantage.
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."
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.
“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.
"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.