After a few weeks of counting down the Top 10 Moments of the 2018-19 DFW Sports Season...we've arrived. Truthfully, there were a lot more than 10 moments to dig through and narrow down. But without further ado, here's our top moment.
Duncanville's Hail Mary Loss to North Shore
Usually Top 10 moments are good things to remember about the year. Obviously, this list hasn't been that. For what it's worth, it's been a mix of accomplishments, uncertainty and let downs.
The latter definitely defines our No. 1 moment. It's unfortunate, because even the moment probably would have been No. 1 without the dramatics at the end. The game's final moments just push it over the top.
It was thought nothing could top the Manvel/Highland Park finish in the 2017 5A Division I State Championship. Alas, those prognostications would be wrong.
Entering the 6A State Division I final, it pitted two other-wordly teams. Galena Park North Shore was viewed as immovable object. With great talent on both sides of the ball, there was mention of them being the best team ever in the history of Texas high school football.
Duncanville, for that matter, came into the game having posted one of the best defensive seasons in Texas high school football history. Outside of a thrilling state semifinal matchup against Allen, Duncanville only allowed more than 10 points once and posted six shutouts - an amazing feat in this day and age of high-paced, high-scoring football.
The game started with a fury of points in the first quarter. North Shore scored first, then Duncanville rattled of 10 straight. Next North Shore added a TD with a 2-point conversion, followed by another Duncanville score and then another North Shore score.
Just after the first quarter, Northshore led 22-17.
Then the defenses settled in, as the two teams scored just 10 points in the second and were held scoreless in the third quarter. After three, Duncanville trailed 29-20.
Once again, the offenses found life in the fourth quarter as Duncanville opened up with 10 straight points to grab the lead again.
North Shore responded to retake the lead, 35-30, with 5:26 left in the game. At the 1:02 mark, Duncanville's all-world, do-it-all QB Ja'Quinden Jackson scored to put Duncanville up 36-35 - a missed 2-point conversion meant North Shore would only need a field goal to win.
But the Duncanville defense flexed its collective muscle and forced the North Shore offense to stall near midfield. And. That's. When. It. Happened.
On first-and-20 from the Duncanville 45-yard line, North Shore QB AJ Carter dropped back and let it fly.
The Hail Mary heard 'round the state. With two receivers near the back corner of the endzone, and a number of Duncanville defensive backs guarding against the attempt, the ball somehow found itself in the hands Dematrius Davis who got the required foot down and inbounds, held onto the ball and secured North Shore's second state title in four years.
PREVIOUS TOP 10 MOMENTS
Number 2: DeSoto Girls Track Dominates at State
Number 3: Duncanville Head Coach Embroiled in Controversy
Number 4: Slidell Wins First State Crown in 76 Years
Number 5: The Colony's Hook and Ladder Downs Lone Star
Number 6: Bobby Witt Jr. Takes All The Awards
Number 7: Adoette Vaughan Wins 4th Straight SPC Title
Number 8: Three From 9-6A Tabbed McDonald's All-Americans
Number 9: Segler Reassignment/RJ Hampton Goes Pro
Number 10: Flower Mound Volleyball's Run to State