Southlake Carroll beat Duncanville in the state semifinals 34-27 last year, and the Panthers used that as motivation going into Saturday's rematch at McKinney ISD Stadium. Duncanville avenged last season's loss with a 35-9 dominant performance to move on the UIL 6A Division I State Championship Game.
There were many stars on the field Saturday, but none shined brighter than Duncanville senior Quarterback Solomon James. "He played his best game and we needed it tonight", legendary Duncanville Head Coach Reginald Samples said.
James, who transferred to Duncanville from Corsicana went a perfect 12 for 12 for 164 yards and 3 touchdowns, while adding 34 yards and a score rushing. "I just give all the thanks to the Lord" James said. We were ready to play ball from the start of the game with the turnover and an offensive touchdown."
The Panthers defense got the party started when 5-Star Defensive End Omari Abor recorded a strip sack that he returned 19-yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Panthers. "It was crazy! I made a great move off the edge, hit the ball, and it bounced perfect like bing-boom. It was a great bounce and touchdown" Abor said. Abor stat line was 6 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
The Duncanville offense finally got on the field after two unsuccessful Carroll drives and they used a steady dose of Malachi Medlock to drive down the field. Medlock finished the drive of with a 5-yard touchdown catch from James to make it 14-0. Medlock's 24 carries for 143 yard opened up the passing game for the Panthers, as Southlake had to load up the box to stop the run. Behind two of the best offensive and defensive lines in the state, Duncanville outrushed the Dragons 180 to 29.
The game plan for the Panthers was to "Play physical, run the ball, that's all we had to do. It's just good coaching and we take the coaching." Duncanville 5-Star Offensive Tackle Cameron Williams said.
The Carroll offense put together a nice drive that ended with a 46-yard Tyler White field goal to make it 14-3. James would connect with senior Wideout Lontrell Turner on 4th down for a 22-yard touchdown to make it 21-3 at halftime.
James would score the first points of the second half, when he took the zone read 43-yards to the house to make it 28-3 in the 3rd quarter. James would throw his last touchdown of the night to true freshmen Wideout Dakorien Moore, as they connected on an 83-yard touchdown that put 35-3 going into the fourth quarter.
The Dragons didn't quit though, as Quarterback Kaden Anderson lead the Dragons on a 16 play 80-yard drive that was capped off by a 1-yard James Lehman touchdown run that made it 35-9. Anderson threw for 212 yards and two interceptions. His top two targets on the night were Landon Sampson (109 yards) and RJ Maryland (61 yards). Highly touted Running Back Owen Allen led Carroll in rushing with 69 yards.
The Duncanville secondary made countless plays all night including two interceptions. Kadavion Dotson-Watson and Pierre Goree both recorded 2nd half interceptions that were demoralizing for the Dragons. Linebacker Vernon Grant led the defense in tackles with 10 and Arkansas commit Jordan Crook was second on the team with 8.
Duncanville will face Galena Park North Shore in the state title game for the third time in four years next Saturday at 3 pm at Cowboy Stadium. The Panthers are hoping that the third time is the charm for them and Coach Samples.
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