Two DFW powerhouses, Southlake Carroll and DeSoto, are set to clash on Saturday in the 6A Division II state semifinal. With a state title on the line, both teams are poised to deliver a high-stakes battle. DeSoto aims to defend its championship crown, while Southlake Carroll hopes to end a 12-year title drought.

The Dragons bring momentum from a commanding 56-7 victory over Byron Nelson in the regional final, avenging their only loss of the season. Georgia Tech quarterback commit Graham Knowles anchors the offense with 2,886 passing yards and 19 touchdowns this season. Supporting him is a dynamic backfield featuring Davis Penn, who tallied 143 yards and four touchdowns last week, and Riley Wormley. The offensive line, led by Charlotte commit Andrew Cunningham and Georgia Tech commit Harrison Moore, adds strength to the Dragons’ ground attack.

Defensively, Southlake Carroll relies on Dustan Mark, a force in the trenches with 114 tackles and 18 tackles for loss. The unit faces its toughest test yet against a DeSoto offense averaging over 52 points per game.

DeSoto, unbeaten this season, has dominated every opponent by at least 14 points. Quarterback DJ Bailey continues to impress, completing 85% of his passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 59-16 win over Cedar Hill. Four-star running back Deondrae Riden and SMU-bound receiver Daylon Singleton headline the Eagles’ explosive arsenal, while Antonio Pride provides a deep threat after a 104-yard performance.

On defense, the Eagles boast a formidable front seven, including SMU commit linebacker Brandon Booker, who has 107 tackles, and Purdue commit Keylan Abrams, who leads with 17 tackles for loss.

For Southlake Carroll to overcome DeSoto’s depth and firepower, it will need to deliver its best performance of the season. With both teams at the top of their game, this semifinal promises to be a thrilling showdown.