The 2023 Texas High School Football season culminates on Saturday night with a highly anticipated showdown between DeSoto and Summer Creek in the 6A Division II State Title Game. This will be DeSoto’s third appearance in a state title game, having won twice before, while Summer Creek makes its debut on the grand stage.

DeSoto: A Team of Stars

DeSoto enters the game as the defending champions, riding on the strong shoulders of quarterback DJ Bailey and running back Deondrae Riden. Bailey has thrown for over 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns this season, with Riden adding another dimension in the backfield, rushing for 254 yards in last week’s thrilling win over Southlake Carroll.

The Eagles’ offense is deep, with backup running backs Marvin Duffey and Jaden Trawick providing fresh legs, while receivers like SMU commit Daylon Singleton and Antonio Pride make the passing game dynamic.

Defensively, DeSoto boasts talent across the board, with linebacker duo Brandon Booker and Jamari Laye dominating the field. Up front, Purdue commit Keylan Abrams and last year’s Defensive MVP Jason Douglas anchor the trenches. The secondary, led by Nebraska commit Mario Buford, rounds out a complete defense capable of shutting down any offensive attack.

Summer Creek: Defense and Power Running

Summer Creek has been a defensive juggernaut this season, allowing just over 12 points per game. The Bulldogs’ front seven, led by LSU commit Xavier Atkins, defensive ends Kyran Duhon and Chad Woodfork, has been exceptional in controlling games. Last week, they held Cibolo Steele to only 14 points in a dominating performance.

On offense, Summer Creek leans heavily on Tulsa commit Lloyd Avant, who rushed for 199 yards in the semifinals and has over 2,000 yards on the season. Quarterback Blake Thomas is also a dual threat, capable of both running and passing effectively. His favorite targets are senior wide receivers Kordell Rodgers and Caleb Welch, who combine for over 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns this season.

Key to the Game

Summer Creek’s best chance to pull an upset lies in its ability to control the clock with Avant’s powerful running game. If the Bulldogs can keep DeSoto’s explosive offense off the field and limit turnovers, they’ll have a shot at staying competitive.

For DeSoto, the Eagles need to keep their foot on the gas early. With the talent of Bailey and Riden, DeSoto is more than capable of outpacing Summer Creek in a shootout. However, if the Eagles don’t start strong, Summer Creek’s defense and ball control could allow the Bulldogs to grind out an upset victory.

Final Thoughts

The 6A Division II State Title Game promises to be a clash of styles, with DeSoto’s high-powered offense facing off against Summer Creek’s stingy defense and powerful running game. With the experience and talent on DeSoto’s side, they enter as favorites, but Summer Creek’s gritty defense and Avant’s rushing could make this one closer than expected.