With both teams coming into the Parrish Classic reeling from big losses at Allen in pre-district play, a rivalry game win was sure to put the winner on the right track. After losing their season opener to Saint Thomas Aquinas and a few of the captains opting against shaking hands at the coin toss, Desoto football was written off for the season. After losing to North Shore in the 6A-D2 championship last year, retirement rumors swirled surrounding coach Reginald Samples. His return to the sideline this year got off to a rocky start losing to Allen 26-7. Duncanville recovered with a handy 34-7 victory over Cedar Hill but questions remained with Desoto in their way heading into their district opener against upstart North Crowley. The Panthers roared back against a Desoto team playing without their starting quarterback.

The two programs are very familiar with each other and so are their coaches. Coaches Mathis and Samples sat down to film an episode of First We Feast to take us deep inside their years long friendship and mutual admiration. The two men are fierce competitors and no game of paper football, death wing or subject was stronger than their bond as leaders on the sidelines and brothers in battle. Check out that episode here.

The Panthers went into halftime trailing 21-7 behind SaRod Baker‘s relentless rushing attack. The star running back accounted for each of Desoto’s scores for the game. His second half performance as a game manager gave watchers a clue about his football IQ. Baker is no one’s quarterback but he is an athlete and his performance against a stout Duncanville defense helped Desoto soar into the win column for the first time this year. Baker wasn’t alone, the Eagle defense came through when it mattered. Though the Eagles were shut out in the second half, a blocked field goal in the final minute saved the Eagles from certain destruction.

The Stories of the Game

SaRod Baker’s role Saturday was a hybrid quarterback/running back, leading the offense from the backfield. Baker is a hard runner and not much of a passing quarterback at all. This doesn’t discredit Baker as much as it showcases his ability to get things done on offense. There were many high and low snaps, but Baker managed to catch them all and either safely hand the ball off, run the ball or get a pass off. There were interceptions but remember Baker is not a quarterback, he is a four-star running back on his way to Texas Tech next season.

Both teams are still very good despite the losses to Allen and fallout from the STA loss to open the season. The most formidable of all was the intense heat which kept most spectators under the cover of the top sections at the Cotton Bowl for most of the game. Late in the game, one Duncanville player was overcome with heat exhaustion and was attended to before Desoto’s final snaps in their victory formation. Duncanville begins “District of Doom” play this week against North Crowley who is looking to wreak havoc against teams who make regular postseason trips and challenge for state championships. Desoto picks up where it left off last season facing off against an undefeated Burleson Centennial team on the road.

This early game was the first of a doubleheader that featured a clash of state champs, Galena Park North Shore and South Oak Cliff. North Shore held on to win with late defensive heroics, topping South Oak Cliff 23-21. SMG Sports was unable to stay for this game but all stats and box scores are on Max Preps. North Shore begins district play against Crosby and the Golden Bears are re-assembling into championship formation when they take on Hillcrest this Friday night.

Teamwork and Sportsmanship

In a late drive, Duncanville came storming back after a fumble by Desoto’s punter. Their drive began in the red zone but a fumble at the goal line was recovered in the end zone for a Duncanville touchdown. Trenton Yancey lost the football but the team didn’t lose the fumble. As he lay in the end zone in dismay, his teammate could be heard yelling for him to get up as the team celebrated the score.

“Block That Kick!”

After recovering the fumble in the end zone, Duncanville had officially battled back to even the score. All that was left was the formality of kicking the extra point. As the teams lined up, someone on Desoto’s sideline yelled out, “Block that kick!” until the ball was hiked. From the end zone, it seemed like more like useless noise than a strategy until Desoto defenders broke through and did just that. With that blocked kick, Desoto remained on top, 21-20 which was the final score.

The Parrish Classic was much more than football, the expos brought resources to football fans. When we first heard of it, we knew this was something we wanted to share coverage of with our readers and listeners. As big as football is, it was merely a backdrop to much-needed resources coming to south Dallas. From its press release, the Parrish Foundation described the Parrish Football Classic as a “premier double-header high school football showcase featuring four Texas’ top state championship football programs competing on one stage at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, a venue that has hosted some of the most iconic sporting events in Texas history. Now, it will serve as the backdrop for an unforgettable day of high school football. The event is designed to celebrate excellence in Texas high school football while also investing directly back into student-athletes and athletic programs. Each participating school will receive $12,500 to support its football athletic department.The Parrish Football Classic represents more than football, it is a celebration of community, excellence, opportunity, and legacy.”

The Parrish Football Classic also hosted a College & Career Expo, a Health & Wellness Expo, Civic Education and Voter Registration, a STEM Expo and entertainment by the Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul and the Urban Trivia Live Experience.

Special thanks to Mr. Roland Parrish and all the people who made it possible. We hope the success of this year’s game and expo make the magnitude of an event like this possible for many years to come.