Arlington – Redemption. 

After years of coming up just short at state, Reginald Samples finally reached the mountain top.

Round 4 of the Duncanville-North Shore bout lived up to its billing as the two heavyweights went blow for blow.

It took every bit of four quarters for this one to be decided, with the Panthers coming out on top as 6A Division I UIL State Champs with a 28-21 victory.

The undercard was filled with exciting matchups. Samples vs North Shore head coach Jon Kay. Duncanville’s defensive line vs. North Shore’s offensive line. Colin Simmons vs. David Amador.

The Panthers delivered a body blow early on as Simmons tipped a pass from Jacoby Davis that landed in the hands of Tyren Polley for an interception. A 43-yard reception to star Dakorian Moore set up a Caden Durham two-yard touchdown for the game's first score. Keelon Russell followed that up with an 88-yard touchdown run to put the Panthers up 14-0 in the second.

The Mustangs responded with a 43-yard touchdown pass from Amador to Cameron Smith. Amador and Durham exchanged touchdowns in the second quarter bringing the game to a tie at halftime.

Near the end of the third quarter Durham got the touchdown that put Duncanville in the lead. Then the Panthers would put North Shore into a choke hold. Simmons and the Duncanville defensive line switched into high gear, with Simmons getting back-to-back sacks.

It came down to Amador fighting for a first down to extend North Shore’s final drive. He stretched out but was called short after the chains were brought out.

The offensive MVP Durham finished with 105 yards and three touchdowns as his quarterback, Russell, had 84 yards through the air. Defensive MVP Simmons had two sacks and five tackles.

Amador’s dual-threat effort ended with 76 yards and a touchdown through the air while running for 87 yards and two touchdowns.