ARLINGTON – The best high school football team in the state of Texas in 2023, regardless of classification, closed the weekend’s festivities by setting a new record for most points scored in a Class 6A Division II state championship game.

DeSoto scored its first touchdown 54 seconds into the game and never looked back in a 74-14 drubbing of Humble Summer Creek. The Eagles earned back-to-back state titles for the first time in school history. DeSoto joins fellow Dallas Independent School District mate Duncanville with an opportunity to join the elite programs with three consecutive state titles in 2024.

How can one say that DeSoto (15-0) is the best team in the state this year while playing in the smaller of the two 6A divisions? It’s simple math. The Eagles beat Duncanville earlier in the season. Duncanville defeated North Shore earlier Saturday evening. North Shore defeated Summer Creek during the regular season.

The Eagles left no doubt about the game's outcome in the first quarter. DeSoto blitzed the Bulldogs with 36 points in the opening frame. The Eagles were on cruise control from that point forward.

The Blitz included four DeSoto touchdowns in the game’s first 7:20, with the opening salvo a 54-yard rushing touchdown by Marvin Duffey. The Eagles defense was incredible throughout the contest and forced a turnover on the ensuing Summer Creek drive.

Jamari Laye tipped a pass from the Bulldogs into the air. The ball proceeded to bounce off the helmet of a Summer Creek offensive lineman before being plucked from the sky by Keylan Abrams. Three plays later, Deondrae Riden Jr. rushed 14 yards untouched for a touchdown, and it was apparent that it was DeSoto’s night to shine.

The third touchdown was a bullet that split the Summer Creek safeties to a streaking Daylon Singleton from Sam Houston commit DJ Bailey. The fourth of five DeSoto touchdowns of the first quarter was another beautiful pass from Bailey to Daylon Singleton for a 55-yard touchdown. The duo teamed up for three touchdowns in the contest.

Summer Creek’s (14-2) lone touchdown until late in the fourth quarter followed a DeSoto turnover deep in its territory.  Kaleb Walker recovered a lateral pass from Bailey to give the Bulldogs possession at the Eagles six-yard line. Lloyd Avant took the next play from scrimmage to the endzone.

Keylan Abrams earned Defensive Most Valuable Player honors after registering six tackles (four solo), three tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception. Bailey was selected as the Offensive MVP after completing 16-of-22 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns.