It’s a Saturday night showdown at Kincaide Stadium in Dallas as defending 5A-Division II state champion South Oak Cliff looks to take down the consensus top team in DFW in 6A powerhouse Duncanville.

SOC gave Duncanville a strong challenge a year ago for about three quarters, but the Panthers depth in the trenches wore down the Golden Bears down the stretch.

This may be SOC’s best shot at taking down Duncanville as the Bears return the house from their title team and Duncanville will be a bit younger than they’ve been in years past. The FBS talent on both sides of the ball will be plenty, with Duncanville being led by their young duo of WR’s in Lamodrick Turner and Dakorien Moore, and SOC led by what many believe will be the best secondary in the state. The Golden Bears boast Manny Muhammad (Texas commit), Jayvon Thomas (Texas A&M commit) and Abdul Muhammad (SMU commit).

The key in this one will be at QB. How does Duncanville’s young QB Jameir Willis perform against that loaded secondary in his first varsity start, while SOC is replacing a FBS signee in Kevin Henry-Jennings. The Golden Bears new QB doesn’t need to be KHJ, he simply needs to manage the offense and get the ball to their playmakers on the edge, but is that enough against an always tough Duncanville defense? Add in the intrigue of the teacher vs. the student angle with SOC HC Jason Todd looking to beat his mentor - Duncanville HC Reginald Samples - for the first time.

The intrigue is real in this one and it’ll be close, but I’ve got to lean to Duncanville as the Panthers depth, especially early in the year when it’s hot, will be the difference.

Stepp’s Pick: Duncanville by 5