DeSoto fends off Cedar Hill; sets up Texas high school football mega-showdown with Duncanville

Eagles pull away in second half to remain undefeated before big game next week

CEDAR HILL, TEXAS - It wasn't easy and it wasn't pretty at times.

But, DeSoto was able to hold up its end of the bargain, and set the scene for maybe the season's biggest game in the state next week.

The Eagles remained undefeated after pulling away in the second half for a 35-13 win against Cedar Hill on Friday night at Longhorn Stadium.

With the win, DeSoto (7-0, 5-0 District 11-6A) now sets its sights on equally undefeated Duncanville next Friday on the Eagles' home field in a matchup between defending state champions (Duncanville in 6A Division I; DeSoto in 6A Division II).

The Panthers did their part on Thursday night, winning at home against Dallas Skyline. As for the Eagles, they were ahead by just six points late in the first half (13-7) before scoring a touchdown right before halftime.

DeSoto had 243 total yards in the first half while holding the Longhorns to 91. But in a penalty-filled contest, the Eagles were penalized eight times for 110 yards, including a costly 15-yard fourth-down penalty which kept Cedar Hill's lone TD drive alive.

However, DeSoto was penalized only five times for 50 yards in the second half. Cedar Hill was flagged 14 times for 132 yards.

The Eagles jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter on a pair of short TD runs. Senior tailback Marvin Duffey capped off a 15-play, 64-yard scoring drive with a 3-yard TD run for a 6-0 DeSoto lead.

Then, after Cedar Hill missed a field-goal attempt, the Eagles moved down the field in 82 yards, capped by a 1-yard keeper from senior quarterback Darius Bailey.

Cedar Hill (3-5, 2-3) made things interesting with a 16-play, 52-yard drive, ending with an 8-yard TD run from Zhaiylen Scott with 3:34 left in the first half. The PAT cut DeSoto's lead to six.

The Longhorns then held on defense and got the ball back, but had to punt it away. DeSoto took over at its own 36 and needed just four plays to reach the end zone.

Duffey got the call on the final three plays, runs covering 13, 23 and 13 yards, the latter for his second TD on the night. He then added a two-point run, giving the Eagles a 21-7 lead with 43 seconds remaining before the break.

DeSoto then had a pair of third-quarter TDs, a 1-yarder from Jakyree Washington and Duffey's third score on the night, a 56-yard dash that made it 35-13. He rushed for 177 yards on 18 carries, as DeSoto had 281 yards on the ground.

Bailey completed 12-of-18 passes for 171 yards. Ten of those receptions went to Antonio Pride Jr., covering 166 yards. DeSoto tallied 452 yards of total offense.

The Longhorns had their second TD in the third on a 19-yarder from quarterback Anthony Edwards to receiver Kymeion Turner. Edwards finished 13-of-25 on the night with 174 yards as DeSoto's defense held Cedar Hill to 246 yards total.

Photo of DeSoto RB Marvin Duffey (27) by Robbie Rakestraw 

-- Buck Ringgold | buck@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveTX