DeSoto defeats Willis: Live Texas high school football playoff recap

Refresh for latest as DJ Lagway, 5-star Florida commit, battles No. 1 team in Texas in UIL regional semifinal battle between unbeatens

DJ Lagway and the undefeated Willis Wildkats gave nationally ranked DeSoto, the No. 1 high school football team in Texas, a legitimate test.

In the first half.

DeSoto withstood an early flurry of offense and pulled away to beat Willis handily, 65-31, in the Alamodome n Friday in the UIL regional semifinal round of the Texas (UIL) high school Class 6A Division II playoffs.

The Eagles (12-0) advance to the regional final, where they will face the Cedar Hill/Tomball winner. That games is Saturday at 4 p.m. 

Desoto downs DJ Lagway, Willis: 'They thought he could beat us by himself, and that was not happening'

The loss for Willis (12-1) marks the end of a blemish-less run, led by Lagway, a Florida commit and the nation's No. 2 QB, who has put forward one of the best high school football seasons across America this fall. 

Lagway passed the 6A single-season state TDs record on Friday night.

Entering Friday, the 5-star had completed 74 percent of his passes, thrown for 4,269 yards, 56 touchdowns, eight interceptions and rushed for 845 yards with 15 more touchdowns on 10.1 yards per carry.

SBLive ranks DeSoto as the No. 6 team in the nation and the No. 1 team in Texas. Willis was the No. 17 team in Texas the last time the rankings were updated.

The game is available for replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required). Scroll down for the top plays, highlights and moments:

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FINAL: DESOTO 65, WILLIS 31

Refresh for latest.

DeSoto QB Darius Bailey celebrates a touchdown in the first half of a regional semifinal against Willis in the Alamodome on Friday :: Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

FOURTH QUARTER

-- Bailey hits Pride for the DeSoto duo's third touchdown connection. (58-24, DeSoto | 8:10)

THIRD QUARTER

-- Touchdown, DeSoto. Bailey hits Antonio Pride for a 20-yard touchdown pass. The Eagles are pulling away big. (45-17, DeSoto | 5:30)

-- Eagles score. Freshman Ethan "Boobie" Feaster hauls in a TD as DeSoto builds on its lead. (38-14, DeSoto | 8:50)

SECOND QUARTER

-- Tiger Riden, the four-star running back, scores on a run around the left edge. (31-17, DeSoto | 1:14)

-- Darius Bailey hits Antonio Pride Jr. nine yards over the middle for touchdown. Eagles are back on top. (24-17, DeSoto | 3:49)

Ethan Feaster, DeSoto (Texas) freshman phenom, backs up hype with long TD

-- DJ Lagway, again! He hits Jalen Mickens for a 61-yard touchdown connection through the air. Wildkats draw even once again. (17-17 | 6:08)

-- Willis boots a 27-yard field goal to knot the game up at 10. (10-10 | 9:51)

FIRST QUARTER

-- DeSoto regains the lead. Marvin Duffey goes 12 yards for a score. (10-7, DeSoto | 0:32)

-- Willis front seven blows up the pocket on third, forcing a DeSoto punt. Wildkats came to play against the state's top-ranked team. 

Look: DeSoto takes down Duncanville in Texas high school football showdown

-- House call, DJ Lagway. Takes a QB power 68 yards for a touchdown. Willis takes the lead early. (7-3, Willis | 7:11)

-- DeSoto gets on the board first. Kicker Angel Diaz drills a 25-yard field goal. (3-0, DeSoto | 8:11)

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PHOTO GALLERY

All photos by Daniel Grant (@danielcapturedit)

Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

Photo by Daniel Grant / @danielcapturedit

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