Deondrae Riden Jr.'s monster outing leads DeSoto back to Texas high school football title: 'They unleashed me'

Riden goes for 254 yards and 2 TDs in DeSoto's UIL 6A Division II semifinal win over Southlake Carroll

ALLEN, TEXAS - Deondrae Riden Jr. — called Tiger — had a banner day in DeSoto’s 45-38 win over Southlake Carroll in a Class 6A Division II semifinal game on Saturday at Eagle Stadium in Allen.

The junior posted career-highs in carries (34) and yards (254) and added a pair of scores for the defending state champions.

“They said they would unleash me today and they unleashed me,’ Riden said. “I’m back and I’m 100 percent.”

Now, Riden will have a chance to extend his career-best streak five games in a row with 100 yards or more.

DeSoto defeats Southlake Carroll: Live score, updates of Texas high school football semifinals (12/9/2023)

Riden, a four-star recruit, could’ve had a season-high 3 touchdowns but a holding call negated it in the fourth quarter. He had a 6-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and tacked on an 18-yard run in the third quarter.

DeSoto rolled up 631 yards and 442 of that came on the ground.

“To win the championship, you got to run the ball so we knew what today was going to be about,” said junior Byron Washington, an uncommitted guard for the Eagles.

Riden was on the same field Saturday where he suffered the first of two big injuries this season. On Aug. 25, he dislocated his elbow. He came back on Sept. 22, but played a game against Mansfield Lake Ridge and disclosed his other elbow.

“I try not to think about it; I got hurt on this field,” Riden said of his injury battles this year.

“They said they would unleash me today and they unleashed me. I’m back and I’m 100 percent.”

DeSoto fed the Tiger early, often and consistently.

He opened the game with a 13-yard run and tacked on 18 more yards later in the drive. He had six more runs of 10 yards or more.

“You give him a few seconds and he will hit the hole for sure, he’s a dog,” Washington said of Riden. “You give him space and he will do his thing.”

-- Cody Thorn | @sblivetx

Lead photo by Michael Horbovetz.