DeSoto Football Eagles played.
DeSoto Football Eagles won.
So goes the incredible story of the 2023 Football season at DeSoto High School: Undefeated in 15 games en route to the third state championship in the high school’s football program, this one the second in two consecutive years. In winning its second straight state title — and the third championship in eight years — DeSoto scored 36 points in the first quarter and broke the record for most points scored in a state championship game in the UIL's top classification. DeSoto's dominant season included a win over the 6A Division I state champion, and historic rival Duncanville High School.
DeSoto had a very strong running game - bolstered by Duffey and Deondrae Riden Jr., who returned from an injury in the season opener to be a strong contributor. District MVP, quarterback DJ Bailey was on target all season, completing 189 of 276 passes and only two interceptions in 15 games. Daylon Singleton and Antonio Pride headed up a solid group of receivers.
On defense, the Eagles had more than their share of standouts, from the line to the secondary, including defensive MVP junior edge rusher Keylan Abrams who fulfilled his personal pledge of a 20 plus sack season.
Accolades abound for the outstanding season, with individual and collective recognitions as well as early college signings.
Honors Recap
Team Rankings
FINAL SBLIVE/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED POWER 25
#2 DeSoto Eagles
ESPN
#3 DeSoto Eagles
USA Today
#4 DeSoto Eagles
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Academic All-State
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Camrien Washington
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2nd Team
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Tristan Bailey
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Honorable Mention
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Makali McKellar
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Honorable Mention
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Eldren Lavan
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Honorable Mention
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Ja'Mari Laye
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Honorable Mention
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Braylon Scott
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Honorable Mention
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Nicholas Hamilton
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Honorable Mention
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Maddox Contreras
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Honorable Mention
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Brandon Booker
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Honorable Mention
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Antonio Pride Jr
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Honorable Mention
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11-6A District Awards
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District MVP
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Darius DJ Bailey
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Newcomer for the Year
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Ethan Feaster
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First Team
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Keylan Abrams
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DE 1st TM Unanimous
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Marvin Duffey
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RB 1st TM
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Antonio Pride
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WR/RET 1st TM
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Daylon Singleton
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WR 1st TM
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Leon Brigham
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OL 1st TM
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Byron Washington
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OL 1st TM
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Ronnell McLain
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OL 1st TM
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Marshall Kirven
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DT 1st TM
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Ja’Mari Laye
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LB 1st TM
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Brandon Booker
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LB 1st TM
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Aundre Wisner
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LB 1st TM
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Mario Buford
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CB 1st TM
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Makali McKellar
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S 1st TM
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Angel Diaz
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K 1st TM
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Second Team
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Deondrae Riden Jr
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RB 2nd TM
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Jaden Trawick
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FB 2nd TM
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Kristoff Fantroy
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WR 2nd TM
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Tristan Bailey
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TE 2nd TM
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Dylan Johnson
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OL 2nd TM
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Vincent Williams
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OL 2nd TM
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Jerbralon Stewart
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OL 2nd TM
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Jirus Guy
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DT 2nd TM
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Ja’Den Randle
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DL 2nd TM
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Cortez Reagor
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DL 2nd TM
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Jason Douglas
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DL 2nd TM
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Camrien Washington
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DL 2nd TM
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Jaylin Jones
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LB 2nd TM
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Caleb Holmes
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CB 2nd TM
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Akeem Rahsaan
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CB 2nd TM
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Canden Mathis
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CB 2nd TM
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Sael Reyes
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S 2nd TM
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Antrone White
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S 2nd TM
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Brandon Booker
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LS 2nd TM
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Daylon Singleton
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RET 2nd TM
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Jakyree Washington
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RET 2nd TM
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Staff of the Year
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DeSoto
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SBLive All-North Texas Team
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Offensive Player of the Year
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Darius “DJ” Bailey
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Freshman of the Year
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Ethan Feaster
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Byron Washington
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OL 1st TM
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Keylan Abrams
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DL 1st TM
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Daylon Singleton
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WR 2nd TM
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Brandon Booker
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LB 2nd TM
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Deondrae Riden Jr
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RB HM
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Mario Buford
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DB HM
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Coach of the Year
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Claude Mathis
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SBLive All-Texas Team
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Team of the Year
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DeSoto Eagles
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Darius “DJ” Bailey
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QB
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Keylan Abrams
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DL
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Coach of the Year
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Claude Mathis
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SBLive All-American Team
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Coach of the Year
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Claude Mathis
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MaxPreps All-American Team
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Keylan Abrams
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DL 2nd TM
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MaxPreps Junior All-American Team
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Keylan Abrams
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DL 1st TM
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Daylon Singleton
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WR 2nd TM
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MaxPreps Freshmen All-American Team
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Ethan Feaster
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WR 1st TM
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The Dallas Morning News’ 2023 All Area Team
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Keylan Abrams
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Defensive Player of the Year
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Darius Bailey
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QB 1st TM
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Daylon Singleton
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WR 1st TM
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Ronnell McLain
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OL 1st TM
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Brandon Booker
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LB 1st TM
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Padilla Poll Coaches 2023 All-State Team 6A
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Claude Mathis
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6A Coach of the Year
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Brandon Booker
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6A Defensive Player of the Year
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Darius Bailey
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6A Offensive Player of the Year
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Angel Diaz
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K 1st TM
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Antonio Pride
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Ret 1st TM
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Leon Brigham
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OL 1st TM
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Ronnell McLain
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OL 1st TM
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Daylon Singleton
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WR 1st TM
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Marvin Duffey
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RB 1st TM
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Deondrae Riden
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RB 1st TM
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Byron Washington
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OL 2nd TM
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Antonio Pride
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WR 2nd TM
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Keylan Abrams
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DL 1st TM
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Ja’Mari Laye
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LB 1st TM
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Mario Buford
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DB 1st TM
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Dave Campbell’s Texas Football
Claude Mathis
6A Coach of the Year
National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches
Claude Mathis
High School Coach of the Year
2023 Whataburger Super Team
Brandon Booker: LB
The THSCA Super Elite Team
Darius Bailey: Offensive MVP
Keylan Abrams: Defensive MVP
THSCA Regional Coach of the Year Winners:
Claude Mathis: Regional HEAD Coach of the Year *Region 3
Aaron Babino: Regional ASSISTANT Coach of the Year *Region 3
Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association’s 2023 Class 6A All-State Team:
Keylan Abrams:DL Defensive Player of the Year/1st TM
Brandon Booker: LB 1st TM
Ronnell McLain: OL 1st TM
Daylon Singleton: WR 1st TM
Darius “DJ” Bailey: QB 2nd TM
Byron Washington: OL 2nd TM
Claude Mathis: Coach of the Year
Congratulations to all the players and staff for an excellent season.
Looking forward to the 2024 season, DeSoto will remain in the 6A classification.
District 11 6A will include:
Cedar Hill
Dallas Skyline
DeSoto
Duncanville
Lancaster
Mesquite
Mesquite Horn
Waxahachie