Duncanville dominates The Woodlands

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 26, 2023

Duncanville vs The Woodlands 2023 by Steve Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Duncanville Takes Another Step in Title Defense

Duncanville Head Coach Reginald Samples has turned the Panthers into a 6A juggernaut. As with last year, the Panthers feature a stout defense which was allowing an average of only ten points per game entering Saturday’s contest. The Panthers also featured a potent offense which scored an average of 50 points per game. On Saturday afternoon in Hutto, the Panthers took another step towards defending their UIL 6A D1 title with a 49-21 rout of The Woodlands Highlanders. Early in the game, the Highlanders were able to make the game competitive; but they were ultimately unable to withstand the onslaught from the Panthers. Duncanville outgained The Woodlands 423 yards to 77 yards on the ground and 607 yards to 272 yards overall. Six of Duncanville’s seven touchdowns came on the ground.

In the first quarter, neither team was able to gain any momentum offensively until midway through the quarter. On the Panthers’ third drive of the game, running back Ayson Theus opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown run. Early in the second quarter, the Highlanders shifted the momentum when Ayden Self blocked Duncanville’s 36-yard field goal and returned it to the Panthers’ 25-yard line. Quarterback Mabrey Mettauer capitalized on the opportunity to tie the game with a nine-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jackson Bolender. That was as close as the Highlanders got, however. On the next drive, Duncanville quarterback Keelon Russell scored on a 28-yard touchdown keeper; but the Panthers missed the extra point. The Duncanville defense then forced a punt on the ensuing Woodlands drive, and Russell connected with receiver Dakorien Moore for an eight-yard touchdown. Running back Caden Durham scored the two-point conversion to put the Panthers up 21-7 going into the half.

After a sluggish start to the third quarter, Duncanville started to put the game to rest midway through the quarter. On Duncanville’s second drive of the half, Keelon Russell broke free for his second rushing touchdown of the night on a 30-yard keeper. With just under five seconds left in the third quarter, Caden Durham scored on a two-yard touchdown run. Durham finished the game with 297 yards rushing and 38 yards receiving. In the fourth quarter, running back JaQualon Armstrong scored two touchdowns for the Panthers on runs of ten yards and one yard. Woodlands quarterback Patrick Miller also connected with receivers Quannell X Farrakhan Jr and Shane Walker on touchdown passes of six and 14 yards.

With the win, Duncanville improves to 11-1 overall. Next week, the Panthers will take on the Spring Westfield Mustangs (11-2) in a rematch of last year’s UIL 6AD1 Region II final. After the game, Coach Samples praised his team’s performance. He particularly praised the performances of Keelon Russell and Caden Durham and also acknowledged the work Ayson Theus has put in to accomplish what he has as a sophomore. Samples said that the key for the team moving forward was maintaining focus and not making mistakes like they did early in the game.

The Woodlands, meanwhile, finishes the season at 9-4. Head Coach Jim Rapp said that his team scrimmaged Humble Atascocita and played top-level teams in the Houston powerhouses Galena Park North Shore and Lamar Consolidated to prepare for playoff matchups such as this. However, he also credited Duncanville for being able to disrupt them and take advantage of some of the Highlanders’ weak points.

by Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Duncanville