Three North Texas high schools head to state football championship games

All three schools will compete for a state title on Saturday at AT&T Stadium. All three won state titles in 2022.

If it’s a familiar tradition in North Texas, it’s one DeSoto parents like Nekaya Duffey say never gets old.

“We are so excited,” Duffey said.

Parents and supporters filled the parking lot of Eagle Stadium in DeSoto on Friday afternoon as the team boarded buses bound for Arlington ahead of the Eagles' Class 6A Division II state title game Saturday night.

Head coach Claude Mathis guided DeSoto to a dramatic 57-44 win in the state semifinal last weekend over previously undefeated Southlake Carroll.

“This is an exciting time for DeSoto, exciting time for this community,” Mathis said Friday.

Just about 12 miles to the north in Dallas, a similar scene played out outside South Oak Cliff High School.

Drill team members, cheerleaders and the band performed as Golden Bears players and coaches boarded three charter buses for Arlington, ahead of their Class 5A Division II state championship game on Saturday.

For South Oak Cliff, it’s the school’s fifth consecutive state title game, as it seeks its first championship since 2022.

“We worked our butt off to get back here, and our goal is to not be denied this time,” head coach Jason Todd said.

Sandwiched between the 11 a.m. South Oak Cliff kickoff and the 7 p.m. DeSoto finale at AT&T Stadium is Duncanville High School, a Class 6A Division I powerhouse seeking its third state title in four years.

At a media briefing Thursday, Duncanville senior wide receiver Ayson Theus reflected on what it means for all three schools, separated by just 12 miles, to be representing southern Dallas County.

“We hold it deep to us because we represent South Dallas, and all three schools going to the state championship is a big thing for South Dallas,” Theus said.

Todd echoed a similar sentiment Friday before boarding the team bus.

“It means a lot, but more importantly, we all three want to win, so it’s our job to kick the party off right tomorrow morning,” Todd said.