Redemption is up for grabs as Southlake Carroll aims to topple DeSoto

In 2023, Southlake Carroll had a promising season before it ran into DeSoto in the Class 6A Division II state semifinals.

the eventual Class 6A Division II state champion, in the state semifinals.

The Dragons lost 45-38 — an intense and entertaining 6A Texas high school football playoff game — and DeSoto would go ahead and win state.

Now, two years later, Southlake Carroll has a shot at redemption in what should be another exciting game between Texas football juggernauts. Carroll (14-0) will face DeSoto (11-3) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Newsom Stadium in Mansfield in a Class 6A Division II state semifinal.

The No. 1 Dragons aim to punch a ticket to the state championship game in consecutive seasons and move one step closer to their first state title since 2011. The Eagles, after a down year in 2024, are looking to reclaim the Class 6A Division II throne — they won championships in 2022 and 2023.

DeSoto had a rough start to the 2025 season, falling to Creekside and North Crowley. But since then, DeSoto has looked excellent, with the exception of a loss to state power Duncanville, winning 11 of 12.

Although the Eagles have three losses, they undoubtedly have one of the toughest schedules in Texas and aren’t to be underestimated. Despite being unranked by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, DeSoto is playing its best football at the right time and is on an eight-game win streak.

The winner of the contest will face either Houston King or Vandegrift in the Class 6A Division II state championship on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Familiar faces lead the Dragons

Back when Carroll fell to DeSoto in 2023, both running back Davis Penn and wide receiver Brock Boyd had prominent roles as sophomores.

Penn broke away for a 75-yard TD, finishing with 93 rushing yards and also adding 43 receiving yards. Boyd also had a solid game, tallying 122 yards.

Although the Dragons have a pass-heavy offense, look for Penn to establish the run. In their win against Denton Guyer, he rushed for 158 yards.

Boyd, an Ohio State signee who mentioned on socials he was feeling under the weather against Guyer, still put on a show, tallying 116 yards on only three receptions.

Pitt signee Angelo Renda threw for 234 yards, all in the first half, with Carroll holding a strong lead. He could have a big game against DeSoto’s defense, considering the unit gave up 335 yards to Wills QB Lincoln Frazier, a freshman.

Frazier did throw two interceptions, which is something Renda will have to avoid. He has seven interceptions on the season and 49 total TDs.

Protecting Renda is a beastly offensive line with multiple high-profile recruits, including junior Michigan pledge Tristan Dare, junior Oklahoma pledge Luke Wilson and senior Memphis pledge Carey Clayton.

Another name to watch is junior wide receiver Brody Knowles, a lengthy deep threat with a 6-foot-5 frame and offers from TCU, Oklahoma and more.

His brother, Graham Knowles, now a Georgia Tech quarterback, was the Dragons’ signal caller in the 2023 game against DeSoto.

As DeSoto will likely focus on Boyd, look for Knowles and wide receiver Blake Gunter to thrive. Knowles and Gunter have combined for an average of 138.4 receiving yards per game.

A look at the DeSoto Eagles

The Eagles exploded for 60 points against Willis in the quarterfinals with the help of a star-studded offense.

Leading the charge is junior running back Sarob Baker, a three-star recruit with offers from SMU, TCU, Texas Tech and more. He rushed for a whopping 402 yards against Willis and is averaging 193.9 rushing yards per game.

The Dragons allowed 154 rushing yards to Guyer, and 100 were from quarterback Kaedyn Cobb. Carroll has been very good against the run, but they haven’t gone against a back quite like Baker.

Another name to watch is four-star USC signee receiver Ethan Feaster, who is averaging over 100 yards per game.

Defensively, senior safety Damarion Ross leads the squad with five interceptions. Look for him to attempt to limit the Dragons’ explosive plays.