Eagles win assured Texas wouldn’t be swepted
in the Inaugural Florida vs. Texas
DeSoto – For many years the debate has been who plays the best high school football California, Florida or Texas. So far Florida hasn’t hurt their chances, winning 5 of the six games vs. Texas teams this season. Cocoa, Glades Central and Miami Central defeated Texas Foes. But many are questioning did Florida send their best to compete against mediocre Texas teams? The four Florida school were all ranked in the top 10 in their state.
Without question this was the most entertaining match up of the four games.
Ryan Polite 20 yard touchdown strike to Demarcus Thompson helped the DeSoto Eagles (3-0) defeat the Miramar Patriots (FL) 42-41 in a thriller that was decided in OT. The victory avoided Texas from being swept in the Inaugural Florida vs. Texas High School Football Showcase.
The lost for the Patriots snapped a nine game winning streak.
Super Sophomore Dontre Wilson stunned the Patriots with an opening 86 yard kickoff return that only took 13 seconds off the clock.
DeSoto came out with a lot of fire, holding home field advantage and knowing that the state of Texas was 0-3 to this point. “When you grow up playing in the state of Texas you play hard to up hold that tradition,” said DeSoto’s Coach Claude Mathis.
Miramar Florida’s Class 6A State Champion from last season used an eight play 85 yard drive to draw even with the Eagles at 7 when Devonte Mathis caught a 20 yard touchdown reception.
“Great group of kids, we had a great time. Desoto’s a great football team. We both came to play football. It was a good game a well fought game. We’re very young we loss 42 seniors, we have a young team coming back. We got to go back to South Florida to defend our state championship and we’re ready do that,” said Miramar’s Coach
Junior Quarterback Hudge finished the night 21 of 31 for 303 yards and two touchdowns while the running game was paced with 200 yards, for the Patriots.
Defense stopped Miramar on their next two series to help build a two touchdown lead before halftime with Devin Rushing scoring from 5 yards out and 10 yards, to push the lead 21-7.
Adjustments at the half gave way to the Patriots Defense, trimming the lead to one, 21-20 with a couple of one yard touchdown runs from Kevin Ferguson and Shaquille Kearse with 5:35 to go in the third quarter.
At this point the game got very interesting with the Eagles responding with a 27 yard touchdown run from Wilson to go up 28-20.
The patriots would battle back to tie the score at 28 with a two yard run by Kearse and a two point conversion pass to Mathis with 11:56 to go in the 4th quarter.
“This is the best game I’ve been a part of honestly in high school football. It doesn’t get any better than this. That’s a great defense we just played against and a great offense we just played against. Coming off a short week with our guys having a Monday night game and coming playing Saturday it took its toll on us but the kids know how to fight and they know how to win, finish and I’m glad we got the W,” said Desoto’s Coach Claude Mathis.
The seesaw affair continued when Polite spotted a wide open Austin Vincent for the 41 yard touchdown grab to help Desoto regain the lead 35-28.
Both teams came up with some much needed defense to slow the scoring pace before Miramar knotted the game again with a 13 yard pass from Cameron Hudge to Jaquan Dorsett with 3:31 to go in the game.
With 1 second to go in regulation the Patriots had a shot to win it but the hell Marry pass was broke up by the Eagle defenders.
The Eagles made their first shot at overtime count, on second down from the 20 yard line Polite hooked up with Thompson on the left hash while being covered tight he managed to make a couple of nifty moves and broke free from two would be tacklers while sprinting to the end zone to give DeSoto 42-35 lead with the deciding extra point.
Hudge’s 25 yard touchdown pass to Danel Harris moved Miramar (0-1) within a point 42-41 with the extra point try to come. The Patriots then took a time out and opted to go for the two point conversion and the win but came up short when the pass was caught behind the end zone, ending the game.