2020 High School Football Season Kicks Off in Texas - Source: Getty

3 key takeaways from No. 3 ranked Duncanville's shock loss at Texas high school football playoff semifinals

Modified Dec 16, 2024 21:07 GMT

It was a weekend of upsets in Texas high school football as powerhouses Duncanville and North Shore fell to shocking defeats. On Saturday, Duncanville was beaten by big underdogs, North Crowley, ending its Class 6A Division I domination. The narrow 36-34 semifinal defeat put the Panthers out of the state championship game for the first time since 2020.

The Panthers and North Shore have dominated the Texas high school football scene for four straight years. In a strange coincidence, they got their defeats on the same weekend. Below, we look at three major takeaways from Duncanville's upset loss to the North Crowley Panthers.

3. Duncanville and North Shore out of state championship game after three-year streak

Duncanville and North Shore have faced off in three consecutive state championship games and would have made history with a fourth-straight one. Thanks to their defeats to North Crowley and Austin Westlake, respectively, they are out of the state championship game this season.

It is also the first time since 2020 that neither team will be playing in the Class 6A Division I state championship game. It is instructive that Westlake is back in the state championship game again. They were the last team to win the state title before the North Shore and Duncanville domination.

North Crowley, on the other hand, has not won a state title since 2003, over 20 years ago.

2. Duncanville v. North Crowley was a clash of stars

The Duncanville matchup with North Crowley promised fireworks, and it delivered. Between them, the programs had some of the most promising stars in Texas high school football. Star receiver Dakorien Moore was particularly anticipated for Duncanville, as was top quarterback Keelon Russell.

Colorado commit and North Crowley star receiver Quentin Gibson made another promising appearance. Moore left the game with seven receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown. Gibson made five catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

1. Is it North Crowley's season?

The North Crowley Panthers have been unstoppable this season, beating their opponents by an average of 37 points. Their victims include reigning Class 6A Division II champions Desoto, which they beat by six points. Notwithstanding, they went into their game with Duncanville as the underdogs.

With their hard-fought victory over the reigning champions, they are one win away from winning their first state title in 21 years. They face Austin Westlake at AT&T Stadium on Saturday. It is an era-defining game that may see them back to the top of Texas high school football after a long absence.