Since they first met in 1972, Duncanville vs. DeSoto has become the greatest rivalry in Texas high school football.
The teams have combined to send 32 players to the NFL, with eight of them still active. The two national powerhouses, which are nine miles apart, met again Friday, with Duncanville exacting revenge for DeSoto’s upset last year.
Below you’ll find The Dallas Morning News’ coverage of the rivalry game, including stories, top players and more.
Game coverage
— Showtime: Duncanville 5-stars Keelon Russell, Dakorien Moore erupt in win over DeSoto
— Duncanville defense fuels ‘Revenge Tour’ win over rival DeSoto
— Photos: No. 1 Duncanville flexes its muscles with big win over rival DeSoto
There’s more to Byron Washington than being ‘Big Baby’
“A lot of people assume that I’m just this big mean angry guy, but when people get to know me and see me for who I am, they’re surprised,” Washington said. “The internet, they picture me as one person, but when you truly get to know me I’m a great person to be around.”
— Click or tap here to read more about Byron Washington
The best of the best
Duncanville vs. DeSoto stands as one of Texas’ greatest rivalries, showcasing a legacy of talent that dominates college football and impacts the NFL.
The two national powerhouses that are nine miles apart meet again at 7 p.m. Friday at DeSoto.
Ahead of their matchup, here’s are the 23 DeSoto players and nine Duncanville players who have made it to the professional level.
— A list of all 32 players from DeSoto, Duncanville who made it to the NFL
The best rivalry in Texas HS football
Duncanville-DeSoto isn’t the oldest rivalry in the big leagues of Texas high school football, but it just might be the best, columnist Kevin Sherrington writes. Of the 33 games Duncanville and DeSoto have played since 1972, according to TexasHighSchoolFootballHistory.com, regular season and playoffs combined, DeSoto holds the oh-so-fine edge, 17-16.
― Neither oldest nor closest but Duncanville-DeSoto is the best rivalry in Texas HS football
A breakdown from Greg Riddle
From legendary coaches to college football rivalry comparisons and historical context, our Greg Riddle lays it all out, including why neither school gave each other bulletin board material or trash talked on social media ahead of the historic matchup.
― As DeSoto, Duncanville gear up for historic rivalry, be ready to ‘see a show’
The best players to come from Duncanville, DeSoto
The schools have multiple-time NFL Pro Bowlers, Super Bowl champions and current SEC standouts, but Riddle narrowed the list to the best players to come out of either school.
― Duncanville vs. DeSoto is greatest rivalry in Texas, and here are their best players ever
Up-and-comer from DeSoto
Most people know Byron Washington as “Big Baby,” the DeSoto offensive lineman who went viral for a photo of him dwarfing an opposing player, seeming to almost pick him up by his shoulders.
While the attention helped the Syracuse pledge attract college offers, it also made Washington a target of online critics who ridiculed his weight and questioned his abilities, but the 17-year-old is anything but the Hulk-like, brutish figure social media users depicted. Here’s what reporter Myah Taylor discovered about Washington.
Best games in the history of the rivalry
Ten games in the Duncanville vs. DeSoto series have been decided by seven points or less. Here’s a look at Riddle’s top five.
― What are the five best games in the history of the Duncanville-DeSoto football rivalry?
Bonds between players
Many of the athletes on both teams share a history from their youth, having faced off — or teamed up — on teams such as the DFW Elite Dawgs, Grand Elite, the Patriots and All-American teams. Some even train together to this day, Harrod reported.
― Rivals on Friday, friends off the field: DeSoto and Duncanville players share strong bonds
First-year DeSoto quarterback Kelden Ryan
The three-star senior committed to Virginia Tech, who transferred from Fort Worth All Saints, is familiar with the best rivalry in Texas. Ryan grew up playing Little League with Duncanville wide receiver Daylon Singleton and running back Deondrae Riden Jr.
― First-year DeSoto quarterback Kelden Ryan is rolling this season
Top Class of 2025 recruits
Both Duncanville and DeSoto have seen top players come through their programs, and there are many more to come, including on this year’s rosters. So who are they? Here’s a look at the top recruits on each team, according to The Dallas Morning News’ Top 100 player rankings.
― The top Class of 2025 recruits on Duncanville, DeSoto ahead of Week 7 rivalry matchup
Find more high school sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
