Eagles Advance To Division 2 Quarterfinals Friday
MURPHY, Texas—For the second consecutive year Shawn Robinson has lead his team in a Area Playoff victory over Southlake Carroll.
Only this year Robinson is with the #2 ranked DeSoto Eagles. Robinson passed for 245 yards and 1 touchdown. Staying true to his dual threat quarterback nature he didn’t sleep in the pocket all night either. Robinson rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns.
Most of the night Robinson connected with Wide Receiver KD Nixon, who caught 11 passes for 163 yards and 1 touchdown. In total, the DeSoto Eagles outgained the Southlake Carroll Dragons 621-338 yards.
Looking at Friday night’s stats one could easily point out Robinson as the MVP. However, his well tuned surrounding cast has only made him shine even brighter.
DeSoto’s Big Front
On both sides of the ball DeSoto linemen are doing their jobs, to the point it looks easy. Allowing for Robinson to take his time in allowing route completion or taking option to scramble for a quick yardage break.
Defensively, right behind the big front is Linebacker Isaiah Stewart who has been the defensive field captain. Friday he had a total of 12 stops, 9 solo and 4 assisted. To date Stewart has gained 55 tackles only short of Middle Linebacker Kolby Watts who has 77 tackles.
On Southlake’s first possession of the game Stewart diagnosed the Carroll play option up the middle from seven yards back. Deferring to the Dragons after the coin toss was a risky calculation, which ultimately paid off.
However it didn’t seem so during the first half. The Dragons were pumped up and made impressive gains down through DeSoto territory. That is until they got to the red zone.
On third possession Jackson Davis caught a deep end zone touchdown was ultimately denied due to his illegal backfield motion. Southlake would have to settle for a field goal.
An early onset of penalties were a thorn in the Eagles side during the first quarter. Consecutive fouls put the Dragons right back in scoring position. Again they would fail to capitalize on their red zone position and settled for another field goal.
Robinson drew first blood with a three yard rush bringing the score 7-6 at the end of the first.
The Eagles offense sputtered, resulting in a turnover and a Carroll resurgence.
Carroll scored and kicked another field goal to bring them 16-7, with 7 minutes left in the half.
Eagles Stir In Second Quarter
Suddenly the Eagles offense woke up with a successful seven play drive.
Robinson tossed a 11 yard screen to Emmet Perry. Followed by a 3 yard rush by Jamonne Williams.
KD Nixon captured a two consecutive first down passes, bringing the Eagles to Southlake Carroll 34 yard line.
Robinson ran a 18 yard touchdown option. Despite the blocked extra point kick, DeSoto shortens the Carroll lead to 3 points, 16-13.
Not to be outdone, the DeSoto defense forced the punt after the Dragons’ failure to connect with the backfield.
A 67 yard break away run by Robinson sets the DeSoto offense up at the 20 yard line.
Richie Washington powers through the line for a 4 yd touchdown. Making up for the blocked extra point kick Robinson held on to the ball for the two point conversion.
DeSoto leads at the half 19-16. Southlake Carroll would never lead for the rest of the match.
The Eagles move on to Round 4 of the 6A Division 2 Playoffs. They face Abilene (11-1) Friday, November 25 at Wichita Falls’ Memorial Stadium.
