One of many largest highschool soccer video games of the week was No. 2 Duncanville versus No. 23 St. Frances, which went all the way down to the wire, regardless of Duncanville being probably the greatest groups within the nation.
Either side noticed their offenses and defenses make clutch performs, whereas some highly-touted recruits led the best way.
Right here’s a full recap of the Friday evening contest, in addition to a breakdown of Duncanville five-star quarterback Keelon Russell’s efficiency in Week 2.
Duncanville (TX) vs. St. Frances (TX)
Seen as fairly heavy favorites getting into the matchup, Duncanville performed a tightly contested recreation in opposition to St. Frances final Friday, narrowly profitable 28-24.
Duncanville began off the scoring on the opening drive of the sport, as five-star and Alabama commit quarterback Keelon Russell discovered wideout Ayson Theus for a five-yard landing, offering an early 7-0 lead.
Duncanville actually had an opportunity to blow the sport open early, driving but once more on their second drive after forcing a cease, however fumbled deep within the pink zone, resulting in a touchback and an enormous break for St. Frances.
After some good protection from each side led to a pair of punts, St. Frances lastly obtained on the board with a 41-yard subject purpose early within the second quarter, reducing the result in 7-3. They caught one other break once more, forcing a second fumble, to which they returned for a 25-yard landing for a defensive landing, taking the lead 9-7 and offering some main momentum.
Duncanville’s struggles didn’t cease there, nonetheless, as they’d a fumble on a punt return to start the second half, giving St. Francis the ball, which they instantly responded with a 39-yard dashing landing to create a 16-7 lead.
The Panthers wanted a response badly, and so they obtained one, because the offense drove down the sector, with Keelon Russell capping the drive with a four-yard landing to chop the result in 16-14.
However, the fireworks didn’t cease there, as Duncanville missed a 35-yard subject purpose on their ensuing drive, failing to capitalize on yet one more alternative, protecting this recreation within the palms of St. Francis.
Nonetheless, that didn’t final lengthy, because the Panthers compelled a three-and-out and rapidly sprung collectively a landing drive, due to a blinding throw from Russell, who discovered Ayson Theus once more, this time for a 60-yard landing to offer Duncanville a 21-16 lead with the third quarter winding down.
Protection led the best way to start the fourth quarter, with each side forcing an array of punts, so Duncanville maintained their lead heading into the ultimate 5 minutes of the sport. That’s when issues began to ramp up.
Duncanville obtained the ball again with 5:54 remaining within the recreation and commenced to drive down the sector to seal the deal, reaching the St. Francis 25-yard line. Nonetheless, star cornerback Blake Woodby intercepted Russell, taking the cross all the best way again to the Duncanville six-yard line earlier than being wrapped up.
St. Francis rapidly capitalized, as working again Maurice Medley rushed in for an 11-yard landing following a false begin, whereas additionally getting the two-point conversion to make it a 24-21 recreation with 4:26 left on the clock.
Keelon Russell and Co. have been then taking a look at having to finish an unbelievable comeback.
Regardless of Duncanville beginning all the best way again on their very own 13-yard line, a serious run by JaQualon Armstrong sparked the drive, and the Panthers efficiently marched 87 yards down the sector, with Russell hitting tight finish Zach Turner a number of instances, together with for the go-ahead 14-yard landing, placing his staff up 28-24 with 1:57 left.
With a play needing to be made, linebacker Nehemiah Borner got here to play, as he obtained sacks on 2nd & 11 and third & 19 to seal the deal for Duncanville, enhancing their file to 2-0 on the season in a closely-contested recreation. Borner ended the sport with three sacks and was one of many defensive stars of the sport.
Keelon Russell
After all, a lot of the eye was on five-star quarterback Keelon Russell, who confirmed off his dual-threat potential but once more for Duncanville.
Russell accomplished 20 of 26 passes for 265 yards, three passing touchdowns, and an interception, whereas dashing for an additional rating.
Whereas he has seemed for five-star wideout Dakorien Moore as his prime goal over the previous two years, it was the Ayden Theus and Zach Turner present this previous Friday, as each gamers caught landing passes and eclipsed the 100-yard mark for Duncanville, instantly serving to the Panthers in a much-needed victory.
The Alabama commit has now tossed for 612 yards and eight touchdowns in his first two video games of the season, main Duncanville to a 2-0 file, whereas dashing for 82 yards as nicely.
Duncanville will look to proceed their undefeated season subsequent when once they host Waxahachie, with Russell main the cost for the Panthers.
