North Shore-Duncanville, Summer Creek-DeSoto make ultimate Houston vs. Dallas fight card

The loaded Saturday schedule for the UIL state football championships reads like a poster for a major pay-per-view boxing card.

At the top of the marquee is the battle for the undisputed heavyweight belt.

North Shore vs. Duncanville V: Enough said.

Yes, we’ve seen this matchup four times over the past five years (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), and while both powerhouse programs have been favored to reach this stage all season, the excitement never disappoints.

North Shore is 3-1 in the Houston vs. Dallas series that has captured the intrigue of high school football fans across the state. Duncanville and legendary head coach Reginald Samples were stunned by a hallowed Hail Mary in the first matchup in 2018 and took two more losses against the Mustangs before finally breaking through with a 28-21 victory last season.

Per usual, Duncanville (14-1) is loaded with star power. Junior quarterback Keelon Russell (SMU commit), senior running back Caden Durham (LSU commit), junior wide receiver Dakorien Moore (LSU commit) and senior edge rusher Colin Simmons (Texas commit) are the headliners.

North Shore (15-0) possesses plenty of talent as well, but the Mustangs are a much different team than last season. This time around, they’ll have the services of junior quarterback Kaleb Bailey, who missed most of his sophomore campaign with a knee injury. Bailey is one of 10 finalists for the prestigious Mr. Texas Football Player of the Year award and will try to deliver Willie Gaston his first state championship as the North Shore head coach. Gaston, a North Shore alum, took over for Jon Kay this past offseason.

As you continue down the fight card, the co-main event is terrific as well.

DeSoto vs. Summer Creek: First-timers try to dethrone defending champs.

Another Houston vs. Dallas matchup, and, man, it’s another fantastic one.

Summer Creek (14-1) keeps making history with each victory, and now the Bulldogs have a chance to hoist some hardware. Summer Creek, led by head coach Kenny Harrison, played its first varsity season 2010 and will attempt to knock off one of the top-ranked teams in the country for its first state title.

DeSoto (14-0) already has one of the most impressive wins in the state after beating Duncanville decisively in late October. Head coach Claude Mathis and Co. have the edge in experience after knocking out Austin Vandegrift in this same ring a year ago.

Perhaps the most impressive part about the Class 6A Division I and Division II state title matchups is that the four teams involved come from just two districts. Duncanville and DeSoto hail from 11-6A, while North Shore and Summer Creek represent 21-6A.

So, if you’re traveling north to AT&T Stadium this week, make sure you arrive early. Seriously, the Port Neches-Groves (14-1) vs. Dallas South Oak Cliff (13-2) game for the Class 5A Division I title is first on the docket at 11 a.m. Saturday. Not only will that be a great matchup, but those frenzied fanbases will absolutely fill the place up. Once you’re past the gates, grab some popcorn, settle into your seat, take in the enormity of the Jerry World jumbotron and get ready for the show.

In the red corner stands Northeast Houston.

In the blue corner stands South Dallas.

Let’s get ready to rumble.