DeSoto is 38-4 over its last three seasons. Of those four losses, three have been season-enders to Allen and quarterback Kyler Murray.
You can bet DeSoto coach Claude Mathis will be very happy to see Murray, a Texas A&M pledge, graduate.
Allen (12-0), No. 1 in the MaxPreps Texas Top 25, eliminated DeSoto (10-2) in a Class 6A Division I area playoff thriller, 25-22, Saturday at Arlington‘s AT&T Stadium.
In addition to engineering the winning drive, Murray rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns.
In the past two seasons Allen has gone on to win state titles after defeating DeSoto, 51-36 two years ago and 42-35 last season in state semifinals.
Three other area-round showdowns over the weekend were not as dramatic. No. 8 Steele (San Antonio) ended an undefeated run by Brennan (San Antonio) 24-12.
Unbeaten Dickinson leaped 11 spots this week to No. 12 after its 35-21 win over 2013 state finalist Pearland. No. 4 Carroll (Southlake) rediscovered offensive firepower to go 12-0 in a 58-42 elimination of Guyer (Denton).
This week's top third-round playoff matchups:
*Top-ranked Allen, riding a 39-game winning streak, vs. No. 19 Martin (Arlington).
*No. 2 Skyline (Dallas) vs. No. 14 Klein Collins (Spring).
*No. 8 Midway (Waco) vs. No. 24 Spring.
*No. 11 Spring Westfield (Houston) vs. No. 15 Rockwall.
Here's the MaxPreps Texas Top 25 following the second round of the playoffs.
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MaxPreps Texas Top 25 Football Rankings
*Indicates season ended1. Allen 12-0 (1 last week)
Kyler Murray, Allen
Photo by Neil Fonville
Kyler Murray rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns in leading Allen to a 25-22 victory over 10-2 DeSoto in a 6A-DI area playoff.
Sawyer Williams' 25-yard field goal with no time remaining snapped a 22-22 tie and vaulted the Eagles to their 39th consecutive victory. Allen trailed 22-14 in the fourth quarter until a 46-yard touchdown run by Murray. Next is 10-2 Martin (Arlington) in a Region I semifinal set for 1 p.m. Friday at Denton's Apogee Stadium.
2. Skyline (Dallas) 12-0 (2)Quarterback
K.C. Johnson threw for three touchdowns and ran for two in a 49-7 battering of 6-6 Belton in a 6A-DI area playoff.
Da'leon Ward rushed for 132 yards.
Savon Rollison had two touchdown receptions and
Carlos Strickland had 86 receiving yards and one score. Next is 11-1 Klein Collins (Spring) in a Region II semifinal set for 4 p.m. Friday at Waco's McLane Stadium.
3. Manvel 12-0 (3)D'Eriq King threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns in a 76-23 torching of 7-5 Fort Bend Travis (Richmond) in a 6A-DII area playoff.
Brandon McCarty and
Qyalan Clay each rushed for two touchdowns.
Gary Haynes had six catches for 123 yards.
Deontay Anderson returned an interception 47 yards for a score. Next is 8-4 Cypress Woods (Cypress) in a Region III semifinal set for 7 p.m. Friday at Houston's Rice Stadium.
4. Carroll (Southlake) 12-0 (5)Lil'Jordan Humphrey rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns to help the Dragons to a 58-42 victory over 10-2 Guyer (Denton) in a 6A-DII area playoff. Quarterback
Ryan Agnew threw for 241 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, two on runs.
Ryan McGiboney had eight catches for 97 yards and a score.
Joel McClellan returned a blocked punt for a 35-yard touchdown. Next is a Region I semifinal against 11-1 Central (San Angelo) set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Waco's McLane Stadium.
5. Katy 11-1 (6)Oklahoma pledge
Rodney Anderson rushed for 225 yards and three touchdowns in a 76-14 rout of 8-4 Memorial (Houston) in a 6A-DII area playoff. The Tigers have outscored two playoff opponents 149-21.
D.C. Blades had a 93-yard kickoff return for a score and
Hunter Stinson returned a fumble 55 yards for another.
Kris Perez stayed in practice with two field goals. Next is 8-4 Dawson (Pearland) in a Region III semifinal set for 1 p.m. Friday at Houston's Rice Stadium.
6. DeSoto 10-2* (4)Claude Mathis' team came close to unseating two-time defending state champion Allen in a 25-22 last-second defeat in a 6A-DI area playoff. DeSoto rallied for a 22-14 lead in the third quarter, but was outscored 11-0 in the final period. Junior quarterback
Tristen Wallace threw for 160 yards and rushed for 109 yards.
7. Steele (Cibolo) (11-1) (8)Jaylen Harris on three carries gained 104 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 24-12 victory over 11-1 Brennan (San Antonio) in a 6A-DII area playoff showdown. Harris, the team's leading receiver, added four catches for 56 yards. Quarterback
L.G. Williams, a Texas State pledge, rushed for a game-high 119 yards on 24 carries. Next is a Region IV semifinal against 10-2 Weslaco East (Weslaco) scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Corpus Christi's Buccaneer Stadium.
8. Midway (Waco) 12-0 (10)The Panthers rallied from a 21-7 first-quarter deficit on the legs of
Eric Clayburn to a 35-28 victory over 10-2 Highland Park in a 6A-DII area playoff. Clayburn rushed 39 times for 203 yards and four touchdowns.
Ben Hicks threw for 311 yards and one score.
Devontre Stricklin had nine catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. Next is 9-3 Spring in a Region II semifinal set for 6 p.m. Friday at Bryan's Green Stadium.
9. Trinity (Euless) 11-1 (11)The Trojans controlled tempo with 50 rushes for 396 yards in a 49-31 triumph over 8-4 Plano West and star running back Soso Jamabo in a 6A-DI area playoff.
Ja'ron Wilson rushed for 108 yards and three touchdowns for coach Steve Lineweaver‘s Trojans. Quarterback
Tyler Natee, a converted fullback, had 133 rushing yards and threw a touchdown pass. Next is 9-3 Permian (Odessa) in a Region I semifinal set for 6 p.m. Friday at Bedford's Pennington Field.
10. Cedar Hill 10-2 (12)The Longhorns rushed for 428 of their 685 yards in a 50-28 elimination of 8-4 Boyd (McKinney) in a 6A-DII area playoff victory.
Aca'cedric Ware led the ground game with 196 yards and two scores.
Denvre Daniels had 122 yards and two scores and added 94 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Justin McMillan threw for 257 yards and three scores. Next is 9-3 Abilene in a Region I semifinal set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Aledo's Bearcat Stadium.
11. Westfield (Houston) 11-1 (13)A.J. Tisdel rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns, including a 74-yarder, in a 24-7 victory over 8-4 Hendrickson (Pflugerville) in a 6A-DII area playoff.
Rayquan Jones added 146 yards on the ground.
Tyrie Cleveland had two catches for 57 yards and a score. The Mustangs limited Hendrickson to 213 total yards. Next is 12-0 Rockwall in a Region II semifinal set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Georgetown ISD Stadium.
12. Dickinson 12-0 (23)Cameron Martin led a fourth-quarter rally that netted a 35-21 victory over 2013 state finalist Pearland (10-2) in a 6A-DI area playoff. Martin's touchdown pass to
Jordan Myers with 9:18 remaining gave the Gators a seven-point lead and Martin's 1-yard run sealed it. The quarterback finished with four combined touchdowns and 242 passing yards. Myers had six catches for 161 yards. Next is 9-3 Cy-Fair (Cypress) in a Region III semifinal set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Rice Stadium.
13. Brandeis (San Antonio) 11-1 (15)
Paul Lozano, Brandeis
Photo by Neil Fonville
Jaylon Dukes rushed for 95 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-10 victory over 6-5 Johnson (San Antonio) in a 6A-DII area playoff.
Paul Lozano threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
Derek Dennard had seven catches for 146 yards and two scores. Next is 7-5 Rivera (Brownsville) in a Region IV semifinal set for 7 p.m. Friday at Kingsville's Javelina Stadium.
14. Klein Collins (Spring) 11-1 (16)Justin Pratt carried 28 times for 145 yards and the final touchdown in a 21-12 victory over 10-2 Round Rock in a 6A-DI area playoff.
Nate Edmonds rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Zuriel Kirkwood broke a 24-yard run for a score. The Tigers defense shut out Round Rock in the second half. Next is 12-0 Skyline (Dallas) in a Region II semifinal set for 4 p.m. Friday at Waco's McLane Stadium.
15. Rockwall 12-0 (19)Xavier Castille not only produced 307 yards of offense and four touchdowns, but also intercepted two passes in a 48-27 victory over 8-4 Jesuit (Dallas) in a 6A-DII area playoff. Rockwall played without running back
Chris Warren (ankle).
Will Reed threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns. Next is 11-1 Spring Westfield (Houston) in a Region II semifinal set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Georgetown ISD Stadium.
16. Horn (Mesquite) 11-1 (20)Jordan Shavers rushed for 129 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-22 victory over 8-4 Rowlett in a 6A-DI area playoff.
Jarrison Stewart contributed five catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore
Chris Robison threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Next is 9-3 Klein Oak (Spring) in a Region II semifinal set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Waco ISD Stadium.
17. Aledo 11-1 (18)The one-two punch of
Isaiah Mallory and
Ryan Newsome was too much for 8-4 Denton in the Bearcats' 49-17 victory in a 5A-DI area playoff. Mallory rushed for 194 yards and four touchdowns He added a 30-yard catch for a score. Newsome rushed for 156 yards and two scores. Next is 11-1 Del Valle (El Paso) in a Region I semifinal set for 4 p.m. Saturday at Midland's Grande Communications Stadium.
18. Ridge Point (Missouri City) 12-0 (21)Remus Bulmer carried the load with 37 totes for 182 yards in a 24-3 triumph over 10-2 King (Houston) in a 5A-DI area playoff.
Jesse Crebbe threw for 107 yards and one touchdown while rushing for two.
Deante Ford had 105 receiving yards including a 63-yard touchdown reception. The Panthers defense limited King to 119 total yards and six first downs. Next is 10-1 Temple in a Region III semifinal set for 2 p.m. Friday at Cypress‘ Berry Center.
19. Martin (Arlington) 10-2 (22)Nic Smith rushed for 317 yards and five touchdowns in a 56-35 victory over 10-2 Amarillo in a 6A-DI area playoff.
Tre Brown threw for one score and ran for another as
Brad Martin stretched its winning streak to 10. The Warriors defense forced three turnovers. Next is 12-0 Allen in a Region I semifinal set for 1 p.m. Friday at Denton's Apogee Stadium.
20. Brennan (San Antonio)* 11-1 (9)A perfect season for the Bears ended in a 24-12 loss to 11-1 Steele (Cibolo) in a 6A-DII area playoff.
Da'Shawn Key ran for touchdowns of 21 and five yards in the first half, but finished with only 198 total yards and 10 first downs.
21. George Ranch (Richmond) 11-1 (24)Darius Anderson rushed for 225 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-14 victory over 7-5 Kingwood Park (Humble) in a 5A-DI area playoff.
Xavian Marks added 165 rushing yards, part of the 437 gained on the ground by the Longhorns. Quarterback
Timon Nolan was limited to one pass completion, but rushed for a score. Next is 10-1 Bryan in a Region III semifinal set for 6 p.m. Friday at Waller ISD Stadium.
22. Reagan (San Antonio) 11-1 (25)
Kellen Mond, Reagan
Photo by Lester Rosebrock
The Rattlers built a big lead and then needed a goal-line stand in the final seconds to defeat 8-4 Stevens (San Antonio) in a 6A-DI area playoff. Sophomore quarterback
Kellen Mond threw for 212 yards and three touchdowns, but had to leave the game after suffering a leg injury.
Vince Hunter had a 35-yard interception return for a score. The Rattlers will face 9-3 Los Fresnos in a Region IV semifinal set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Kingsville‘s Javelina Stadium.
23. Cypress Ranch (Houston)10-2 (NR)Collin Rock threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in a 42-20 triumph over 9-3 Cinco Ranch (Katy) in a 6A-DI area playoff, avenging a 19-7 loss for the Mustangs in the season opener.
Joe Johnson rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns and
Charlie Booker III ran for 91 yards and finished with a rushing and receiving touchdown. Next is 8-4 North Shore (Houston) in a Region III semifinal set for 2 p.m. Friday at Houston's TDECU Stadium.
24. Spring 9-3 (NR)Alex Woods threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in a 34-28 victory over 10-2 Lake Travis (Austin) in a 6A-DII area playoff.
Xavier Jones rushed for 118 yards and one touchdown.
Cameron Rose and
Ronald Williams had touchdown catches. The Lions, picked seventh in a preseason District 15-6A poll, are coming off a 2-8 season. Next is 12-0 Midway (Waco) in a Region II semifinal set for 6 p.m. Friday at Bryan's Green Stadium.
25. Ennis 10-2 (NR)Thompson Taylor broke a 74-yard touchdown run with 1:37 remaining to send the Lions to a 17-13 victory over 10-2 Mansfield Timberview (Arlington) in a 5A-DII area playoff. The winning score came just 20 seconds after Timberview had taken a lead. Next is 9-3 The Colony in a Region II semifinal set for 7 p.m. Friday at Waxahachie's Lumpkins Stadium.
Dropped out: No. 7 Pearland, No. 14 Lake Travis (Austin), No. 17 Guyer (Denton)
On the bubble Abilene 9-3,
San Angelo Central (San Angelo) 11-1,
Cy-Fair (Cypress) 9-3,
Cypress Woods 8-4,
Judson (Converse) 8-4,
Klein Collins (Spring) 9-3,
North Shore (Houston) 8-4,
Permian (Odessa) 9-3,
South Oak Cliff (Dallas) 9-3,
Temple 10-1