Allen (14-0) vs. Duncanville (11-1), 3 p.m. Saturday at Mesquite’s Memorial Stadium:

The last time these two DFW giants met was in the 2018 state semifinals when Duncanville ended Allen’s 30-game winning streak and took their place as the premier DFW 6A program in front of a crowd of nearly 40,000 at AT&T Stadium. Is another changing of the guard coming as a resurgent Allen program looks to get back to their first title game since 2017? 

Last week the Eagles used a dominant defensive effort to knock off defending 6A-Division I state champion North Crowley, 33-21. Despite being minus-three in the turnover margin, Allen’s defense turned away several North Crowley scoring chances and totally took away the NCHS passing game.

QB Jeremiah Daoud tossed three touchdown passes to lead the Allen offense, which also had some issues running the ball in the win.

Duncanville avenged their only loss of the season last week with a hard-fought 35-27 win over Waxahachie. The Panthers led 35-13 early in the third quarter, but they had to hold off a late rally from Waxahachie to get back to the semifinals.

ATH Trenton Yancey ran for 84 yards and two scores, while QB J’Coryon Rivers threw for 151 yards and two scores. The Panthers defense totally shut the Waxahachie running game down, limiting the Indians to just 43 yards on the ground.

I expect a close to the vest, low-scoring game where both teams rely on their defense. The matchup of the Allen secondary against Duncanville’s elite core of receivers will be must-see TV. That matchup along with Allen’s battle against a lethal Duncanville defensive line will be two keys to this game.

I think Allen gets the edge here. The Eagles have more consistency running the ball and I think their defensive line combined with a strong secondary is the formula to slowing Duncanville down.

Stepp’s Pick: Allen by 3