DeSoto (12-3) vs. Sheldon King (13-2), 7 p.m. Saturday at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium

If you like points and a football game that’s played at a break-neck pace, the finale of the 2025 TXHSFB season is the game for you.

DeSoto comes into this looking for their third title in the past four seasons as the Eagles rallied for a incredible 57-44 win over No. 1 Southlake Carroll a week ago. DeSoto rolled up 758 yards of offense and scored 43 second half points as they rallied from a 37-21 deficit in the third quarter to win it with a goal-line stand and a game-sealing 99-yard touchdown run from RB SaRod Baker, who has an other-worldly playoff run. Baker finished the afternoon with 366 rushing yards and three scores, and added 66 receiving yards and a score as well.

USC WR signee Ethan Feaster had 104 yards receiving and a score and played lockdown corner too.

CE King is making their first trip to the state title games and the Panthers top-to-bottom may be the absolute fastest team in the state. After not making the playoffs a year ago, first-year head coach Corey Laxen has quickly turned the Panthers into one of the state’s most explosive teams.

Last week, the Panthers raced past defending state champion Austin Vandegrift, 58-41, as Rice signee Dionne Sims ran for two scores and QB Timothy Potts, Jr. saved his best game for the biggest moment as he ran for three scores and threw two touchdown passes.

King’s defense will give up points, but their defensive line is big and physical and they fly around. The question for this game is which defense can come up with a stop or two to win this showdown?

First one to 50 (seriously) may win this game as both teams are absolute juggernauts on offense. The edge here goes to DeSoto. The Eagles' defense has the edge and they’ve been on this stage before. Several seniors played key roles in DeSoto’s 2023 title team and that experience pays off.

Stepp’s Pick: DeSoto 49, Sheldon King 41

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DeSoto

Jr. RB SaRod Baker - The Eagles' success in this game will largely depend on the miraculousness of Baker, one of the top RBs in the state who is on a generational postseason run. That includes a 38 carry, 384-yard, seven touchdown performance in a regional final win over Willis. The longer the game goes, the stronger Baker gets.

Sr. WR Ethan "Boobie" Feaster - The first freshman to ever start at wide receiver for the Eagles - and the first freshman to ever garner five-star status by Dave Campbell's Texas Football - has lived up to the sky-high expectations. He broke the DeSoto single-season receiving record a few weeks ago with 1,474 yards. The USC signee is a big-play machine. 

Jr. ATH Jordan Stevens - Southlake Carroll was on its way to what appeared to be another redzone visit inside DeSoto territory at the start of the fourth quarter last week, points almost assured to add to its eight-point lead. That was until Stevens returned an interception 86 yards to turn the game on its head. 

C.E. King

Jr. QB Timothy Potts, Jr. - Few quarterbacks in the state have seen their stock rise more than Potts' this postseason, and it's about time colleges take notice. Potts is a true dual-threat with a cannon for an arm and track speed when he takes off. He's accounted for more than 40 TDs and 3,000 yards this season.

Sr. RB Dionne Sims - The Rice signee can beat you in a myriad of ways, whether that's between the tackles, cutting to the outside, out of the wildcat or as a receiver out of the backfield. You can forget about it once he hits the open field. He's rushed for over 1,700 yards and nearly 30 touchdowns this season. He is a finalist for the Touchdown Club of Houston's Offensive Player of the Year.

Soph. WR Dillon Mitchell - There might not be a faster player that plays in AT&T Stadium this week than Mitchell, who has sub-4.4 speed and a confirmed 10.17 100-meter dash. The Panthers get him the ball anyway they can, and it often results in Mitchell sprinting down the field untouched for a TD.

- William Wilkerson

PREDICTIONS

THE PICK