The much anticipated “rivalry game” for Allen took place as the Eagles squared off against the Desoto Eagles in the Area Championship at AT&T Stadium. Allen took a quick lead with a pass from Mitchell Jonke to Kerry Hall to go up 7-0.

Desoto couldn’t seem to do much to start the game after having three straight 3 and outs, but after a Connor Limpert missed field goal, they were able to march down the field, and get one touchdown back with 1:06 left in the first quarter.

The second quarter started with several quick slants to Kerry Hall, and a slow move down the field. After getting inside the redzone Mitchell Jonke scrambled as the play broke down and despite getting hit hard on the goal line, was able to reach out and break the TD plane, to put Allen ahead 21-7. After Allen forced Desoto to punt again, it started to look like Jonke and the rest of the offense would start to run away with it, but that was halted after a pick six, to put Desoto within one touchdown with seven minutes left to play in the second quarter.

“He just needed to make smarter decisions with the ball” Offensive Coordinator Kyle Westerberg of the two interceptions.  

A big kickoff return by Jaylon Jones brought some life back into the offense, but it wasn’t enough, and even though Allen went for it on 4th and 6 they were not able to convert and turned it over on downs. Desoto looked poised to level the score, but after a sack by Levi Onwuzurike to bring up a long 3rd down for Desoto Allen was able to get the ball, and the momentum right back. After getting into the redzone, The Allen Eagles were only able to convert a field goal as time ran out in the first half.

The second half started with a fake punt by Desoto on fourth down, and as a result, they were able to drive down the field to kick a field to slim the lead down 24-17 with 8 minutes left in the third quarter. The momentum was shifting, and it became evident after a fumbled kickoff return gave Desoto the ball right back deep into Allen’s territory. They made the most of it, with their quarterback scrambling for a touchdown to even the score with 7:09 remaining in the third quarter.

Jaylon Jones tried to extinguish Desoto’s roll with a big kickoff return, but it was to no avail and Allen turned it over on downs after going for a 4th and 18.

Green would come in for Jonke after that.

Westerberg said that he came in and did pretty much what every Allen fan and coach wanted him to do; give them a spark.

“He’s a bigger body, and we got him in there, and we were able to do a few things.”

A 67-yard rushing touchdown and a long touchdown pass to Camden Harrison gave the Eagles the boost they needed to go up 41-27.

Desoto would eventually battle back, and converted a 4th and 10 for a touchdown that would put it back into a one touchdown game. And then the screen pass came. A simple screen to KD Nixon of Desoto. After breaking numerous tackles and eluding several Allen defenders he was able to run into the back of the endzone. The air was sucked from the Allen side, and the whispers began. JV cheerleaders started to pray. And it must have succeeded, the football god must have smiled on Allen one more time, because the extra point banged off the upright. Allen 41. Desoto 40. Although Desoto had one more chance with 30 seconds left in the game, their quarterback was sacked for a loss. The Allen vs Desoto game has become an iconic one in high school football, and this game was no different. Allen will take on Arlington Martin at AT&T stadium next Friday at 5:30.