Emotions run high in repeat match-up of post season rivals
By Bill Nichols Staff Writer
IRVING - Skyline receiver RaShaad Samples was so emotionally charged about playing rival DeSoto that he cried. That was before the game
The emotional contest, before a sellout crowd of 11,500 at Irving Schools Stadium, featured 915 yard of offense and 181 yards of penalties. Even when the game ended with the score board reading Slyline 41 DeSoto 31 the clash wasn't over.
Players had to be restrained from each other by coaches. Skyline coach Reginald Samples was waving his hands, encouraging the fans to celebrate as the players were still jawing.
"They should show some class," DeSoto coach Claude Mathis said. "Their coach was firing up their players after the game. He told them to do that.. That's a poor example to set."
Samples responded: "That's right, I hyped our crowd up, I hyped my players up. That happens. It's just an exciting game."
In avenging last year's second-round loss to DeSoto (11-2). Skyline (12-0) advances to play Klein Oak, a 38-28 winner over Westlake, at 7 p.m. Saturday at Waco ISD Staduim.
This was the forth straight playoff between Skyline and DeSoto. The Eagles shut out the Raiders last year.
"It's the first time I've ever cried coming out before a game," RaShaad Samples said. "It was just the atmosphere."
The Raiders jumped out to a 14-0 lea don 1-yard touchdowns by quarterback Devonte Kincaide.
The Eagles responded with Devin Rushing's 43-yard touchdown run and then a safety when Skyline snapped the ball out of the end zone. Kincaide's 34-yard pass to Samples was countered with Dontre Wilson's 1-yard run. Then linebacker Peter Jinkens ran for a 3-yard score to give Skyline a 27-17 lead.
Although Rushing scored on a 1-yard run in the third, Kincaide found Samples again for a 43-yard touchdown pass. Then Wilson's 1-yard touchdown run was followed by Kincaide's 7-yard run with 3:41 left in the fourth.
Skyline outgained DeSoto, 467-448, and each team had 24 first downs and only one punt.
"It's a tough way to end it," Mathis said. "I'm proud of the way our kids fought back."
