Eagles vs. Eagles

So my adopted hometown Allen Eagles will make their 4th state semi-final appearance of the past decade on Saturday.  A quick look back:

2003 - Unknown Eagles run up against dynasty Southlake Dragons and go down 37-21
2006 - Eagles more of a known commodity but lost QB Nathan Dick on first series and get crushed by Dragons again 38-0
2008 - Now a powerhouse, Allen gets outplayed by most accounts but drives for TD in waning seconds to beat Round Rock Stony Point 23-21 and go on to win state for the first time
2012 - For the 4th time, Allen enters semi's with a 13-1 record and for the 3rd time is the underdog

I go back to early in the season when I said Desoto was the best team in the area.  They beat Trinity, Jenks badly (who went on to win state again), Bowie who finished 11-2, Cedar Hill easily, but most impressively crushed the area's best defense in Coppell by 42-14 and didn't break a sweat.  They had to work for it against Southlake last week, but still rang up 620 yards.  Logic says they win it all.

But, I have watched Allen closely for the last 5-6 years and they rarely, actually almost never get outclassed. They have routinely beaten athletic teams such as Longview, Cedar Hill, Plano East, etc.  They have held their own against Trinity.  Only once in the last 6 years have they clearly been outmatched, that against Trinity in last year's playoffs.  Skyline fielded 8 Div I prospects last week and got thumped by Allen 37-17.  Allen typically runs about 50 times, throws 20 times, controls the clock, beats people up and wears them out.

I am terrible at predictions, and its actually a dumb exercise.  Too many crazy things happen in sports.  I will however be surprised if Desoto has an easy time of it.  Allen will have the size, and they have seen speed this year.  It is probably Desoto's time to finally cash in, but I hope for a couple of breaks and a chance to win it late.  If Allen is overwhelmed by the speed like Coppell was, we'll know early.  Gametime is 6pm and the weather looks good.  Fingers crossed.

S