Duncanville beats Bridgeland in Class 6A Division I Texas high school football playoffs: Live updates recap

JaQualon Armstrong runs for a pair of touchdowns to help Panthers improve to 13-0

Duncanville's Ayson Theus runs for yardage in a game versus Dallas Skyline earlier this season. / Micahel Horbovetz

No. 2-nationally ranked Duncanville looks to move one step to getting back to the finals for the third year in a row. 

Duncanville (12-0) will be the heavy favorite on Saturday when it plays Cypress Bridgeland in Hewitt — the first meeting with the Houston-area school. The Panthers are averaging 319 yards per game passing behind the arm of Alabama signee Keelon Russell.

He threw for six touchdowns last week against The Woodlands. He was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Texas, announced Friday morning. The past two winners both started in the SEC this year: Jackson Arnold at Oklahoma and DJ Lagway at Florida. 

Russell is also one of three finalist for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year with Alvin Henderson from Elba, Alabama and Jackson Cantwell from Nixa, Missouri.

According to the Tuscaloosa News, Russell is the highest-ranked quarterback recruit for Alabama since Bryce Young in 2018.

Russell was one of eight Panthers to sign to play Division I football on Wednesday. The others were:

• WR Dakorien Moore, Oregon

• DB Javion Holiday, SMU

• DB Tyren Polley Jr., SMU

• OL Desean Bryant, Arizona State

• OL Ameer Ross, Texas State

• LB Nehemiah Borner, Lamar

• DL Antwon Brown, North Texas

Bridgeland faces a second straight District 11-6A foe in this game after beating Waxahachie last week, 24-19. Sophomore RB Kash Schwab ran for 173 yards and 2 TDs in the win.

By comparison, Duncanville beat Waxahachie, 41-17. 

Schwab has 1,412 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games. Between two quarterbacks, the Bears have thrown for 2,144 yards and 30 touchdowns. 

The Bears had two signees on Wednesday — both going to the SEC. Oklahoma landed Ryan Fodje and Texas A&M signed Jonte Newman. 

On Dec. 3, Newaman — a left tackle — was named a finalist for the Touchdown Club of Houston Offensive Player of the Year. Former NFL offensive lineman Alan Faneca won that award, while skill players like Vince Young, Devon Achane and CeeDee Lamb are also previous winners.

TEXAS FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD | TEXAS FOOTBALL BRACKETS

Follow along below for live updates from Duncanville vs. Cypress Bridgeland in their 6A Division II regional final playoff game Saturday at Midway Panther Stadium in Hewitt. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. CT.

You can also watch this game live on the NFHS Network (subscription required).

Duncanville vs. Cypress Bridgeland live updates

Bridgeland wins toss and deferred to 2nd half; rain coming down

1ST QUARTER

TURNOVER! Long run by Kash Schwab but he fumbles and Duncanville recovers the fumble. 11:39. Duncanville ball at the 17-yard line.

TOUCHDOWN DUNCANVILLE! Jaqualon Armstrong with 2-yard run with 9:56. Keelon Russell hit Dakorien Moore twice during to move the chains. Duncanville 7, Bridgeland 0

Duncanville's Ayson Theus with a 15-yard gain to move into Bridgeland territory.

TURNOVER: Tipped pass turns into an INT by Bridgeland's Nic Bright. Ball at Bears' 27-yard line. 3:06 left in 1st.

Bridgeland QB Jett Lewis with a 1st-down run. Ball at 41.

END OF 1ST QUARTER: Duncanville 7, Bridgeland 0

2ND QUARTER

Duncanville gets ball back and punts it. Bridgeland has the ball in Duncanville territory when play resumes. 7:27 left in 2nd.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS! Bridgeland goes for it on 4th down but a double-pass is blown up. 3:33 left.

Russell to Theus for 39 yard gain. Ball at Bridgeland's 16-yard line

TOUCHDOWN DUNCANVILLE! Russell hits sophomore Trenton Yancey for a 17-yard TD. 1:44 left. Duncanville 14, Bridgeland 0

According to 247Sports, Yancey has 31 offers already.

TOUCHDOWN BRIDGELAND! Schwab with a 72-yard TD run and the Bears get on the board. 49 seconds left in 2nd.

Russell to Manny Ellison for a 29-yard gain. Ball at the 2-yard line. Russell hit when he delivers the throw but the Alabama signee got enough on it.

Theus carries to the 1. Duncanville calls timeout with 6 seconds left.

Duncanville lines up and Bridgeland calls a timeout.

FIELD GOAL DUNCANVILLE: Jonathan Batres boots FG at the buzzer to end the second quarter. Duncanville 17, Bridgleand 7

HALFTIME: Duncanville 17, Bridgeland 7

3RD QUARTER

Duncanville is at the 40-yard line to open first drive

TOUCHDOWN BRIDGELAND! Schwab with a 20 yard TD. 10:05 left. Duncanville 17, Bridgeland 13

Touchdown Duncanville: JaQualon Armstrong runs for a 15-yard touchdown. 1:29 left. Duncanville 24, Bridgeland 13

END OF 3RD QUARTER: Duncanville 24, Bridgeland 13

4TH QUARTER

TURNOVER! Bridgeland throws a pick. Duncanville ball with 6:38 left after Jaylyn Manning's 30-yard return. Ball at the 2.

TOUCHDOWN DUNCANVILLE: Theus scores on a 2-yard run: 6:32 left. Duncanville 31, Bridgeland 13

TURNOVER ON DOWNS! Bridgeland turns ball over on 4th down.

victory formation for Duncanville

Final: Duncanville 31, Cypress Bridgeland 13

Duncanville to play North Crowley next week in the semifinals and the winner goes to AT&T Stadium for the state finals. Duncanville beat North Crowley last year, 52-10, in the semifinals.

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Vote: Who should be Texas Offensive High School Football Player of the Week? (12/1/2024)

Vote: Who should be Texas Defensive High School Football Player of the Week? (12/1/2024)

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