No Let-Up in the Ville: Duncanville Eyeing Another Run for 2025

The Duncanville Panthers are coming off another powerhouse season in 2024, finishing 13-1 overall and a perfect 7-0 in district play. Under legendary head coach Reginald Samples, the Panthers once again proved why they're a perennial contender in Texas high school football. Their season ended in heartbreaking fashion with a hard fought loss to eventual state champion North Crowley in the semifinals a game that showcased Duncanville's toughness and grit. The Panthers are looking to bounceback; here are some of the key players to be on the look out for:   Duncanville 2025 Football Schedule   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>9/5 – vs South Oak Cliff</li>   <li>9/19 – @ Waxahachie*</li>   <li>9/26 – vs Skyline*</li>   <li>10/10 – vs DeSoto*</li>   <li>10/17 – @ Lancaster*</li>   <li>10/24 – vs Horn*</li>   <li>10/31 – @ Mesquite*</li>   <li>11/6 – vs Cedar Hill*</li> </ul>    Zach is a dynamic hybrid tight end/wide receiver who brings a rare blend of size, athleticism, and blazing speed to the field. He runs like the wind exploding off the line and immediately putting pressure on defensive backs and linebackers trying to keep up. Whether he's lined up in the slot, out wide, or attached to the formation, Zach creates matchup problems all over the field.   As a route runner, he's smooth and sharp, able to separate with quick cuts and deceptive acceleration. His top-end speed allows him to stretch the field vertically, while his frame and catch radius make him a reliable red zone target. Zach also shows toughness after the catch he isn't afraid to lower his shoulder and fight for extra yards. Zach is currently committed to SMU      Romel is a smooth, athletic wide receiver who just transferred in and is already turning heads with his playmaking potential. He brings a polished skill set to the offense crisp route running, strong hands, and the ability to create separation at all levels of the field. Romel fits right in with a competitive receiver room and is looking to make an immediate impact.     Leon is a hard nosed, high effort linebacker who carved out his role last season through special teams, where he consistently stood out flying down the field and making key tackles. He brings energy, physicality, and a fearless mentality traits that make him a valuable asset in all phases of the game.   On film, Leon shows a quick trigger and no hesitation when closing on ball carriers. He runs with purpose, takes solid angles, and isn't afraid to throw his body around to make a play. His performance on special teams proves he's willing to do the dirty work and embrace any role to help the team win.      [player_tooltip player_id='1193488' first='Landon' last='Barnes'] is a dominant edge rusher with elite traits and next level polish, which is exactly why he's earned his 4 star status and a commitment to Ole Miss. He brings a relentless motor, explosive first step, and advanced technique that separates him from most high school linemen. Whether it's collapsing the pocket or setting the edge, Landon consistently makes his presence felt.   He plays with violent hands and quick twitch off the snap, allowing him to win early in reps and force quarterbacks into bad decisions. Landon is equally disruptive against the run, using leverage and strength to shed blocks and finish plays behind the line of scrimmage.      KJ is an explosive 4 star EDGE rusher who brings elite burst, length, and natural pass-rushing instincts to the field. Now committed to the Florida Gators, KJ has solidified himself as one of the premier defensive prospects in his class. He consistently creates chaos off the edge beating tackles with a lightning quick first step, fluid bend, and a relentless motor that doesn't stop until the whistle.   KJ plays with great leverage and hand technique, allowing him to disengage quickly and finish plays with authority. He's a constant threat in passing situations, but he's also disciplined against the run holding contain, fighting through blocks, and delivering clean, physical tackles in space. His speed to power transition makes him a nightmare for offensive linemen, and he's only scratching the surface of his potential.      J'Coryon is a dynamic quarterback who plays with confidence, creativity, and control. He's the type of player who can take over a game with both his arm and his legs. As a passer, he shows good velocity on his throws, a smooth release, and the ability to make off platform passes when the play breaks down. He's comfortable delivering the ball from the pocket or on the move, always keeping his eyes downfield.   J'Coryon does a great job reading defenses and doesn't panic under pressure. He understands how to extend plays, reset his feet, and deliver accurate throws to all levels of the field. As a runner, he's dangerous in the open field shifty enough to make defenders miss and tough enough to fight for extra yards.      Jaylyn is a physical and instinctive linebacker who plays with a strong sense of timing and aggression. With offers from Rhode Island, Jacksonville State, and Montana State, he's gaining well-deserved attention for his ability to impact games on both sides of the ball.   Jaylyn reads plays quickly and reacts decisively, showing excellent ability to diagnose runs and pass plays. He's effective at shedding blocks and consistently wraps up with solid tackling form. His sideline-to-sideline speed allows him to cover ground quickly, making him a threat in run support and in coverage against tight ends or running backs.      Emmanuel is a smooth and explosive wide receiver with big play ability every time he touches the ball. He combines quick feet, strong hands, and precise route running to consistently create separation and stretch the field. Emmanuel does a great job finding soft spots in coverage and has the body control to adjust mid air and make tough catches look routine.   He's dangerous after the catch quick in space, elusive in the open field, and not afraid to fight through contact for extra yards. Emmanuel's timing and chemistry with his quarterback are evident, as he always seems to be in the right spot at the right time. Whether working outside or in the slot, he's a versatile target who can be moved around to exploit matchups. Currently hold offers from Midwestern State , Southern Miss and Montana.      Dylan is a powerful, gap eating defensive lineman who thrives on physicality and effort. He's the kind of player who may not always show up in the stat sheet, but his impact is felt every snap. Dylan does the dirty work up front plugging gaps, taking on double teams, and freeing up linebackers to fly around and make plays.   He plays with heavy hands and a sturdy base, making it tough for offensive linemen to move him off his spot. Dylan shows flashes of interior disruption with a strong bull rush and the ability to collapse the pocket from the inside. He's also shown improvement in his lateral movement and pursuit, hustling down plays and bringing energy to the front seven.      D'Mariyae is an explosive and aggressive defensive lineman who plays with a relentless motor and a physical edge. He fires off the line with purpose, using quick hands and great pad level to gain early leverage against blockers. Whether he's lined up inside or outside, D'Mariyae consistently finds ways to disrupt plays in the backfield.      Braylon is a polished defensive back with the tools and temperament to thrive at the next level qualities that earned him a commitment to SMU. He plays with excellent technique and patience, never panicking in coverage and showing the ability to mirror receivers through the route stem.   Braylon has strong ball skills and a natural instinct for reading the quarterback's eyes, which allows him to jump routes and create turnovers. Whether playing man or zone, he stays disciplined and understands how to position himself to make plays without taking unnecessary risks. His footwork is clean, his hips are fluid, and his break on the ball is sharp.      Ayson is a quick, shifty receiver who thrives in space and brings real playmaking juice to the offense. He's the type of weapon that can turn a short throw into a big gain with one cut. Ayson has sharp route-running ability, great burst in and out of his breaks, and natural instincts for finding soft spots in the defense.   He's dangerous after the catch elusive, twitchy, and tough to bring down in one on-one situations. Whether he's working underneath routes, jet sweeps, or motion looks, Ayson forces defenses to account for him at all times. He also has strong hands and shows great concentration in traffic despite his size.   Ayson brings energy to the field and plays with chip on the shoulder confidence. He's a sparkplug that can move the chains or break the game open in a single play, and he fits perfectly in spread or up-tempo systems that want to get the ball in their playmakers' hands.      Arrmand is a physical and reliable tight end who brings toughness, versatility, and a team first mentality to the offense. He's a strong blocker at the line of scrimmage, showing solid technique and the ability to seal the edge or drive defenders in the run game. Arrmand plays with effort and finishes plays, making him a key piece in both zone and power schemes.      Aris is a scrappy, athletic lineman who brings a mix of technique, toughness, and controlled aggression to the trenches. He plays with a chip on his shoulder battling through every snap with effort and intensity that sets the tone up front. Aris excels in space, showing the ability to pull, climb, and reach defenders at the second level with ease.   He's got quick feet and natural bend, which allows him to mirror pass rushers and adjust to twists and stunts without panic. Aris is especially effective in up tempo or spread systems where his mobility and intelligence shine. He communicates well, picks up pressure, and plays with the kind of edge that coaches love in a leader on the offensive line.      Trenton is one of the most electrifying young receivers in the country, already earning 4 star status and drawing offers from powerhouse programs like Alabama, Arizona State, Arizona, Auburn, Baylor, Miami, and many more. He's a natural playmaker with elite instincts, advanced footwork, and the kind of fluid athleticism that separates him from most in his class.   Trenton's route running is crisp and refined for his age he creates separation with clean breaks and understands how to manipulate defenders with body control and timing. His ball skills are next level, tracking the deep ball effortlessly and making contested catches look easy. He's just as dangerous after the catch, with top tier acceleration, agility, and the ability to turn a short gain into a game breaking play.      Jakohri is a disruptive defensive lineman transferring in from Demopolis, Alabama, and he's poised to make an instant impact. He brings a powerful blend of size, strength, and explosiveness off the snap that immediately elevates any defensive front. Jakohri excels at creating penetration whether it's collapsing the pocket or blowing up run plays before they start.   He plays with great leverage, uses his hands well to disengage blockers, and has the motor to chase down plays from sideline to sideline. Jakohri's presence demands attention, often drawing double teams and freeing up teammates to make plays.   With his physical tools, proven production, and hunger to prove himself in a new environment, Jakohri is a game changer up front the kind of transfer who can shift the momentum of a defense from day one.     Duncanville enters the 2025 season with a chip on its shoulder after falling just short of another state title, finishing 13-1 with a semifinal loss to eventual champion North Crowley. Under the leadership of legendary head coach Reginald Samples, the Panthers remain one of the most respected and feared programs in Texas.

The Duncanville Panthers are coming off another powerhouse season in 2024, finishing 13-1 overall and a perfect 7-0 in district play. Under legendary head coach Reginald Samples, the Panthers once again proved why they're a perennial contender in Texas high school football. Their season ended in heartbreaking fashion with a hard fought loss to eventual state champion North Crowley in the semifinals a game that showcased Duncanville's toughness and grit. The Panthers are looking to bounceback; here are some of the key players to be on the look out for: