Replay: DeSoto races away from Vandegrift in Class 6A Division II state football championship

ARLINGTON — Vandegrift will try and win its first state championship in football when it faces DeSoto for the Class 6A Division II title Saturday at 3 p.m. at AT&T Stadium. The Vipers, from the Leander school district, began varsity play in 2010 under current head coach Drew Sanders and qualified for their first state title game with a 38-35 win over Katy last week.

More:Overlook him if you dare: Size no factor when Vandegrift's Coleman has game in his hands

DeSoto, a single-high school district just south of Dallas seeking their second state title, are coached by Bartlett native Claude Mathis, one of the top high school players in Austin-area history and a member of the Texas State athletic hall of honor. The Eagles beat Denton Guyer 47-28 last week and boast a star-studded lineup that includes Texas Longhorn commits Tre Wisner at running back and Johntay Cook II at receiver.

Follow along for live updates from today's game.

More:Photos: Vandegrift battles DeSoto for 6A Region II State Title

Final: DeSoto 42, Vandegrift 17

In its first appearance in a state championship football game, Vandegrift falls to a tough and talented DeSoto squad. Texas recruits Tre Wisner and Johntay Cook helped DeSoto to more than 600 yards of offense and give Claude Mathis, a Bartlett native and former LBJ head coach, his first state title as a head coach.

10:37 4Q: DeSoto 42, Vandegrift 17

Vandegrift is playing some future Longhorns, and the Longhorns are winning. RB Tre Wisner, who splits out wide often, hauls in a 62-yard TD catch. He has 6 catches for 132 yards ad 3 TDs along with 79 yards rushing on five carries. Want some more UT comps? How about Eric Metcalf.

End 3Q: DeSoto 35, Vandegrift 17

Vandegrift just punted the ball back to DeSoto, and things look bleak for the Vipers. DeSoto has 514 yards of offense and has run 19 more plays than the Vipers. Can Vandegrift get a few stops?

1:22 3Q: DeSoto 35, Vandegrift 17

Deondrae Riden Jr. gets number three, and is that too much for Vandegrift to overcome? The sophomore runs in from 5 yards out to give DeSoto what may be an insurmountable lead. Johntay Cook, the Texas pledge, hauled in his third catch on the drive and now has 103 yards receiving. He's a downfield threat who plays a bit like Xavier Worthy, to these eyes.

6:04 3Q: DeSoto 28, Vandegrift 17

Deondrae Riden Jr. answers that Vandegrift TD with his second touchdown of the game, this one from 6 yards out There's a reason the 5-10, 190-pound sophomore has offers from schools such as LSU and Texas A&M; a workhorse with breakaway speed, he has 28 carries for 169 yards.

9:30 3Q: DeSoto 21, Vandegrift 17

Vandegrift gets exactly what it needed on the opening drive of the second half. Alex Witt, who has rushed for 129 yards on 14 carries, rips off a 20-yard TD run to pull the Vipers within four points. Can Vandegrift's defense somehow slow down potent DeSoto?

Halftime: DeSoto 21, Vandegrift 10

Vandegrift has to be satisfied down just 11, considering that DeSoto has moved the ball at will. The Eagles have more than 300 yards of offense, including 73 yards rushing, 66 yards receiving and a TD from Texas RB pledge Tre Wisner and two catches for 48 yards and a TD by Texas WR pledge Johntay Cook. Vandegrift has 133 yards of offense, led by 78 yards rushing and a TD from Alex Witt.

3:20 2Q: DeSoto 21, Vandegrift 10

DeSoto RB Deondrae Riden Jr. makes up for his fumble on the previous possession and bulls in from the 4-yard line. That's an impressive sophomore running back. DeSoto offense is in high-octane mode; running a fast tempo, the Eagles have 270 yards of offense and Vandegrift needs to catch its breath on defense.

6:40 2Q: DeSoto 14, Vandegrift 10

Another fumble by DeSoto inside Vandegrift's 10-yard line, and it's Oliver Yndo of Vandegrift on the recovery at the 2-yard line. The Vipers' defense has two takeaways in the shadow of their own goal line, and that's keeping Vandegrift in the game

8:41 2Q: DeSoto 14, Vandegrift 10

Vandegrift answers, and this game is heating up. Alex Witt takes a snap from the wildcat and plows in from 1 yard out. Witt set up his score with a 57-yard run down the right sideline. Both offenses getting untracked.

9:19 2Q: DeSoto 14, Vandegrift 3

And DeSoto takes advantage of the review! Tre Wisner, another Texas pledge, takes a pass from Darius Bailey 10 yards for the score. Vandegrift fans may not be happy but Texas fans are; the two DeSoto recruits for the Longhorns have combined for 150 yards and two TDs.

9:43 2Q: DeSoto 7, Vandegrift 3

Did Vandegrift QB Brayden Buchanan fumble on a sack, or is that an incomplete pass? The UIL uses booth review instant replays in just the state title games, and replay overrules the call on the field of an incomplete pass. The first turnover by Vandegrift has DeSoto set up deep in Viper territory.

11:03 2Q: DeSoto 7, Vandegrift 3

Johntay Cook! There's the playmaking ability that drew countless offers from colleges across the state - including Texas. The 4-star Longhorns pledge takes a pass out in the flat, makes one move, and flashes his elite speed while racing into the end zone for a 42-yard touchdown catch.

11:56 2Q: Vandegrift 3, DeSoto 0

Hayden Arnold nails a 36-yard field-goal attempt to give the Vipers the lead. The senior has had an all-Centex type of season, and it continues in Arlington.

End 1Q: Vandegrift 0, DeSoto 0

Miles Coleman gets loose for a 31-yard gain to move Vandegrift deep into DeSoto territory, but the drive bogs down at the DeSoto 19. It's fourth down for Vandegrift, and might we see kicker Hayden Arnold come on for a 36-yard field-goal attempt? He's had a brilliant year so far and could produce the first points of the title game.

1Q 2:28: Vandegrift 0, DeSoto 0

DeSoto has 122 yards compared to 24 for Vandegrift, but the Vipers' defense has forced back-to-back punts.. The DeSoto secondary is good; so far, dynamic Vandegrift receiver Miles Coleman has had little space,

1Q 6:02: Vandegrift 0, DeSoto 0,

Both defenses have forced punts, and the Vipers get the ball back for the second time. They went 3-and-out on their first drive; let's see how they adjust to a fast, physical DeSoto defense.

1Q 10:24: Vandegrift 0, DeSoto 0,

An immediate turnover! DeSoto driving inside the 10-yard line, but DE Daemian Wimberley forces a fumble by RB Jaden Trawick, and Isaiah Thompson recovers for the Vipers. Vandegrift forces the game's first turnover.

1Q 12:00: Vandegrift 0, DeSoto 0

Let's kick things off. Vandegrift in road whites with silver and black trim and the silver "V" on the black helmet. DeSoto in home green and gold with a green and silver eagle on the golden helmet. DeSoto will get the ball first, and the Vipers defense will immediately see that explosive DeSoto offense.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: In its first trip to state, Vandegrift falls to DeSoto and Texas recruits