Keelon Russell backing up his fifth star
After a monster offseason that saw Keelon Russell advance not only into five-star status, but into the top-10 in the class, a big senior season was expected. His biggest test of the fall came early as Duncanville faced perennial national powerhouse Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances. Russell started off strong with a first drive score on a quick strike to three-star WR Ayson Theus. From there, the game was fairly quiet for some time, heading to half trailing 9-7. But late in the third quarter, now down 16-7, Russell had had enough of the slow play and started to take over the game.
For the first time in the game, he showed off his abilities as a runner and charged into the end zone through the chest of hard hitting four-star safety Jireh Edwards. He did not stop there as on the next drive, the Alabama commit unleashed the best throw I have seen this season with a back foot, 60-plus yard heave right on target to Theus for their second scoring connection of the night, taking a 21-16 lead. After going down again, Russell gathered his offense and led what would be a game winning drive, capped with a strike to. a wide open four-star TE Zachery Turner.
Facing one of the best rosters in the country and down several scores, Russell stayed calm and when it mattered most, he delivered. He showed mobility, arm strength, accuracy, and most important, high football IQ.
