News Reader

The Mid-South West Showdown is set to light up Eagle Stadium as the DeSoto Eagles prepare to clash with the Creekside Seminoles out of Fairburn, Georgia in a state-against-state football game.

DeSoto Head Coach Claude Mathis sat down with The DeSoto Tribune and spoke about the upcoming and highly anticipated matchup with Creekside.

The Eagles have won back-to-back state championships and reign supreme in Texas football, having blown out Humble Summer Creek 74-14 to take home their second consecutive state title.

The event, scheduled for Saturday, August 31, promises an evening of thrilling competitive sportsmanship and community spirit.

As the teams gear up for the 5 p.m. kickoff, fans from both sides are buzzing with anticipation.

The Eagles, known for their formidable defense and high-powered offense are determined to guard the line and maintain their home turf advantage.

Meanwhile, the Seminoles are ready to bring their A-game, having only lost to California powerhouse Mater-Die, challenging the Eagles with their dynamic offense.

Kick-off is set for Saturday, August 31 at 5 p.m. at Eagle Stadium.

The post DeSoto Host Creekside Seminoles in Mid-South West Showdown appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

During the State of the District, DeSoto ISD provided an update and outlook to the future of the district.

The post 2024 State of the District | Security Outlook for DeSoto ISD appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

In light of Thursday’s incident at DeSoto High School, DeSoto ISD has announced that the district is transitioning to clear backpacks for the remainder of the 24-25 academic year.

“The decision to implement clear backpacks is another layer of safety in district schools,” said DeSoto ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Usamah Rodgers.

Another security measure the district has implemented is that uniforms were made mandatory for scholars this year.

The measure was created in order for security personnel and staff to quickly distinguish students from visitors on campus.

“Clear backpacks, like uniforms, help us identify a concern quickly and are a deterrent to certain behaviors curbing concerns before a larger concern develops,” said DeSoto ISD Chief of Maintenance and Operations James Thomas.

Additionally, the district reinstated the policy that prohibits the use of backpacks before extended breaks and during the final two weeks of school, effective Monday, May 13, 2024.

The district will still allow small Ziploc sandwiches or pencil bags for sanitary care and or personal hygiene items. 

Heightened security measures at secondary campuses, with a particular focus on DeSoto High School (DHS) are also being implemented.

Students at DHS will undergo enhanced security protocols during transitions, including metal detector screenings and backpack searches upon arrival.

The district’s head of security emphasized the intensification of backpack inspections, with security personnel now conducting more thorough examinations of backpack contents.

The district announced the measures after a non-district student was able to get into DHS with a concealed weapon.

The alleged incident occurred on school property during an altercation with another student that was broken up by security personnel and school administrators.

“Seeing what has been happening in schools across the country served as the impetus for district leaders to come together to deliberate on this very important change on behalf of our scholars and staff members,” said Rogers.

For more information about the new security measures visit DeSotoISD.org.

The post DeSoto ISD Implements New School Safety Measures appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

DeSoto High School was placed on lockdown Thursday after a non-district student brought a firearm on campus, according to the district.

Security personnel at the school were able to detain the suspect promptly because students were utilizing the “See Something, Say Something” initiative.

Campus security and administrators were able to find the concealed weapon as the suspect was allegedly fighting with another student.

“While district security personnel were able to quickly de-escalate a security matter and detain those involved, security personnel discovered a concealed weapon on the person of the non-district student involved,” an updated statement from DeSoto ISD read.

It is not yet clear how the suspect was able to bring the weapon into the school.

Already this year, there have been multiple shooting incidents at North Texas area schools that have left multiple people injured and at least one person deceased.

Dallas Independent School District’s Roosevelt High School was the subject of a shooting after two high school football players were injured in an apparent drive-by shooting.

The incident occurred while the students were riding home from practice with their coach.

Classes were canceled the following day “due to a credible threat.”

Wilmer Hutchins High School was placed on lockdown on April 12 after a 17-year-old suspect shot and injured another student after bringing a gun on campus.

District officials cited “human error” in how the firearm was able to be allowed on campus.

In Arlington at Bowie High School towards the end of April, police arrested 17-year-old Julian Howard and charged him with one count of murder in the death of 18-year-old Etavion Barnes.  

In response to the incident, the district is enhancing security measures for the remainder of the school year.

Increased Security

• No backpacks are allowed on campus for all secondary students starting May 13 through the end of the school year.
• Heightened security presence including increased rotation throughout the building
• DeSoto PD will increase patrol for dismissal.

Uniforms are a safety measure and help ID intruders

• All scholars are required to be in full uniform through the last day of school.
• Students who are not in uniform will be placed in a holding area and asked to contact a parent to bring a change of clothing.
• Students who are unable to obtain uniforms will be placed in ISS for the remainder of the school day

Student Work Release

• High school students on early work release will be asked to sign out of the main office entry at door one

Additional Staff and Volunteer Support

• Additional staff will push in at the high school during lunch and other times of high traffic to assist with monitoring.
• For parents and community members interested in supporting the close of a safe school year, please register to volunteer via the district’s Voly platform at Read more

DeSoto High School Alum Byron Murphy II was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft Thursday night.

Murphy II, a product of DeSoto, played defensive tackle for the University of Texas at Austin and made a considerable impact during his time with the Longhorns.

The 300-pound lineman led the country in pressure rate among defensive tackles at 12.7% last season.

He also contributed 5.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 14 games and had a breakthrough season in 2023 that included garnering first-team all Big 12 honors.

Going into the college football playoffs, Murphy II had the highest quarterback pressure rate for a defensive tackle in the FBS.

The decision by the Seahawks to add Murphey II boasts their defense as Seattle, for the past two seasons, allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL.

DeSoto High School continues to maintain its reputation for producing both exceptional athletic talent and academic achievement.

Led by Coach of the Year Claude Mathis, DeSoto High School remains atop the Texas high school football world, making an emphatic statement, winning its second consecutive state title, defeating Summer Creek 74-14.

The post DeSoto Standout Byron Murphy II Selected at No. 16 in NFL Draft appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.