By John Loop
Sports Editor

While they are not district rivals, the Duncanville boys soccer team is no stranger to the Coppell Cowboys.

“We played them the first game of the year in a scrimmage,” senior defender Kellen Reid said. “They’re a real good test for us, so if they come out on top, we know we’ve got a good game on our hands.”

The Cowboys (18-1-2) will indeed face off against the Panthers (20-1-2) in the regional quarterfinal match just four days after Coppell knocked off the Mansfield Tigers 4-1 at Irving Schools Stadium in the area round. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.  

Duncanville defeated Killeen Ellison 7-1 in the bi-district round and survived Colleyville Heritage 2-1 in double overtime to get to this point in the UIL Class 5A state playoffs.

The Panthers are led by a quartet of seniors, all bound for Hill College next fall, Damion Passos and Miguel Contreras, goalkeeper Joshua Neito, and Christopher Escalera. Escalera is the team’s main offensive threat, accruing 25 goals and 10 assists this season, according to The Dallas Morning News.