After a dominating start, the Skyline Raiders football team succumbed to a rally by two-time defending state champion Allen on Dec. 13, falling 52-34 in the Class 6A Division I Region II semifinal at SMU’s Ford Stadium.
More than 18,000 people gathered to watch as Skyline took on Allen in Skyline’s deepest playoff run since it battled Southlake Carroll in a regional semifinal in 2011.
The contest was a back-and-forth offensive affair, pitting Skyline’s dominating ground game and timely passing against Allen’s efficient quick-strike ability.
Skyline led 14-10 at halftime behind a touchdown by running back DaLeon Ward and another by Savon Rollison. However, Skyline lost starting quarterback K.C. Johnson to a hand injury. The Raiders opened the second half with more fireworks, extending its lead to 28-10 after linebacker Jalon Spencer returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown, followed by an 11-yard touchdown catch by Rollison.
Skyline continued to attack, but Allen stormed back behind 406 passing yards by quarterback Kyler Murray, one of the nation’s top college football recruits. The Eagles scored 34 unanswered points to close the game. Allen has now won 42 consecutive games.
Skyline ends the season (14-1), while Allen (15-0) advanced to its third consecutive state playoff final. For more information on Dallas ISD sports, follow @dallasathletics on Twitter and visit the The Hub at dallasisd.org along with the new athletics’ website.
