b'School Spotlight:School Spotlight: Duncanville High SchoolGretna High School (Duncanville, TX)by Sean Murphy (Gretna, NE)D uncanville High School is a 6A Division I public school lo- G retna High School is a public high school located in Gret- by Demetrius Hollins IIcated in Duncanville, Texas. It is one of three high schoolsna, Nebraska, USA. It serves students in grades 9 through in the Duncanville Independent School District area. This12 and is part of the Gretna Public Schools district. Gretna school serves grades 9th-12th and their goal for their students isis a growing community in the Omaha metropolitan area, and its all about excellence, with their motto being excellence is the stan- school system has been expanding to accommodate the increas-dard. This school helps their 4,500 plus students exceed in everying population. The Gretna High School football team has been category they can provide. Some of these activities include band,one of the best high school football programs in Nebraska in the cheerleading, the fine arts, academics, newspaper, and, of course,last couple of years. In the 2021-22 season, the Gretna Dragons their sports teams. The Duncanville Panthers excel in many sports,were able to cap off their dominant 12-1 season by winning a state having a total of 26 state titles dating back to the year 1976. Thechampionship. The Gretna Dragons came in last with high hopes of school emphasizes sports as important to its students because ofwinning back-to-back state championships. The Gretna Dragons the life skills it teaches in categories like sportsmanship, under- have started off this season hot by winning their first three games standing, teamwork, and the fact that hard work leads to successand are looking to continue their winning streak by winning their on and off the field. next couple of games against Millard South High and Bellevue East WR Dakorien Moore6 0 185 lbs. Dakorien is a five-starHigh.This is the same for the Panthers football team. Since 2017, theyrecruit in the class of 2025. Just like Caden Durham, Dakorien is have been first in their district, only losing seven games in thatalso committed to LSU. Moore is ranked in the top three at wideThe Gretna High Dragons are currently coached by Head Coach span, with no more than two losses in any of those seasons. Theirreceiver in his class. After an impressive first week of the season,Michael Kayl. Coach Kayl started at Gretna High School in 2014 as success has continued recently with the Panthers winning a cham- recording seven catches 281 yards, and three touchdowns, hean assistant and later took over the head coaching position. Coach pionship in 2022. With the help of Coach Reginald Samples, thislooks to continue his dominant play on the field now and in hisKayl is entering his seventh season as the head coach of the Gretna team had an undefeated season leading to another title as districtcollege career. High Dragons football team. We were able to catch up and inter-champions and, for the second time in two seasons, making it intoview Head Coach Kayl about this upcoming season.the state championship. This time, however, they became victo- EDGE Colin Simmons63 225 lbs. Last but not least we have rious, beating North Shore High School (28-21), and becomingColin Simmons, a five-star edge rusher who is top five in theEvery season and every team have something they focus on onceIsaiah Weber (12th)RB and MLB. He is the teams leading rusher champions for the second time in school history (1998). country in his position. He has committed to play football nextthe previous season is over and they go into the off-season. Weand tackler and is also team captain.year for the Texas Longhorns. Last season he recorded 79 tackles,asked Coach Kayl about what him and his team are focusing on This unbelievable season was coached by none other than Coach33 TFLs, and 22.6 sacks, which is a school record, helping thegoing into this season. Bennett Stock (12th)Two year starter at center. Team captain.ReginaldSamples.CoachSampleshasbeencoachinginTexasPanther tremendously on their championship run. He looks ready since 1990. In over the 30 years Coach Samples has been coaching,to repeat a dominant year with the Panthers. Trying to develop some depth and game experience. HCBlake Hawkins (12th)DE and OLB. According to Coach Kayl he he has only had 3 losing seasons, with the last one being his firstMike Kayl has had a great start to his senior year. Team Captainyear with the Panthers in 2015. Since then, he has been division champion six times, gone to the championship four times, and hasDeveloping depth is important whenever you have a large groupKalvin Janssen (11th)OL/DL. Kalvin is a returning starter that is won the championship once. With this extraordinary last season,of upperclassmen playing. Observing and developing the younggaining some college interest.Samples was given the award for Texas Coach of the Year (2022). Intalent can help maintain the dominance and culture of the football the long scheme of things, Samples has won over 300 games in histeam. Each team has a goal of winning a state championship but status as head coach, which is the most ever by any African-Amer- only one team is able to actually win the state championship. The ican head football coach in the state of Texas. Coach Samples willGretna Dragons were close to winning the state championship but hopefully continue his success in coaching and without a doubtfell short in the championship game. We asked Coach Kayl about have a good possibility of making it to his third state championshipwhat him and the team learned about themselves based on how last game in a row with the help of his players and coaching staff. season ended.RB Caden Durham5 10 190 lbs. Caden is a four-star runningTo stay resilient and not settle with any previous success. back who recently committed to play at Louisiana State UniversityMake every moment count. HC Mike Kaylnext season.Last season, he rushed for 1960 yards on 210 carries and 36 TDs. Being ranked 12th at running back in the country, heEach team has a motto or slogan they go by. The teams motto is has a bright future with the Tigers. implemented by the coach but is executed by the team. We asked Photo by Stan Martin Coach Kayl about their teams motto or slogan.QB Keelon Russell63 180 lbs. About to start his season as the Junior starting quarterback, Keelon last year led Duncanville to aNever Settle is this years motto.HC Mike Kayl15-0 record and won the 6A D-1 state championship, throwing for 2,377 yards, 22 TDs, and nine INTs and rushing for 203 yards onKeeping comfortable and settling can lead to teams losing game so 48 attempts and three rushing TDs. He has offers from multiplenever settling allows you to focus and continue to get better. We schools like Purdue, Ole Miss, TCU, and more but has not com- asked Coach Kayl about his top players to look out for this season. mitted anywhere. Here is his players:10'