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Hard work pays off for DeSoto's Dontre Wilson, Lancaster's Daeshon Hall; duo wins biggest awards at SportsDayHS banquet

DeSoto running back Dontre Wilson and Lancaster defensive end Daeshon Hall have at least two things in common.

Both led their respective teams to record seasons. DeSoto won 14 games and advanced to the 5A Division I state semifinals. Lancaster also won 14 games before falling in the 4A Division II state championship game.

And on Thursday, both were awarded player of the year awards at the SportsDayHS Heroes Banquet at the Omni Dallas Hotel hosted by The Dallas Morning News and Time Warner Cable.

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“This is great. I never thought I’d have this chance,” Hall said. “Texas high school football is the best high school football around, so it’s a great honor to win this award and be around these types of athletes.”

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Hall was presented the Defensive Player of the Year trophy. The senior defensive end racked up 91 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 18 sacks. Lancaster never gave up more than 21 points in a game during the regular season, and Hall was the main force on defense.

Wilson, also a senior, was the Offensive Player of the Year. He rushed for 1,892 yards and 37 touchdowns. Wilson also caught 37 passes for 752 yards and nine more scores.

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“It feels great that all the hard work I put into my high school career is finally paying off,” Wilson said.

Hall committed to Washington, and Wilson committed to Oregon.

Lancaster hadn’t won more than 10 games in a season since 1941 and had never been past the third round of the playoffs. The defense averaged only 16 points against in the playoffs, including a 17-7 loss to Cedar Park in the championship game at Cowboys Stadium.

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Hall also played tight end in the playoffs, catching five passes for 90 yards and three touchdowns.

“We worked hard to get to the state championship,” Hall said. “We came a little short, but I think Lancaster football is going to keep winning every year.”

DeSoto advanced to the state semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Allen. Wilson, despite being injured in the regional final a week earlier, scored two touchdowns in the loss.

Wooten delivers keynote: Ten-year NFL veteran and college football hall of famer John Wooten delivered the keynote address at the banquet.

Wooten, an offensive guard, stressed to the high school athletes the importance of faith, family, friends and education during his speech.

“We play a great game,” Wooten said. “There’s no greater game. It teaches you teamwork. I’ve been a lineman my whole life, blocking for quarterbacks and running backs so that they could get the glory. But that glory does come back to you.”

Wooten played college football at Colorado before spending nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns, where he blocked for Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown.