ARLINGTON — Richmond Randle made history by clinching its first state title with a thrilling 38-35 victory over South Oak Cliff in the Class 5A Division II championship game, held on December 20, 2024, at AT&T Stadium.
Despite being newcomers to the college championship scene, the Lions showcased their mettle against the seasoned Golden Bears, who had been making their fourth consecutive appearance at this prestigious event. Early on, the Lions took charge, capitalizing on special teams play, which was pivotal throughout the contest.
Randle stormed out of the gates when Sincere Timpson returned the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown. The momentum shifted back to Randle again later when sophomore running back Landen Williams-Callis punched it in from one yard out for Randle’s second score, putting the Lions up 14-0 less than halfway through the first quarter.
The Golden Bears, not to be outdone, rallied back. South Oak Cliff, led by quarterback Carter Kopecky, found its footing and answered with two scoring drives, bringing the score within touching distance. The turning point came just before half-time when head coach Jason Todd's team mounted successive plays, leading to a run from Mikail Trotter and Damond Williams, who managed significant yardage for South Oak Cliff.
At halftime, Randle led 24-14, but SOC returned with renewed vigor, scoring quickly. Trotter highlighted the turnaround, racing 75 yards for his team's first touchdown of the half. Another stellar run by Williams, this time for 85 yards, pushed the Bears to their first lead at 28-24 with just under ten minutes left in the third quarter.
The contest quickly turned back and forth, with both teams exchanging leads as the fourth quarter unfolded. Randle’s offense found resilience when Perry Kindred intercepted SOC, leading to another touchdown run, this time from Keilan Sweeny, reclaiming the lead 31-28.
Just when it appeared SOC might distance itself with another score, Kopecky scrambled for the end zone, giving the Golden Bears the advantage of 35-31 with just under ten minutes remaining on the clock.
Randle was quick to react. Sean Smith, unleashed on the subsequent kickoff, dashed 72 yards to restore their lead at 38-35. The tension mounted to the final seconds, with South Oak Cliff attempting to orchestrate a last-minute field goal. Unfortunately for them, Ceasar Olavera’s 45-yard attempt veered wide left, sealing Randle’s historic win.
Much of the game’s excitement stemmed from the stellar performances by both teams. Randle's Williams-Callis garnered the Offensive MVP award, rushing for 101 yards on 23 carries, and Ryan Mallory took home the Defensive MVP with his 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss.
Randle coach Brian Randle expressed pride in his team's perseverance, emphasizing the mental fortitude they demonstrated throughout the match. "There could have been a bit of intimidation coming here and playing South Oak Cliff, but our biggest focus was it’s all been done before," he stated. This mentality allowed the team to approach the game with confidence and determination.
Meanwhile, coach Jason Todd reflected on the hard-fought battle. "I thought we played a very competitive, great game, but we just came up a little short." This is the second consecutive year South Oak Cliff has felt the sting of narrowly missing the championship title after being defeated last year by Port Neches-Groves.
The statistics told the tale of how closely matched these two programs are, with South Oak Cliff outgaining Randle 461 total yards to 211, particularly dominating on the ground with impressive rushing numbers. But Randle's opportunistic special teams play was too powerful for SOC to overcome.
Looking forward, this victory marks the beginning of what could be a remarkable legacy for the Randle football program, which has achieved such success so early within its existence. The management and players of the Richmond Randle Lions stand poised to make their mark not just regionally but potentially on national levels as they build their reputation as formidable contenders.
Richmond Randle's victory is not just about winning the championship; it's about establishing their place in Texas high school football history. With this achievement, expectations will undoubtedly rise as they prepare for the challenges of defending their title next season.
