The South Oak Cliff Golden Bears’ pursuit of their third UIL Class 5A Division II Football State Championship fell just short on December 20, 2024, at AT&T Stadium, as they were narrowly defeated by the Richmond Randle High School Lions, 38-35. This game showcased two compelling teams: the Golden Bears, known for their storied success, and the undefeated Lions, celebrating their first state title win.
The atmosphere was electric, with fans from both sides filling the stands to witness this dramatic championship clash. Just moments after kickoff, the momentum shifted dramatically as Randle’s Sincere Timpson returned the opening kickoff for 90 yards, putting the Lions up 7-0 before many fans could settle. With 6:45 remaining in the first quarter, Randle increased their lead to 14-0 as Landen Williams-Callis muscled through for a 1-yard touchdown run.
South Oak Cliff didn’t let the early setback define their performance. Led by senior quarterback Carter Kopecky, they responded with relentless determination. The Golden Bears managed to score for the first time late in the first quarter, with Kopecky connecting with Jaylen Moore for a 17-yard touchdown. After another quick score from Randle, SOC came within three points as Mikail Trotter reached the end zone with six minutes left until halftime, making it 24-14 at the break.
The second half began with renewed fervor from SOC. On the first play, Trotter sprinted 75 yards down the field for another touchdown, energizing the crowd and bringing the team closer at 24-21. Shortly afterwards, taking advantage of an interception, SOC surged forward again, with Damond Williams scoring on an 85-yard run, giving the Golden Bears their first lead at 28-24.
But this back-and-forth contest was far from over. Randle countered with a touchdown of their own, with Keilan Sweeny rushing for another score, restoring their advantage to 31-28. Not to be outdone, SOC then took the lead once more at 35-31 following another impressive rush by Kopecky.
With the clock winding down, Randle struck decisively once more. Sean Smith’s spectacular 72-yard kickoff return for a touchdown put the Lions back on top, 38-35, leaving SOC with just moments to mount one last offensive effort. They made their way downfield but faced an uphill battle when they were penalized for holding, negated what would have been the game-winning touchdown.
With no timeouts remaining, SOC rushed onto the field to attempt tying the game with 44 seconds left, but the kick veered left as the clock expired, sealing Randle's victory and leaving the Golden Bears devastated on the turf.
After the game, SOC Coach Jason Todd reflected on the bitter end of their championship hopes. "The hard part is you work all year to get there and then your whole season is down to one game. We had our chances. We didn’t do the normal things South Oak Cliff does,” he said, underscoring the high expectations placed on the team after their recent successes.
This marked SOC's second consecutive loss at the state championship, having fallen short the previous year against Port Neches-Groves. Nonetheless, the Golden Bears’ history over the past four seasons remains impressive, earning back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022 and showing resilience throughout their playoff run. Kopecky emphasized, "It is something to brag on, to be able to say your class has been to state four years in a row. We have never not known the championship game." His pride echoed across the team as they hold their heads high.
Despite the tears, Todd maintained optimism about the future of the program, remarking, "The future is still bright. We just gotta find out what’s going to get us over this hump.” With many players eligible to return, SOC plans to regroup and aim for another shot at the title next year.
The loss was not just about missing the title; it reflected the highs and lows of sports, where victories are often accompanied by heartbreak. South Oak Cliff's legacy as one of Dallas ISD's powerhouses remains unchanged. The Golden Bears have established themselves as fierce competitors on the Texas high school football scene, setting the stage for yet another thrilling season next year.
