Randle Outlasts SOC in Championship Thriller

South Oak Cliff falls to Randle in the 5A-Division II State Championship. (© 2024 Miss Ari Photography)

Arlington – For the fourth time in as many years, the Golden Bears of South Oak Cliff reached the 5A-Division II State Championship game. The Golden Bears came up short against the growing program of the Richmond Randle Lions in a 38-35 thriller.

SOC entered the championship with a 13-2 record and Randle with a perfect 15-0 record.

Two crucial mistakes on specials teams by SOC helped Randle to an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The opening kickoff resulted in a 90-yard touchdown run. Next, a muffed SOC punt put Randle in scoring position.

While the crowd was a bit stunned, the SOC sideline appeared poised to turn things around. The Golden Bears did just that on their next possession, scoring with just under two minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

Randle would convert on a field goal attempt next, boosting their lead to 17-7. In very much the back-and-forth competition, SOC would score a touchdown and narrow the gap 17-14. On the next SOC possession, the team failed to convert on fourth down, giving the ball back to Randle as the half came to a rapid close.

Randle scored and entered the half with a 24-14 lead.

SOC emerged from halftime with a burst of energy and their first play from scrimmage was an electrifying 75-yard touchdown run by Mikail Trotter. On the next possession, SOC’s Damond Williams would run for an 85-yard touchdown, giving the Golden Bears their first lead at 28-24.

It appeared Coach Jason Todd’s team was ready to extend the lead when a promising possession ended abruptly. Two receivers seemingly running the same route resulted in a Carter Kopecky pass being tipped and inevitably intercepted.

Moments later, Randle’s Keilan Sweeny rushed for the go-ahead touchdown. After the extra-point, the Golden Bears once again found themselves down by three 31-28.

Not easily rattled, SOC would march down the field and score on a Kopecky keeper for a 22-yard touchdown run. This would be the last scoring drive for SOC. The lead of 35-31 would provide a storybook ending to a stellar season, however, the three-year Randle program had other plans.

For the second time in the Friday night state championship, Randle returned the kickoff to the house, this time for 60 yards. One half of AT&T Stadium went into an immediate frenzy, while the other half was simply speechless.

Continuing the dramatic fashion, SOC faced 4th and 10 with 1:33 remaining on the clock. They converted but had to burn their final timeout – leaving time for one more play before attempting a field goal.

The field goal, although manageable in distance was rushed. The ball pushed left as time expired, giving Randle its first state title in program history.