THE FINAL 48: UIL Football State Championship Preview -- South Oak Cliff vs. Randle (5A-D2)
The stage is set for an exciting showdown this Friday at 7:00 p.m. at AT&T Stadium as the South Oak Cliff Bears face off against the Randle Lions for the UIL-5A-Division II State Championship.
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For South Oak Cliff, the championship is practically a home game, as the Bears are located just under 25 miles from the iconic Arlington venue.
The team enters the game with a 13-2 record and is led by head coach Jason Todd. Their only two losses this season came early on against two perennial 6A powerhouses, North Shore and Duncanville.
Since then, they’ve been on a tear, with no losses in their last 11 games.
In the postseason, they have been virtually unstoppable, most recently defeating Argyle 37-3 – just a week after crushing the defending state champions, Port Neches-Groves, 56-14 in the Regional Finals.
Offensively, South Oak Cliff has been a well-oiled machine, averaging over 37 points per game.
Senior quarterback Carter Kopecky has been stellar, throwing for nearly 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns, all while avoiding any interceptions this season. He has also contributed on the ground, adding 245 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
The Bears' running back room is led by junior Mikail Trotter, who is just one yard away from reaching 1,000 rushing yards and has scored 16 touchdowns.
But the offense doesn’t stop there.
With playmakers like Damond "Debo" Williams (Central Arkansas-signee) and Levon Morton, both of whom have accumulated over 700 all-purpose yards and combined for 26 total touchdowns, South Oak Cliff has the depth to keep opposing defenses on their toes.
Kopecky’s receiving corps is no less impressive, with Jaylen Moore, Nate Coleman, and Torrin Teague all contributing heavily, alongside senior Reggie McNeal Jr., who has been a consistent big-play threat.
The offensive line, anchored by Emeka Ugorji (Stanford) and Byron Abner (Army), provides the protection that allows these skill players to shine.
While the offense has received much of the attention, it’s the defense that has truly been the backbone of South Oak Cliff's success.
The Bears have allowed a mere 11.2 points per game and have forced 22 turnovers while recording 32 sacks this season.
At the heart of the defense is senior linebacker Jayden Shelton (Arkansas), who has amassed 118 tackles and two interceptions. Up front, Kamauryn Morgan (Baylor) and Kordae Houston have been wreaking havoc, while players like Kendrick Carter (North Dakota State), Tobias Gary (LA Tech), and Rickey Giles in the secondary have stepped up when needed.
South Oak Cliff is looking to reclaim the championship they lost last year to Port Neches-Groves. A win on Friday would secure their third state title in just four years.
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On the other sideline, the Randle Lions are the new kids on the block, but they’ve certainly made their mark.
This marks the first-ever appearance for the Lions in a state championship game, a historic run for a program that is only in its fourth year of varsity football.
Under the leadership of Brian Randle, who was recently named the Houston Touchdown Club Coach of the Year, Randle enters the state final with an undefeated 15-0 record.
Their road to AT&T Stadium was paved with an impressive 42-7 victory over Boerne last Friday, showcasing the strength of their offense.
The Lions are led by sophomore running back Landen Williams-Callis, who is coming off a monster game in which he surpassed 2,000 rushing yards for the season.
With 42 total touchdowns on the year, Williams-Callis is one of the most dangerous playmakers in the state. He’s also a receiving threat, with 289 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
However, Randle's offense is more than just Williams-Callis.
Junior quarterback Tyler Skrabanek has been efficient all season, throwing for over 2,100 yards and 25 touchdowns against just five interceptions.
His main targets in the passing game include Dacorian Rubin, Sean Smith, Jaxon Montelongo, and Cedrick McClintock—all of whom have been key contributors.
Additionally, senior Keilan Sweeny is a versatile athlete who can line up at quarterback, running back, or wide receiver and is always a threat to make a game-changing play.
Defensively, Randle has been nothing short of spectacular, holding opponents to a jaw-dropping 7.6 points per game.
The Lions' defense is anchored by a dominant front seven, including Chace Sims (Texas A&M commit), who has tallied 87 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks.
Alongside Sims, defensive linemen L’Jalen Miller and Cary Spires IV have been a force, creating constant pressure in the backfield.
Linebackers Jaquin Parker, Te’Shaun Williams, and Ryan Mallory have been playmakers, while the secondary—led by Shrhod Revis (six interceptions) and Blake Thompson—has been stifling all season.
Randle has been on a historic run, and they’re determined to keep their perfect season alive with a win on Friday.
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In a battle between an established powerhouse and an enthralling newcomer, South Oak Cliff and Randle go head-to-head this Friday (7:00 PM) at AT&T Stadium.