GAMES
RANKINGS
THE FINAL 48: UIL Football State Championship Preview -- Highland Park vs. Smithson Valley (5A-D1)
This Saturday at 11:00 a.m., AT&T Stadium will play host to an exciting showdown between the Highland Park Scots and the Smithson Valley Rangers, as both teams vie for the title of UIL-5A-D1 State Champions.
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Highland Park enters the championship with a 14-1 record, nearly perfect this season. The Scots’ journey to this point has been impressive, highlighted by a thrilling 24-21 come-back victory over Denton Ryan last Friday, which was sealed by a field goal in the final seconds.
This is a familiar stage for Highland Park, as they are making their 10th appearance in the State Final. The Scots last claimed the title in 2018, completing a historic three-peat with a win over Shadow Creek, marking their sixth state title overall.
Now, under the leadership of head coach Randy Allen, the Scots are aiming to build a new dynasty.
On both sides of the ball, Highland Park has been firing on all cylinders. The offense is averaging over 36 points per game, while the defense has held opponents to just 16 points per contest.
At the helm of the offense is sophomore Buck Randall, who has been nothing short of spectacular. Despite his youth, Randall has shown remarkable poise, throwing for over 3,600 yards and 38 touchdowns. He has also added 322 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
In the backfield, senior running back James Lancaster provides steady leadership, having rushed for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior Matthew White has added 459 yards and 5 touchdowns, providing a dynamic second option.
When it comes to the passing game, Randall’s favorite target is junior wideout Cannon Bozman, who has caught 11 touchdowns on 63 receptions and is just one yard shy of reaching the 1,000-yard milestone for the season.
Even if Bozman is double-covered, the Scots have other reliable weapons in seniors Benton Owens (36 receptions, 726 yards, 7 TDs) and Brandon Lilly (38 receptions, 554 yards).
Defensively, the Scots are led by Jack Morse, a senior linebacker and Brown-commit who has been a game-changer. Morse, the 2023 District 7-6A Defensive MVP, leads the team in tackles (102), sacks (9.5), and interceptions (3). His versatility makes him a constant threat. Senior linebacker Anders Corn – a first-team, all-district selection – is another player capable of stepping up when it matters most.
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On the other side, the Smithson Valley Rangers are making their second consecutive appearance at AT&T Stadium. After suffering a heavy loss to Aledo in last year’s championship, the Rangers are eager to avenge that defeat and claim their first-ever state title.
Under the direction of coach Larry Hill, the Rangers are a formidable force. They come into the final with a 13-2 record, having won their last 10 games in a row. In last week’s State Semis, they defeated Angleton 21-14, securing their place in the championship.
Smithson Valley has been an offensive powerhouse this season, averaging 43.5 points per game, and if they continue their high-scoring ways, they could very well end the season with a title.
A key player for the Rangers is Cade Spradling, a senior who excels both as a quarterback and linebacker. Spradling’s ability to contribute on both sides of the ball makes him one of the most dangerous players in the game. Whether he's leading the offense or anchoring the defense, Spradling’s impact is undeniable.
On defense, the Rangers have been suffocating, allowing fewer than 12 points per game.
Senior safety Diego Davila, an SFA-signee, has been a standout in the secondary, while 6-foot-3 edge rusher Hudson Woods has been a dominant force on the defensive line. Both will play critical roles in limiting Highland Park’s high-powered offense.
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In what should be a battle of momentous proportions, Highland Park and Smithson Valley stake their claim for the title this Saturday (11:00 AM) at AT&T Stadium.
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.