ARLINGTON, Texas, Dec. 20 — Last year's game was so good, we might as well do it again.
The No. 23/SN No. 12 Randle [Richmond, TX] Lions defeated the No. 33/SN No. 18 South Oak Cliff [Dallas, TX] Bears, 38-35, in the 2024 Texas UIL Class 5A Division II state championship game, and now these two powerhouses will meet to settle the championship again.
Like last year, Randle enters the game undefeated at 15-0, riding a 31-game win streak while South Oak Cliff enters the game at 14-1. The Bears' only loss was a 35-28 setback in week two on September 5 to the Duncanville [TX] Panthers who will take on the North Shore [Houston, TX] Mustangs later this afternoon for the Class 6A Division I state title.
The game will feature the newly-crowned AllSportsPeople Offensive Player of the Year in Landen Williams-Callis going up against a South Oak Cliff defense that has logged eight shutouts this season.
Game time for Randle and South Oak Cliff is set for 12 p.m. EST (11 a.m. CST local).
WATCH FOR FREE VICTORY+: Randle [Richmond, TX] Lions vs. South Oak Cliff [Dallas, TX] Bears
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|| SECOND QUARTER ||
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SOUTH OAK CLIFF 28, RANDLE 7
South Oak Cliff goes up three scores for the first time. They've bottled up AllSportsPeople Offensive Player and Gatorade Player of the Year for Texas in Williams-Callis. He has 42 yards rushing on 10 carries as we enter the later stages of the first half.
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Randle wasn't able to cut into this lead any more on their last drive, and now SOC is on the move again near midfield just inside the Lions' territory.
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Trailing 21-7, Randle gets its first stop of the day on defense.
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End of the first quarter: South Oak Cliff 21, Randle 7
Williams-Callis has a 100-yard touchdown return, but the real story so far is South Oak Cliff's offense having its way with Randle's defense. They had to the second quarter in Arlington.
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SOUTH OAK CLIFF 21, RANDLE 7
Make it three touchdowns in three possessions for the Bears. Randle has to come up with some answers on defense with just 10 seconds to play in the first quarter.
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SOUTH OAK CLIFF 14, RANDLE 7
And there's the answer in the form of Williams-Callis. He takes the kick off three yards deep in the end zone and goes the distance to get the Lions on the board.
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SOUTH OAK CLIFF 14, RANDLE 0
So, a little bit of a surprise here early in Arlington as Randle is in a quick 14-0 hole. This isn't a defense you want to go up against for too long in a deep hole, and the Lions need an answer here as we approach the end of the first quarter.
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This matchup of the best offense at this level in Texas (Randle) vs. The best defense (South Oak Cliff) so far belongs to the defense. South Oak Cliff with another stop, and they'll take over on offense next and try to add to this lead.
You figure Randle and Williams-Callis will eventually make some plays, but this SOC defense is proving so far that they are up for the challenge. So, if those two units occasionally cancel each other out, this game may actually come down to the other matchup – SOC's offense vs. Randle's defense. If one of these units dominates the other, that might ultimately decide the game.
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SOUTH OAK CLIFF 7, RANDLE 0
And just like that, the Bears take a 7-0 lead after the early turnover by the Lions.
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Randle starts the game with three runs by Williams-Callis before attempting their first pass. It's intercepted, and South Oak Cliff is in business inside Randle's 10-yard line.
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They are under way in Arlington!
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Coming soon!
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Randle vs. South Oak Cliff start time
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
- Start time: 12 p.m. EST (11 a.m. CST local)
The game between Randle and South Oak Cliff is being played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
How can I watch Randle vs. South Oak Cliff today?
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
- WATCH FOR FREE ON VICTORY+: Randle [Richmond, TX] Lions vs. South Oak Cliff [Dallas, TX] Bears
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