With the chance to continue making history, South Oak Cliff has punched their ticket to the UIL Class 5A Division 2 state title game against Port Neches Groves on Saturday. Looking for a three-peat, the team is as ready as ever to seal the deal with another crown this season. VYPE DFW takes a look at how the team has gotten this far.
Dropping only two games this season in non-district play-- a hard-fought season opener against Duncanville (who is playing in their own state final on Saturday) and DeSoto (also playing in a state final on Saturday)-- the team has been able to post competitive stats against their opponents all season long. With an 87% winning percentage, the Bears have made a name for themselves in high school football and look to continue adding to their legacy. Through district play, South Oak Cliff went undefeated (6-0) to finish at the top of their district standings with victories over the likes of Dallas Wilson, Seagoville, Dallas Kimball, Dallas Spruce, and more.
As the team worked their way into the playoffs, there wasn't a single moment where they waivered from being their typical, dominant selves. Opening playoffs with a huge victory over Everman followed by another over Melissa, fans knew that they were getting the Bears they have watched win titles in the previous season. Continuing strong, South Oak Cliff defeated Midlothian Heritage followed by a shut-out victory over Lucas Lovejoy before putting Frisco Emerson's efforts to a stop last week in a 36-24 semifinal victory. During last week's game, Danny Green Jr. ran for 162 yards and scored two touchdowns on 11 carries. Green, on his second-straight 1,000-yard season, has recorded nearly 1,300 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns this season.
Tested week by week, the Bears have finely tuned their abilities on the field. Green, joined by athletes like Khalil Ewell, Rickey Evans, Daveon Ennis, Damond Williams, Trey Jackson, and others help power the offense to make big plays happen for South Oak Cliff. Jayden Shelton (averaging eight tackles a game), Jamarion Phillips (averaging 6.2 tackles a game with 14 sacks this season), Dewalon Butler (with eight sacks this season), help lead the defense in strength with a wall that opponents have a tough time getting through.
The team faces off against Port Neches Groves on Saturday, December 16th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Looking to make more history by becoming the first DFW-area team in a multi-high school district to win three consecutive titles, fans can expect this team to pull out all the stops and hush any naysayers from the minute they step onto the field.
