WHERE: AT&T Stadium -- Arlington, TX
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The 2024 UIL 5A-D2 State Champions: Randle LionsBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
RANDLE LIONS
Randle has made dominance feel routine, and the Lions arrive in Arlington riding a wave that shows no signs of slowing. Boasting a 15–0 record, head coach Brian Randle’s squad has now won 31 consecutive games dating back to last season’s undefeated 5A Division II state title, placing the program squarely back on the sport’s biggest stage with championship expectations firmly intact.
That run hasn’t come without resistance. District rival Iowa Colony pushed Randle to the limit in a Region III Final rematch, forcing a 45–35 shootout that tested the Lions’ composure. Randle answered the following week with authority, dispatching Boerne 40–16 to punch its ticket to Jerry World.
Those performances underscored what has defined this team all season: an offense averaging 56 points per game paired with a defense that has consistently held opponents under 15 — a balance that has made reaching this stage feel inevitable.
The engine of it all is junior running back Landen Williams-Callis, whose supremacy has become the standard. The five-star tailback and newly crowned Texas Gatorade Player of the Year has compiled nearly 3,600 yards from scrimmage and 59 touchdowns this season alone, numbers that match his growing list of accolades. Williams-Callis’ presence warps defensive game plans, yet Randle has proven it’s far from a one-man show.
Randle Jr. RB Landen Williams-CallisBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Senior quarterback Tyler Skrabanek has been steady and efficient as a pocket passer, throwing for more than 3,200 yards and 29 touchdowns while distributing the ball to a deep group of weapons. Ashton Johnson has flourished in an expanded role, nearing 1,000 receiving yards, while Kamar Chavez-Brown and Cedrick McClintock Jr. provide additional explosiveness on the perimeter.
Defensively, the Lions bring just as much bite. Linebacker Noriel “Pac-Man” Dominguez leads the unit with 103 tackles and a knack for game-changing plays, while Ryan Mallory, last year’s State Defensive MVP, anchors the second level. A disruptive front led by LJ Gonzales and Camron Hypolite complements a secondary highlighted by Jalyn Burton’s surprising pass-rush production.
Poised, powerful, and relentless, Randle now stands one win away from turning sustained excellence into another state championship statement.
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SOUTH OAK CLIFF GOLDEN BEARS
Few programs are as comfortable under the bright lights as South Oak Cliff. The Golden Bears return to the UIL State Championship stage for a fifth consecutive season, once again taking over AT&T Stadium with unfinished business firmly in mind.
At 14–1, coach Jason Todd and company arrive in Arlington riding momentum after commanding postseason victories over Port Neches-Groves (28–0) and Melissa (35–17).
Those performances only reinforced the group’s resolve to rewrite last year’s ending, when the Golden Bears fell 38–35 in the title game to Randle. A victory this time around would deliver the program its first championship since completing a back-to-back run in 2022.
Offensively, SOC has shown it can trade punches with anyone. That begins up front, where a stout offensive line anchored by four-star junior Brian Swanson and Arizona State-signee Cortavious Tisaby on the book-end. Their protection has allowed junior quarterback Jayden "Dunnie" Williams to operate with confidence, throwing for more than 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns against just two interceptions.
Balance has been equally important. Senior Mikail Trotter, the reigning District 5-5A Division II Offensive MVP, is nearing 1,300 rushing yards while finding the end zone 24 times. Alongside him, fellow senior Levon Morton has added more than 1,200 yards and 15 scores, forming a punishing one-two punch. In the passing game, Williams has leaned on senior targets Torrin Teague (823 yards, 7 TDs) and Jaylen Moore (545 yards, 6 TDs), who headline a reliable receiving corps.
On the other side of the ball, South Oak Cliff remains disruptive and physical. Syracuse-bound defensive lineman Kordae Houston leads the charge up front, backed by junior Jaderian “JD” Jones and senior Leighton Henderson. Behind them, Cody Smith and Jamari Stewart anchor the second level, while West Virginia-signee Rickey Giles locks down the secondary.
Seasoned, motivated, and built for this moment, South Oak Cliff now looks to turn familiarity into redemption — and reclaim its place atop the UIL landscape.
Santiago Castillo (Sr. CAM) of Alief Hastings Soccer
“I enjoy all the sports and all the friends that I meet along the way,” he said. “But, soccer has always been the one that carries the most weight to me, since it was my first and the one I focus on more.”
Individually, Castillo’s growth has been steady and deliberate, emerging as one of the more consistent players on the roster from the CAM (center attacking midfielder) position.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
“I think I’ve been able to fine-tune my technical ability and finishing above other traits,” he said. “Literally growing and putting in the work to get stronger and faster has also helped me in that regard, since I used to be much smaller as a freshman. All that kind of plays off each other to make me a more complete asset on offense.”
Similar to his ideal athlete – Brazilian superstar Neymar Júnior – Castillo hopes to bring a sense of finesse and creativity to Hastings’ attack.
“Neymar has been my idol since Day 1”, said Castillo. “I’ve always seen him as a role model because of his playstyle. He’s going to go down as one of the greatest players of all time in my opinion.”
The Bears posted a 6-11-3 record in 2025, placing fifth in the district standings and just missing out of the playoff picture. However, Castillo sees the path forward clearly.
The stars of 2025-26 Alief Hastings SoccerMatt Powell (VYPE)
“I don’t think there’s any team-sport that requires more trust than soccer,” he said. “So, that’s exactly what it’s going to take for us to unlock our full potential, and finish the year with our best production.”
For Castillo, the experience isn’t just about skill or statistics — it’s about leadership and building trust within the team.
Competing against the likes of Elsik, Fulshear, Strake Jesuit, and Foster is easier said than done. But with a more defined sense of determination and a unified front led by Castillo, it’s entirely possible that Hastings will emerge as a club on the rise.
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