Randle Lions Defy the Odds, Claim First State Championship with 38-35 Win Over South Oak Cliff
By Anthony Council
In a state championship game filled with intensity, drama, and two powerhouse teams battling for glory, the Richmond Randle Lions stunned the top-ranked South Oak Cliff Golden Bears with a thrilling 38-35 victory in the Class 5A Division II final at AT&T Stadium, securing their first-ever UIL state title.
Many, including Senator Royce West, had predicted an SOC win by 7 points before the game, stating after the coin toss, “SOC will win by 7 points,” given their championship pedigree. South Oak Cliff entered the game with a fourth consecutive state championship appearance and the goal of securing a third straight title, while Randle brought an undefeated season with impressive dominance over opponents.
Randle got off to a fast start, with Sincere Timson’s electrifying 7-0 kickoff return touchdown and Landen Williams-Callis adding another score, making it 14-0 early. SOC responded with a touchdown, narrowing the score to 14-7 by the end of the first quarter. At halftime, Randle led 24-17, with some fans questioning whether SOC could recover from the unexpected deficit.
SOC came out strong in the second half. Mikail Trotter exploded for a 75-yard touchdown run, bringing SOC within a single point at 24-21, and Damond Williams followed with an 85-yard run, giving the Golden Bears a 28-24 lead. After both teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the score stood at 31-35.
In a nail-biting finish, Randle’s Sean Smith returned a 72-yard kickoff for a touchdown, putting the Lions up 38-31 with just over 8 minutes left. SOC had one final chance to tie the game, marching down the field for a 45-yard field goal attempt, but the kick went wide left, sealing Randle’s 38-35 victory and proving the doubters wrong.
With their first-ever state championship, the Lions showed they were ready to shine on the biggest stage, ending South Oak Cliff’s bid for a three-peat and defying all expectations.
