As time became a factor, frustration overtook coach Brian Randle as he stood motionless on the sidelines, watching and reflecting on what unfolded. There was no answer for this moment.
The players remembered the atmosphere of last season’s ending. The air was moderate and flowing with good vibrations. However, the breeze seemed flat.
The Lions rarely faced such moments. South Oak Cliff’s 35-19 win snapped the Lions’ 31-game streak on Saturday in the Class 5A Division II Finals at AT&T Stadium.
The loss snapped the Lions’ 31-game win streak. Most of all, it took away the opportunity to secure its second consecutive title.
Randle (15-1) had no answer for the Bears’ balanced attack. Stopping one area from leaking, watched another spurt. In addition, the Lions struggled to sustain drives against South Oak Cliff’s dominant defense.
Despite the Bears having several players to thank for earning the win, linebacker Jamarion Phillips picked up the defensive MVP while leading the defense with 13 tackles and one interception.
Incredibly, the Bears have competed in five consecutive finals—winning three titles. South Oak Cliff built a 14-0 lead before Lion’s Landen Williams-Callis electrified the crowd with a 100-yard kickoff return. Raul Vega’s extra point kick made it 14-7.
Randle added three scores, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Bears, who had an answer for every Lions threat.
The game ended with emotional highs and lows for both teams.
For South Oak Cliff (15-1), revenge settled in its favor as the Bears celebrated after falling to Randle last season. With the victory, the Bears snagged its third title in the school’s history. Its season loss came at the hands of rival Duncanville, 35-28.
Running back Mikail Trotter, who took offensive MVP, led the Bears’ charge, rushing for 143 yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns. Quarterback Jayden Williams connected on 12-of-13 for 89 yards and one touchdown.