ARLINGTON, Texas — They say all good things come to an end -- eventually, anyway.
Seeking a third straight state championship, South Oak Cliff fell short on Saturday in a rematch against its 2022 state title opponent, Port Neches-Groves.
In 2022, SOC bested PNG by 10 points, winning 34-24. This time around, the Indians avenged their loss and beat the Golden Bears, 20-17.
The Golden Bears lost two of their first three games, succumbing to 6A powerhouses DeSoto and Duncanville – who each made their own respective title game appearances this year – but never lost again and advanced to the 5A-Division II state championship after defeating Frisco Emerson in the semifinal round, 36-24.
Well, until SOC met its maker with PNG.
The championship is the first for Port Neches-Groves in 5A-DII, but the fourth in the school's history. The Indians previously won state titles in 1953 (3A), 1955 (3A) and 1975 (4A). In the 40-plus years after that, PNG fell victim to North Texas schools each time they made it to the final: against Plano in 1977; against Stephenville in 1999; and, as previously noted, against SOC in 2022.
Despite the loss, SOC football has officially been turned around. Coach Jason Todd has taken the Golden Bears to three straight title games with no signs of slowing down any time soon.
More Texas headlines:
