Photo courtesy of Dallas ISD.
After winning back-to-back UIL State championships in 2021 and 2022, South Oak Cliff fell just short last season to Port Neches-Grove in the championship game.
While their dream for the three-peat was spoiled, the Golden Bears are looking to continue their streak of greatness this season. The 2021 state championship win was the first for a Dallas ISD school since the 1950s.
South Oak Cliff is ranked second in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine’s 5AII preseason poll, with several players earning preseason honors.
Port Neches-Grove took first in the preseason poll. “There are pieces to replace, but PNG’s got enough to repeat,” DCTF wrote.
But with a slew of returning players and plenty of new and upcoming talent, DCTF predicts that the championship game this season will be a rematch of 2023.
“The Golden Bears came up just short of a third straight state title a year ago, but a talented, young nucleus coming up from an unbeaten JV team paired with 35 returning lettermen gives Todd’s team a great chance at three titles in four years,” DCTF wrote. “LB Shelton (119 tackles, 13 TFL, 7 sacks) is the headliner of the SOC defense, but keep an eye on a talented secondary, led by DB Gary (59 tackles, 4 INTs), that could remind SOC fans of their 2021-2022 group. QB/P Kopecky (1,223 yards, 18 TDs passing) played a ton as a junior and will get his chance to lead the offense full-time, and he’s also a very good punter.
“The skill talent is young but a big and physical offensive line will give the new faces time to adapt to key roles in 2024.”
Kopecky was named the preseason offensive MVP while players to watch include LB Jayden Shelton, OL Meka Ugorji and DB Tobias Gary. Shelton was also named to the preseason All State roster.
