South Oak Cliff takes prides in run attack in three-peat Texas high school football title chase

Battle-tested Bears seeking repeat UIL 5A-Division II championship

FRISCO, TEXAS - South Oak Cliff coach Jason Todd knows down the road, there will be games his Golden Bears will have to play outside.

As the days on the calendar flip in late November and hopes of playing in December, a game outside in the elements could be key.

“We pride ourselves in being able to run the ball because no matter what, we played indoors today, we might be outdoors the next game,” Todd said. “The only thing you can do when it is raining or real cold is run the ball. We’re going to pride ourselves in running the ball.”

The Golden Bears, the winners of the last two Class 5A Division II titles, relied on the running game in a 38-30 win over Melissa on Saturday at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco.

Danny Green Jr. ran for 128 yards and a trio of touchdowns, while Khalil Ewell had 55 yards and a score as well.

The Bears (10-2) have won nine in a row now and have scored 34 or more in each of the wins. The only times they have failed to get the offense going came against two of the best Class 6A schools in the state: Duncanville and DeSoto.

Running the ball was a key from the start and Todd preached starting fasting on Saturday in what was a road game-like atmosphere for South Oak Cliff. Melissa had more than double the amount of fans at the venue.

The opening drive was capped by a 9-yard run by Green.

“Coach Todd told us to start fast and we will win and that is what we did,” quarterback William Little said. “The coaches told us to keep fighting and guiding. Each time they score, we got to come back and make a play.”

Added Green, “I love coming out scoring first and starting fast for the defense to let them know we are here.”

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The Bears raced out to a 17-0 lead behind a pair of scores from Green and a field goal from Diego Varela. Melissa (10-2) pulled within three points at halftime and gave the Bears another competitive game — the two teams met last year with the Bears winning 30-16.

The rushing attack for South Oak Cliff came up big in the second half for the Bears.

After the defense forced the Cardinals to punt, the offense went down and scored. At the 6:35 mark, Elwell reached the end zone on a 14-yard run.

Green’s 7-yard run with less than 5 minutes left provided the final touchdown for the Bears. Varela booted a field goal from 27 yards out to make it 34-23, but a penalty was called on Melissa for roughing the kicker. Three plays later, Green scored his third touchdown of the game.

He had only four touchdowns on the season and nearly matched that with Saturday’s effort. The 128 yards marked the fifth time he reached 100 yards or more this season.

South Oak Cliff has run for an average of 234 yards per game heading into this contest. After this game, the Bears will be nearing 3,000 yards on the ground.

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Add in the fact the line lost Brione Ramsey-Brooks and Narado Stoker to Texas Christian after last year’s title run, the revamped line is still paving the way to success.

Green now has five 100-yard-plus games, Elwell has one and junior Damond Williams is part of that group as well.

“We don’t overlook teams, we don’t put no teams too low; we will pay South Oak Cliff football and that is what we did,” Green said. “No matter the situation, no matter the elements are, we will play South Oak Cliff football. We will continue to be us and that is how we win our games.”

-- Cody Thorn | @sblivetx

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