Liberty Hill fails as South Oak Cliff wins 5A Championship

ARLINGTON, Texas (KXAN) — Liberty Hill’s dream season ended just before a state championship. South Oak Cliff captured the 5A Division 2 State Championship with a 23-14 win. The Bears broke a 14-14 tie in the fourth quarter, scoring twice while shutting out the Panthers in the second half.

South Oak Cliff is the first Dallas ISD football state champion since 1950. Dallas Carter won the state championship in 1988, but that title was stripped following an investigation that found Carter had used ineligible players.

The Panthers returned to the state title game for the first time since 2018.

After an 8-2 regular season, the Panthers beat Bastrop 57-7, Boerne-Champion 51-14, Leander Rouse 56-33, Alamo Heights 43-40 and Crosby 42-14 to advance to the state championship. 5A Division II. Game.

Liberty Hill played inspired football with the slogan – “Walker Tough”. Former Panthers head coach Jeff Walker died of cancer ahead of the team’s 2020 playoffs. Walker’s brother Kent took over as head coach, leading Liberty Hill to the state semifinals in 2020 and the state title game in 2021.

Liberty Hill won state championships in 2006 and 2007.

This live blog will be updated with highlights, news and ratings during the Liberty Hill-South Oak Cliff State Championship game.

Liberty Hill vs. South Oak Cliff Live Blog

SOC WINS: Liberty Hill fumbled the ensuing kickoff after the South Oak Cliff touchdown, and that will seal it for the Bears.

South Oak Cliff wins its first ever state championship. This is Dallas ISD’s first UIL state championship since 1950. Dallas Carter won the state championship in 1988, but that title was stripped following an investigation that ruled that Carter had used ineligible players.

FINAL: South Oak Cliff defeats Liberty Hill 23-14

GAME WINNER? : After the fake punt, SOC wasn’t just out of time. The Bears hit with a rushing touchdown from Qualon Farrar for a two-point lead over Liberty Hill with less than three minutes left.

It’s been a great season for Liberty Hill, but it will likely end just short of a state championship.

GOAL: South Oak Cliff leads 23-14

FOURTH DOWN: Liberty Hill faces a must-win situation with less than five minutes left in the game. The Panthers faced the fourth down on their own 30-yard line. Instead of returning to SOC, Liberty Hill attempted the fake punt. Liberty Hill appeared to convert, but a waiting penalty dropped the Panthers to 4th and 16th.

Liberty Hill tried again with a fake punt. The pass attempt remained incomplete. The SOC is in position to win its first state title.

GROUND GOAL: South Oak Cliff is back in front as we head into the Division 5A 2 State Title game.

SOC kicker Diego Varela hits a 29-yard field goal for the Bears 17-14 lead with 8:30 left in the fourth quarter.

GOAL: South Oak Cliff leads 17-14

WILD GAME ALERT: After all that… the ball fell incomplete.

SPECIAL TEAMS FIGHT: Liberty Hill misses its second field goal of the game. The third quarter attempt would have given the Panthers a 17-14 lead.

KEEP FIGHTING: Liberty Hill handled SOC’s opening punch and responded with an excellent second quarter, leveling the game at 14 in the dying seconds of the first half.

Andon Thomas scores his second touchdown of the day from the 1-yard line. Liberty Hill is back in business.

GOAL: South Oak Cliff and Liberty Hill tied at 14

MOMENTUM: It took Liberty Hill’s offense a while to adjust, but it stalled in the second quarter.

Joe Pitchford breaks away for a 62-yard run down the left sideline. Liberty Hill is in business on the SOC 4-yard line with a minute left in the half.

SWIVEL RESPONSE: Liberty Hill is on the board.

Andon Thomas intimidates the South Oak Cliff defense for a 10-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter. Liberty Hill was desperate for a score, with the state title game potentially slipping away. It’s a new ballgame with four minutes left in halftime.

GOAL: South Oak Cliff leads 14-7

DIME: South Oak Cliff’s Kevin-Henry Jennings and Jamyri Cauley teamed up for the State Champions weekend touchdown. Henry-Jennings threw to the corner of the end zone where only Cauley could catch him. The second-year receiver didn’t disappoint, diving for the touchdown.

Liberty Hill is in a big hole, trailing SOC 14-0.

GOAL: South Oak Cliff leads 14-0

BACK ON THE TRACK: Liberty Hill’s Slot-T offense doesn’t quit often, but SOC rose to the challenge on the Panthers’ first drive, forcing a three-and-out.

The Panthers had a solid second drive, moving to the Bears 14-yard line before missing a 36-yard field goal. A quick first quarter ends with South Oak Cliff leading 7-0.

GOAL: South Oak Cliff leads Liberty Hill 7-0.

SOC TD: South Oak Cliff is on the board on the first drive of the game. Liberty Hill just couldn’t stop the Bears on third and fourth downs. Corinthean Coleman catches the SOC’s first-ever state championship game touchdown.

GOAL: South Oak Cliff leads 7-0

QUICK START: Neither side was holding anything back during the opening moments of the 5A Division 2 Championship game. Liberty Hill failed in an onside kick attempt in the opening kick-off.

South Oak Cliff converted 4th and 6th to keep their first drive alive.