South Oak Cliff Dominates Port Neches-Groves to Reach State Semifinals
The South Oak Cliff Golden Bears stormed past Port Neches-Groves with a commanding 56-14 victory in the 5A Division II Region II final on Friday. The win not only avenged last year’s state championship loss to PNG but also secured SOC’s third state semifinal appearance in four years.
SOC wasted no time establishing control. Mikail Trotter’s 76-yard kickoff return set up a quick 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Carter Kopecky to Torrin Teague, putting the Bears up 7-0 just 19 seconds into the game. Moments later, Levon Morton added a 34-yard touchdown run following a defensive interception, extending the lead to 14-0.
While the Indians briefly fought back with a 3-yard touchdown run from Mason Wuenschel, SOC’s relentless offense proved insurmountable. Kopecky dazzled, throwing for 151 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 51 yards. Running back Damond Williams added 73 rushing yards and two touchdowns, contributing to the team’s total of 303 yards on the ground.
SOC’s defense was equally dominant, holding PNG to just 193 total yards and forcing two turnovers. By halftime, the Bears led 35-14 and continued to pile on 21 unanswered points in the second half.
With this victory, SOC improves to 12-2 and sets up a semifinal clash against Argyle, a rematch of their 2022 showdown. As they continue their march toward redemption, the Golden Bears appear primed for another state title shot. Meanwhile, Port Neches-Groves ends their season with a 12-2 record, their five-game winning streak snapped in emphatic fashion.
