When the lights come on at AT&T Stadium this Saturday, it won’t just be about state titles, it will be about regional pride. Houston and Dallas square off in three marquee championship games, showcasing why these two regions continue to define Texas high school football at its highest level.
State Championship Matchups
- 5A Division II: South Oak Cliff vs. Richmond Randle
- 6A Division I: Duncanville vs. North Shore
- 6A Division II: DeSoto vs. C.E. King
All six programs consistently produce next-level collegiate talent. Five of the six have already lifted a state championship trophy, while C.E. King enters this game making its second ever appearance on the state’s biggest stage.
5A Division II
South Oak Cliff (Dallas)
Head Coach: Jason Todd
South Oak Cliff has become a modern-day powerhouse, appearing in five straight state championship games, winning two and falling short twice. This year’s squad may be Coach Todd’s most complete.
Defensively, SOC is among the elite units in Texas, regardless of classification, surrendering just 9 points per game. The Bears are fast, aggressive, disciplined, and thrive on creating turnovers.
Defensive Players to Watch:
- Cody Smith
- Kordae Houston
- Jamarion Phillips
- Marcel Gipson
Offensively, everything begins in the trenches with a veteran, physical offensive line that fuels a power run game, complemented by explosive plays through the air.
Offensive Players to Watch:
- Levon Morton
- Mikail Trotter
- Jayden Williams
- Brian Swanson
- Torran Teague
Richmond Randle (Houston)
Head Coach: Brian Randle
Named after Coach Randle’s father, Thomas Randle, a longtime educator, Randle High School has quickly established itself as a statewide force. The Lions enter Arlington riding a 31-game winning streak, undefeated on the season, and looking to capture back-to-back state titles after defeating South Oak Cliff in last year’s championship.
The engine of the offense is Texas Gatorade Player of the Year, junior RB Landen Williams-Callis, who already boasts 60+ scholarship offers and over 7,000 career rushing yards.
Key Players:
- Landen Williams-Callis
- Tyler Skrabanek
- Mason Mixon
Defensive Standout:
- Noriel Dominguez
This matchup is a true clash of titans, discipline vs. explosiveness, experience vs. momentum.
6A Division I
Duncanville (Dallas)
Head Coach: Reginald Samples
Duncanville football is built on physicality and toughness, a formula that has produced two state championships under Coach Samples. The Panthers once again bring a defense that sets the tone.
Up front, Duncanville features two of the top defensive linemen in the country in Landon Barnes and KJ Ford, capable of wrecking game plans on their own.
Offensively, the Panthers are loaded with explosive weapons:
- Trenton Yancey
- Ayson Theus
- Manny Ellison
- Zachery Turner
Quarterback J’Coryon Rivers has been steady and efficient throughout the playoff run, making the right plays when it matters most.
North Shore (Houston)
Head Coach: Willie Gaston
North Shore is no stranger to this stage. The Mustangs are making their 8th state championship appearance, having won five titles as a program.
Led by quarterback Kaleb Maryland, North Shore’s offense is rolling, averaging 45 points per game. The Mustangs bring speed, balance, and championship pedigree into another showdown with a Dallas-area power.
6A Division II
DeSoto (Dallas)
Head Coach: Claude Mathis
DeSoto enters Arlington with championship expectations and the résumé to match. The Eagles have made four state championship appearances, winning three titles, and once again feature a roster loaded with elite talent.
No player has been more dominant this postseason than junior RB SaRod Baker, the ultimate total-package at running back. Baker put on a historic performance in the semifinals, torching Southlake Carroll for 366 rushing yards and three touchdowns, showcasing power, vision, speed, and breakaway ability.
DeSoto’s balance is what makes them dangerous. USC signee Ethan Feaster has been a force on both sides of the football, impacting games as a dynamic wide receiver while also serving as a lockdown, sticky defender in the secondary.
Quarterback Legend Howell has elevated his play throughout the season, commanding the offense with confidence and efficiency. On the back end, DB Damarion Ross is a true playmaker, dangerous in coverage and electric as a punt returner, capable of flipping field position in an instant.
C.E. King (Houston)
Head Coach: Corey Laxon
C.E. King is the new kid on the block, but don’t mistake this Panthers squad for inexperienced. They enter their second-ever state championship appearance as one of the hottest teams in Texas, peaking at exactly the right time.
Quarterback Timothy Potts Jr. has been the steady presence that drives this offense, a true dual-threat playmaker who consistently makes winning decisions and extends plays with his legs and arm.
The engine of the offense is Rice signee Dionne Sims, who has powered the Panthers with over 1,700 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns this season. Sims brings toughness, vision, and finishing ability, making him one of the most productive backs in the state.
Speed is always a threat with Dillon Mitchell, a home-run hitter who can strike from anywhere on the field and turn routine touches into explosive plays.
The Bigger Picture
Houston vs. Dallas. Power vs. speed. Tradition vs. hunger.
Saturday at AT&T Stadium isn’t just about crowning champions, it’s about proving, once again, where the best football in Texas is played.
This is top-flight Texas high school football at its absolute best.
Check out National Scouts Marc Henry and Nick “Statz” Gradney on The Platform Podcast Network breaking down the games.
