2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 30 South Oak Cliff
Experienced quarterback Jayden Williams leads defending Texas Class 5A Division II champion South Oak Cliff as the Golden Bears pursue a sixth consecutive trip to Arlington.
Top 25 Public HSFB7/27/20265 min read
South Oak Cliff enters the 2026 season ranked No. 30 in the T25PS Public Schools Preseason Top 100 after reclaiming the Texas Class 5A Division II state championship and continuing one of the state's most consistent postseason runs.
The Golden Bears finished 15-1, won their final 12 games and defeated Richmond Randle 35-19 in the state championship game to capture their third state title in five seasons. The victory also avenged their loss to Randle in the 2024 championship game.
South Oak Cliff has now reached five consecutive state championship games and enters 2026 looking for a sixth straight trip to Arlington. Returning for another shot at Arlington starts with quarterback Jayden Williams.
Williams threw for 2,742 yards, 28 touchdowns and just two interceptions as a junior, giving head coach Jason Todd one of the state's most experienced returning quarterbacks.
Team Snapshot
School: South Oak Cliff High School
Location: Dallas, Texas
Classification: Texas Class 5A Division II
District: District 5-5A Division II
2025 Record: 15-1
2025 Finish: Texas Class 5A Division II State Champion
Head Coach: Jason Todd
T25PS Preseason Ranking: No. 30
2026 Outlook
Replacing production has become part of the expectation at South Oak Cliff.
The Golden Bears graduated two 1,200-yard rushers in Mikail Trotter and Levon Morton, leading receivers Torrin Teague and Jaylen Moore, and several standout defenders from last year's championship team. Finding the next group of contributors will determine whether South Oak Cliff makes another run to Arlington.
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Williams gives the offense a strong place to start.
He completed nearly 67 percent of his passes during his first season as the starter and consistently protected the football against one of Texas' toughest schedules. Having an experienced quarterback back gives the Golden Bears stability while the offense replaces several familiar names.
Brian Swanson provides that same stability up front.
The four-star Texas commitment returns to anchor the offensive line after helping pave the way for one of the state's top rushing attacks. As new running backs step into larger roles, Swanson gives South Oak Cliff an experienced cornerstone in the trenches.
The defense also replaces several key contributors, including Jamarion Phillips, Kordae Houston and Marcell Gipson Jr., but it isn't starting over.
JaDerian Jones returns after recording 75 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and six sacks as a junior, while Isaiah Udom and Jyrion Hampton provide experience in the secondary. That group gives the Golden Bears a solid foundation as the defense develops throughout the season.
Players to Know
Jayden Williams — QB, 2027
Williams returns after throwing for 2,742 yards, 28 touchdowns and only two interceptions during his first season as the starter. His experience gives South Oak Cliff stability at quarterback entering another championship chase.
Brian Swanson — OT, 2027
The four-star Texas commitment anchors the offensive line after helping South Oak Cliff produce one of Texas' best rushing attacks. He'll be one of the top offensive linemen in the state again this fall.
JaDerian Jones — DL, 2027
Jones developed into one of Texas' top defensive linemen after recording 75 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and six sacks during the championship season. He'll be counted on to lead a rebuilt defensive front.
Isaiah Udom — S, 2027
Udom intercepted five passes during the championship season and returns as one of the leaders in the secondary.
Jyrion Hampton — S, 2027
Hampton finished last season with 59 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions, giving South Oak Cliff another experienced defensive back.
Schedule Breakdown
South Oak Cliff won't have much time to settle into the season.
The Golden Bears open with an immediate rematch against Richmond Randle, the same team they defeated for last year's state championship. Randle returns record-setting running back Landen Williams-Callis, making it one of the best opening-week matchups in Texas.
Two weeks later comes another major test.
South Oak Cliff faces North Shore (Season Preview) at the Cotton Bowl as part of the inaugural Roland Parrish Classic. The Golden Bears beat North Shore 41-31 last season, and another win would strengthen an already impressive résumé before district play begins.
District play opens against Hillcrest before games against Wilson, Molina, Seagoville, Poteet, Adamson, Jefferson and Samuell.
South Oak Cliff should once again be the favorite in District 5-5A Division II, but the first two games will provide an early indication of where the Golden Bears stand.
2026 Schedule
Aug. 28: at Richmond Randle
Sept. 12: vs. North Shore (Cotton Bowl)
Sept. 18: vs. Hillcrest
Sept. 25: at Wilson
Oct. 2: vs. Molina
Oct. 8: at Seagoville
Oct. 16: vs. Poteet
Oct. 22: at Adamson
Oct. 29: vs. Jefferson
Nov. 5: at Samuell
Biggest Question
Who becomes the next group of playmakers?
Replacing a quarterback isn't the concern.
Replacing nearly 2,700 rushing yards, 43 rushing touchdowns and several standout defenders is.
South Oak Cliff has consistently developed new contributors throughout its run of five consecutive state championship appearances. The games against Richmond Randle and North Shore should provide an early look at how quickly this year's group is ready.
T25PS Prediction
Regular Season Prediction: 9-1
Postseason Prediction: Texas Class 5A Division II State Finalist
The schedule offers two immediate measuring-stick games before district play begins, but South Oak Cliff has earned the benefit of the doubt after reaching five consecutive state championship games.
Williams gives the offense an experienced quarterback, Swanson anchors the offensive line, and Jones, Udom and Hampton provide a strong defensive foundation.
Replacing last year's senior class won't happen overnight, but another district championship and another trip to Arlington remain realistic expectations.
Bottom Line
South Oak Cliff enters 2026 with an experienced quarterback, one of Texas' top offensive linemen and enough returning talent on defense to remain among the favorites in Class 5A Division II.
The biggest challenge is replacing the production lost around those returning leaders.
The Golden Bears have consistently developed new contributors throughout this five-year run, and if this year's group follows that pattern, another appearance in the state championship game is well within reach.
