SOC LOSES SEASON OPENER, 56-34

By JOSHUA C JOHNSON
Dallas Post Tribune

It was a battle that North Texas football fans are sure to see again in the post season as the defending 5A Division II Champion Cedar Hill Longhorns opened the season to the first among clubs ready to topple the title holders.

During the opening drive Cedar Hill’s Justin McMillian, Aca’cedric Ware and DaMarkus Lodge led the Cedar Hill offense 70 yards in a series of small ground gain to draw first blood. In under 7 minutes the Longhorns were up 7-0 and handedly controlled the play clock. And the fifteen yard penalty incurred by the Golden Bears didn’t hurt either.

But the unfazed SOC answered the Longhorns with an explosive 70 yard jaunt in just under 2 minutes left many sports analysts changing their outlook on the game to come. After two initial runs game up for little or no yardage the Bear’s Quarterback David Johnson launched three first down passes–ultimately putting them into the Longhorns end zone.

Prior to the game, Cedar Hill coach Joey McGuire called South Oak Cliff (0-1) a legitimate Class 5A title contender. He wasn’t exaggerating; South Oak Cliff nearly matched the defending state champs with its own potent offense.

Two minutes into the second half, TCU pledge J.F. Thomas outran the Cedar Hill secondary for a 59-yard touchdown catch, drawing S.O.C. within a point, 35-34. Thomas finished with 108 yards receiving and two scores.

Much to their chagrin the Bears who were a match for the Longhorns took themselves out of the game with a number of yards given up due to penalties and missed receptions at critical points in the game.

I’m not sure what happened in the locker room during halftime but if couldn’t have been good. After the opening reception in the 3rd quarter the Bears failed to put up anymore points in the second half.