In 2020, ISD Dallas has not won a state football championship in over 60 years. On Saturday morning, the city celebrated its second title in two years thanks to the South Oak Cliff High School Golden Bears.
South Oak Cliff proved its dominance last month by winning the 5A Division II state title game for the second year in a row, becoming the first ISD school in Dallas to win back-to-back championships. The two turfs were commemorated with a hometown parade that was attended by prominent members of the community, decades of alumni, and the entire neighborhood filled with pride.
Angela Cole, a ’77 graduate, has been on the parade with many friends since her days at South Oak Cliff. She described high school graduates, neighbors, and football fans as supportive, strong, and involved.
“When everyone comes together, this is what happens: legendary,” she said.
Tony Mumphrey, a graduate of ’82, was ready for the parade in advance.
“Been a bear all my life,” he said as he waited for the festivities to begin, just a few streets away from where he grew up. “I hope they can do it again next year.”
On a cool sunny morning, hundreds of people lined the street outside South Oak Cliff High School. The crowd played music and danced as the parade of corvettes, neighboring sports teams, cheerleaders and horsemen passed.
Former cheerleading captain Alexis Ivey, who graduated in 2017 and attended two championship games, yelled during the parade, “Good day to be a Bear!”
The crowd cheered with pride as the team climbed to the top of the hill on Marsalis Street. The players carried their trophies and wore the 2022 state championship medals – some of them also had last year’s medals and they jingled against each other as they walked.
Photos: South Oak Cliff celebrates back-to-back state football titles
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[19/19] 1-year-old De’Ari Jones watches his grandmother Shanika McNeil swallow gum during the South Oak Cliff High Championship Parade on Saturday, January 7, 2023, in Dallas. (Shafkat Anovar / staff photographer)
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[1/19] South Oak Cliff Golden Bears cornerback Javon Thomas (center) holds the Provincial Champions Trophy at the 5A Division II State Championship parade for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at S Marsalis Ave in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[2/19] Fans react as the South Oak Cliff Golden Bears make their way during the Class 5A Division II State Championship win parade for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at S Marsalis Ave in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[3/19] The South Oak Cliff High School “Nu Soul Of The South” Marching Band during the SOC Golden Bears Class 5A Division II State Championship Winning Parade for the second consecutive year on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at S Marsalis Ave. in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[4/19] South Oak Cliff Golden Bears quarterback David “Davo” Spruells (R) cheers as he celebrates winning the 5A Division II state championship for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at his high school in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[5/19] South Oak Cliff Golden Bears football coach Jason Todd speaks during a celebration of their 5A Division II state championship victory for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at their high school in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[6/19] Former Assistant Principal Marsha Potts receives an autograph from South Oak Cliff Golden Bears football quarterback William Little as they celebrate winning the 5A Division II state championship for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at their high school. in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[7/19] The South Oak Cliff Golden Bears take the stage as they celebrate their Class 5A Division II State Championship victory for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at their high school in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[8/19] DISD Superintendent and South Oak Cliff Principal Willie Johnson Jr. pose for a photo ahead of the Class 5A Division II State Championship parade for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023 outside the For Oak Cliff Community Center. in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[9/19] Dexter Ivory, 16, as a Ducks Elite duck stops to dance during the South Oak Cliff Golden Bears Class 5A Division II State Championship Winning Parade for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at S Marsalis Avenue in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[10/19] South Oak Cliff Golden Bears cornerback Javon Thomas (R) holds his two state medals as he celebrates with teammates ahead of the parade to celebrate their Class 5A Division II state championship for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023, outside the For Community Center Oak Cliff in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[11/19] The South Oak Cliff Golden Bears stand on a platform ahead of the parade celebrating their Class 5A Division II state championship for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023 outside the For Oak Cliff Community Center in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[12/19] South Oak Cliff Golden Bears coach Jason Todd receives a hug from SOC English teacher Joyce Prince-Pickens during the parade to celebrate their 5A Division II State Championship win for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at S Marsalis- avenue in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[13/19] The South Oak Cliff Golden Bears march during the Division II Class 5A State Championship win parade for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023, on St. Marsalis Avenue in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[14/19] South Oak Cliff Golden Bears coach Jason Todd addresses the crowd during the 5A Division II State Championship win parade for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at S Marsalis Ave in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[15/19] South Oak Cliff Golden Bears defenseman David “Davo” Spruells (center left) and quarterback William Little stop to dance during the 5A Division II State Championship win parade for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7. 2023, at S. Marsalis Avenue in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[16/19] South Oak Cliff alum Janet Tiller dances during the school’s 5A Division II State Football Championship victory parade for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023, on S Marsalis Ave in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[17/19] South Oak Cliff Golden Bears football players pose for pictures as they celebrate their second year in a row to win the 5A Division II state championship on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at their high school in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
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[18/19] The South Oak Cliff Golden Bears football player wears two of his state medals as he celebrates winning the Class 5A Division II state championship for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at his high school in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
[19/19] 1-year-old De’Ari Jones watches his grandmother Shanika McNeil swallow gum during the South Oak Cliff High Championship Parade on Saturday, January 7, 2023, in Dallas. (Shafkat Anovar / staff photographer)
[1/19] South Oak Cliff Golden Bears cornerback Javon Thomas (center) holds the Provincial Champions Trophy at the 5A Division II State Championship parade for the second year in a row on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at S Marsalis Ave in Dallas.(Juan Figueroa / staff photographer)
“Not Finished Yet”
The championship for South Oak Cliff is more than a sport, which was emphasized during a ceremony on the school’s football field after the parade.
In 2015, students left the school to apply to Dallas ISD to renovate their dilapidated campus. In January 2020, the county completed a $52 million renovation, including a new soccer field, and the team won a championship two seasons later.
“This is what justice looks like,” parade marshal and 1977 alumnus Rev. Horace Bradshaw. said during the ceremony. “Our children deserve nothing less than the best.”
Bradshaw highlighted the history and tradition of sportsmanship at South Oak Cliff and praised the students who led the strike demanding equal opportunity for their school.
The team and coaching staff gathered on stage behind head coach Jason Todd, who thanked the players’ parents, their teachers and coaching staff by name for a historic season. He praised the academics and the character of his players.
“A lot of people said we couldn’t do it,” said Todd, who has been head coach since 2015. “As I said last year, we are not done yet.”
Todd became the first black coach in state history to win two titles at the same school, and the third to win two titles overall.
“When I was walking down Marsalis in that parade, no amount of money could make me feel the way I felt there,” he said. “You really know people and people know you.”
At the end of his speech, Todd asked the audience, “Do you want a three?” Encountered with applause and shouts: “We want three,” he said, “then we will get your trinity.”
Hundreds of people lined the parade route to South Oak Cliff High School, home of the state football champion Golden Bears.
“Always a goal”
Quarterback and title game offensive MVP William Little said players have been eyeing the prize since the start of the season.
“That has always been the goal,” he said. “Returning to the state championship is our ultimate goal every year.” The rising senior said the team was ready for a triple.
Little’s mother, Shannon Little, said that as she watched the team win at AT&T Stadium, she was thrilled that her son was part of history.
“He got the opportunity to do what he loves and lead his team. He is a humble gentleman on and off the field,” she said. “That’s why I’m very proud of him.”
As principal Willie Johnson Jr. gave his speech, someone in the crowd yelled, asking if the team would win the title next season.
“Save the date,” he said.
