Mavericks Fall in Region Semi-finals to #1 Dallas South Oak Cliff

Dallas South Oak Cliff has been the #1 team in 5A Division II most of the season.

Friday night at Rose Stadium the Bears showed why they have played in three consecutive state championship games.

The Mavericks were unable to slow down the Bear offense as SOC ended Marshall's season 35-7 in the Region Semi-finals in Tyler.

SOC improves to (11-2) while Marshall finishes with a record of (10-3).

The Bears opened the game with an impressive 75 yard drive in just 3:11 for a 7-0 lead.  

Marshall had a quick three and out and a short punt set SOC up at the Marshall 45 and they would quickly cash it in for a 14-0 with 4:19 left in the first quarter.

Early in the second stanza the Mavs put together a good drive, driving down to the SOC 15 yard line.  Instead of cutting the lead to 14-7.... a failed fourth down conversion turned Marshall away with no points.

The Bears then went on a long 85 yard drive that gave them a 20-0 lead with 2:22 left before halftime after the failed PAT.

Trying to get some points before halftime, Marshall came out firing.  But the stingy SOC defense  snagged an interception and returned it to the Mav 18.

The Bears would cash in with their fourth touchdown of the half as they went up 28-0 with 46 seconds left in the half.

SOC made their first mistake of the game when a punt sailed over the kicker's head, giving Marshall the ball at the Bear 38.

For the second time in the game, Marshall was in the red zone looking to cut into the SOC lead, but a deflating 102 yard pick six put the Bears up 35-0 with 1:47 left in the third.

Marshall finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter to make the score 35-7 with 7:19 left in the game.

SOC would run out the remainder of the  clock to claim the 35-7 win.

RB Semaj Gatson finished the night with 59 yards on 10 carries.

Isaiah Bush had 21 yards and the lone Marshall score.

QB Alton Henderson was 5-13 for 75 yards passing.  He also had 51 yards rushing.

SOC only had 58 yards passing but had 264 yards rushing.