Malik Muhammad, Billy Walton talk back-to-back titles, Texas
Port Neches-Groves wanted to spoil South Oak Cliff’s bid at back-to-back state titles. SOC had a different idea.
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Behind the arm of William Little plus Texas commits Malik Muhammad and Billy Walton on defense, the Golden Bears defeated PNG, 34-24, in the 5A DII state championship at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Friday night.
“We just turned the switch on,” said Muhammad. “We came out flat in the first half. Our coaches settled us down, and we just came out and made plays. Our coaches told us at the beginning of the year that ‘we’ve always been underdogs, now we’re the big dogs.’ We had to put our foot down and defend our state championship.”
Muhammad’s pick-six in the third quarter was a statement. The Golden Bears are staying golden.
“That’s why we chose the first four games we did this season,” said Walton, about going from being the hunter to being the hunted. “Duncanville, DeSoto, those teams are at state too. I feel like that played a huge part in our success.”
Port Neches-Groves (13-3) got on the board first. Quarterback Cole Crippen hit Landon Guarnere on the third play of the game for a 53-yard scoring strike and an early 7-0 lead at the 10:52 mark of the opening quarter.
South Oak Cliff’s (13-3) first drive took them down to the three-yard line, but they were unable to get in the end zone. The Golden Bears settled for a 20-yard field goal with 4:59 remaining in the first stanza, cutting the Indian lead to 7-3.
PNG extended its lead in the second quarter after an 11-play, 75-yard drive, culminating in a 40-yard field goal. That kick gave them a 10-3 advantage with 9:12 left in the first half.
SOC answered on defense. With the Indians backed up in front of their own goal line, linebacker Brandon Jones sacked the quarterback for a safety, narrowing the margin to 10-5, Port Neches-Groves, with 5:18 left in the second quarter.
PNG responds with a Shea Adams three-yard scoring jaunt. This was preceded by running back Isaiah Nguyen’s 54-yard run down to the three-yard line which put the Indians in scoring position. PNG pushed the margin to 17-5, with 3:32 left in the first half.
SOC scored with :24 seconds left in the half when William Little hits Trey Jackson on a jump ball in the end zone. It cut the margin to 17-12 right before the end of the second.
South Oak Cliff opened the scoring in the second half. Behind the arm of Little, SOC got down to the 12-yard line. Diego Varela nailed a 37-yard field goal, putting the Golden Bears closer to PNG at 17-15 with 10:18 left in the third.
Not long after that, South Oak Cliff held PNG to a three-and-out, and the Indians misplayed the punt adding another safety for the Golden Bears and tied the game at 17-all midway through the third.
SOC kept at it. Little’s three-yard scoring plunge gave the Golden Bears their first lead of the game with 2:05 left in the third, 24-17. Then Muhammad’s interception returned for a touchdown was the clincher in an incredibly hard fought contest.
What did Muhammad think we he first snatched Crippen’s pass from the air?
“Touchdown,” he said.
