Friday night lights will be at the venerable Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the original home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The winner of the Texas University Interscholastic League 5A Division II semifinal between Melissa and South Oak Cliff will get to play for a state title next week at the Cowboys’ current home, Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.
LIVE STREAM: Watch Melissa vs. South Oak Cliff live on the NFHS Network (Sign up today!)
After missing a postseason berth last season, Melissa has come into this season with a vengeance. The Cardinals come into Friday’s semifinal round at 11-2, and were able to get past Argyle, 20-19, in last week’s regional final.
South Oak Cliff (13-1) is seeking to go to the state championship game for the fifth straight year. The Golden Bears won back-to-back 5A DII titles in 2021-22, but lost in the championship games each of the past two seasons.
There is also a recent playoff history between the two schools. SOC and Melissa played in the area round two years ago, with the Golden Bears pulling away in the second half for an eventual 38-30 win. They also beat Melissa in the 2022 regional final round, 30-16, on the road to winning their second straight 5A DII title.
Friday’s semifinal winner plays the winner of the other semifinal, between defending champion Richmond Randle and Boerne, which is also taking place Friday in San Antonio, at next week’s UIL State in Arlington.
Follow The Sporting News correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Dallas.
Scroll down for live score and game updates from kickoff to the postgame. Refresh this page for the latest.
SOUTH OAK CLIFF 21, MELISSA 3 2ND QTR.
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SECOND QUARTER
– PICK-6 TOUCHDOWN SOUTH OAK CLIFF. Golden Bears with a huge play on defense, as Jyrion Hampton picks off a pass and takes it in from 37 yards out. (SOC, 21-3 | 9:34, 2nd)
– TOUCHDOWN SOUTH OAK CLIFF. Golden Bears extend their lead on the second scoring run from Mikail Trotter, this time a 46-yard jaunt. (SOC, 14-3 | 11:20, 2nd)
Mikail Trotter makes it 14-3 SOC over Melissa .
11:20 left in the half #txhsfb @SportsDayHS pic.twitter.com/4K6ZbcRdc4
— Ishmael Johnson (@IshmaelRJohnson) December 13, 2025
– We have now moved into the second quarter from the Cotton Bowl.
FIRST QUARTER
– TOUCHDOWN SOUTH OAK CLIFF. Golden Bears come back to go in front as Mikail Trotter runs it in from 5 yards out. (SOC, 7-3 | 3:33, 1st)
– FIELD GOAL MELISSA. Cardinals strike first, as an attempt from Jaden Sandoval splits the uprights. (Melissa 3-0 | 7:30, 1st)
Melissa 3, South Oak Cliff 0. 7:30 1st quarter.
Jaden Sandoval puts Melissa on the board.#TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/qyjEbPCLo4
— Matthew Alan Brice (@MatthewOnTheMic) December 13, 2025
PREGAME
– Live from Dallas, Melissa and South Oak Cliff square off for the right to play in next week’s UIL 5A Division II championship game.
