The historic Cotton Bowl Stadium will host a Texas high school football UIL playoff game Friday night in Dallas. 

The  Melissa and Dallas South Oak Cliff game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. 

The winner will be in the Class 5A Division 2 finals. That game is Saturday at 11 a.m., at A&T Stadium in Arlington against either Boerne or Richmond Randle.

According to Dallas ISD, it’s the first high school game here since 2018.

Melissa enters as the under dog, in the semis for the first time since 2011. The Golden Bears are here for the 4th year in a row. 

There is some postseason history between the two. SOC won 30-16 in 2022 and 36-30 the next year. 

Melissa is The Golden Bears have taken down Crandall, Mt. Pleasant, Terrell and Port Neches-Groves this postseason. 

Melissa escaped last week with a 20-19 win over Argyle last week. Argyle missed a late field goal. 

The Cardinals have also beaten Anna, El Paso Andress and Colleyville Heritage. 

Melissa is 12-2 with loss to Don Bosco (New Jersey), 14-10 in Week 1 and 38-35 against Prosper Walnut Grove, which was the District 4-5A Division II finals. South Oak Cliff is 12-1 and the only loss is to Duncanville, a Class 6A Division I semifinalist. 

Dallas South Oak Cliff has been in the finals the past four years, winning titles in 2021 and 2022 and losing in 2023 to Port Neches-Groves and Richmond Randle last year.

Melissa has been to the finals once — winning 3A Division I in 20211.

Play High School On SI‘s Pick ‘Em and tell us who you think will win!

Dallas South Oak Cliff players walking off field and there is some chirping between the two teams near the end zone

Melissa going with white helmets, black jersey and white pants; TBD on SOC

SOC in black helmets, white jerseys, black pants.

Melissa wins toss and will receive

Melissa is driving early. Two long passes by Brett Holloway; He is also mixing in his rushing ability

Big sack by Kordea Houston for SOC on 3rd down.

Melissa is going for a FG

FIELD GOAL! Jaden Sandoval with a 27-yard FG with 7:30 left. Melissa 3, SOC 0

SOC Converts on 3rd down and moves the ball to the 35. Was behind sticks earlier thank to a hold

Bears are now at the 19-yard line

1st and goal at the 4

offisde by SOC. Ball now at the 9. 4:15 left

TOUCHDOWN! Trotter with a 2-yard run. 3:33 left. SOC 7, Melissa 3

Melissa facing 3rd and 5 from the 28. Cards call a timeout with 2:32 left

Holloway tripped up and the Cards will have to punt. Big loss on the play. 2:12 left and rolling

Personal foul after punt; against SOC. Ball pushed back to the 32. 1:48 left

Willams to Cook for a first down. Melissa is having issues tackling. 15-yard gain

Williams sacked but likely a personal foul on Melissa. This game is already chippy

Yep. personal foul. Ball at the Melissa 34 now

TOUCHDOWN! Trotter scores on 2nd play of 2nd quarter. SOC 14, Melissa 3: 11:20 left

TURNOVER AND TOUCHDOWN! Jyrion Hampton with a pick 6 for SOC. 9:34 left. SOC 21, Melissa 3.

Melissa using the running ability of Holloway on this drive; he’s taking some big hits too