Area Round Preview: #1 South Oak Cliff vs. Mount Pleasant at Better Life Stadium

FORNEY, Texas (TXAN 24) — #1 South Oak Cliff rolls into the Area Round with a 10-1 record and the confidence that comes with being one of the most battle-tested teams in Texas. Standing in their way Friday night is a Mount Pleasant squad sitting at 5-6, a group that’s taken its lumps but proven it can hang around in big moments. The matchup kicks off at Better Life Stadium in Forney, setting the stage for a playoff atmosphere that should live up to the moment.

One thing that immediately jumps off the page is the shared opponent: Crandall. SOC handled Crandall earlier in the season, using their speed, defensive pressure, and depth to control the game from start to finish. Mount Pleasant, on the other hand, fell to Crandall in a matchup that exposed some issues with consistency on both sides of the ball. That comparison gives SOC a statistical edge, but as always in November football, momentum matters — and Mount Pleasant earned their way into this round by showing resilience.

For SOC, the formula is familiar: swarm on defense, dominate the line of scrimmage, and let their playmakers open things up in space. Mount Pleasant will need to slow the tempo, avoid turnovers, and capitalize on every scoring opportunity to keep this one tight.

The winner moves on to the regional quarterfinals, and for both programs, that next step is everything. It’s survive and advance season — and both teams know exactly what’s on the line.