EDMOND — Xavier Robinson figured the defense would make a mistake.

After observing how Del City's defense approached tackling him in the first half, the OU commit chose to alter his rushing approach once he got past the line of scrimmage.

Robinson's adjustment paid off grandly — making the Eagles' defense pay the price for the error when Carl Albert needed it most.

"I noticed before halftime that they were trying to beat me to my spots on most of my runs," Robinson said. "So, I just started telling myself to be patient, ride the wave and look for a cutback. Once I got the ball, I knew it was time to handle business. When I have opportunities like that, I want to be able to show what I can do going downfield."

Robinson's dazzling, 65-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter after stiff-arming Del City defenders helped first-ranked Carl Albert defeat No. 2 Del City 35-14 Saturday afternoon to claim their 18th Class 5A state title.

More: How do Carl Albert's Kevin Sperry, Xavier Robinson feel about OU football's new OC setup?

The senior running back had a stellar performance in his final high school game, carrying the ball 22 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Robinson also added three catches for 64 yards and a touchdown to help lift the Titans to win its second consecutive state title and their seventh championship in the past eight years.

"All the praise goes to this program and their coaches," Robinson continued. "They always go out there and get the plays down correctly, then they translate it to us and we try to translate their vision onto the field. All the stats and history of this program do not lie. Coach Dunn preached throughout the season to not get complacent and stay consistent, so to see that pay off in the state championship is a great feeling."

The Titans' rushing attack dominated Del City out of the gate as Robinson and quarterback Kevin Sperry Jr.'s efforts on the ground opened up the passing game.

Sperry Jr. found Robinson up the sideline on a wheel route for a 39-yard touchdown to put the Titans on the board early. Then, in the final four minutes of the first half, Sperry Jr. ran in a 7-yard touchdown to give Carl Albert a 21-7 lead by halftime.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound OU commit had a monstrous output en route to his first state championship since coming in from Prosper Rock Hill in Texas. He completed nine of his 12 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 15 times for 103 yards and a touchdown in the win.

More: ‘We know what it takes’: Washington rallies from early deficit to beat Jones

"Heading into the game, I just tried to remain calm and made sure that there was I had no fear of the moment," Sperry Jr. said. "This year has meant everything to me and I've learned so much about myself since I got here. I always knew how to lead, but I really learned how to be a great teammate because of the winning atmosphere my coaches and teammates have built here."

Carl Albert (14-0, 6-0 District 5A-2) went undefeated in the 2023 season and is currently riding a 26-game winning streak heading into the 2024 season.

After winning the program's 18th state title, Carl Albert inches closer to tying Ada's all-time state championship record in 1996 with 20. The Titans' win on Saturday ties them with Jenks for the second-most state championships in Oklahoma's high school football history.

Titans coach Mike Dunn has won his second state title since taking over the gig in 2021.

"I'm just so happy for our guys more than anything," Dunn said following the win. "They've been in this game a few times now and we really want to rely on that that experience. So that was something that we talked about throughout the week and something that that we really wanted to try to establish early on. The guys did a great job."

Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jdavis34_. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

More: Top-ranked Tipton dominates Ryan to claim Class C football championship

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma high school football: Carl Albert beats Del City for 5A title