Jase McClellan scored Aledo’s first four touchdowns with first half runs of 1, 25, 1 and 3 yards to lead the top-ranked Bearcats to a 56-20 victory over Cleburne Friday in a District 5-5A, Division II game at muddy Yellow Jacket Stadium.
Aledo scored on the opening possession as McClellan capped the drive by powering his way in from a yard out.
Aledo’s second possession didn’t fare so well. After a holding penalty backed up the Bearcats up, the Yellow Jackets intercepted a screen pass and returned it for a TD to time the game at 7-7 with 25 seconds left in the first half.
Only one of Cleburne’s scores came with the Bearcat defense on the field. The Yellow Jackets’ final TD came on a kickoff returned for a touchdown.
After the pick six, Aledo settled down and scored on five consecutive possessions to open up a 40-7 lead mid way through the third quarter.
Aledo got three TD runs from McClellan in the final 7:08 of the first half.
His 25-yard run down the right sideline capped a 61-yard drive that gave the Bearcats the lead for good.
After a Cleburne punt, Tre Owens returned a punt 50 yards to set up Aledo at the Yellow Jacket 15. Four straight carries by McClellan game Aledo a 21-7 lead with 3:13 left in the first half.
On Cleburne’s next possession, the Yellow Jackets were forced to punt from their own 14. A bad snap landed in the mud and Aledo took possession at the Cleburne 2. McClellan scored his fourth TD a few plays later to make the halftime score 27-7.
Avery Jackson took over as the lead back in the second half, and he added TD runs of 34, 9 and 1 yard.
After Jackson’s 24 and 9 yard scored gave the Bearcats a 40-7 lead with 7:53 left in the third quarter.
Cleburne’s lone offensive TD was set up by a 43-yard pass completion from quarterback Gunner Hammond to receiver Isaak Cunningham.
After Cleburne cut the lead to 40-13, the Bearcats got a 32-yard field goal from Harper Smith and short TD runs by Jackson and backup quarterback Hampton Fay to make it 56-13 with 2:52 left in the game.
The victory was Aledo’s state-record 80th consecutive district win. The Bearcats improved to 5-0 in district and 7-0 overall.
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Scoring Summary
A – Jase McClellan 1 run (Harper Smith kick)
C – 15 yard Interception return for TD (kick)
A – McClellan 25 run (Smith Kick)
A – McClellan 1 run (Smith kick)
A – McClellan 3 run (kick failed)
A – Avery Jackson 34 run. (Smith kick)
A – Jackson 9 run (kick failed)
C – 1 run (PAT failed)
A – Smith 32 yard field goal
A – Jackson 1 run (kick failed)
A – Hampton Fay 2 run (Smith kick)
C – Kick return for TD (kick)
Jase McClellan splashes his way into the end zone on one of his four TD runs. Photo by Tom Marvin
Tre Owens returns a punt for 50 yards to set up an Aledo touchdown. Photo by Tom Marvin
Quarterback Jack Bishop runs the ball against Cleburne. Photo by Tom Marvin
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