On homecoming night, the Aledo Bearcats (5-0, 2-0) grabbed an early lead, and through a dominating defensive performance, defeated the Everman Bulldogs 51-7 in front of a sellout crowd.
The Bearcats won their 98th straight district game. The Bearcat’s defense continues to shine bright and held Everman (2-3, 1-1) to just a touchdown.
Injuries have started to pile up for the Bearcats on offense.
Aledo was without starting quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi Friday. He was seen wearing a boot on his foot, prior to the kickoff.
According to Aledo Head Coach Tim Buchanan, Fowler-Nicolosi has a high ankle injury. He could be out anywhere from a few weeks, to two months, depending on how the injury heals and is listed as day-to-day.
Without Fowler-Nicolosi, the Bearcats turned to Brant Hayden and triple-threat quarterback/receiver/runner Hauss Hejny behind center.
Aledo threw for just 136 yards between Hejny and Hayden, but despite this stat, the Bearcats created some spectacular plays in the passing game.
The Bearcats scored immediately on a 65 yard Hejny touchdown pass to Jalen Pope.
Aledo followed later in the first quarter with a methodical drive that ended in a one yard Ryan Williams touchdown to go ahead, 14-0.
Hejny then capped off the first quarter flurry of scoring with a contribution at receiver.
Hayden threw a 38 yard strike to Hejny that placed the Bearcats ahead, 21-0.
The second quarter was more of a struggle for Aledo, due to turnovers.
Hejny had a fumble on a run play and threw an interception at quarterback.
Everman had plenty of opportunities to score, but was stifled by the Aledo defense.
The Bearcats credit their scheme and conditioning to their consistency on defense.
“Getting us into condition helps us in games and makes sure that everyone is swarming to the football, trying to make turnovers, trying to make big plays and getting three-and-outs,” Aledo sophomore safety Davhon Keys said.
The Bearcat defense controlled the Bulldogs, except for one successful drive, at the end of the first quarter.
Bulldog’s quarterback Jarion Basped had more incompletions than completions in the first half, but strung together a possession that concluded with a Jemyri Davis 30 yard touchdown reception.
Despite the shift of momentum to Everman, the second half was dominated by the Bearcats’ defense.
Everman had a chance to score again late in the first half.
Aledo safety Taylon Kessler intercepted Basped in the end zone on a fling of desperation — with just two seconds remaining in the second quarter.
“Two turnovers [made it close],” Buchanan said. “We gave the ball to them twice and they turned one turnover into points. They kept the ball out of our offense’s hands. Then, we made some mental errors offensively. Luckily our defense was playing really well and kept them out of the end zone the rest of the half.”
Bearcat running back Ryan Williams was the star of the first half with 57 yards rushing.
Williams was hurt in the second quarter and the extent of his injury is unknown at this time.
Everman’s Jonathen Wilson had 40 yards rushing and led the way for the Bulldogs in the first half, but Everman missed several scoring opportunities in the first half and struggled offensively.
The second half was a different story offensively for the Bearcats.
Thanks to the stalwart Aledo defense, the offense was able to control the football and put the game away in the third quarter.
Davhon Keys intercepted Basped early in the third quarter and capped off the drive with a three yard rushing touchdown.
“They ran that play before,” Keys said, regarding the interception. “Coach told me, after the play, that I need to work wide with them, and then the ball will fall right into my hands. I listened to him. I saw him [the receiver] go wide, so I worked wide with him. Like he said, the ball fell in my hands.”
Sammy Steffe picked up a pair of rushing touchdowns in the third quarter.
Shortly after, a safety on a botched punt capped off the scoring in the third, and gave Aledo a 44-7 lead.
The Bearcats didn’t stop there and Connor Smith added a rushing touchdown, in the first six seconds of the fourth quarter, to conclude the scoring.
Aledo picked up an impressive 338 yards rushing as a team.
Individually, Smith had 119 yards and a touchdown, while Steffe had 77 yards and two touchdowns.
Aledo heads into to the bye with the goal of getting healthy paramount on the agenda.
“Running back wise, we’ll see how Ryan [Williams] does and try to get everyone healthy,” Buchanan said. “Jalen Pope made it through the whole game without reinjuring his ankle. We’re trying to make sure he stays healthy. The goal is for everyone [to be as close] to 100 percent, when we get to Joshua.”
Aledo’s next game is at Joshua (3-2) on Friday, Oct. 8.
The Joshua Owls fell 56-14 Thursday against Mansfield Timberview.
Scoring
1st Quarter
A — Jalen Pope 65 pass from Hauss Hejny TOUCHDOWN (11:49)Clay Murador kick 7-0
A — Ryan Williams 1 run TOUCHDOWN (5:32) Murador kick 14-0
A — Hauss Hejny 38 pass from Brant Hayden (3:09) Murador kick 21-0
E — Jemyri Davis 30 pass from Basped TOUCHDOWN Erubiel Acevedo kick 21-7 (1:25)
3rd Quarter
A — Davhon Keys 3 run (Murador kick) 28-7 (8:31)
A — Sammy Steffe 6 run (Murador kick) 35-7 (7:03)
A — Steffe 17 run (Murador kick) 42-7 (2:41)
A — Snap through end zone for SAFETY 44-7 (1:46)
4th Quarter
A — Smith 2 run (Jace Sims) kick 51-7 (11:54)
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