High expectations greeted the 2020 Aledo football team when it took to the field at 7 a.m. Monday for it’s first official practice after a one-month delay because of Covid 19.
The Bearcats, who have won the last two 5A Divison II state championships, have some big holes to fill on offense with the graduation of quarterback Jake Bishop and running back Jase McClellan.
The Bearcats have a bevy of quarterbacks looking to be the new starter, including senior Ethan McBrayer, junior Dalton Rapp and sophomore Brant Hayden.
McBrayer is a transfer from 4A Godley, where he threw for 2,738 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Whichever quarterback earns the strating job, he will have one of the nation’s top returning receivers to throw to in JoJo Earle. Earle, an LSU commit, had 84 catches last season for 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns. The shifty Earle also had 11 rushing touchdowns.
Aledo also has a number of running backs to take over the leading role. The top experienced running back is Jeremiah James, who had 640 yards and 6 touchdowns last year. Starting cornerback DeMarco Roberts also had some carries at running back last year and may see more snaps on the offensive side of the ball this year.
Roberts spent a lot of time during the first practice at running back. He has been a starter at cornerback for the last two seasons for Aledo.
While the Aledo offense needs to replace some skill positions, the Bearcat defense has a number of it top weapons returning from last year.
Junior safety is one Byron Allen Jr. led the team with 122 tackles and three interceptions last year. The LSU commit is considered the 8th best junior in the state of Texas and the second best safety in the country. Roberts had 81 tackles and two interceptions last year, so the secondary should be a strength of the defense.
Aledo is scheduled to open the season with Parker County neighbor Weatherford at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Globe Life Park.
