The Aledo offense put up 40 points in Friday’s season-opening victory over Denton Guyer, but the Bearcat defense, which came up with four turnovers, did something that no other team had done to Guyer in 12 years. The Wildcats had not been held scoreless since their first year as a varsity program.
The Aledo offense jumped out to a quick lead thanks to the first of a pair of long TD receptions from sophomore receiver Jo Jo Earle. The Bearcats scored on all four possession in the first half to build a 24-0 lead.
Aledo, which is the top ranked team in 5A, took the opening possession and drove to the Guyer 10 yard line before it had to settle on a 27-yard field goal from Harper Smith.
On Guyer’s fourth offensive play, safety Tre Owens intercepted a pass and returned it to Guyer’s 33-yardline. The Bearcats went deep on the first play after the turnover and quarterback Jake Bishop found Earle wide open for the 33-yard TD. Bishop completed 11 of 16 passes for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The score made it 10-0 with 5:35 left in the first quarter. Running back Jase McClellan, scored on runs of 8 and 2 yards in the second quarter to open the lead to 24-0. McClellan finished with 102 yards on 16 carries, all in the first half. The junior did not play in the second half after getting hit hard in the back on a tackle late in the second quarter, and the Bearcats didn’t need him.
Three of the defense’s four turnovers came in the second half, including a 99-yard pick six by Ryan Anderson in the fourth quarter. Defensive back Jack Ford stopped Guyer’s first drive of the second half with an interception and senior defensive tackle Preston Crawford had a fourth-quarter fumble recovery.
Aledo senior running back Avery Jackson carried the ball 10 times for 47 yards as the primary running back in the second half.
Aledo plays next Saturday at the Independence Bowl Stadium in Shreveport, La. The Bearcats will face Bentonville, Ark., in the high school football showcase know as the Battle on the Border. Aledo’s 3 p.m. Saturday game will be the fifth of six games in the showcase, which has games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Click here for a complete gallery of action photos from the Guyer victory.
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Tre Owens returns his first-quarter interception to help Aledo get off to a quick start. Photo by Tom Marvin
Jase McClellan take a second quarter carry down the right sideline for a big game. Photo by Tom Marvin
Aledo defensive back Ryan Anderson returns a fourth-quarter interception 99 yards for a touchdown. Photo By Tom Marvin
Senior offensive lineman Chandler Knandel lifts Jo Jo Earle off the ground to celebrate Earle’s TD reception. Photo by Tom Marvin
Junior defensive end Will Greenwood gets a tackle for a loss. Photo By Tom Marvin
Senior defensive tackle Preston Crawford celebrates his fumble recovery. Photo By Tom Marvin
Running back Jace McClellan scores on a second-quarter run. Photo by Tom Marvin
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