Aledo 24, Corpus Christi Calallen 16

By Michael Wright
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Updated: December 16, 2016

Aledo Bearcats (15-0) vs. Corpus Christi Calallen Wildcats (14-1)

8 p.m. Friday, Arlington's AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium - The Aledo Bearcats won a tough game over the Wildcats from Corpus Christi Calallen in the Class 5A Division II State Championship game 24-16. With the win, Aledo goes to 7-1 in state championship games. All 7 wins coming since 1998. Calallen is now 0-2 in state title games having lost the 2005 4A Division II championship game.

The teams traded punts to start the quarter. On Aledo's 2nd possession, Calallen defensive back John Gaddis intercepted the ball near the end zone but he fumbled the ball on the return and it was recovered by Aledo's Seth Strickland. Aledo then got on the scoreboard when running back Rhett Harris took it in from 5 yards out. With 4:09 left in the 1st quarter, Aledo led 7-0. The quarter ended with Calallen on the move.

The Wildcats went on a 7 minute and 14 second drive but had to settle on a 20 yard field goal. Aledo now led 7-3 with 8:55 left until half. The Bearcats used a 56 yard from quarterback Dillon Davis to receiver Logan Bridges to set up a field goal. The field goal from 35 yards was good and Aledo now led 10-3 with 6:49 remaining until halftime. The teams traded punts to end the half.

The first half was a defensive battle. Calallen finished with 76 total yards while Aledo had 118. Calallen rushing totals were 26 carries for 76 yards. Aledo was 3 for 12 passing.

Calallen had to punt on its first possession and Aledo took over on their own 40. A few plays later, Aledo running back Jase McClellan took it in from 59 yards out on an amazing run breaking tackles along the way. With 8:14 left in the 3rd, Aledo now led 17-3. Calallen answered with a 82 yard drive that ended with a 33 yard run by quarterback Gaige Lamb. Aledo still led 17-10 with 5:44 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Calallen did a squib kick that the returner handled with no problem but while he was being tackled, Wildcat back Joel Garza took the ball out of his hands to give Calallen the ball in Aledo territory. The Wildcats could not capitalize though and had to punt. The quarter ended with Aledo having the ball in their territory.

Aledo was forced to punt and got off a nice 50 yarder and the punt was fumbled and recovered by Aledo defensive back Carson Hyles at the Calallen 29. Bearcat back Donnie Evans scored from 1 yard out with 5:43 left in the game to make the score 24-10. Calallen responded with a 1 yard scoring run by Alec Brown to make the score with the missed extra point 24-16 with 1:34 left in the game. The onside attempt was recovered by Aledo's Preston Jefferis.

Total Yards : Calallen 229 Aledo 191

Aledo did not attempt a pass in the 2nd half. Calallen had the ball for 30:01 to Aledo's 17:59.

Lone Star Gridiron

Attendance: 25,983

Players of the game:
Offensive Player of the Game - Jase McClellan Running Back Aledo
Defensive Player of the Game - James Williams Defensive Lineman Aledo