Aledo Builds on History with Win over Crosby
-
Updated: January 15, 2021
Class 5A Division II State Championship Game
ARLINGTON - The Crosby Cougars and Aledo Bearcats faced off at A&T Stadium for the Class 5A DII State championship game. The Bearcats have much more experience in the title game but this will be their first title game with a Bishop at quarterback.
Crosby Championship History
1960 1A - Albany 20, Crosby 0
Aledo Championship History
1974 1A - Grapeland 19, Aledo 18
1998 3A Division I - Aledo 14, Cuero 7
2009 4A Division II - Aledo 35, Brenham 21
2010 4A Division II - Aledo 69, La Marque 34
2011 4A Division II - Aledo 49, Manvel 28
2013 4A Division II - Aledo 38, Brenham 10
2014 5A Division II - Aledo 49, Temple 45
2016 5A Division II - Aledo 24, Corpus Christi Calallen 16
2017 5A Division II - College Station 20, Aledo 19
2018 5A Division II - Aledo 55, Fort Bend Marshall 19
2019 5A Division II - Aledo 45, Fort Bend Marshall 42
1Q
Crosby took the opening kickoff 75 yards in 11 plays and capped the statement drive with a 9 yard pass from Deniquez Dunn to Jaylen Herman. The drive took 3 minutes off the clock. Aledo wasted no time as Braden Fowler-Nicolosi hit JoJo Earle for 74 yards and a quick score on 3rd and 10. Earle fought off three tacklers to break free down the right sideline. With 7:31 remaining in the opening quarter it was all tied at 7.
A couple of miscues by Crosby left them punting on 4th and 11. A roughing the kicker kept the Cougars alive and a great catch by Irvin Page on the next, set them up at the Aledo 16. Three runs by Reggie Branch including a 2 yard score gave Crosby the edge again 14-7. The Bearcats put together a methodical drive that included generous helpings of Earle but finished with a 32 yard scamper by Demarco Roberts for the tying score. 14-14 All.
In a game where not much defense was expected, the Cougars took over with 2:43 remaining in the quarter went 3 and out. The punt gave the ball to Aledo with a chance to take their first lead. A Wade Lewis block left Aledo looking at their first punt. A near blocked punt was pulled down by punter, Clay Murador who sprinted 21 yards for a first down. Aledo had new life as he quarter ended tied.
2Q
Aledo's drive stayed alive despite some penalties but on 1st and 25 Roberts took the handoff left, changed direction and made 34 yards down the right side. Three plays later Roberts went in the end zone untouched for 5 yards. His second score of the game, and 35th of the season, gave Aledo their first lead, 21-14 Aledo.
Dunn put Crosby on his back with a couple dramatic runs but his next pass attempt brought the drive to an end with an interception by Sophomore Grant Mooney - his first of the season. Aledo began with the ball and the lead for the first time. JoJo Earle made the Crosby defenders look asleep as he broke tackle after tackle. Roberts followed a couple of Earle plays with another score up the middle for 25 yards. 28-14 Aledo
Crosby, down by two scores, got their first opportunity to return a kick and started at their 39. A swarming Aledo defense stopped Crosby again forcing them to attempt a 46 yard field goal. It was wide left and kept the Aledo lead at 14. The Bearcats continued to take apart the Cougar defense and use the clock effectively. Roberts again ran straight up the middle untouched and capped the drive with his 4th touchdown of the game. With just 42 seconds left in the half, Aledo led 35-14. The first half was a story of Cougar arm tackles and Bearcat runners refusing to go down. The half came to an end looking like Crosby would be 0-2 in championships.
3Q
Aledo went straight to the Roberts and Earle show who took turns running behind great blocks and breaking arm tackles. With only a couple small passes to keep the Cougars honest, the Aledo drive was finished again by DeMarco Roberts up the middle. The one yard score was his 5th of the game, 42-14 Aledo.
The Cougars not willing to roll over, moved the ball to midfield and tossed what looked like a score to Herman. He was unable to pull the ball down so Crosby went back to the run. Facing 4th and 1/2 at the Aledo 30, the run out to the right was shut down in the backfield giving Aledo the ball. Aledo didn't let off the gas and put together another run-heavy drive and were deep in Crosby territory as the third ended.
4Q
The drive ended quickly as BJ Fleming caught a 21 yard pass for his first catch and the score. 49-14 Aledo. Crosby's Branch busted on 36 yards down the left side to give their offense a bit of breathing room an followed that with a 44 yarder. Dunn finished the drive running the final 7 yards untouched into the end zone for the first Cougars since the first quarter, 49-21 Aledo.
The Bearcats answered quickly. Going back to the same playbook, DeMarco Roberts again went up the middle untouched. The 54 yard score was his 6th of the game, 56-21 Aledo. With their backs against the ball, Crosby's Dunn again tried to make all the plays himself but despite a couple of strong runs had them facing 4th and 11 at the Aledo 33, they tossed to the endzone incomplete and Aledo took over.
As the Bearcats started substituting backup players into the lineup, the clock expired and Aledo made history with their 10th State Championship, 56-21. The win gave coach Tim Buchanan his 7th state title and the Bearcats their second 3-peat and 9th in the last 11 years.
The Offensive Player of the Game was DeMarco Roberts
The Defensive Player of the Game was Grant Mooney
Related Posts
