#COVER1: Aledo Captures Ninth State Championship in 45-42 Win Over Fort Bend Marshall

ARLINGTON, TX — As the Aledo Bearcats chased their ninth state championship in school history, 4 and 5 star recruits from both teams stole the show. 

For Aledo, their offense was filled with marquee players.  Senior running back Jase McClellan came into this game fresh off signing a letter of intent to Alabama.  Senior wide receiver Money Parks signed to play for the Utah Utes next season.  Junior Jo Jo Earle, who has a 4 star billing and holds offers from Texas, USC, Ohio State, Michigan, LSU, and more, completed the loaded offense. 

Senior quarterback Jake Bishop had the job of putting it in their hands, and he did it exceptionally well. 

Bishop was named the Offensive Player of the Game.  He made clutch plays when they mattered and finished the game 11-16 for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also had 13 rushing attempts for 56 yards and another score. 

McClellan had 218 yards on 25 carries for an average of 8.7 per attempt.  He had a 63 yard touchdown run in the third quarter that put an exclamation mark on a 99 yard drive.  He had three touchdowns in total. 

Parks hauled in 6 catches for 132 yards and two scores.  Earle had 4 grabs for 107 and a TD.  

When Marshall had the ball, they relied on Texas A&M signee Devon Achane and 4 star dual threat quarterback Malik Hornsby. 

Their blazing speed, elusiveness, and versatility made them impossible stop. 

Hornsby finished his final high school game with 155 rushing yards and 2 TD's on only 13 carries.  He had a long of 44.  He was also deadly through the air going 11-17 for 157 yards and another TD.  

Achane was tremendous rushing and receiving.  He had 171 on the ground to go along with 2 scores and 121 yards receiving.  

The two teams combined for 1,053 total yards and zero turnovers.  Aledo had 553 yards.  Marshall had 500. 

Aledo scored on 8 of their 11 possessions.  The three exceptions were a first quarter punt, a turnover on downs with under two minutes to play, and when they ran the clock out to end the game. 

They led the entire game, but Marshall hung around and then made a furious comeback in the fourth quarter.  The Buffalos scored on their final three possessions of the game. 

Achane punched in a 2 yard run to make it 45-34 with 4:15 to play.  Aledo then marched the field, but Marshall forced a turnover on downs with 1:44 to play.  

Starting at their 27, Hornsny marched them down the field in 55 seconds.  He capped it with an 8 yard pass to Brandon Tryon and then made it a field goal game with a two point conversion run. 

Without any timeouts remaining, Marshall needed to recover the onside kick.  The kick bounced right to Caden Anderson, and Bishop dropped to his knees twice to end the game. 

Final Score: Aledo 45, Marshall 42. 

Junior defensive back Demarco Roberts wins Defensive Player of the Game.  He had 10 solo tackles. 

Senior quarterback Jake Bishop wins Offensive Player of the Game. 

You can follow this link for our live play by play of the game.