Aledo Drops 51 Points to Win Back-to-Back Titles

Smithson Valley punted the football and downed it on Aledo's 3-yard line. The Rangers Diego Davila then tackled Aledo in the end zone to score a rare safety. Smithson Valley led 2-0 with 9:37 remaining in the 1st quarter.

Aledo had to give the ball right back to the Rangers after the safety. Smithson Valley drove the ball for a few first downs, but Aledo eventually forced a 4th down. The Rangers' Kicker Clayton Amaya nailed a 49-yard field goal to put Smithson Valley up 5-0 with 6:50 left in the 1st quarter.

Another mental mistake by the Bearcats gave the ball right back to Smithson Valley. The Rangers' Zach Gingrich stepped in front of an errant pass from Aledo's Hauss Hejny and picked him off. Smithson Valley had 1st and goal to go at Aledo's 8-yard line after a facemask during the interception return. The Bearcats' defense stepped up again to keep the Rangers out of the end zone, but another field goal put the score at 8-0.

With time winding down in the opening period, Aledo's offense finally came alive. The Bearcats went on an 11-play, 75-yard march to put points on the board. The Bearcats converted a 3rd down and 13 in the process. Hawk Patrick-Daniels took a handoff on the 23-yard line and made several Rangers miss on his way to a touchdown.

2nd Quarter

Smithson Valley did not move the ball on the ensuing possession and punted right back to the Bearcats. Aledo took over at the Bearcats' 32-yard line. Patrick-Daniels showed dangerous ability in open space on second down on a 43-yard gain to the Rangers' 25-yard line. Five plays later, Patrick-Daniels scored his second touchdown from five yards out. Aledo led with 9:36 remaining in the 2nd quarter, 14-8

Aledo would extend its lead after the Bearcats shut Smithson Valley down on 4th down. The Rangers failed to convert a 4th down and short on Aledo's half of the field, and the Bearcats made them pay. Hejny hit Kaydon Finley in stride on a deep post and watched his receiver run untouched into the end zone for a 69-yard touchdown. Aledo led 21-8 with 2:56 remaining in the half.

Smithson Valley failed to create any of the magic the Rangers had in the 1st quarter before halftime. Another quick three-and-out gave the ball back to the Bearcats with time to spare. Hejny his Trace Clarkson on a deep post for 39 yards to put Aledo in field goal position before time expired. Cole Crawford nailed the 35-yard field goal to put Aledo up over Smithson Valley at the half, 24-8.

3rd Quarter

Smithson Valley received the 2nd half kickoff and began its first drive of the 3rd quarter at the Rangers' 38-yard line. A short three-and-out and punt later, Aledo took over at the Bearcats' 29-yard line with 10:46 remaining in the 3rd.

The Rangers forced a 4th down, but Aledo rolled the dice. It wouldn't have mattered anyway, as Patick-Daniels almost had his helmet torn off on the play. Aledo converted, and on the next play, Hejny hit Colton McCoy in the corner of the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown. Aledo led 31-8 with 8:54 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Hawk Patrick Daniels lit up the crowd again with five minutes to play in the 3rd. He took a handoff, weaved through the middle of the defense, and burnt everyone to the house. His 51-yard rush put him at 143 yards rushing on the evening and three touchdowns. Aledo put themselves out of reach, 38-8.

Aledo would continue to pour it on Smithson Valley with another touchdown with 2:18 left in the 3rd. This time, a 10-yard rush from Hejny. A failed extra point left the score 44-8.

4th Quarter

Aledo entered clock-winding mode in the 4th quarter and bled much of the remaining time in the contest. RJ Blake added one final touchdown for the Bearcats to make the score 51-8 with 3:55 remaining in the 4th quarter. 

The Aledo Bearcats shut out Smithson Valley to claim the 2023 5A Division I State Championship 51-8