Saturday will open with a rematch of a memorable UIL State upset as College Station takes on Aledo in the 5A Division I State Title Game.
Back in 2017, the Cougars shocked the Bearcats 20-19. At the time, Aledo was a seven-time state champion, while College Station was playing just its fourth season of varsity football.
This year, the Cougars are looking to avenge their title game loss a year ago to Katy Paetow in an overtime heartbreaker.
Aledo, meanwhile, it back in the title game after falling to South Oak Cliff in the regional semifinals a year ago. It was the first time in six years the Bearcats didn’t make it to the state title game.
Here’s what to watch for on Saturday morning at 11:00.
College Station Cougars (13-2)
Head Coach: Stoney Pryor (1st season; 13-2 record)
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 192 miles
2022 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 37-19 vs. San Antonio Wagner
Area: W 27-20 vs. Angleton
Regional Semifinal: W 52-28 vs. Georgetown
Regional Final: W 26-21 vs. Smithson Valley
State Semifinals: W 33-7 vs. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial
Key Players and Storylines
When Steve Huff moved on to Decatur in February, College Station decided to hire internally as it selected just the second coach in school history. The Cougars promoted offensive coordinator Stoney Pryor to the top spot, and it’s safe to say that move has paid off handsomely.
Despite falling to Georgetown in district play, the Cougars hit their stride in the playoffs, including a goal line stand on the final play of the game to secure a 26-21 victory over Smithson Valley in the regional final.
Offensively, it has been a youth movement for the Cougars this year at the skill positions.
The Cougars have relied on sophomore bell cow running back Aydan Martinez-Brown all year long. He’s rushed for 2,061 yards and 22 touchdowns and is coming off a 23-carry, 152-yard performance in the state semifinals. That’s been vital considering Duke commit running back Marquise Collins suffered a season-ending injury before the season began.
Martinez-Brown moved into College Station this offseason. Once he got used to his surroundings, College Station head coach Stoney Pryor said he hasn’t looked back.
“It took him a little bit to acclimate to our offense, our culture and our methodology,” Pryor said. “Clearly as the season has progressed, he has become better and better. He runs well inside the tackles, can run outside, blocks well, and has good hands.”
Out at receiver, fellow sophomore Jackson Verdugo has also been in the limelight with a team-leading 53 catches for 872 yards and seven touchdowns.
Verdugo was on varsity last year as well, but Pryor said he didn’t see much playing time. However when his number was called this year, he was ready.
“He has grown in size, understanding, ability, and leadership greatly in the past year,” Pryor said. “He has a very good understanding of what we are trying to do with the game plan each week, and he is a sure-handed receiver who runs good routes and blocks well.”
Behind center, it’s junior Arrington Maiden (2,135 passing yards and 16 touchdowns) who has led the way. He’s done a good job of taking care of the football this year with just four interceptions on 188 passing attempts.
Defensively, the Cougars are led by safeties Harrison Robinson (150 tackles) and Tony Hamilton (121 tackles). It was Robinson who had the goal line stop against Smithson Valley that kept the Cougars alive in the playoffs.
In case you missed it last night, here’s the end of the College Station vs. Smithson Valley game, where Harrison Robinson makes a game saving tackle to send the Cougars to the state semifinal.
Craziest #TXHSFB finish I’ve ever called. pic.twitter.com/a0tOt8UGAn
— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) December 5, 2022
In front of them, linebacker Chantz Johnson (78 total tackles) is attracting plenty of attention from Division I schools with 13 Division I offers, while out at corner, Aledo will have to be weary of throwing to Wisconsin commit AJ Tisdell’s side of the field.
Up front, the Cougars will rely on Korbin Johnson (20 TFLs) and Cinco Deegear (12 TFLs) to try and put the Aledo backfield under pressure.
Aledo Bearcats (13-2)
Head Coach: Tim Buchanan (25th season; 280-57-3 record)
Distance to AT&T Stadium: 36 miles
2022 Playoff Results
Bi-District: W 37-0 vs. Killeen Shoemaker
Area: W 45-21 vs. Lubbock Cooper
Regional Semifinals: W 27-21 vs. Midlothian
Regional Final: W 42-21 vs. Burleson Centennial
State Semifinals W 17-14 vs. Longview
Key Players and Storylines
Aledo started 0-2 this season with losses to Parish Episcopal and Denton Guyer but have been on a roll ever since.
The Bearcats are led offensively by a talented tandem in their backfield.
Junior running back Hawk Patrick-Daniels and fellow junior dual threat quarterback Hauss Hejny (1,908 passing yards, 1,134 rushing yards, and 38 touchdowns) have combined to keep defenses off balance all season long.
And while those two players have led the rushing attack, Aledo head coach Tim Buchanan said the impact of his offensive line can’t be overlooked. He said it’ll need to be at its best against College Station’s defensive front for the Bearcats to find success on the ground in this game.
In the passing attack, Hejny struggled against Longview last week with just 77 passing yards and two interceptions, but the Bearcats made up for it on the ground as he had 61 rushing yards, while Patrick finished with 111 yards and a score.
Out at receiver, Jalen Pope has been a reliable target all season long with 56 catches for 1,023 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Defensively, Aledo frustrated Longview last week by holding the Lobos to just 211 yards of offense.
The Bearcats will need senior defensive tackle and Washington State commit Ansel Din-Mbuh to try and frustrate the College Station run game up front on Saturday.
Behind him, the Bearcats boast highly touted junior linebacker Davhon Keys, while they’ll also have Texas commit defensive back Jaden Allen patrolling the secondary whenever the Cougars look to go through the air.
Final Thoughts
Many assumed Longview would be able to overcome Aledo in the state semifinals, but the Bearcats were able to secure the upset victory behind a gritty defensive effort.
The main battle to watch on Saturday will be whether Aydan Martinez-Brown can get anything going against the Bearcat defense.
If they can neutralize him and the College Station rushing attack, it could allow Aledo to pull away and secure their state-record 11th state title.
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