Aledo Bearcats
Head Coach: Robby Jones (2nd season; 16-0 record)
Last Season: 16-0; 8-0 in district (Defeated Smithson Valley in 5A Division I State Championship)
Aledo Key Players and Storylines
The Bearcats didn’t miss a beat even following Tim Buchanan’s retirement last offseason. They have now won five state championships in the past six years after knocking off Smithson Valley 51-8 in last year’s 5A Division I State Title Game.
This year, they’ll have to replace prolific quarterback Hauss Hejny, who is now at TCU. The run game though is more than ready to carry the load with star junior Raycine Guillory Jr. (1,236 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns) and fellow junior Kaden Winkfield, who should have a bigger role this season.
2026 Aledo RB Raycine Guillory pic.twitter.com/vB7vazkeoR
— Mike Roach (@MikeRoach247) December 2, 2023
Aledo also a stud at receiver with four-star prospect Kaydon Finley (703 receiving yards and seven touchdowns). His father is former Texas and Packers tight end Jermichael Finley.
Defensively, the Bearcats will look to enforce their will in the trenches. Junior defensive tackle Decker Sanders was a first team all-district selection last year. That unit also boasts junior defensive end Carson Dempsey and senior defensive tackle Jaxon Richter, who were both also all-district honorees.
Linebacker Ben McElree (62 tackles, nine TFLs) is another playmaker to watch in that front seven. He’s Aledo’s leading returning tackler from last season.
It has been 19 years since Aledo won less than double digit games in a season. The Bearcats don’t look to be going anywhere in 2024 with a strong rushing attack and front seven ready to cause problems again in 5A Division I.
2024 Aledo Bearcats Schedule
8/30 at Guyer
9/6 vs. Lancaster
9/13 vs. Fort Worth Brewer
9/20 vs. Birdville
9/26 at Fossil Ridge
10/4 vs. Denton Ryan
10/11 at Granbury
10/25 vs. Richland
11/1 at Azle
11/8 vs. Denton
