November 5, 2009

Matt Stepp
TheOldCoach.com Staff Writer

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS- The Aledo Bearcats (9-1, 7-0) swatted away a challenger with ease on Friday night as they clinched their third district championship in four years with a surprisingly easy 48-13 win over the Birdville Hawks (9-1, 6-1) at the Birdville FAAC. Sophomore RB [DB]Johnathan Gray[/db] ran wild against the Birdville defense racking up 213 yards on the ground and four touchdowns all in the first half as Aledo jumped out to a 34-13 halftime lead. !--Start Rob Blowers 100 #2 Image--><

After a 14-13 first quarter it appeared the two squads would be involved in a shootout but after some adjustments the Aledo defense completely shut the Hawks offense down. In the game's final half Birdville only managed three first downs and for the final three quarters the Hawks never crossed midfield.

Aledo opened up the game's scoring with a 54 yard scoring toss from sophomore QB Matthew Bishop to WR Stetson Stockard on a perfectly executed hitch and go to put the Bearcats up 7-0. Birdville was quick to respond with a nine yard scoring pass from Josh Dorman to Jonathan Dents and the game was tied at seven.

Aledo avoided an unfortunate turn as on the ensuing kickoff it appeared the Bearcats muffed the kick and Birdville recovered. However an inadvertent whistle forced a rekick and Aledo had the ball and was back in business. Gray would get his first score from a yard out and AHS led 14-7.

Birdville would answer two plays into their next drive as Nate Perkins got wide open behind the Aledo secondary for a 62 yard touchdown pass, the PAT was blocked but Aledo only led 14-13 after one quarter. That would be as close as Birdville would get as Aledo scored 20 second quarter points to put the game out of reach.

Gray broke off runs of 11 and 48 yards to start the second quarter putting Aledo up 27-13. Gray's 48 yard scoring jaunt was a jaw dropping display of speed, power and footwork as he burst to the edge to outrun the linebackers, broke the tackles of two DB's in the open field and then Gray stopped on a dime to cut against the grain at the five yard line to walk into the end zone.

Gray's final scoring run was two yards and Aledo led 34-13 at the half, the second half Aledo would add two more scores as Stockard hauled in a second touchdown pass from 31 yards out and Gregg Lowe scored on a three yard run for the final margin at 48-13.

Next week Aledo opens playoff action with a matchup against Little Elm on Friday night at Northwest ISD Stadium. Birdville will take on Lake Dallas next Friday at Saginaw HS.