Aledo surges from behind to defeat Ryan, protect 130-game district streak
With a national record, 130-game district win streak on the line, twelve-time state champion Aledo found itself facing a 14-2 third-quarter deficit with no offensive momentum.
In typical Bearcat fashion, they showcased the same grit that has protected the streak for nearly 18 years.
Aledo (6-0, 4-0) stormed from behind with consecutive touchdowns to capture a lead, and, in the game’s final moments, the Bearcat defense stood tall. Aledo captured a 15-14 victory over Denton Ryan (4-1, 2-1) in a hard-fought, ugly District 3-5A Division I game on Friday at the Collins Complex.
“Good job by our kids coming back,” Aledo coach Robby Jones said. “Being resilient. And not letting the first half get us too far down.”
It was a similar story as the 2024 regular season matchup, when Aledo stormed back from a 19-point deficit. This time, the Bearcats overcame Ryan and another tough opponent: themselves. Aledo was out of sorts, stepping on its own feet with 12 penalties for 110 yards, but found a way to settle down in the fourth quarter.
Jones said his team will need to clean up its play moving forward. He also credited Ryan for a strong performance.
“Hats off to those guys,” Jones said of Ryan. “Those guys played their tails off. Our guys played their tail off. A heck of a football game.”
With Ryan eliminating Aledo in the Class 5A Division I regional finals last season, the Bearcats also seized some revenge. The defense led the way, allowing four Ryan rushing yards on 19 attempts and 169 total yards.
Jones said its fair to say Aledo and Denton Ryan have a rivalry.
“Because every time we play, something is on the line,” Jones said. “Whether its a playoff game, chance to go to the state semifinals, or the top spot in the district.”
Aledo falls behind, surges facing deficit
Aledo mustered two points in the first half — the defense got to Ryan quarterback Quin Henigan in the end zone, and he was flagged for intentional grounding on Ryan’s first offensive possession.
But from that point, both defenses traded quick stops until four minutes remained in the second quarter — Ryan notched its first play for more than 15 yards; Tre’Vaughn Reynolds got behind the defense and hauled in a 52-yard scoring pass from Quin Henigan.
It seemed Aledo’s offense would respond after a 34-yard rush by quarterback Lincoln Tubbs brought the Bearcats to Ryan’s five-yard line. After two botched snaps and an illegal procedure, Aledo settled for a 37 yard field goal that Ryan blocked.
In the third quarter, Aledo’s Alex Patton gave his team a spark with an interception, but Ryan's defense quickly responded with an even bigger play; DB Xaier Hiler waited in coverage, jumping on a pass and returning it 51 yards for a TD. The Raiders led 14-2 with 5:58 remaining when Aledo’s offense found some life.
“We made the mistake of throwing the pick six ... but then, our guys sucked it up,” Jones said. “They said, ‘Hey, here we come. We’re going to go, and we’re going to win this football game.’”
Tubbs said he let his team down with the pick-six. He mentioned that despite the mistake, he knew his team still believed in him.
“They had confidence in me, and I had confidence in myself,” Tubbs said. “To turn around and just go finish the game. You gotta hit a 180 and change your mindset. Next play mentality.”
Running back Brady Powell sparked the comeback by breaking three tackles en route to an 11-yard touchdown rush. After a botched Ryan punt, Aledo put together a 10-play, 44-yard drive that culminated in a one-yard, go-ahead TD rush from Tubbs, who finished with 105 yards on 17 carries.
“He is a competitor,” Jones said. “He is going to come out, and he is going to give you everything he’s got — each and every play.”
Both teams traded punts, and with 2:40 remaining, the Bearcat defense came up clutch, forcing another Ryan punt. The offense ran out the clock, securing the victory.
Next up, Aledo will search for its 132nd consecutive face Granbury on Friday, Oct. 10, at Tim Buchanan Stadium.
“This streak means everything,” Tubbs said. “When the whole community is bought in with the players ... it means everything. You can tell by the stands — the way they were reacting to plays. And, you know, showing up to a game and hour away. It means a lot.”
This story was originally published October 3, 2025 at 10:16 PM.
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