No. 1 Aledo ends Fort Worth Arlington Heights’ historic season — PHOTOS
Making its first third-round appearance in the UIL Texas high school football playoffs since 1973, Fort Worth Arlington Heights needed to play a perfect game to take down the Aledo Bearcats, a 12 time state champion.
But that mountain proved far too steep to climb, as the Yellow Jackets (11-2) fell to the Bearcats 55-0 in a Class 5A Division I regional semifinal Friday at Crowley ISD Stadium.
Tears flowed down the faces of several Heights players, who were distraught that a historic season was at an end.
“I’m so proud of the way they fought,” Arlington Heights head coach Curtis James said. “They just battle and battle and battle and battle. Just being thin sometimes — hiccup here or hiccup there, it can easily not go your way. And then you play a powerhouse like [Aledo], everything has to go perfect just to have a chance.”
Aledo head coach Robby Jones said his team played well, but there were a few things that could’ve been executed better. As a state championship contender, the Bearcats strive for perfection.
“We left some points on the field,” Jones said. “We had to kick some field goals instead of scoring touchdowns, and we got to make sure that we’re keyed in, and we finish those drives off next week, or we’ll be packing our bags and going home.”
Aledo (13-0) will face District 3-5A Division I rival Denton Ryan (12-1), a 41-10 winner Friday over Richland, in the regional final at 7 p.m. Friday at Northwest ISD Stadium.
“There is a lot of familiarity,” Jones said. “The problem with [playing rivals] is they are familiar with us as well. ... We’ll go take care of business and get after them.
The Bearcats beat Denton Ryan 15-14 in the regular season. In the 2024 playoffs, Denton Ryan took down Aledo after falling to the Bearcats in district play.
Jones said Aledo-Denton Ryan has become a rivalry over the past two seasons.
“We’ve had four great games with them during district play,” Jones said. “And then last year’s playoff game, we came out on the wrong end. And our kids do not want to allow that to happen this year.”
The Bearcats stormed to a 31-0 lead in the first half against Arlington Heights, powered by 2- and 6-yard touchdowns from running back Kaden Winkfield. Running back Brady Powell and quarterback Lincoln Tubbs also contributed with 2- and 12-yard scores, respectively.
Tubbs orchestrated the offense, completing 10 of 15 passes for 115 yards and one interception. He also had 25 rushing yards and the TD. His main target, Notre Dame wide receiver pledge Kaydon Finley, tallied 55 yards on four receptions.
More of the same occurred in the second half as Aledo built upon its massive lead. Powell broke away for his second TD, a 65-yarder, and Winkfield added his third score of the contest, an 18-yard rush.
With an insurmountable lead, Aledo’s backups took over. Rudy Moya added the final touchdown for the Bearcats, a 4-yarder.
“I think our team performed great,” Tubbs said. “Runs seem to work, and that’s all credit to the O-line, receivers, and especially running backs and tight ends. You know, it’s really a credit to them. They made it happen.”
The Aledo defense was a brick wall all day. The Bearcats allowed Arlington Heights 71 total yards, only three yards in the second half.
Getting to the regional round is a rarity for Fort Worth ISD in the UIL’s second-largest classification. Before Heights, the last team to do it was O.D. Wyatt in 2000. James said the season can be a building block for the future.
“When we find our way back, let’s use everything we learned this year and try to get over this hump,” James said.
This story was originally published November 28, 2025 at 3:38 PM.
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