Aledo’s path to record 13th state title runs through unbeaten Frisco Lone Star
The No. 1-ranked Aledo Bearcats gave the Class 5A Division I bracket a wake-up call with a 43-17 dismantling of Denton Ryan last week in the state quarterfinals.
The Bearcats are still the team to beat as they pursue a UIL record 13th state championship. However, an ascending program could play spoiler to Aledo’s search for Texas high school football history.
Aledo (14-0) is set to face Frisco Lone Star (14-0) in the state semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday at Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield.
Lone Star took down state power Highland Park 58-38 last week and is hungry — the Rangers are two wins away from their first state championship. They’ve shown significant improvement since a 41-28 quarterfinal loss to Highland Park last season.
Aledo players to watch
Aledo will aim to get back to the Class 5A Division I state championship game for the first time since 2023, when quarterback Hauss Hejny led the Bearcats to a record 12th title.
Now, senior QB Lincoln Tubbs is leading the charge. He has been a dual threat and put together his best game of the year against Denton Ryan, tallying 106 rushing yards and 147 passing yards, completing all seven of his throws.
Another name to watch is wide receiver Kaydon Finley, a Notre Dame signee, who finished with 113 yards on four receptions against Ryan.
Tubbs and Finley’s chemistry has flourished as the year has progressed, and Finley continues to be one of the top deep threats in the area.
Two highly productive players lead the run game, Kaden Winkfield and Brady Powell.
The duo has combined for more than 2,000 all-purpose yards and 38 rushing TDs. One thing to keep an eye on: Winkfield exited the Denton Ryan game with an ankle injury, although head coach Robby Jones said it’s “something he thinks he’ll be able to overcome.”
On the defensive side of things, linebacker Chase Wilburn has been a driving force the entirety of the season. He leads the team with 8.4 tackles per game.
Breaking down Frisco Lone Star
In the state semifinals, Finley said he wants to see his team keep its foot on the gas. The Bearcats will have arguably their toughest task yet with a Lone Star squad that is allowing 14 points per contest.
The Rangers also have an offense that dropped 58 points on Highland Park, a team that made the state final last season. They are searching for the first football state championship for the entirety of Frisco ISD.
Leading the Lone Star offense is sophomore quarterback Trey Wright, one of the most productive underclassmen in Texas. He has passed for more than 3,000 yards and has rushed for nearly 1,500 yards.
His primary target is senior receiver Davian Groce, a Florida signee who was 1,161 yards and 14 TDs.
The rushing duo of Isaiah Massey and junior Baylor pledge Karece Hoyt have shared duties this season. Against Highland Park, they were both held under 50 yards, but Wright was so effective that they didn’t need to contribute much for a big victory.
Defensively, keep an eye on Jordan Deck, a four-star Michigan signee. Hoyt also plays defense and leads the team with five interceptions.
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