Aledo outlasts South Oak Cliff; fellow unbeaten Frisco Reedy up next
A game that started early Friday evening ended early Saturday morning as the Aledo Bearcats defeated Dallas South Oak Cliff, 28-14 in a Class 5A Division II third-round playoff game at Midlothian ISD Stadium.
The game began at 7:30 p.m., but after a fast first half that last about an hour, a three-hour lightning delay brought play to a halt. The Bearcats led 14-7 at that point on the strength of a pair of touchdowns from Jo Jo Earle, one on a 17-yard run and another on a 17-yard pass from Jake Bishop, sandwiched around a 39-yard touchdown run from Bears quarterback Sean Simms.
The Bearcats’ second touchdown was set up when Max Lucas recovered a South Oak Cliff fumbled punt at the Bears’ 12 in the closing seconds of the first half.
There was a momentary decision to have the teams return Saturday morning at 11 to play the second half. However, officials changed their minds and opted to continue play, with the contest wrapping up around 12:45 a.m.
With the victory, Aledo (13-0) advances to the state quarterfinals to face Frisco Reedy (13-0). South Oak Cliff ends the season 11-1.
Jase McClellan of Aledo added touchdown runs of 3 and 1 yards in third and fourth quarters. He now has 38 touchdowns on the season.
McClellan’s first touchdown was set up after Will Greenwood recovered a South Oak Cliff fumble at the Bears’ 33.
The Bears made things interesting with an 82-yard touchdown pass from Simms to Donjaz Dunn with six minutes to play. Then, after getting the ball back they drove to the Aledo 9 before turning the ball over on downs with 28 seconds left.
The Bearcats dominated time of possession, keeping the ball for 35:3232 to 12:28 for the Bears.
Since 2009 Aledo is 49-3 in the postseason with six state championships and a state runner-up finish. The Bearcats are 143-9 overall over the past decade.
Game was over when: Jase McClellan scored late in the third quarter to give Aledo a 21-7 lead. The Bearcats were dominating time of possession and using long drives to keep the ball away from the Bears.
Play of the game: With 32 seconds remaining in the first half and the game tied at 7, Aledo’s Max Lucas recovered a fumbled punt at the South Oak Cliff 12. After a penalty, the Bearcats took a 14-7 lead on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jake Bishop to Jo Jo Earle.
Offensive player of the game: McClellan carried the ball 34 times for 142 yards, and his two second-half touchdowns put the game out of reach.
Defensive player of the game: Lucas’ fumble recovery squelched any momentum South Oak Cliff had after tying the game late in the second quarter on a 39-yard run by quarterback Sean Simms and then forcing the Bearcats to punt.
Unsung hero of the game: Simms ended the night with 168 passing yards that included an 82-yard touchdown, along with rushing for 69 yards on a dozen carries and a 39-yard touchdown.
What’s next: Aledo will face Frisco Reedy in the quarterfinals, TBA.