New Aledo QB efficient as Buchanan gets upper hand on Weatherford, Mathis in opener
Sophomore quarterback Brant Hayden impressed in his first career varsity start at Aledo, throwing for 271 yards on 10 of 16 passing and three touchdowns as the two-time defending Class 5A Division 2 state champs opened the season with a 70-7 win over Weatherford on Saturday at Globe Life Park.
Despite being separated 15 miles apart in Parker County, it was the first meeting between the two schools in 10 years. It was also the 300th career game for Aledo coach Tim Buchanan (243-54-3 record).
“I was pleased how Brant played. For a sophomore quarterback, he handled pressure well,” Buchanan said.
The game featured Buchanan and Aledo graduate and former assistant coach Billy Mathis, who went to Weatherford in 2017. Mathis won three state titles as Aledo’s defensive coordinator.
“I told him to keep working and keep getting better,” Buchanan said. “Billy’s doing a good job and he’ll continue to do a good job for them.”
Weatherford (0-1) also sported a new starting quarterback in sophomore Ryan Clark as Ken Seals graduated in June and is starting as a true freshman at Vanderbilt. The offense stalled with punts on its first four drives. Clark gained 25 yards on a keeper on the third possession, but limped off the field and never returned.
Junior Major Youngblood finished the game and threw for 106 yards on 12 of 17 passing.
Aledo’s offense, however, scored touchdowns on its first two drives. Hayden completed his first two attempts of 13 and 12 yards and 4-star LSU commit JoJo Earle scored a 31-yard TD out of the wildcat formation to put the Bearcats up 7-0 with 8:40 to go in the first quarter.
Hayden replaces three-time state champ Jake Bishop, who graduated and was 46-2 as a starter. He connected with Logan Flinta on a 32-yard TD pass for his first career score and 14-0 lead nearly three minutes later.
“Playing your crosstown rival, it puts pressure on you and playing in an environment like this, big stadium, he didn’t blink,” Buchanan said.
Weatherford’s Koby Kidd recovered an Aledo fumble, but the Kangaroos were forced to punt for the fourth straight time. Four plays later, Aledo led 21-0 when Hayden hit Earle on a screen and 73-yard TD.
The Kangaroos offense started to move the ball on the ensuing possession that covered 11 plays and 75 yards. Youngblood, who was 6 of 8 on the drive, connected with 3-star Baylor commit Cisco Caston on a 20-yard TD to cut the Aledo lead to 21-7 with five minutes left in the half.
The Bearcats took a 35-7 lead into intermission on a 1-yard run by Earle and 21-yard fumble return by Elijah Valencia.
Aledo (1-0) added third-quarter scores on a 38-yard pick-six by freshman corner Jaden Allen and a 55-yard hook-up between Hayden and Flinta to go up 49-7. Allen has an offer from LSU.
Jeremiah James added a 3-yard TD run with 8:34 left in the fourth. Connor Smith also scored on a 58-yard run and Gael Castro threw a 58-yard TD to Brayden Mendez.
Earle had six grabs for 166 yards, 32 yards rushing and three total TDs. James and Demarco Roberts led the rushing attack with 133 yards on 18 carries. Aledo out-gained Weatherford 556-114 in total yardage.
“Our defensive front played well,” Buchanan. “Linebackers played well, secondary played pretty good. We gave up some first downs and let them hit some bubble routs on their big drive, but other than that, the defense played Bearcat football.”
Scheduled to open the season at the end of August in Weatherford, the game was pushed back a month due to Class 6A and 5A schools being delayed because of coronavirus concerns.
Aledo, which set a UIL 11-man state record with its ninth football title in December, will host Frisco Lone Star in its home opener Friday while Weatherford travels to Crowley.
This story was originally published September 26, 2020 at 6:13 PM.
