LSU commit JoJo Earle helps Aledo slide past Frisco Lone Star in football home opener
Sophomore quarterback Brant Hayden got some help Friday night in the form of 4-star LSU commit JoJo Earle and two-way star DeMarco Roberts, and the Bearcats beat Frisco Lone Star, 34-32, in match-up of Class 5A state-ranked teams during Aledo’s home opener.
Earle, caught a pair of touchdown passes for both of Aledo’s second-half TDs in a see-saw game after intermission as Lone Star was looking to rebound following last week’s upset loss vs. North Forney.
The Rangers (0-2) intercepted three-first half passes that led to 13 points, a touchdown and a pair of field goals. It didn’t help matters any when DeMarco Roberts rushed for 135 yards on 14 carriers and three TDs in the first half. He hurt himself and didn’t return in the second half.
Hayden made amends when he threw both touchdowns to Earle, one from seven yards and the other from five. The last came with 6:09 left and accounted for the winning score.
The first came to end the third quarter and came on fourth-and-goal. Hayden threw to Earle near the line of scrimmage and it appeared Earle was going to be stopped, but he twisted around, broke the tackle and scrambled into the end zone. It ended a 14-play, 65-yard drive and gave the Bearcats a 28-25 lead.
On the previous drive, Lone Star took the lead, 25-20, when Jaden Nixon ran around end and down the sidelines for a 51-yard score. After Earle’s score, the Rangers were not through. They scored from the 1 by Nixon to end a 10-play, 63-yard drive. It gave the lead back to Lone Star, 32-28, with 7:57 left.
On the ensuing kickoff, two-time defending Class 5A Division 2 state champion Aledo (2-0), who is ranked No. 2 in the state rankings, replied with a 5-play, 75-yard drive, climaxed by Hayden to Earle again from 5 yards out. The QB rolled right and threw to Earle on the right side of the end zone.
The key play on the winning drive was a 46-yard completion from Hayden to Jalen Pope to the Lone Star 29.
On the subsequent possession, the Rangers were unable to convert a fourth-and-9 with an attempted slant pass that was low. The Bearcats took over with 2:40 left and ran out the clock.
Lone Star QB Garret Rangel was 18 of 31 for 182 yards while counterpart Hayden was 9 of 15 for 121 yards. Earle had six catches for 59 yards. The versatile senior also rushed 21 times for 90 yards.
Josh Click kicked four field goals (49, 21, 34, 33) for Lone Star. Two of the Rangers’ interceptions were by Blake Gotcher, a senior linebacker. The third was by junior Fogo Sokoya.
Aledo is again at home Oct. 9 to face Waco University at 7 p.m. in a District 5-5A Division 2 opener. Lone Star returns home Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. to meet Colleyville Heritage in a District 5-5A Division 1 opener.
During pre-game, the clock stopped at 3:09 to remember beloved Aledo reporter Tony Eierdam, who last signed off at 3:09 p.m. Aug. 5. He died nearly a month later on Sept. 3. The sports editor at The Community News was also honored with a plaque in the press box.
The football players are also wearing the letter T decals on the back of their helmets for Tony.
This story was originally published October 2, 2020 at 11:57 PM.