DENTON, Texas — In a matchup defined by defense, special teams, and grit, top-ranked Aledo edged No. 4 Denton Ryan, 15–14, Friday night at the C.H. Collins Complex to extend its national-record district winning streak to 131 games.
The Bearcats opened scoring in the first quarter when punter Riley McCracken pinned Ryan at its 1-yard line, and Raiders quarterback Quin Henigan was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone, resulting in a safety for a 2–0 Aledo lead.
Ryan answered midway through the second quarter when Henigan connected with senior receiver Tre’vaughn Reynoldson a 52-yard touchdown strike down the right sideline. Kicker Haylen Keese added the extra point for a 7–2 advantage the Raiders carried into halftime after blocking a 37-yard Aledo field goal try just before the break.
Early in the third quarter, the Raiders appeared to seize control when cornerback Zaire Hyler jumped a route and returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown, stretching Ryan’s lead to 14–2. But Aledo responded with its best offensive sequence of the night — an 84-yard drive keyed by powerful runs from senior Brady Powell, who capped the possession with a short touchdown burst to pull within 14–9.
Momentum shifted again on a special teams miscue. A Ryan quick-kick snap went awry deep in its own territory late in the third quarter, setting Aledo up at the Raiders’ 29. The Bearcats methodically worked the ball inside the 5 before Tubbs scored on a quarterback keeper. The extra-point attempt failed, leaving Aledo ahead by a single point, 15–14.
Ryan had chances to answer but couldn’t regain rhythm after losing senior running back Trey Reynolds to injury in the third quarter. Without his downhill presence, the Raiders struggled to move the chains and went three-and-out twice in the fourth quarter.
“We had our opportunities,” Ryan head coach Dave Henigan said. “We were playing well early, but we lost our edge after Trey went down. Aledo’s a championship team, they capitalized when they had to.”
Aledo’s defense finished the job late, highlighted by junior cornerback Alex Patton’s interception and key stops from linemen Carson Dempsey and Cooper Cyphers, who pressured Henigan throughout the second half. The Bearcats forced two turnovers and limited Ryan’s offense to fewer than 200 total yards after halftime.
Still, penalties nearly cost Aledo the win. Jones estimated his team was flagged for “close to 200 yards” in infractions, several of which negated long gains or stalled drives.
“I told the guys, we can’t keep putting ourselves behind the sticks like that,” Jones said. “It takes mental toughness to overcome it, and they showed that tonight.”
Henigan finished 9-of-18 passing for 157 yards, including the long touchdown to Reynolds. Powell led Aledo with 112 yards rushing and one touchdown on 16 carries.
The Bearcats (6-0, 4-0 in District 3-5A Division I) return home next week to face Granbury, while Denton Ryan (4-1, 2-1) looks to rebound on the road against Richland.
All statistics cited are unofficial and based on in-game estimates.