Friday, October 3rd – 7:00 PM // C.H. Collins Athletic Complex -- Denton, TX
As has become tradition, the winner of this game will likely gain control of the district title race—and perhaps much more. Beyond bragging rights, Friday’s result could have major implications come playoff seeding in November.
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ALEDO
The Bearcats (5-0; 3-0) enter this contest unbeaten, having navigated a difficult early schedule with impressive composure. After knocking off 6A heavyweights Denton Guyer (21-14) and Lancaster (18-0) to open the year, Coach Robby Jones and co. have rolled through district play, most recently dominating Fossil Ridge 56-14.
The offensive attack has been anything but one-dimensional.
Senior tailback Kaden Winkfield leads a three-headed rushing monster, racking up 349 yards and four touchdowns. Fellow seniors Brady Powell (252 yards, 4 TDs) and Rudy Moya (243 yards, 2 TDs) round out a backfield that’s tallied nearly 900 yards combined through five games.
At receiver, Notre Dame-commit Kaydon Finley continues to be electric, hauling in 22 catches for 315 yards and six scores. Whether it’s junior Nash McElree or senior Lincoln Tubbs taking snaps behind-center, Finley consistently finds ways to make plays.
Furthermore, junior Bayne Martin has also emerged as a worthy WR2, adding 128 yards and three scores of his own.
Defensively, the Bearcats are equally balanced.
Senior linebacker Chase Wilburn leads the team with 25 tackles, while senior defensive end Cooper Cyphers brings the heat off the edge with a team-high four sacks. In the secondary, safety Lamel Swanson (Army-commit) anchors a unit that’s shown the ability to support both the pass and run.
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DENTON RYAN
Denton Ryan (4-0; 2-0) counters with a similarly deep and talented roster. The Dave Henigan-led Raiders are fresh off a 41-0 rout of Granbury, but the challenge ramps up significantly this week.
Offensively, Ryan leans on senior running back Tre’vaughn Reynolds, who’s already amassed nearly 700 total yards and six scores in just four games.
Quarterback Quin Henigan has been a model of efficiency, averaging nearly 200 passing yards per contest while protecting the ball—boasting a 5-to-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
He distributes the ball to a reliable group of targets, including tight end Jose Melendez (245 yards, 3 TDs), senior receiver Raymond Smith, and junior Connelly “CC” Cunningham.
On the other side of the ball, Ryan is built around reigning district Defensive MVP Uzziah “Cookie” Warmate (Sr. DL). The Sam Houston State-commit has already posted 27 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks.
The Raiders’ front is bolstered by first-team senior edge rushers Kha’Ron Freeman-Wade and Errol West, while junior MLB Demari Ruth leads the team with 34 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a sack.
Arizona-commit Xaier Hiler locks things down in the secondary, often eliminating top opposing receivers from the equation.
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With both teams loaded with next-level talent and carrying undefeated records, Friday’s matchup has all the makings of a classic. For Aledo and Ryan, it’s not just about this week—it’s about setting the tone for the rest of the season.