FRISCO - A gusty and stellar performance by running back Jase McClellan was almost spoiled at the Ford Center at the Star by Collin Drake and the Ennis Lions, as Aledo survived with a closer-than-expected 43-36 overtime win to win the 5A Division II Region II championship.
McClellan was iffy coming into the game but suited up and started off well for Aledo (13-1), scoring three first half rushing touchdowns. Turnovers, though, plagued Aledo in this one, as it coughed up the ball three times, resulting in 14 Ennis (12-2) points, which kept the game much closer than it should have been.
Twice in the third quarter, McClellan fumbled with one being inside the five yard line, leading to one of the Ennis touchdowns. Ennis' comeback charge was led by Drake, who threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns.
Aledo seemed to play things conservatively down the stretch as Ennis made its comeback. But when his team needed it, Aledo quarterback Jake Bishop put the game on his shoulders with a 17-yard touchdown run in the first overtime. Bishop scrambled right at first but could not find anyone, so he reversed field and saw nothing but daylight on the way to his second rushing score of the night.
For Ennis though, as well as Drake performed throughout the game, it needed him to get his fifth touchdown of the night to extend the game. On Ennis' lone overtime possession and facing fourth down, Drake had an open receiver on a slant, but Jo Jo Earle batted away the late pass and seal the game.
Aledo will play Lubbock-Cooper in the State Semifinals with the game most likely being played in Abilene next weekend.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Four Austin/San Antonio area football teams (Converse Judson, Lake Travis, San Antonio Brandeis and Westlake) will play for a UIL 6A regional championship and three area programs (Boerne Champion, Manor and San Antonio Wagner) are battling for a UIL 5A regional title this week. Check out the latest VYPE Central Texas and VYPE South Texas regional final previews and stay tuned for more postseason coverage in the days and weeks to come.
UIL 6A Division I Region IV Championship: Converse Judson Rockets (12-1) vs. Lake Travis Cavaliers (12-1)
When/Where To Watch: Saturday December 7th at 4pm/San Antonio's Alamodome
Players to Watch: Converse Judson (Mike Chandler, De'Anthony Lewis, Treylin Payne and Donnie Moody); Lake Travis (Nate Yarnell, Kyle Eaves, Weston Stephens and Mauricio Trevino)
Success Against Opponents: Converse Judson has outscored its 2019 opponents 611-255, while Lake Travis has a 595-206 point differential.
VYPE Prediction: Converse Judson
UIL 6A Division II Region IV Championship: San Antonio Brandeis Broncos (13-0) vs. Westlake Chaparrals (12-1)
When/Where To Watch: Friday December 6th at 7:30pm/San Antonio's Alamodome
Players to Watch: San Antonio Brandeis (Jordan Battles, Joshua Suarez, Aiden Inesta-Rodriguez, Jalen Rainey and Preston Dang); Westlake (Kirkland Michaux, Ryan Lindley, Zane Minors, Mason Mangum and Leo Lowin)
Success Against Opponents: San Antonio Brandeis has outscored its 2019 opponents 510-188, while Westlake has a 626-127 point differential.
VYPE Prediction: San Antonio Brandeis
UIL 5A Division I Region III Championship: Manor Mustangs (8-5) vs. Shadow Creek Sharks (13-0)
When/Where To Watch: Saturday December 7th at Noon/San Antonio's Alamodome
Players to Watch: Manor (Tahj Brooks and Princely Umanmielen); Shadow Creek (Kyron Drones and Kelvon Brown)
Success Against Opponents: Manor has outscored its 2019 opponents 429-368, while Shadow Creek has a 640-125 point differential.
VYPE Prediction: Shadow Creek
UIL 5A Division I Region IV Championship: San Antonio Wagner Thunderbirds (12-1) vs. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial Eagles (10-3)
When/Where To Watch: Friday December 6th at 7:30pm/Corpus Christi's Buccaneer Stadium
Players to Watch: San Antonio Wagner (LJ Butler, Isaiah Williams, Alex Bouldin, Daniel Powel and DeMarcus Hendricks); Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (Carter Senterfitt, Kobe Piper, Jacob Hernandez, Jaden Mora and Josef Davis)
Success Against Opponents: San Antonio Wagner has outscored its 2019 opponents 652-179, while Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial has a 505-275 point differential.
VYPE Prediction: San Antonio Wagner
UIL 5A Division II Region IV Championship: Boerne Champion Chargers (12-1) vs. Calallen Wildcats (12-1)
When/Where To Watch: Saturday December 7th at 8pm/San Antonio's Alamodome
Players to Watch: Boerne Champion (Luke Boyers and Tamari Jenkins); Calallen (Jarrett Garza, Jeremiah Earls, Charley Hill and Colten Calloway)
Success Against Opponents: Boerne Champion has outscored its 2019 opponents 563-239, while Calallen has a 429-206 point differential.
VYPE Prediction: Calallen
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX/@VYPESATX) on Twitter.
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