INSTANT REACTION: Denton Ryan Stifles Cedar Park for 1st Title Since '02
ARLINGTON - After getting so close in 2019, Denton Ryan laid waste to every opponent in 2020 and climb the mountain to claim its third state championship and first since 2002 with a 59-14 win over Cedar Park.
Seth Henigan was effective with the ball, connecting for four touchdown passes, and the defense forced four turnovers to completely shut down the Cedar Park offense.
Ryan jumped out to a 10-0 lead then Cedar Park followed up with a touchdown and two-point conversion to make it 10-8. Then Ryan went on a tear, ripping off 35 straight points on the way to another easy win.
Henigan took home the offensive MVP award with his 264 yards and four scores. And the bomb below to Billy Bowman, Jr. epitomize the ease at which Ryan was able to find the endzone during that 35-0 run.
Ty Marsh set the tone defensively all game long to take home the defensive MVP. His effort permeated across the team, highlighted below. And when Cedar Hill needed the points the most, Ryan wasn't having it. On the opening drive of the second half, Ryan forced a fumble and scooped up the loose ball for a touchdown.
And now for Ryan, the drought is over. After back-to-back state titles in 2001 and 2002, Ryan claims its first in 18 years. And really, it wasn't ever close much of the season.
INSTANT REACTION: Roberts Powers Aledo to State Title No.10
ARLINGTON - Crosby wanted points first and got points first. And when Aledo responded with a long TD throw to Alabama-commit Jojo Earle, Crosby responded again to go up 14-7.
From there, it was all Aledo, which used a six-touchdown day from Demarco Roberts - 3rd most all-time in a 5A state title game - to turn a close game after the first quarter into a blowout by halftime. In the end, Aledo cruised to a 56-21 win to secure its state-record 10th title - 3rd straight overall.
What you see above is what Roberts did all day to the Crosby defense. Even when Crosby looked to have Aledo in bad situations, Aledo found a way to overcome them - whether it was a punt turned into a first down run by the punter or Roberts ripping off a 34-yard run on 1st and 25.
Roberts finished with 258 yards rushing and quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi had a solid day, connecting on 15 of his 19 pass attempts for 216 yards and two scores
