Three interceptions keep
Cougars from playing catch up
Aledo_RB Johnathan Gray
Arlington – Junior Running back Johnathan Gray ran around, over and through to lead Aledo Bearcats to a 69-34 victory over the La Marque Cougars in the Class 4A Division II State Championship game Friday night at Cowboy Stadium. The win gave the Bearcats their second consecutive title.
Gray no doubt one of the top running backs in the country rushed for eight touchdowns, tying a state championship record. Gray also broke a 57 year old record that was held by Kenneth Hall by scoring 59 touchdowns in a season to Halls 57 in 1953.
Defense was no factor early on as both school combine to score 9 touchdowns in the first half alone. Aledo got the last shot before halftime in what was a back and forth first half. Gray’s 42 yard highlight TD run with 1:28 to go in the second quarter gave Aledo a the lead they would never surrender.
From their own 20 yard line, the Cougars marched down inside of Aledo’s territory at the 41before Bearcats cornerback Rob Blowers intercepted Emanuell Williams at the 31 yard line taking the air out of the Cougars with 41 seconds to go before the half and the Bearcats up 34-27.
In the second half it was all Bearcats. The Cougars score just once in the second half but watched Aledo (16-0) pound out five second half touchdowns.
Running back Tim Wright led the Cougars with 231 yard rushing, 21 receiving while Gray piled up 326 yards on 28 carries.
La Marque’s (11-4) lone score came on a 4 yard TD run by Wright to close out there remarkable season finishing in fourth place out of district.
The future is bright for both as they return the core of their teams next season.