Coming into the season, Aledo, Burleson Centennial and Denton Ryan were the top three teams in District 3-5A Division 1. The Aledo Bearcats were heavy favorites to win district – again – and Centennial had the slight edge over Ryan after winning last year’s matchup.
But in stunning fashion, The Colony went into Denton, TX and Collins Complex, and took down the Ryan Raiders 27-20 on Thursday night to rock the district standings. This was the third district game for both teams as 3-5A D1 features nine schools.
The Colony improved to 2-1 in district and 2-3 overall.
The Cougars beat FW South Hills, but lost to Centennial.
Ryan, one of 14 DFW Class 5A teams to still be undefeated entering the week, dropped to 3-1 overall and also 2-1 in district. The Raiders beat Azle and Saginaw to open district play.
The Raiders led 10-7 after the first quarter and 20-7 at intermission, but the Cougars’ D shut down Ryan in the second half. They scored a touchdown in the third quarter and 13 points in the fourth.
Trailing 20-7 entering the third quarter, The Colony scored less than two minutes into the second half to cut the lead to six. The Cougars moved quickly down field and capped the drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass from QB Carson Cox to Chase Glover with 10:16 left in the period.
The Cougars took the lead four seconds into the fourth quarter.
Cox kept it for a 2-yard TD run to give The Colony its first lead at 21-20. Cox finished with 17 yards rushing on 10 carries. He went 12 of 27 through the air with 207 yards and two TDs.
The Colony D forced a turnover on down near the TC 25 and then added to its lead when Cox connected with Glover again on a 32-yard pass. The PAT was blocked, but the lead was 27-20 with seven minutes left.
Ryan had the ball at midfield on the ensuing drive, but Connor Condry got a big sack to force a punt. Ryan’s next drive was once again near midfield and the Raiders got inside the 10 with under two minutes to go.
But Jaden Rodgers sacked Ryan QB TJ Hobbs on fourth and goal.
The Colony’s Kendrick McClodden led all rushers with 115 yards on 22 attempts and one TD. Glover ended with 72 yards receiving and Xavier Green added 68 yards. Hobbs had 135 yards passing and a touchdown to Braeden Mussett for the Raiders.
