MIDLOTHIAN – Even without starting running back Raycine Guillory, the Bearcats had enough weapons to roll past the Jackrabbits and end Forney’s magical playoff run.
LSU commit Davhon Keys rushed for four touchdowns as Aledo dominated from start to finish – knocking off Forney 43-7 in a Class 5A Division 1 state semifinal game on Friday at Midlothian ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium.
Forney, playing in its first semifinal since 2002, ends at 13-2.
Meanwhile, Aledo (15-0) will face Smithson Valley (14-1) in the 5A state championship at 7 pm next Friday Dec. 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Smithson Valley defeated Brownsville Veterans Memorial 49-21 on Friday.
It will be Aledo’s 14th appearance in the title game all-time – and 12th in the past 15 years.
Since 2009 the Bearcats have won 10 UIL championships.
Last year’s victory extended the program’s UIL state record to 11 titles.
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PLAY FOR RAY
Aledo was without starting running back Raycine Guillory, who has over 1,200 yards this season. He was coming off a 190 yard-4 touchdown performance two weeks ago against Red Oak.
But injured and on the sideline, the Bearcats turned to a familiar names in the back field.
Hawk Patrick Daniels and Davhon Keys took over the load and combined for all six touchdowns. HPD went over 200 yards on the ground and a pair of scores. Keys, who’s an LSU commit, had four touchdowns, out of the wildcat formation and goal-to-go situations.
HPD was Aledo’s starting running back last season before transitioning to slot and wideout this year. He rushed for 1,400 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2022.
Keys, Aledo’s starting linebacker, scored 13 times last fall.
QB Hauss Hejny (TCU commit) added 122 yards on 14 carries (8 per) on Friday night vs Forney.
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SHUTTING DOWN THE RABBITS
Forney entered the game averaging over 45 points per game.
The Jackrabbits had thrown for over 2,500 yards on the season with an additional 3,200 on the ground – led by super sophomore and 2,000 yard runner Javian Osborne.
But the Aledo D clamped down all night.
Forney was held to 200 yards total and 76 rushing. Osborne only averaged 3.7 yards per carry and ended the night with 48 yards on 13 carries with one touchdown.
The Rabbits began the game with the ball, but Carson Dempsey sacked QB Kyle Crawford for a loss of 6 which forced a Forney punt. Hejny picked up 25 yards on a keeper and one play later Patrick Daniels scored to put Aledo up 8-0 following a run by Hejny on the two-point conversion.
Keys made an impact on all three phases, including special teams.
He blocked a Forney punt and recovered it at the Rabbits 22. Hejny hit tight end Tyson Timms for 21 yards before he was tackled at the 1. Then Keys scored out of the wildcat to push it to 15-0 with 6:55 left in the first quarter.
The Jackrabbits got a big play and set up inside the Aledo 10, but on fourth down at the 5, a pass attempt by Crawford was overthrown and Aledo took over on downs. But Forney got the ball back on an interception by Josh Gatlin, however, the Bearcats picked off the ensuing play thanks to Ky Howington. Hejny ran for 25 to the Forney 8 and Keys punched in another score to make it 22-0 midway through the second quarter.
Forney picked off a second Hejny pass as Josiah Turner came down with it.
Then Crawford hit Kofi Eduful for 37 yards. Aledo was tagged for a 15-yard penalty and the Rabbits had first down at the Bearcats 22. Osborne scored on the next play to get Forney on the board 22-7 with 1:29 left before intermission.
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SECOND HALF SHUTOUT
Aledo outscored Forney 21-0 in the second half.
The Bearcats took the opening drive of the third quarter for a score. Hejny and Timms hooked up for a 46-yard gain to the Forney 10. Then Keys scored another touchdown from the 1 to give Aledo a 29-7 lead.
Jake Gillespie recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and Patrick Daniels capped another scoring drive for Aledo with a 5-yard touchdown run and 36-7 lead midway through the third quarter.
Arkansas commit Jaden Allen picked off a Forney pass and Aledo led by 29 after three.
Patrick Daniels gained 42 yards to open the fourth quarter.
Then Keys scored his fourth rushing touchdown to make it 43-7.
