Who -- if anyone -- can take down Aledo?

Highland Park's dominance in 5A Division I over the last few years can nearly be mirrored by its Division II, defending-champion counterpart. Aledo would've been searching for its fourth-straight title this season, if it wasn't for a one-point loss to College Station in the championship game two years ago. The Bearcats lost head coach Steve Wood, but replaced him with Tim Buchanan, who built Aledo into the powerhouse it is today. Aledo also returns starting quarterback Jake Bishop, as well as two of the better playing duos in the state in Oklahoma-bound running back Jase McLellan and four-star junior receiver JoJo Earle. Aledo will be the favorites, once again, but what team could prevent the Bearcats from winning it all? A good place to start is the two team's that gave Aledo the toughest tests in last year's postseason. Frisco Reedy went from first-year program to district champion in three years, starting at 3-7 in 2016, continuing with a 9-2 record in 2017, and culminating last year with an undefeated regular season, a district title and a four-round playoff run that ended with a 10-point loss to Aledo. It's been a progressive rise for the Lions, but can the team take the next step and become a state-championship contender? A lot of that depends on what happens at quarterback. Josh Foskey held that spot for the last two years, totaling over 5,900 total yards and 57 touchdowns. Jalen Kitna, the son of Dallas Cowboys quarterback coach Jon Kitna, transferred from Brophy Prep in Phoenix, Arizona. He's a Boston College pledge who will have to beat out sophomore AJ Padgett. The other team to give Aledo trouble last year was South Oak Cliff. The Golden Bears lost 28-14 in a game that started in November and ended in December, thanks to a three-hour delay, but the final score could've been closer. Three of Aledo's touchdown drives started in South Oak Cliff's side of the field. The Golden Bears lost quarterback Sean Simms and 5A defensive player of the year Steven Parker, but the team does return three players in The Dallas Morning News' top 100 area recruits of 2020 and twin linebackers Jai Jones and Jalen Jones, the junior sons of former Arkansas linebacker JJ Jones.

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WHO -- IF ANYONE -- CAN TAKE DOWN ALEDO?

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Sports Day HS | 8/12/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Ashley Landis