Aledo beats Forney: Live score, Texas high school football state semifinal recap (12/8/2023)

Aledo raced past Forney to earn a spot in the UIL 5A D1 state championship

The Texas high school football season is nearly complete, with the state semifinals round taking place this weekend.

Undefeated Aledo (15-0) overpowered Forney (13-2) for a 43-7 victory in the UIL 5A D1 semifinals Friday night in Midlothian, earning a trip to the state championship next week in Dallas. 

Aledo, ranked No. 5 in the state entering the playoffs, moved one win closer to a perfect season. With highly-touted sophomore Raycine Guillory sidelined, LSU linebacker commit Davhon Keys stepped up with four rushing touchdowns for the Bearcats.

Forney entered the playoffs just outside the top 25 state rankings. The Jackrabbits featured a high-powered rushing attack led by sophomore Javian Osborne, who scored their only touchdown in the semifinals and racked up more than 2,100 yards and 38 touchdowns on the ground this season.

Aledo will meet up with Smithson Valley, which won 49-21 over Veterans Memorial in the semifinals, in next week's UIL 5A D1 state championship game. 

ALEDO 43, FORNEY 7 (FINAL)

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Hawk Patrick Daniels breaks free for a touchdown during Aledo's blowout repeat state title win over Smithson Valley on Friday night at AT&T Stadium / Photo by Tommy Hays

FOURTH QUARTER

-- No more action to report from the final 11 minutes, as Aledo wraps up a dominant victory to earn a trip back to the state finals.

-- Davhon Keys does it again. The LSU linebacker commit trucks a defender at the goal line for a 16-yard touchdown run, his fourth of the night. (Aledo, 43-7 | 11:05)

THIRD QUARTER

-- Jaden Allen comes up with an interception and has a great return, but it's called back due to a penalty. The Bearcats offense takes over at its own 35 with the fourth quarter coming up shortly.

-- Hawk Patrick-Daniels takes a handoff up the middle for a five-yard touchdown run, and that might be the dagger by the Bearcats. (Aledo, 36-7 | 6:22)

-- Aledo goes with a squib kick, and Forney can't corral the ball. The Bearcats fall on it at the Jackrabbits' 29-yard line and now have the chance to push their lead to four scores. 

-- Aledo adds to its lead on the opening drive of the second half. Hauss Hejny connects with Tyson Timms for a 46-yard gain, and Davhon Keys finishes the drive off with a one-yard touchdown run, his third of the night. (Aledo, 29-7 | 8:30)

SECOND QUARTER

-- Forney avoids the first half shutout and puts points on the board with a 22-yard touchdown run by Javian Osborne. (Aledo, 22-7 | 1:29)

-- Interception. Hauss Hejny's pass is picked off by Josiah Turner, so the Jackrabbits will have a chance to score some points before halftime.

-- A long run by Hauss Hejny sets up Aledo inside the 10-yard line, setting up a six-yard touchdown run by Davhon Keys. (Aledo, 22-0 | 5:58)

-- What a turn of events. Hauss Hejny is picked off by Joshua Gatlin to give the ball back to Forney near midfield, then Ky Howington comes up with an interception on the next play to give the ball right back to Aledo. 

-- Now Forney fails to convert on 4th down from inside Aledo's 10-yard line. That's a big stand by the Bearcats, and a big missed opportunity by the Jackrabbits. 

FIRST QUARTER

-- Hauss Hejny's pass falls incomplete on 4th and 15, so Forney will take over on offense at its own 31.

-- Aledo's defense forces its third consecutive three-and-out to start the game, giving no room to operate for Forney's offense. The Bearcats offense comes back out at its own 37.

-- Aledo blocks a punt to give the offense great field position, and the Bearcats take full advantage of it with just two plays. A big play in the passing game sets them up at the 1-yard line, and Davhon Keys finishes it off with a run up the middle. (Aledo, 15-0 | 6:55)

-- Raycine Guillory is not suited up tonight. That's a big loss for Aledo, but not enough to stop the Bearcats from quickly scoring on their first drive. Hawk Patrick-Daniels runs it in from 13 yards out, and Hauss Hejny keeps it himself for the two-point conversion. (Aledo, 8-0 | 9:23)

-- Carson Dempsey comes up with a sack on third down to force a three-and-out, and the Jackrabbits punt it away. Aledo will start its first drive at Forney's 46-yard line.

-- Aledo wins the coin toss and defers to the second half, so Forney will the start the game on offense.

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(Feature photo by Tommy Hays)