Aledo defeats Smithson Valley: Live Texas high school football championship updates recap

Aledo scores 51 unanswered to demolish Smithson Valley, repeat as UIL 5A Division I state champs

Defending Texas high school football state champion Aledo must get past Smithson Valley to fulfill its repeat efforts. 

The matchup Friday is a part of UIL state championship week at AT&T Stadium with 12 games being played from Wednesday to Saturday, three games per day.

Follow SBLive and reporter Cody Thorn (@CodyThorn) on the ground in Arlington for the latest live updates on the ground for every UIL football championship. The game is being televised by Bally Sports Southwest and can be accessed with FuboTV. 

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ALEDO 51, SMITHSON VALLEY 8 (FINAL)

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Sophomore receiver Kaydon Finley finds daylight to help Aledo rattle off 24 unanswered points in the first half against Smithson Valley in the UIL 5A Division I state championship on Friday at AT&T Stadium / Photo by Tommy Hays

FOURTH QUARTER

-- Aledo wins. After falling behind 8-0 early in the game, the Bearcats score 51 unanswered points to bring home their 12th state title in program history. 

-- Aledo caps off an extremely long drive with a seven-yard touchdown run by RJ Blake. The extra point is good this time around. (Aledo, 51-8 | 3:55)

-- The fourth quarter starts with Aledo facing 2nd and 3 at its own 29-yard line. 

THIRD QUARTER

-- Hauss Hejny keeps it himself for a 10-yard touchdown run to extend Aledo's lead to 36 points. The extra-point attempt is no good, but that shouldn't matter at this point. (Aledo, 44-8 | 2:20)

-- Already with three touchdowns tonight, Hawk Patrick-Daniel is now approaching 200 rushing yards after moving the Bearcats inside the red zone with a 51-yard run. 

-- Smithson Valley punts for the fourth drive in a row. Through two and a half quarters, Aledo has outgained Smithson Valley by more than 350 yards. The Bearcats have posted 412 total yards on 44 plays compared to the Rangers' 52 yards on 40 plays. 

-- Hawk Patrick-Daniels does it again. The senior goes for a 51-yard touchdown run, his third of the game, and Aledo goes ahead by 30 points. (Aledo, 38-8 | 4:43)

-- Aledo's defense continues to smother Smithson Valley. The Rangers punt for the third time this quarter and sixth time tonight, and the Bearcats get the ball back near midfield.

-- The Rangers defense gets a much-needed turnover, as Zach Gingrich comes up with his second interception of the night. Smithson Valley takes over at its own 24 with 6:30 left in the quarter. 

-- Smithson Valley goes three and out for the second time in a row. Aledo starts the drive at its own 16. 

-- This is turning into a blowout for Aledo. Hauss Hejny connects with Colton McCoy for a 29-yard touchdown to continue the Bearcats' scoring run. (Aledo, 31-8 | 8:54)

-- Aledo starts the second half where it left off. The Bearcats force Smithson Valley to punt on the first drive of the half and start a new drive at their own 39.

SECOND QUARTER

-- Cole Crawford boots a 35-yard field goal as time expires in the first half to put the Bearcats ahead by 16. That's now. 24 unanswered points from Aledo since falling behind 8-0. (Aledo, 24-8 | 0:00)

-- Hejny scrambles out of bounds at the 18-yard line with eight seconds left, and Aledo calls a timeout. There might be time to take one shot at the end zone before attempting a field goal.

-- Aledo is down to Smithson Valley's 22-yard line after a couple of big plays in the passing game between Hauss Hejny and Trace Clarkson. 

-- The Bearcats defense forces a quick three-and-out, so Hejny and company will have another chance to add to their lead before halftime. It won't be easy, though. The drive starts at their own 9 with 2:22 remaining.

-- Aledo wastes no time adding to its lead. On the second play of the drive, Hauss Hejny connects with Kaydon Finely on a 69-yard touchdown pass. (Aledo, 21-8 | 3:00)

-- A five minute drive results in zero points for Smithson Valley, as Aledo makes a stop on fourth down at its own 27. 

-- Patrick-Daniels finishes off the drive with his second touchdown of the night, this one from seven yards out to give the Bearcats their first lead of the night. (Aledo, 14-8 | 9:36)

-- Hawk Patrick-Daniels breaks free for 43 yards, and just like that Aledo is down to Smithson Valley's 25-yard line. 

-- Aledo's defense forces a punt, and the offense comes back out at its own 32. 

-- The second quarter starts with Smithson Valley near midfield following a strong kick return by Cole Freund. 

FIRST QUARTER

-- Aledo relies on the legs of Hejny and Hawk Patrick-Daniels to move the ball down the field and put some points on the board. Patrick-Daniels gets the score on a 23-yard run, and the Bearcats kick the extra point after to make it a one point game. (Smithson Valley, 8-7 | 1:28)

-- Hauss Hejny hits Kaydon Finley on the sidelines to move the chains for Aledo on third and long. Let's see if the Bearcats can settle in offensively now after picking up a first down for the first time on their fourth drive. 

-- Despite all the early struggles, Aledo is only a touchdown and two-point conversion away from tying the game. The Bearcats start the drive at their own 25.

-- Smithson Valley is unable to punch it in the end zone after the turnover, but Clayton Amaya hits a 30-yard field goal to put the Rangers up by eight. (Smithson Valley, 8-0 | 5:29)

-- Aledo starts drive No. 3 at its own 25 following a touchback, and on the very first play Hauss Hejny is picked off by Zach Gingrich. The Rangers offense has 1st and goal at the 8-yard line with a chance to go ahead by two scores.

-- Yes, you're reading this score of this football game correctly. Smithson Valley adds to its lead on a 49-yard field goal by Clayton Amaya. (Smithson Valley, 5-0 | 6:59)

-- A safety in the state championship game! The great punt by Smithson Valley sets up a two pointer, as Diego Davila brings down Hawk Patrick-Daniels in the end zone. The Rangers strike first against the Bearcats. (Smithson Valley, 2-0 | 9:45)

-- Now Smithson Valley goes three and out, so Hauss Hejny and the Bearcats offense comes back out very deep in their own territory at the 2-yard line.

-- That's a quick three-and-out for for Aledo to open the game. Smithson Valley takes over on offense near midfield. 

-- Aledo wins the coins toss and chooses to start on offense in the 5A D1 state championship.

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PHOTO GALLERY

All photos by Tommy Hays.

Photo by Tommy Hays

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PREGAME READING

Aledo is playing in its 14th state title game and will look to win No. 12 and the second in a row. Last year, the Bearcats beat College Station and carry a 29-game winning streak into this game. Smithson Valley is still seeking its first state title and this will be title berth No. 4. The most recent came in 2004 and all three losses have came against Dallas-area teams. The Rangers enter on a 14-game winning streak. 

Smithson Valley soars to first Texas state title berth since 2004: 'They had this in mind all along'

COACHES

Larry Hill, 31st year at Smithson Valley

Robby Jones, 1st year at Aledo

UIL STATE PLAYOFF ROAD

ALEDO — Def. Kileen Shoemaker, 27-6; def. Lubbock Cooper, 48-3; def. Red Oak, 59-35; def. Abilene, 56-32; def. Forney, 43-7

COMAL SMITHSON VALLEY — Def. Georgetown, 41-25; def. Magnolia West, 20-17; def. College Station, 26-21; def. College Station Texas A&M Consolidated, 31-24; Brownsville Veterans Memorial, 49-21

TOP PLAYERS

ALEDO

Hawk Patrick-Daniels, RB/WR, sr. 

He filled in at running back last week and ran 29 times for 203 yards and two touchdowns in a semifinal win against Forney. His 12 touchdowns on the year is tied for third on the team. 

Davhon Keys, RB/LB, sr. 

The LSU pledge has ran for 15 touchdowns -- 11 of which came in the postseason and 4 last week. On defense, he has 157 tackles. 

Hauss Hejny, QB, sr. 

The TCU pledge has more than 3,500 yards of total offense this year. He’s thrown for 2,571 yard and 25 touchdowns and added 960 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

SMITHSON VALLEY

Freddie DuBose, WR, sr.

He’s a four-star recruit that Aledo will have to account for in the passing game. The 6-foot-1 target is headed to Texas next year.

Zach Gingrich, DB, sr.

He’s part of a defense that has scored 10 touchdowns. He has had a 50-yard interception and also had a blocked punt and score this year. He’s a Texas State baseball signee.

Brad Sowersby, RB, jr.

He’s been a consistent part of the Rangers offense attack. He had a pair of scores to help Smithson Valley to take an early lead last week in the semifinals. 

STAFF PREDICTION

Aledo 47, Smithson Valley 14

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-- Zach Shugan | zshugan@gmail.com | @SBLiveTX

-- Cody Thorn | @sblivetx

All photos by Tommy Hays.