front who looks to have a greater 2025 is Carson Dempsey. Jones praised the defensive end, who’ s been a three-year starter for Aledo, for his work during the summer.
“ He wants to not just be a good football player, he wants to be a dominant football player,” Jones said.
It’ s the best D-line in Texas, according to Wilburn, who said the team learned to focus on the little things in the loss to Denton Ryan.
But Wilburn expects the same qualities that describe the Bearcat D.
“ Same scheme, same type of ball, hard-hitting physical defense.”
Watching Aledo baseball take home the 5A Div. I state championship, propelling the school to a UIL 5A Lone Star Cup win, added an extra level of motivation for Wilburn and the team.
“ You see the joy and smiles in my friends’ faces. I’ m obviously happy for them, but we want that back too,” said Wilburn.
Now that they’ ve experienced both sides of winning a state title and having their 3-peat hopes come to an abrupt end, Tubbs and the seniors have one final opportunity to live out the dream of playing for the Bearcats.
Eliminating any sense of complacency, the Bearcats have the Oct. 3 rematch against the Raiders on the road circled on the schedule.
“ We have to set a tone,” said Tubbs.“ It’ s gonna set a tone to win state. Let them know we’ re back.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH: DE Carson Dempsey, WR Kaydon Finley, TE Colby Thompson
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Oct. 3 vs Denton Ryan @ C. H. Collins Athletic Complex
AUGUST 2025 | FIRST DOWN 15