ARLINGTON – Red Oak’s linebacker Zach Smith understood the challenge that awaited them against Aledo, a team renowned for their impressive track record. With an average of 49 points per game and an esteemed history boasting 11 state titles, Aledo posed a daunting task. Smith and his team formulated a direct strategy to counter Aledo’s strength: focus on making tackles. However, executing their game plan proved to be quite elusive.
Aledo emerged as an unstoppable force. Spearheaded by sophomore running back Raycine Guillory and receiver Kaydon Finley, Aledo effortlessly secured seven touchdowns in their initial eight possessions, clinching a commanding 59-35 victory over Red Oak in the Class 5A Division I Region I semifinal held at Choctaw Stadium.
Guillory showcased his prowess with an impressive 190 yards rushing and a season-high of four touchdowns achieved in just 14 carries. His final touchdown, a 13-yard run with 6:29 left in the third quarter, extended Aledo’s lead to 45-21. Meanwhile, Finley made substantial contributions, racking up seven receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns, with 144 yards and both scores in the first half. Aledo’s quarterback, Hauss Hejny, committed to TCU, added 245 passing yards and two touchdowns to the team’s dominant performance. Collectively, Aledo amassed a staggering 604 total yards while Red Oak endured its highest points conceded ever in a playoff game.
“We had a solid game plan set for them. Unfortunately, we didn’t execute as intended,” remarked Smith, who managed a tackle for loss. “Their tempo was similar to Killeen Shoemaker’s this season. We just couldn’t make those crucial tackles.”
Red Oak (12-1), ranked fifth in The Dallas Morning News’ Class 5A area poll and the Associated Press’ 5A Division I state poll, concluded its most successful season in school history, falling short of their second region-final appearance in four years. Aledo (13-0), the top-ranked team in the AP 5A-I state poll and reigning state champions, secured its 27th consecutive win and advanced to a region final for the 10th time in 11 years, set to face Abilene next Friday at 7 pm at Tarleton State University in Stephenville.
Struggling to contain Aledo’s relentless offense, Red Oak found itself particularly vulnerable to significant plays in the first half. Aledo’s highlight reel included Hejny’s 84-yard touchdown pass to Finley, propelling Aledo to a 14-0 lead with 1:12 remaining in the opening quarter.
Guillory continued his remarkable contributions with 142 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries, including a spectacular 70-yard touchdown run off the left tackle, extending Aledo’s lead to 21-7 with 9:07 remaining in the second quarter.
The second quarter witnessed an explosive scoring spree, culminating in a flurry of action during the last minute. Finley’s 12-yard touchdown reception from Hejny was swiftly answered by Red Oak’s Brayden Robinson, who returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown, narrowing Aledo’s lead to 35-21. The frantic sequence continued with Blake Burdine’s 34-yard return, setting up Cole Crawford’s 39-yard field goal for Red Oak as the first half concluded.
Red Oak quarterback Chris Martinez showcased his prowess, accumulating 202 total yards and two touchdown passes in the first half, including one to Taz Williams Jr., who recorded five receptions for 95 yards. Martinez closed the game with 306 total yards and three touchdown passes, while Williams contributed 105 receiving yards, marking his sixth 100-yard game of the season.
In a postgame address, Melvin Robinson, Red Oak’s coach, struck an optimistic tone, commending the team’s achievement of its most successful season in program history and expressing a promising outlook for the future.
“We’ll be back,” Robinson affirmed with a smile.
Aledo’s cornerback and Arkansas commit Jaden Allen secured an interception, while Red Oak’s defensive lineman Cameron Winston closed their season with an impressive 85-yard fumble return for a touchdown, marking their final touchdown of the season with 1:43 remaining.
