FINAL: Tubbs scores late, No. 6 Aledo survives thriller with No. 18 Denton Ryan to extend record winning streak

Early safety proved to be the difference as Bearcats extend 18-year unbeaten mark

Aledo survived a scare, scoring late touchdown to beat Denton Billy Ryan and extend its record district winning streak to 131 games. / Tommy Hays

Aledo (5-0, 3-0 and ranked No. 6 in High School on SI’s latest rankings) travels to Denton Ryan (4-0, 2-0, No. 18) tonight in a marquee District 3-5A Division I matchup that could define the rest of the season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at C.H. Collins Athletic Complex, and both teams enter unbeaten in district play with playoff positioning on the line.

When these teams played each other 366 days ago, Aledo beat Denton Ryan 42-27. But when they faced off again in the Class 5A-Division I state quarterfinals, the Raiders ended Aledo's season 31-21.

The Bearcats carry one of the most remarkable streaks in Texas high school football history. Aledo has won 130 straight district games, a run that began in October 2007. The streak is the longest in UIL history and one of the longest in the nation, surviving close calls in recent years but remaining intact through 18 seasons of dominance.

This year’s Aledo squad has been balanced on both sides of the ball. Running backs Kaden Winkfield, Brady Powell, and Rudy Moya have fueled a rushing attack that’s piled up nearly 900 yards through five games. Notre Dame commit Kaydon Finley has emerged as the top receiving threat with six touchdowns, while linebacker Chase Wilburn and defensive end Cooper Cyphers headline a physical defense.

Denton Ryan has the pieces to challenge that streak. Running back Tre’vaughn Reynolds has already accounted for nearly 700 rushing yards and six scores. Quarterback Quin Henigan has played mistake-free football, while defensive lineman Uzziah “Cookie” Warmate and linebacker Demari Ruth anchor a front seven capable of disrupting Aledo’s rhythm. Cornerback Xaier Hiler provides stability in the secondary.

The winner tonight will grab control of the district title race and secure a favorable playoff path. For Aledo, it’s also about preserving a streak that has become part of Texas football history. For Ryan, it’s the chance to end it – like Aledo's season last year – and prove the Raiders are ready to reclaim their place among the state’s elite.

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Top Stars

For Aledo

Kaydon Finley, WR, sr. – Four-star; Notre Dame commit; No. 13 overall WR by Rivals
Alex Patton, CB, jr. – Three-star; 15 offers; No. 41 CB by Rivals
Jordan Hall, CB, soph. – Three-star; 2 offers; No. 25 CB by Rivals
Payton Williams, IOL, sr. – Three-star; UTSA commit
Carson Dempsey, Edge, sr. – Three-star; Tulsa commit

For Denton Ryan

Xaier Hiler, CB, sr. – Three-star; Arizona commit, No. 70 CB by Rivals
Uzziah Warmate, DL, sr. – Three-star; Sam Houston State commit

Live Updates

Teams	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Aledo	2	0	7	6	15
Denton Ryan	0	7	7	0	14

First Quarter

PUNT! Aledo moved the ball to the Denton Ryan 41 but had to punt. A great punt downed the ball at the Denton Ryan 1 with 6:09 left in the first quarter.

SAFETY! An intentional grounding penalty in the end zone resulted in a safety. Aledo takes a 2-0 lead with 4:57 left in the first quarter. That's the second season in a row Aledo has gotten Ryan for a safety.

End 1: Aledo 2, Denton Ryan 0

Denton Ryan had six plays for three yards in the first quarter.

Second Quarter

PUNT! A big sack forced Aledo to punt it back to Denton Ryan. The Raiders took possession back at its own 38 with 10:39 left in the half.

PUNT! Aledo forced Denton Ryan to give it back to them at their own 24 midway through the second quarter.

PUNT! It's been a punt fest tonight with these fantastic defenses. Aledo sent it back to Denton Ryan with 6:09 left in the first half.

TOUCHDOWN! Denton Ryan took the lead when Tre'vaughn Reynolds was wide open up the seam and caught a pass from southpaw quarterback Quin Henigan and took it 52 yards. The PAT made it 7-2 with 4:06 left in the half.

BIG PLAY! Quarterback Lincoln Tubbs took a draw 34 yards down to the Denton Ryan 5. The Bearcats have the ball at the Denton Ryan 2 at the 2-minute timeout.

BIG PLAY! A bad snap resulted in a 13-yard loss for Aledo. They have the ball at the Raiders' 15 with 1:46 left facing fourth down. That was huge.

FIELD GOAL BLOCKED! Denton Ryan blocked back-to-back field goals with 1:43 left. The first one came on a 32-yard attempt, but it was nullified on a false start penalty by Aledo. Once it was moved back five yards, the Bearcats attempted a 37-yarder that was partially blocked by John Catlin.

Halftime: Denton Ryan 7, Aledo 2

Third Quarter

Nearly two minutes into the third quarter, Denton Ryan hasn't made it very far. The Raiders at their own 13.

INJURY: With 10:26 left in the third quarter, Tre'vaughn Reynolds, who had the only touchdown in the game to that point, went down with an apparent shoulder injury. He came off holding his right arm.

INTERCEPTION! For the first time in 15 games, Denton Ryan quarterback Quin Henigan threw a pick. Aledo's Alex Patton picked it off at his own 33, stumbled and went down at his own 28 where Aledo took over with just over 7 minutes left in the third.

TOUCHDOWN! Aledo tried to force a pass to Kaydon Finley, but Arizona commit Xaier Hiler picked it off and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown with 5:55 left in the third quarter. Denton Ryan extended its lead to 14-3.

TOUCHDOWN! Senior Brady Powell ran over two defenders and powered his way into the end zone with 31 seconds left in the third quarter for Aledo's first touchdown. The PAT made it 14-9. He hit the last defender so hard that he went spinning across the line.

End 3: Denton Ryan 14, Aledo 9

Fourth Quarter

BIG PLAY! TURNOVER ON DOWNS! Absolute disaster for Denton Ryan. On fourth down, the Raiders lined up for a quick punt, but the snap went over the punter's head and he was taken down at Denton Ryan's own 44 to start the fourth quarter. Aledo started with its best field position of the night at the Denton Ryan 44.

TOUCHDOWN! With 7:54 left in the game, quarterback Lincoln Tubbs powered in from 2-yards out to make it 15-14. Aledo grabbed its first lead since the opening safety. A 2-point conversion attempt failed.

PUNT! Denton Ryan was forced to punt it back to Aledo's 21 with 6:05 left.

PUNT! Denton Ryan's defense came up with a huge stop and got the ball back at its own 41 with 4:08 to play.

PUNT! Aledo got a huge stop and forced the Raiders to punt it back to the Bearcats 18 with 2:40 left in the game.

PLAY OF THE GAME! On third down and 2, from near the 40 with 1:02 left, Lincoln Tubbs called his own number and ran for the first down. That play allowed Aledo to run out the clock and extend its record streak in district play to 131 consecutive wins. Wow. What a game.

FINAL: Aledo 15, Denton Billy Ryan 14

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