Bearcats look to keep Hornets winless

They say death and taxes are life’s only two certainties. However, if you ask the folks in Azle they might add one other item to that list.

The Aledo Bearcats defeating the Azle Hornets — and soundly — has become as sure a thing as a mid-afternoon in July in Texas is going to be sizzling. In fact, in their past six meetings the games have been about as close as going to Amarillo by way of Houston.

Dating to 2008, the Bearcats have outscored the Hornets 332-10 in their last half dozen get-togethers. In all, Aledo leads the series 13-2, including winning their only playoff meeting in 2004, 48-35.

And this season the Hornets come into Friday’s District 3-5A Division I game at Bearcat Stadium still looking for their first win, coming off a 63-14 humbling at home to Denton Ryan last Friday. In fact, Azle has been outscored 190-55 in its three losses.

“I really thought Azle would be better,” Bearcats head coach Tim Buchanan said. “But we really don’t talk about the other team that much. We talk about ourselves, what we need to do to get better.

“You cannot control your opponent. You can only control how good or bad you play.”

The Bearcats played their best football of the season on Sept. 8 as they traveled to Justin Northwest and won 49-20 behind 148 yards rushing and four touchdowns from Hawk Patrick-Daniels. Starting quarterback Hauss Hejny and backup Hayden Brant each threw for touchdowns and wide receiver Jalen Pope caught six passes for 94 yards and a TD.

In all, seven different players caught a pass for Aledo and five ran the ball to go along with the twin play at QB. The defense, led by Jayton Owens with eight tackles (one for a loss) and a fumble recovery, recovered three fumbles. And on special teams, Austin Keith’s only punt of the evening went for 63 yards.

Just have fun

Following the first 0-2 start of his head coaching career, Buchanan had a message for his team before their trip to Northwest. 

“I told the kids we need to go have fun,” he said.

And now?

“They’re relaxed, having some fun, coaches are having more fun,” he added.

Of course, life is more enjoyable with a win, and the Bearcats are hoping to keep the good feelings going Friday against an Azle squad that could use a few smiles of its own. 

Like Aledo, the Hornets have played a challenging schedule. Aledo’s non-district losses were 24-17 at Dallas Parish Episcopal (3-0) and 44-14 at home to Denton Guyer (3-0), two of the top programs in the state. Meanwhile, the Hornets lost 69-20 at home to Frisco Reedy (3-0) and 58-14 at Grapevine before opening league play at home against Ryan.

Injury update

The Bearcats are likely going to be without up to five starters against Azle, Buchanan said. This includes Pope, who has 15 catches for 278 yards and a pair of touchdowns this season, and fellow receiver Gavin Olenjack (6 catches, 58 yards) who has yet to drop a pass this season.

Also probably out are linebackers Cap Mooney, the team’s leading tackler Ky Howington (20 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 interception). Offensive tackle Isaac Hohn is also expected to miss the game.

Hauss is the man

While both Hauss Hejny and Hayden Brant saw considerable playing time at quarterback at Northwest — and both played the week before against Guyer, Buchanan said there is no question who the starter is.

“Hauss is good and he’s getting better,” Buchanan said, adding praise for the play of Brant in a backup capacity.

Against Northwest Hejny completed 10 of 14 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. Brant was 8-for-13 for 71 yards with a TD and interception. For the season, Hejny is 23-for-44 for 378 yards with two TD and two interceptions, while Brant is 15-for-26 for 100 yards with a TD and a pick.

Hejny brings a strong rushing element to the position, having carried 24 times for 156 yards.

District 3-5A Division I standings

Last week’s results

Aledo 49, Northwest 20
Ryan 63, Azle 14
Centennial 65, Saginaw 0
The Colony 72, South Hills 0
Brewer bye

This week’s games

Thursday
Saginaw at Ryan, 7 p.m.

Friday
Azle at Aledo, 7 p.m.
Northwest at Brewer, 7 p.m.
Centennial at The Colony, 7 p.m.
South Hills bye

Game at a glance

Azle Hornets (0-3, 0-1 in District 3-5A Division I) at Aledo Bearcats (1-2, 1-0)

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Bearcat Stadium

Azle offensive leaders: QB Josh Jones 39-70, 461 yards, 6 TD, 2 int.; RB Hagen Hughes 32 carries, 184 yards; WR Tyler Akers 15 catches, 214 yards, 1 TD.

Aledo offensive leaders: RB Hawk Patrick-Daniels 41-280 yards, 4 TD; QB Hauss Hejny 23-44, 378 yards, 2 TD, 2 int. passing, 24-156 rushing; WR Jalen Pope 15-278 yards, 2 TD; TE Tyson Timms 7-81, 1 TD.

Azle defensive leaders: LB Denim Fields 22 tackles, 2 for loss; LB Garrin Graves 17 tackles, 1 for loss.

Aledo defensive leaders: LB Ky Howington 20 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 int.; LB Dahvon Keys 18 tackles; S Andrew Parkhurst 17 tackles, 3 for loss, 1 sack.

Team rushing yards per game: Aledo 190.3, Azle 122.7.

Team passing yards per game: Aledo 159.3, Azle 153.7.

Team rushing yards surrendered per game: Aledo 165.3, Azle 286.7.

Team passing yards surrendered per game: Aledo 265.3, Azle 193.0.

Turnovers: Aledo 5 (2 fumbles, 3 int.), Azle 6 (4 fumbles, 2 int.)

Takeaways: Aledo 6 (3 fumbles, 3 int.), Azle 0.

Notable: Aledo has won 104 consecutive district games dating to 2007…Aledo has won seven straight against Azle, including the past six by an average of 51 points…Aledo leads the all-time series against Azle 13-2 dating to 1946.