Texas high school football is more than just a game — it’s a way of life. Dave Campbell's Texas Football is spotlighting a different program from across the Lone Star State, diving into their history, traditions, and legends. From powerhouse programs to hidden gems, Texas High School Football Spotlight is your deep dive into what makes each team unique. Whether it’s unforgettable seasons, iconic players, or fierce rivalries, this series celebrates the schools, communities, and stories that define Texas high school football.

Today’s Spotlight: The Aledo Bearcats

The Rundown

TXHSFB’s Title Town lies just west of the DFW. All of the Aledo Bearcats’ record 12 state champions have come since 1998, and their worst season in that time was a second-round playoff loss. Before last season, 11 of its state championships had come in the last 15 years, an unparalleled run in TXHSFB.

By The Numbers 

Class – 5A Division I
Enrollment – 1,622
Location – South-Central Parker County, 30 minutes west of Fort Worth

Trophy Case

State Championships – 12 (1998, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023)
State Championship Appearances – 14 (1974, 1998, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023)
District Championships – 33 (most recent: 2024)
Playoff Appearances – 42 (most recent: 2024)

Glory Days 

Aledo has had five undefeated state championship teams, but none have been more impressive than the 2013 squad. That year, the Bearcats became the first team in high school history to score 1,000 points, averaging 63.93 points per game. But don’t mistake that year’s Aledo for a 7on7 team - they never let an opponent score over 14 points.

The GOAT

Not only is Johnathan Gray the best Aledo running back of all time - he may be the best TXHSFB running back of all time. Gray is the sport’s all-time leader with 205 touchdowns and is second all-time with 10,889 rushing yards. 

The Architect

Aledo answered this question for us when it named the stadium after Tim Buchanan, whose eight state championships are behind only Gordon Wood and Scott Surratt. He also won three state championships as the school’s athletic director in 2014, 2016 and 2018. 

Battle Lines

Aledo’s rapid population growth, combined with the sprouting of high schools in the DFW area, has left them with different rivals. Currently, district opponent Denton Ryan has provided tough battles in both the regular season and playoffs. Aledo is 3–1 in the last three years, but Denton Ryan bested it in the quarterfinals last season. Aledo and Stephenville played every year, sometimes twice, in 2009, 2010 and 2011 until 2013. The rivalry ended when Stephenville dropped to Class 4A.

Home Turf

Since 2006, the Bearcats have played home games at 9,155-seat Tim Buchanan Stadium, named after the 2024 Texas High School Football Hall of Fame Inductee. 

The Year That Was

Aledo’s season-opening 35-30 loss to Denton Guyer snapped a 30-game winning streak, but the defending back-to-back state champions responded by surging to the quarterfinals behind District MVP running back Raycine Guillory’s 1,299 yards and 24 touchdowns. A loss to Denton Ryan leaves the Bearcats with a sour taste in their mouths - a scary sight for the rest of TXHSFB.

Looking Ahead

State championship contention is the expectation in Aledo, and this year is no exception. It all starts up front, where the Bearcats return four of five starters on the offensive line and all four starters on the defensive line. Wide receiver Kaydon Finley has a chance to break every school receiving record as a senior after over 1,400 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024.

Xs and Os

Offense – Spread
Defense – 4-3

On the Rise 

Defensive tackle Tymon Meeks earned District 3-5A DI Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors as a sophomore after racking up 56 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He has an offer to Colorado.

In Their Own Words

“What makes Aledo special is the sense of pride that everyone has in the community for being a Bearcat. Every kid in the community wears their Bearcat jersey to every home game with pride. Come to an Aledo Homecoming parade and there will be thousands of little Bearcats lined up on both sides of the parade wearing their Bearcat jerseys or their Bearcat cheerleading uniforms. It’s at those events that you see how big of a deal the high school football program is and our community comes out and supports our kids.”