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Updated Saturday, December 12, 2009 7:38 PM
Aledo beats Denison, advances to 4A state final
BY JASON DELLA ROSA
HERALD DEMOCRAT
DENTON -- It was the end of an era for the latest Denison uprising to statewide prominence, a two-year run full of victories and records along the way where the importance of the victories, 25 in 28 games, took precedent.
"The records don't mean anything," senior tight end Jimmay Mundine said. "I wanted to win state, that's all I wanted."
The Yellow Jackets' best season in more than a decade and the careers of some of the best players to wear a Denison uniform came to an end earlier than they would have hoped, two victories short of that goal as Aledo defeated Denison, 40-28, in a Class 4A Division II state semifinal at C.H. Collins Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon. "We're taking this really hard," senior defensive tackle Devonte Kemp said. "It was going to happen this week or next but we wanted it to end with a title."
Aledo (14-1) advanced to the state championship game and will face Brenham later this week.
It was an up-and-down contest for Denison (13-2), which took an early 14-point lead and then trailed by only six in the final minutes before the Bearcats were able to clinch the victory with a late touchdown.
"We thought we had a chance," White said. "I knew it was going to go down to the end. We just couldn't get a stop when we needed to."
Aledo sophomore running back Johnathan Gray finished with 185 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries, including the game-clincher with 3:14 left to send Aledo to its first championship game since winning a 3A title in 1998.
"When we were playing good defense we didn't play good offense and when we had good offense, the defense wasn't good," White said.
After Trey Ozee scored on a one-yard plunge to make it a two-score game with just over five minutes left, Denison quickly drove four plays to cut the deficit to six on Mundine's 24-yard touchdown catch from Jordan Taylor less than a minute later.
But Gray escaped for a 55-yard touchdown, only his third rush of more than nine yards, to widen the gap. The Jackets turned the ball over on downs and Aledo then ran out the clock.
"They're a dang good football team," White said. "To get to this point you have to be an outstanding football team and they were but we're outstanding too."
With a chance to jump in front after receiving the second-half kickoff, Denison's offense struggled for all of the third quarter and much of the fourth.
"We just had miscues to put us in long situations," White said.
Mundine, who became the first Jacket to have more than 1,000 receiving yards in a season, lost a fumble on that third-quarter possession and Aledo took the lead for good on its next drive. Two three-and-outs and a Taylor interception preceded the touchdown drive to make it a 34-28 deficit.
"I thought going in they would be the best we'd face," White said. "What they do caused us a few problems. We didn't execute well at certain times."
Although the Jackets came up with one fourth-down stop deep in its own end and forced a pair of punts in the fourth quarter to give the offense a chance, Denison couldn't contain a scrambling Bishop at times, who turned long-yardage situations into first downs, and Gray converted a fourth-and-three situation on the drive that put the Bearcats ahead for good.
"They outphysicaled us," Kemp said. "We're usually known to be a second-half team but today it wasn't our day."
Aledo opened the game with a 67-yard kickoff by Cameron Cunningham and Gray scored on a four-yard run two plays later just 40 seconds in the contest.
The second time the Jackets had the ball D.J. Jones broke free on the right side for a 26-yard touchdown run to tie the game in the middle of the quarter. Dalton Hestand then caught the Bearcats off guard with a squib kick that he recovered just beyond midfield.
"We saw it on film. We practiced it all week," White said. "Knew we were going to get it."
Denison took advantage as Jones, who finished with 114 yards on 22 carries, scored from two yards out to put the Jackets in the lead. On the second play of Aledo's ensuing possession, Aaron Morrison tipped a pass by Bishop, hauled it in and returned the interception 21 yards for the touchdown and a 21-7 Denison lead.
Facing the early deficit, the Bearcats fought back for a half-time tie at 21. Bishop scored on a third-down scramble from 11 yards away and then Gray had a five-yard touchdown with 43 seconds left in the second quarter to earn the deadlock.
"I feel like I didn't leave anything undone. They were better than us this day," senior center Corbin Boettger said. "They made stops when they had to and we couldn't move the ball at times."
 Comments ... 27 found!
nice game. : 12/20/2009
#23 wasn't being cocky.. he was being honest =) thats what happens when your actually that good. your aloud to show it off. BearCats Dominated practically the entire second half, and ultimately won them their nice victory =)
Go Bearcats =)
Go home be happy : 12/16/2009
Aledo is headed to State. They are happy.
blatantrespect
footballdivanfan?? : 12/15/2009
Any knowledgeable football fan knows that stuff happens on a football field from both teams. Don't make it sound like Aledo were some sort of angels. I saw plenty from my vantage point. This is a Denison paper, go home and be happy.
Jacket Booster
Good Luck : 12/15/2009
I hope the Jackets never have to face opponents with the behavior they displayed during the game. I am shocked the coach allowed it.
The Bearcats out played Denison and won without the poor sportsmanship.
footballdivafan
Good Season : 12/15/2009
but teach your players how to keep their cool.
Bearkats Rule
JBBrown : 12/14/2009
Sorry, I don't agree with you. Plenty of folks around me were yelling and get off that standing thing. I also don't agree that Aledo outdid us in the stands. I do agree with the poster about Aledo's #23. Quite a show off and the type kid that can get under your skin. They weren't all goodie, goodies. The offensive linemen were great at holding and the officials didn't call it. When you get hooked and your body is twirled around, that is holding....and you can't get off a block, that's holding.
Jacket Supporter
denison fans : 12/14/2009
Good job JACKETS for a great season!! Everyone did great and I cant wait to see some of you guys playing college ball. I would like to address my disappointment in "some" of the Denison fans. If you want to go to the game to sit down and be quiet then you need to stay on the couch and watch the game at 6:30. I couldnt believe that our fans would just sit there and not say anything. regardless of whether we are making plays or not, our yellowjackets need to know that we are still there cheering them on. Aledo had less fans there then us and out cheered us YellowJackers! Good work Jackets on a great season. To you Denison fans that I am talking about, grow a pair and stand up and cheer for your team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JBROWN
RE: Sportsmanship : 12/14/2009
The only reason Cody Reeves got thrown out is because that Bearkitty #23 was too cocky all game. He got what he deserved.
Randy M
Next week : 12/14/2009
I hope Aledo gets slaughtered next week.
Randy M
Good season, boys : 12/14/2009
I have no use for "woulda, coulda, shoulda". When you get to this level and don't play your best, you get beat. Aledo is a great team and did what needed to be done to win the game. Congrats to them. As for our Jackets, it's been a lot of fun watching these guys the last two years and they represented Denison well. They should be proud of what they accomplished and hopefully all of them will have similar success in their future endeavors, no matter what field it is in or on. Now, with all the contributors that are graduating, we're going to see what kind of coach Cody White really is and I'm looking forward to it.
Still Happy
last game : 12/13/2009
Any word on how the young man that hit the concrete behind the end zone is doing?
soccerfan
Gray : 12/13/2009
That gray kid is cold running back #32, he's only a sophmore and he's got over 2,500 total yards and over 45 total TD'S I used 2 play wit him and against him and trust me believe the hipe, this kid is GOOD, can someone say NFL?
LiL Parker
RE: Play calling : 12/13/2009
Your absolutely right about the play calling. I realize we aren't the coaches but the coaches aren't the only one's who know how to call a game. Fans in the stands could not understand why there wasn't more passing. I seemed as though they wanted Jones and Taylor to win the game for them. As good as those two players are they can't win by themselves against this caliber of team. We got outcoached against Sulphur Springs last year. We got outcoached against Aledo this year. Still love those jackets though. Better luck next year.
Jackets all the way
Jacket Football : 12/13/2009
Great year Jackets! Thank you coaches and players for all your hard work.
Center1
Heck of a Season : 12/13/2009
The Denison-Aledo game was a super contest between two great high school teams... Unfortunitely only one team can win and on this day it was Aledo. Thanks to the Jackets for making it a banner year for Denison. You have returned Denison to the top of high school football chatter pages. You can be proud of your accomplishments.
I do not get paid to make coaching decisions, so I will not offer any suggestions, but I am hoping our staff will grow in experience as well as seniority..
Thanks again Jackets!!
Underdog
play calling : 12/13/2009
First off just wanted to tell all the Jackets what a great season they had many teams didnt even get close. So for that great job and Im very proud of the Jackets and Cody White, now on to 1 thing i felt like turned the game was a 3rd in like inches before half time Why did Eddie Hancock the offense cordniator, not just line up and do a quick snap to Jordan Taylor he could have easily got the 1st but no Hancock callls a bone head play and nets a loss. They were several bad play calling on our Part this team had plenty Talent to win. I still feel like the best team did not win. Just Plain and simple outcoached, also Aledo was holding all the time why was our staff not complaining to the Pro Aledo Officials who knows. Thanks to Marty Criswell for being at our Game.Thanks to Jason for doing a good job this year covering us. Big thanks for all the Dawg pound Members. Big thanks goes to Dr Henry Scott also. Its Great To Be A Yellow Jacket!!!!!
Jackets 42
PLAY CALLING : 12/13/2009
Great year Jackets be proud of what you accomplished.When you play against very good defense's you need to be a little more creative than Denison was on Sat. With the speed of the recievers do not understand why they do not throw more short crossing routes and let the recievers make play's with thier feet.Reeves is one of there best and fastest player's and they rarley throw him the ball unless it is deep downfield.Reeves got alot of cushion from the cornerback all day and they never tried to get him the ball on screen's, quick slant's etc. Aledo's D was to good to let DJ beat them by himself.Thank's again for a great year.
DHS 84
jackethead : 12/13/2009
What you didn't say was that the Aledo kids were doing some stuff as well. These are competitive teenagers and things happen. Unfortunately, nothing except for false starts were called against Aledo. There was holding galore going on out there right where the back judge should have been making the calls. This also happens with high school refs as they overlook some things but those were crucial allowing the Aledo QB to set up and pass or scramble. Makes you wonder if they have been talking to other refs who called Jacket games this year.
Bottom line, we didn't execute our offense as we have throughout the year. Not one pass was thrown to Cody Reaves and he had single coverage most of the game. As someone mentioned, our third down and short calls were atrocious. They were looking for D.J. who played his heart out. This loss can also be attributed to the coaching staff. Aledo executed better than we did.
Proud of the Jackets
We"ll be back : 12/13/2009
Jackets hold your heads high and be PROUD of who you are and what you have done. It was a great football season. Seniors, good luck to each of you. Juniors and the rest of the team, I can't wait for next year!
PROUD JacketMom
jacket football : 12/13/2009
bad coaching with 5:00min to go in 2nd qtr. jackets up 28-7. just got out coached, had the talent! but ran some bad plays in certain situations. on off & def. still great year
stevo
: 12/12/2009
Jackets were awsome this season. A word to all the football players You have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to be ashamed about. You made it to the state semi finals! That's better than we have done in a long time. WAY TO GO!! Exellent Job this season! And to all the Juniors you have got some pretty big shoes to fill. Keep up the legacy!
Jacketbacker10
sportsmanship : 12/12/2009
The only thing to be ashamed of is the lack of sportsmanship exhibited by the Jackets. The taunting, then the ejection by a jackets player showed a lack of poise.
jackethead
Jackets : 12/12/2009
Thanks for Bunches of Fun this season. It was an Awesome run. Remember, You are all winners. You have made Denison so proud!. I wish it could be different. Thank You to all the Seniors. Time to grow and go into your futures, Which is full of promises for all of you players. Thanks to Coach White and his coaching staff. How about that Golden Band from Jacketland?, Our cheerleaders, Flag Bearers, and the Greatest Booster Club in High School Football. Thanks to Henry Scott and all the DISD teachers, staff. And a huge thanks to all of the Denison Fans, The best in Texas!! As this era comes to an end, i am sure we will have the new group of young Jackets, eager to put their talents on the field and continue the Yellow Jacket Tradition. It will always be great to be a Yellow Jacket!!!! Also, Thanks to Jason Della Rosa for covering the Jackets, Great job Jason..
Jacket Master
Aledo : 12/12/2009
If we had played on offense like we had the past two weeks, I have no doubt we would have won. I fully expected to give up 35-40 points but also expected to score 42-45. Our execution on 3rd and short was terrible. The spread isn't a good short yardage offense against a good defense. We also didn't utilize our passing game earlier in the game. We had our chances. Great season, great two year run. Proud of you Jackets!
Jacket Backer
Jacket Bearcat Game : 12/12/2009
I know that it is tough to lose in the Semi's (we have done it 5 times in 12 years). Your guys gave us a great game and still could have pulled it out in the 4th quarter had one or two plays gone the other way. We have no hard feelings against #18 (the ejected player) or any of the other players. Sometimes the emotions get the best of players. We know that your program is top notch and we hope to play you again next year. You had a great year.
Aledofanalso
Jackets loss : 12/12/2009
What a game, the Jackets have nothing to be ashamed of. I hope they hold their heads up high and realize they are an awesome team and had a great season.
JF-jacketfan
: 12/12/2009
Great Season and Good luck to the Seniors as they go into the world to be young men and examples for the youth upcoming..
shermanite
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