GAME PREVIEW

It’s a state championship rematch from last year as Fort Bend Marshall will look to avenge a 55-19 loss to the Bearcats, who won their eighth state title at the Buffs expense.

Fort Bend Marshall has much more in its favor right now. The Buffs aren’t emotionally spent like they were a year ago. Remember they played this game last year just a week after the tragic murder of a teammate and had to go against a juggernaut Aledo squad in AT&T Stadium. Marshall has been in this spot. Nothing will be new for the Buffalos.

Aledo comes into this one certainly wounded with star WR JoJo Earle and RB Jase McClellan, an Oklahoma commit, both operating at much less than 100 percent.

The Bearcats got all they wanted from an underdog opponent for the second week in a row, but once again they came through in the clutch with a 28-21 win over Lubbock Cooper.

McClellan ran for three scores, but the real key was QB Jake Bishop, who made timely throws and plays with his feet to keep drives alive, including a huge 45-yard run on fourth-and-four late in the game that spurred Aledo’s game winning touchdown drive.

Fort Bend Marshall had no such drama in its semifinal game as the Buffs destroyed Boerne Champion, 55-21, in a game that really wasn’t that close.

Marshall raced out to a 48-7 lead at halftime on the strength of a defense that forced four first half turnovers; DB Christian Jackson had two INTs and a blocked punt. RB Devon Achane was his usual self, rushing for 152 yards and three touchdowns while adding 75 receiving yards and a touchdown. Marshall’s skill talent and speed will give Aledo’s defense much more trouble this year as Aledo’s front seven isn’t the dominant group they were a year ago.

The key matchup will be Marshall’s DB’s against the talented Aledo WR’s. If Marshall can win that battle they have a shot to pull the upset. But when Aledo has a Bishop at QB, they always seem to find a way. 

Stepp’s Pick: Aledo by 7

- Matt Stepp

_____

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Aledo

Senior RB Jase McClellan (HUDL)

When it's all said and done, few players in the history of the state will have the resume that McClellan has at the high school level. He's been magificent in the biggest games of the year his entire career, and that includes last week's nail-biter against Lubbock Cooper. Currently committed to OU, McClellan could name his school he's that good.

Junior WR JoJo Earle (HUDL) 

One of the top playmakers in the country, Earle is simply a matchup nightmare for any defensive back. He currently has offers from the likes of Texas, Baylor, Arkansas, LSU, Ohio State, Ole Miss, TCU, Texas Tech and Tulsa to name a few.

Senior QB Jake Bishop (HUDL)

The ultimate gamer, Bishop comes from a family of accomplished state-championship winning quarterbacks. He's as tough as they come and has more than enough weapons to further cement his own legacy.

Fort Bend Marshall

Senior QB Malik Hornsby (HUDL)

The 6-foot-2, 170-pound QB is the true definition of "dual threat." Hornsby has offers from the likes of Purdue, Baylor, Oregon, North Carolina and Texas A&M to name a few. He has thrown for 1,808 yards and 26 touchdowns and rushed for 1,270 yards and 13 TDs this season.

Senior RB Devon Achane (HUDL)

The Texas A&M commit is a 1-man highlight reel. One of the top playmakers in the country, Achane has rushed for 1,940 yards and 35 TDs. He's averaging a ridiculous 11.3 yards per carry.

Senior LB Warren Robinson (HUDL)

At 6-foot-2 and 236 pounds, Robinson has a college-ready frame right now and the highlights to suggest he could be an early impact player as a freshman wherever he ends up. Colorado, Toledo, Texas Southern and Houston Baptist have offered.

- William Wilkerson

_____

PREDICTIONS

_____

TEPPER'S PICK

_____

Become a DCTF Insider today for exclusive insight from the best team of reporters in the Lone Star State! CLICK HERE!

Your subscription will include:

• Instant access to all of our content that is marked Insider at www.texasfootball.com.
  • Includes exclusive podcasts, recruiting news, and our full High School Football rankings and score predictors
• A mailed copy of the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Preview 
• A mailed copy of the Recruiting/Rising Edition of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football
• Access to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football vast array of archived magazines