5A DII State Semifinal Preview and Prediction: Wichita Falls Rider (11-2) vs. Aledo (11-1)

By John Hamilton and Monica Weatherly

Share or Save for Later

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Save to Favorites

Wichita Falls Rider (11-2) vs Aledo (11-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Denton’s Apogee Stadium: In an absolute slugfest last week up in Amarillo, Wichita Falls Rider avenged a regular season loss to Lubbock-Cooper, 21-13.

The Raiders were led by DB Dominique Horton, who started the scoring with a pick six in the first half and then turned away a Lubbock-Cooper scoring opportunity with an interception late in the game.

Virginia QB commit Jacob Rodriguez chipped in 209 yards through the air, along with 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns to lead the Raiders offense.

Aledo got pushed in a major way last week trailing 38-28 after three quarters, but they got a fourth quarter surge to pull away from previously unbeaten Lovejoy, 52-48.

Lamar signee DeMarco Roberts got the job done rushing for 266 yards and three touchdowns behind Aledo’s massive offensive line; he also added an 88-yard kickoff return for a score to pace the Bearcats.

Alabama signee JoJo Earle added in 151 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.

Aledo’s defense did have their fair share of struggles slowing down the Lovejoy passing game as Lovejoy rolled up 581 yards of offense. But in the fourth quarter, when Aledo’s defense needed to make plays, the Bearcats were able to slow Lovejoy down and get their offense back on the field.

These two met up in this round in 2018 and Aledo flat out embarrassed a young Rider squad. Many of these seniors for Rider played in that game and there’s no doubt the Raiders haven’t forgotten. The questions on if Rider can be competitive with Aledo still linger.

I think this one isn’t the blowout the 2018 meeting was, but Aledo wears Rider down in the second half and secures another spot in the state title game.

Stepp’s Pick: Aledo by 17

This article is available to our Digital Subscribers.
Click "Subscribe Now" to see a list of subscription offers.
Already a Subscriber? Sign In to access this content.

Sign In