Spring football season ended for the Aledo Bearcats with a spirited spring game Wednesday morning at Bearcat Stadium that featured touchdowns on both sides of the ball and plenty of hard hitting.
In a physical game that featured the White team (No. 1 offense; No. 2 defense) against the Orange team (No. 2 offense; No. 1 defense), the White defeated the Orange, 21-7.
“It was a positive spring,” Bearcats third-year head coach Steve Wood said. “We got better overall, and we ended it with an us-against-us scrimmage. The guys competed hard (during the spring game) against each other but they have to remember they are all on the same team.
“I thought we had ups and downs on both sides of the ball (Wednesday). We are green in the secondary and it showed on a couple of plays, but we are experienced at receiver and they made a couple of plays. I didn’t think we ran the football well but that is also a tribute to the defense.
“Again, we had a very positive spring. The guys had great attitudes and they came out here every day and worked. This game was a good way to end a good spring.”
One of the big experiments of the spring was moving all-state offensive guard Wes Harris to defensive tackle to play next to all-district defensive tackle James Williams. The pair clogged the middle of the defense during the spring game, leaving the running backs little to no room to run in the middle.
Harris played more on defense during the spring game, but on one occasion Harris was on the offensive line and blocked down on Williams before sprinting into the secondary to pick off a safety. Harris feels he will play mainly on defense next year but added that he will still see action on offense.
“It is a lot different playing defense, but I like it,” said Harris, who will play at TCU in 2017. “There is a big difference, technique-wise, playing defense. But I am getting the hang of it, and I think James and I will be able to hold down the middle. We are good on defense this year and I feel confident (with the move).”
The White team scored the first three touchdowns, including two on offense, before the Orange team got on the board.
After a scoreless first quarter in the timed scrimmage, the White team had the ball at the Orange 29-yard line early in the second quarter.
On first down, starting running back Donnie Evans got free outside for a 15-yard gain to give the White a first down at the Orange 14. Two plays later, quarterback Dillon Davis lofted a spiral on a fade route to receiver Logan Bridges, who cradled the perfectly-placed pass on the run and waltzed into the end zone to complete a 14-yard touchdown play. Kicker Reed Vierling booted the extra point to give the White a 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing series, White defensive back Cole Daniels jumped a sideline route, intercepted a pass and sprinted 40 yards down the left sideline and into the end zone. Kicker Quinn Davis added the extra point to extend the White lead to 14-0.
Later in the third quarter White scored again, but this time the offense was led by quarterback Zane Hayden. Hayden’s on-the-money aerial hit a streaking Bridges down the right sideline as the senior-to-be speedster outraced two defenders to the end zone to complete a 54-yard touchdown play for a 21-0 advantage.
The Orange closed the scoring when defensive back Will Greenwood intercepted a pass and raced 68 yards to pay dirt to cut the lead to 21-7.
On the next White offensive series Hayden completed a 40-yard pass to Beau Mask to the Orange 11, but on the next play the White team lost a fumble to end the drive.
For the complete story see the May 27 issue of The Community News.
Looking like he made a smooth transition to defensive line, Aledo's Wes Harris, left, brings down a ball carrier with the help of linebacker Rhett Harris Wednesday morning during the annual spring game. Wes Harris, an all-state offensive guard, was moved to defensive line in the spring.
Aledo receiver Logan Bridges scores the second of his two touchdown receptions Wednesday morning during the Bearcats Spring Game at Bearcat Stadium.
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