James Albritton/The Community News: Aledo sophomore safety Rob Blowers (9) sticks a Brewer runner Friday night during the Bearcats' 49-7 victory over the Bears in the District 6-4A opener at Brewer. The state-ranked No. 4 Bearcats raised their overall record to 4-0, and 1-0 in 6-4A. Aledo will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, against Boswell in AHS' district home opener at Bearcat Stadium.

By Tony Eierdam

Aledo senior running back Joel Hasley rushed for 94 yards on 19 carries and scored three touchdowns while also adding a TD reception and senior quarterback Tanner McDonald connected on eight of 11 passes for 157 yards and a pair of TDs to lead the Bearcats to a 49-7 victory over the Brewer Bears in the District 6-4A opener at Brewer.

The win elevates the state-ranked No. 4 Bearcats overall record to 4-0, and 1-0 in 6-4A action.

McDonald's favorite target was receiver Aaron Corby, who caught seven passes for 131 yards, including a TD grab of 31 yards. McDonald added 64 yards on the ground on three carries, and freshman running back Jonathan Gray contributed 75 yards on 14 totes and a pair of scores.

"We are glad to have Joel Hasley, he is a great football player," Aledo head coach Tim Buchanan said. "I wish there were two of him - one to play defense and another to play on offense. Tanner made a couple of good throws deep, and Corby was his fourth option on that (31-yard) touchdown pass. In 16 years we have never thrown to that receiver on that pass play, but Tanner made the right read. Tanner stayed calm and ran the offense well all night."

The Bearcats came back from a 7-0 deficit and struck twice in the first quarter to take a 14-7 lead. Hasley capped a five-play, 70-yard drive with a two-yard blast off left tackle. The key play in the drive was a 34-yard scramble to the Bears' eight by McDonald, who was helped downfield by a crunching block from Corby. Chase Rutherford, who was seven-for-seven on extra points, booted the first of those seven PATs to tie the game at seven apiece.

Later in the opening period, McDonald hit Corby in stride down the middle as the receiver sprinted past two Brewer defensive backs en route to a 31-yard touchdown with 2:26 left in the first quarter. Rutherford's kick gave AHS a 14-7 lead.
The Bearcats added three touchdowns in the second period. The first came on a spectacular 43-yard TD run by Gray. The freshman took a handoff off left tackle, and quickly darted to his right, eluding three would-be tacklers. Gray then cut to the middle and turned the corner down the left sideline, breaking two tackles on his way to the end zone.

Aledo scored its second touchdown of the quarter on a one-yard run by Hasley that finished off a four-play, 39-yard drive. The key play in the drive was a 27-yard pass by McDonald to Corby on the right hashmark.

The Bearcats closed the first-half scoring on a 17-yard McDonald-to-Hasley pass in the left corner of the end zone for 35-7 halftime lead.
Aledo extended its lead to 42-7 after a two-yard blast by Hasley with 7:05 left in the third period.

The Bearcats closed the scoring with 8:24 remaining in the contest on a two-yard run by Gray.

For the complete story of the game, and with more thoughts from Buchanan and thoughts from some of the Bearcats, please see the Oct. 3 issue of The Community News.