Buchanan says defense ‘Best We’ve Had’

Aledo Head Coach Tim Buchanan knows the old saying “Defense Wins Championships.” If one were to look at any of the ten Aledo state champion teams, they would see that has held true since that first title in 1998.

However, in the 29 years Buchanan has been at Aledo, he believes that the 2022 defense might be among the best the Bearcats have ever seen.

“We have a lot of new faces,” Buchanan said. “But looking at what we bring back and where the new guys fit in, they’re going to be pretty darn good. By the end of the regular season they might turn into one of the best we’ve had.”

Brad McCone returns for his 10th season on the Aledo coaching staff and will head up the defense. McCone spent 13 years as the head coach at Crowley High School where he led the Eagles to a district championship in 2001. In 2013 he came to Aledo to become the defensive line coach, and with the departure of Billy Mathis as defensive coordinator in 2017, McCone took over as the defensive coordinator.

Defensive Line: Ansel Din-Mbuh, Bryon Wheeler, Lawson Moore, Christian Hillman

Din-Mbuh and Wheeler return as the main defensive tackles, and with the experience they gained in Aledo’s new wrestling program, will look to add a new level of physicality to the defensive front. Meanwhile Moore and Hillman are first time starters on the varsity level, but played a significant amount of time in 2021.

“Both Moore and Hillman played a bunch last year,” Buchanan explained. “They’re new starters but they both played well last year and had a great spring.”

Linebackers: Davhon Keys, Cap Mooney, Andrew Parkhurst, Cooper Kohan, Ky Howington

Keys returns at middle linebacker after a stellar 2021. Mooney is expected to take many snaps on the offensive side at running back, along with Keys when the situation calls for it. Parkhurst moves forward from the safety position but is still expected to be a force in stopping the run. Kohan and Howington are new faces to the starting roster that will both see significant playing time in the box this season and should fill the gaps nicely.

“Kohan and Howington are two kids that will be really good,” Buchanan mentioned. “They’ll allow Davhon and Cap to come play running back a bit for us.”

Defensive Backfield: Hawk Daniels, Jake Gillespie, Jaden Allen, Chris Johnson

Allen returns for the first time without his brother behind him at safety, but brings an element of speed to the outside at cornerback where he has spent the past two years. Johnson will join him on the opposite side of the defense, again adding speed and quickness to the secondary. Daniels rejoins the Bearcats at safety after a brief but notable stint at Brewer High School where he was a massive force for the Bears, while Gillespie will be the strong safety after moving into town after his father took the defensive coordinator job at TCU. Gillespie is also known to be very physical and will add a bit of extra strength to the Aledo defense.

“Hawk is an old Bearcat,” Buchanan said. “He was here in middle school and then moved to Brewer, he’s back and he’s a really talented young man. Gillespie had an incredible spring and we’re excited to see what he’s going to bring to the table.”

After graduating seven defensive starters from 2021, it is somewhat of a mystery as to just how the defense is going to look for the team. However, Buchanan is confident in what he has now more than ever, and expects a stellar year from the affectionately named “Black Shirts.”