The passing duo of best friends wide receiver Kaydon Finley and quarterback Gavin Beard, both juniors, were among five Aledo Bearcats who were named Class 5A Division I All-State by the Padilla Poll, which was recently released.
Joining them are junior defensive linemen Cooper Cyphers and Carson Dempsey, along with senior linebacker Owen Henderson.
Finley and Beard were named to the first team offense, with Cyphers being on the first team defense. Dempsey and Henderson were selected for the second team defense.
Finley was among the most prolific wide receivers in the state, catching 81 passes for 1,429 yards and 21 touchdowns, his most productive season to date. He was targeted 111 times with only four drops.
Beard, in his first season as the starting quarterback, completed 69% of his passes for 2,573 yards. He threw for 35 touchdowns opposite five interceptions, despite missing two games with an injury.
Cyphers posted 43 tackles, including 37 solo. He also had 4.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for a loss and forced three fumbles.
Henderson had 58.5 tackles, 46 of which were solo. He also had two interceptions, recovered a pair of fumbles, registered a sack and two tackles for loss.
Henderson has committed to play for Angelo State University next season.
Dempsey's 22 tackles included 20 solo takedowns, along with 2.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for a loss.
"All of our players that were selected are very deserving," Aledo coach Robby Jones said. "And I think we have some players that were left off the team that deserved recognition as well. But I'm a little biased because I like all of our guys.
"I would vote for an Aledo Bearcat over anyone else in the state if I got to vote on these teams."
The Bearcats finished 12-2 this past season, advancing to the Class 5A Division I state quarterfinals. They won the District 3-5A Division I championship, running their national-record district winning streak to 127 games dating to 2007.
Bearcats 2025 schedule
Scrimmage
Aug. 21, Mansfield Timberview, 7:30 p.m.
Pre-district
Aug. 29, Denton Guyer, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 5, at Lancaster, 7:30 p.m.
District 3-5A Division I (all games start at 7 p.m.)
Sept. 12, Brewer, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19, vs. Birdville at Birdville ISD Stadium
Sept. 26, Keller Fossil Ridge, homecoming
Oct. 3, vs. Denton Ryan at C.H. Collins Stadium in Denton
Oct. 10, Granbury
Oct. 17, Open
Oct. 24, vs. Richland at Birdville ISD Stadium
Oct. 31, Azle, Senior Parent Night
Nov. 6, vs. Denton at C.H. Collins Stadium
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