Look at it This Way: Always looking ahead

Rick Mauch

In an old Burt Reynolds movie, “The Cannonball Run,” an Italian driver rips the rear-view mirror off his windshield and says, “What’s behind me doesn’t matter.”

While it was meant to bring a chuckle, it also rings true - not only in auto racing, but  in all facets of life.

That includes playing defense in a football game. And though it’s very unlikely that many - if any - of the players on the field this past Friday night have ever seen that movie, that was the mindset of the Aledo Bearcats on defense in their 21-14 victory against Denton Guyer at Tim Buchanan Stadium.

“We have a next down, next play mindset,” Aledo senior safety Lamel Swanson said. “It’s very important that we keep our focus on what is happening next.”

This was a consistent defensive theme in the game between perennial state powers. Aledo came into the game ranked No. 1 in Class 5A Division I and Guyer was No. 15 in Class 6A, with both coming off of state quarterfinals appearances.

Of course, the most notable was Guyer’s last possession. After the Wildcats moved from their own 26 to the 41 on two plays, the Bearcats clamped down and forced three consecutive incompletions - the last with the Guyer quarterback running in desperation - to seal the victory.

The Wildcats had scored on a 49-yard touchdown pass with 4:22 to play on their previous possession. Then, after forcing an Aledo punt, seemed to have momentum on their side.

It wasn’t the first time momentum was squelched by the Aledo defense.

Down 14-0 at the half and having been held to 40 yards of offense (34 rushing, 6 passing) and only two first downs (one by penalty) by the Bearcats defense to that point, Guyer took the second half kickoff and went 68 yards in four plays before scoring on a 37-yard run. Suddenly, they were within a touchdown and it appeared to be a different game. That perception didn’t last long. The Bearcats forced a three-and-out on Guyer’s next possession, limiting them to four yards on a short pass, followed by a 59-yard drive by the Aledo offense, capped by Kaden Winkfield’s second TD of the night.

Just like that, the lead was again 14 points, 21-7.

“It helps the offense a whole lot when the defense has that kind of night,” senior running back Brady Powell said. “It gives us breathing room.”

The Bearcats defense didn’t force any turnovers or have any sacks, but they did record five tackles for loss and they were constantly swarming and confusing Guyer on offense. They had six pass breakups and 16 quarterback hurries.

And on special teams, they blocked a Guyer field goal attempt after the Wildcats returned an interception to the Aledo 14 and then moved to the 6.

It was the second time in the first half the defense stopped Guyer deep in Aledo territory. After the Bearcats fumbled on the game’s opening play, Guyer found itself inside the 30-yard line a few plays later, only to turn the ball over on an incomplete pass.

“In pregame we talked about if we give up the big play, have a short-term memory,” Bearcats head coach Robby Jones said. “The next play is always the most important.”

This is not to take away from the Bearcats offense, which, as Jones noted, was taking on a stout Guyer defense as well. Though there are some things to smooth out - and does anyone doubt they will - Jones said he saw things he liked in both quarterbacks as senior Lincoln Tubbs ran for 54 yards and junior Nash McElree was 6-of-11 for 39 yards passing.

Also, Winkfield, a senior, had a solid night that included 85 yards on 13 carries and the two aforementioned scores. Powell ended the evening with 46 yards on eight carries and a score.

The Bearcats will play in Lancaster Friday, Sept. 5, against another Class 6A toughie. The Tigers pushed defending 6A Division I state champion North Crowley to the brink before succumbing 22-18 in the season opener.

The win over Guyer, while impressive, is now a thing of the past. As long as the Bearcats keep that in mind after each game they stand a good chance of winning the race to yet another title.