Greg Webb
With morning practices on the menu this week, along with the Thanksgiving spread, the Aledo Bearcats are not a stranger to mixing the holiday experience with football playoff preparations. Aledo, after eliminating a 'regular' opponent with a win over Stephenville last week, go through the weekly prep ritual for a team they have never faced.
The Hereford Whitefaces (11-1), the UIL entry from District 4-4A, is coming off of a 600-yard offensive performance, thoroughly trouncing El Paso Parkland last Saturday, 45-13.
"Hereford can throw the hound out of the ball," said Aledo head coach Tim Buchanan. "But on the other hand, they are kind of like us in that, if you give them the run, they are going to take it."
The Whitefaces' offense is a study in fluctuation as well, as recent games have displayed a preference for passing with very little production on the ground.
The Hereford path to the regional matchup is similar to Aledo's, also winning a district crown, but did so only two close contests against Big Spring, still in the mix with a game against Everman, and Woolforth Frenship. This contrasts with the Bearcats, also 11-1 on the season, who rolled through their slate less challenged.
Even after the physical overtime match against Stephenville, Aledo brings a relatively unblemished roster to Midland's Grande Communications Stadium.
"Surprisingly, we came through that [Stephenville] game in really good shape," said Buchanan.
Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m.. for the regional playoff game.
