Hit Your Marc Game of the Week: Aledo’s District Streak Faces an Unbeaten Arlington Martin

Aledo’s next test comes with more than a district win at stake. The Bearcats host unbeaten Arlington Martin on Friday, September 25, at 7 p.m., with their long district winning streak on the line. Martin enters 4-0, while Aledo is 2-2 after winning its last two games. 

The Bearcats’ record tells only part of the story. North Crowley shut them out 26-0 in the opener, and Midway beat them 28-21 the following week. Since then, Aledo has answered with a 31-7 win over Trinity and a 69-0 victory over Granbury. Friday will show whether that turnaround holds against a Martin team arriving with momentum of its own. 

Martin made a statement in its district opener, beating Weatherford 60-17. Quarterback Chase Devoll threw for 213 yards and two touchdowns in that win, while running back Javian Jones-Priest scored twice. The Virginia Tech commit gives Aledo a serious challenge on the ground. If Martin can keep him moving and stay ahead of the chains, the Warriors can dictate the pace. 

That puts Aledo’s defensive front at the center of this matchup. Tymon Meeks is a player I’ll be watching closely after his fumble recovery for a touchdown against Granbury. The Bearcats need him and the rest of that front to disrupt Martin’s running game, force longer downs and give the offense chances to work with a short field.

Aledo also has to show that its recent offensive production carries over against a 4-0 opponent. The Bearcats looked more comfortable in their wins over Trinity and Granbury, but Martin presents a different test. Sustained drives and a clean start would help Aledo keep Jones-Priest and the Warriors’ offense off the field.

The question heading into Friday is simple. Has Aledo found its rhythm or is Martin ready to end one of Texas high school football’s remarkable district streaks? The answer will come at Tim Buchanan Stadium in this week’s Hit Your Marc Game of the Week.

Hit Your Marc Game of the Week: Waxahachie and Denton Guyer Set for Major Week 3 Showdown

Two of the state’s top Class 6A programs will meet Thursday night when the Waxahachie Indians travel to face the Denton Guyer Wildcats in the On Da Marc Sports Hit Your Marc Game of the Week.

Both teams enter the matchup with 2–0 records, adding even more excitement to one of the biggest games on the Week 3 schedule. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Quarterbacks in the Spotlight

Denton Guyer junior quarterback Carter Morgan will face one of his toughest early-season challenges against an athletic and aggressive Waxahachie defense. Morgan must make good decisions, protect the football and remain poised when the Indians bring pressure.

Waxahachie will counter with senior quarterback Jerry Meyer III, who gives the Indians an experienced playmaker leading the offense. Meyer III has a talented group of weapons around him, including Kentorion King, Jordan Thompson-Woods, Jordan Smith, Taylen Strange and Jashawn Crayton.

Waxahachie’s ability to spread the football around will make it difficult for the Guyer defense to focus on one player. The Indians can attack through the air, create plays in space and use their running game to keep the Wildcats from settling into favorable passing situations.

Guyer’s Front Four Could Set the Tone

One of the biggest storylines will be Guyer’s defensive front of Zane Rowe, Khyren Haywood, Logan Lokey and Darrien Neal.

That group has the size, athleticism and next-level talent to disrupt Waxahachie's offense. The Wildcats will look to collapse the pocket, pressure Meyer III and prevent the Indians from establishing a consistent offensive flow.

Waxahachie's offensive line cannot allow Guyer’s front four to control the game. If the Indians protect Meyer III and stay ahead of the chains, they will have opportunities to create explosive plays. If Rowe, Haywood, Lokey and Neal consistently get into the backfield, Guyer could force Waxahachie into turnovers and difficult third-down situations.

Guyer’s Home-Field Opportunity

Playing at home gives Guyer an opportunity to make an early statement against one of the state’s most talented teams. The Wildcats must match Waxahachie’s physicality while playing disciplined football on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, Guyer needs balance. The Wildcats cannot become one-dimensional against Waxahachie’s defensive front. A productive running game, quick throws and manageable third downs will help Morgan and the Guyer offense maintain drives.

Defensively, the Wildcats must limit Waxahachie’s explosive plays. Meyer III and the Indians have several players capable of changing the game quickly, making tackling in space and maintaining proper coverage assignments especially important.

Keys to the Game

For Waxahachie, the formula begins with its defensive line. The Indians want to pressure Morgan, control the line of scrimmage and create short fields for their offense. Meyer III must then distribute the football and allow Waxahachie’s playmakers to work in space.

For Guyer, protecting Morgan and avoiding turnovers will be critical. The Wildcats must also find a way to slow down Waxahachie’s collection of offensive weapons without giving Meyer III easy opportunities down the field.

Both teams feature talented defensive front sevens, so the winner will likely be the team that handles pressure, protects the football and executes in the fourth quarter.

Waxahachie and Denton Guyer both have state championship expectations. Thursday night’s Hit Your Marc Game of the Week will provide an early look at which team is best prepared to turn those expectations into a deep postseason run.

Follow On Da Marc Sports for coverage, highlights and postgame reaction from Denton Guyer versus Waxahachie.

Mustangs Survive in Tallahassee: No. 19 SMU Edges Florida State, 27-24

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It was not always clean, but No. 19 SMU showed the toughness and composure needed to escape Doak Campbell Stadium with a victory.

Nick Reed connected on the game-winning field goal with 21 seconds remaining, lifting the Mustangs past Florida State, 27-24, in their season opener and first ACC game of the year.

The game began under unusual circumstances following a power outage that delayed kickoff by nearly two hours. SMU and Florida State initially played without functioning scoreboards, coach-to-player helmet communication or sideline tablets. Despite the disruption, the Mustangs came out firing.

Kevin Jennings connected with Jalen Cooper for a 50-yard touchdown to give SMU the early lead. Florida State answered with a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped by an eight-yard touchdown run from quarterback Ashton Daniels, tying the game at seven.

Jennings struck again during the second quarter, finding Randy Pittman Jr. for a 10-yard touchdown. Following a 46-yard Florida State field goal, Reed added a 22-yarder to send SMU into halftime with a 17-10 advantage.

Florida State tied the game late in the third quarter when Ousmane Kromah scored on a seven-yard run. Kromah was the Seminoles’ most consistent offensive weapon, finishing with 120 rushing yards.

SMU regained control early in the fourth quarter behind the biggest play of the night. Jennings found Yannick Smith, who broke free for a 79-yard touchdown to put the Mustangs ahead, 24-17.

The Seminoles refused to go away. Daniels answered with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Singleton Jr., tying the game at 24 with 8:17 remaining.

That set the stage for a dramatic finish.

Jennings threw his second interception with 6:33 remaining, giving Florida State an opportunity to take the lead. The SMU defense responded when Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder sacked Daniels and helped force a three-and-out.

The Mustangs then put together a physical final drive, controlling the ball for more than four minutes before Reed delivered the decisive field goal. Florida State’s final possession went nowhere, allowing SMU to leave Tallahassee with a hard-earned conference road victory.

Jennings delivers despite costly turnovers

Jennings produced several explosive plays and finished with 430 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also added 33 yards on the ground.

His touchdown passes went to Cooper, Pittman Jr. and Smith, with Cooper’s 50-yard score and Smith’s 79-yard catch-and-run highlighting SMU’s big-play ability.

The Mustangs finished with 585 yards of total offense, but four turnovers prevented them from putting the game away earlier. Jennings was responsible for three of those giveaways, while a muffed punt by Yamir Knight helped set up Florida State’s third-quarter touchdown.

Those mistakes will give head coach Rhett Lashlee plenty to address, but Jennings’ ability to continue attacking after the turnovers was critical to the victory.

Defense answers when SMU needs it most

SMU’s defense delivered one of its strongest performances on third down, holding Florida State to two conversions in 15 attempts.

The Seminoles finished with 330 total yards, with much of their production coming through Kromah and the rushing attack. Daniels passed for only 123 yards, and SMU consistently forced Florida State into difficult third-down situations.

The defense was at its best after Jennings’ late interception. Alcorn-Crowder’s sack helped prevent Florida State from taking advantage of the turnover and gave the offense another opportunity to win the game.

SMU did not play mistake-free football, but its defense repeatedly limited the damage.

Mustang Wire takeaway

This was a game SMU could have allowed to slip away. The Mustangs dealt with a long delay, limited stadium technology, four turnovers and a Florida State team that continued to respond. Still, they found a way to make the decisive plays late.

Jennings showed why he remains one of the country’s most dangerous quarterbacks. SMU’s receivers demonstrated legitimate big-play potential, the defense dominated third down, and Reed came through with the game on the line.

The turnovers will be corrected. Against stronger opponents, four giveaways could be impossible to overcome. But opening the season with an ACC road victory in Tallahassee is significant.

SMU leaves Florida State at 1-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play and with proof that it can survive adversity on the road.